PIB – 07 September 2021

AUSINDEX

Focus: GS III- Defence

Why in News?

Indian Navy Task Group is participating in the 4th edition of AUSINDEX from 06 to 10 Sep 21.

Details:

• Royal Australian Navy (RAN) which participated in Exercise MALABAR along with the IN units is also part of the exercise.
• This edition of AUSINDEX includes complex surface, sub-surface and air operations between ships, submarines, helicopters and Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the participating Navies.
• The participating Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt are the latest indigenously designed and built Guided Missile Stealth Frigate and Anti-Submarine Corvette respectively.
• They form part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.

About AUSINDEX:

• It was commenced in 2015 as a bilateral IN-RAN maritime exercise and has grown in complexity over the years
• The 3rd edition of the exercise, held in 2019 in the Bay of Bengal, included anti-submarine drills for the first time.
• In the Fourth Edition, the surface units of both the countries will be exercising with HMAS Rankin, a Collins Class Australian Submarine, Royal Australian Air Force P-8A and F-18A aircraft, along with integral helicopters of both the Navies.
• The exercise will provide an opportunity for both Navies to further bolster inter-operability, gain from best practices and develop a common understanding of procedures for Maritime Security Operations.
• The exercise is a true representation of Joint Guidance signed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, IN and Chief of Navy, RAN on 18 Aug 21.
• This important document is aligned to the ‘2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ between the two nations and aims to further consolidate shared commitment to regional and global security challenges promoting peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
• The conduct of this exercise despite COVID restrictions is also a testimony of existing synergy between the participating Navies.

NALCO NAMASYA MOBILE APP

Focus: GS II- Government Policies and Interventions

Why in News?

National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO), a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, has been playing a key role in empowering the Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) through providing a modern & innovative platform ‘NALCO Micro And Small enterprise Yogayog Application’

About NALCO Micro And Small enterprise Yogayog Application

• It is a bi-lingual App developed exclusively for the benefit of the Company’s MSE Vendors.
• The NAMASYA App provides a platform to highlight the Company’s efforts towards development of MSEs.
• The App empowers MSEs with required information about vendor registration process, items which can be supplied by them with technical specification, vendor development and training programmes of NALCO.
• As a responsible Corporate and India’s leading producer and exporter of alumina and aluminium, the Company has taken several initiatives towards easing the process of doing business, especially for the MSE sector involved in mining and metal business, and furthering inclusive growth and sustainable development in its ecosystem.

DOPPLER WEATHER RADAR (DWR) & INDIGENOUS GPS BASED PILOT SONDE

Focus: GS III- Science and Technology

Why in News?

Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) & Indigenous GPS based Pilot Sonde at IMD, Jammu inaugurated by the Union Minister for S&T.

Details:

• This is the latest upgraded state-of-the-art Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) & Indigenous GPS based Pilot Sonde at Indian Meteorological Office in Jammu.
• The X-Band Doppler Weather Radar installed will help in providing real-time monitoring and reporting of weather events affecting the Jammu region and will be helpful in providing weather forecasts in different sectors including agriculture and tourism forecasts.
• Besides providing real-time monitoring, the X-Band Doppler Weather Radar stationed at Jammu will provide improved weather services to the people of J&K and input to numerical weather prediction models for generating better weather forecasts.

CHIDAMBARAM PILLAI

Focus: GS I- Modern History

Why in News?

The Prime Minister has remembered freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai on his Jayanti.

About Chidambaram Pillai:

• Chidambaram Pillai was born on 5 September 1872 to Olaganathan Pillai and Paramyee 
• Ammai in Ottapidaram, District Tirunelveli in modern Tamil Nadu.
• He was popularly known by his initials, V O.C. also known as Kappalottiya Tamizhanor “The Tamil Helmsman”,
• He was an Indian freedom fighter and leader of the Indian National Congress.

Role in the Indian Freedom Struggle

• VOC entered politics in 1905 following the partition of Bengal.
• Towards the end of 1905, VOC visited Madras and was drawn closer to the Swadeshi Movement initiated by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai.
• VOC was drawn towards Ramakrishna Mission and came into contact with Subramania Bharati and the Mandayam family.
• In response to the British India Steam Navigation Company’s trade monopoly, Chidambaram started an Indian-owned shipping company.
• Even prior to Gandhiji’s Champaran Satyagraha, VOC took up the cause of the working class in Tamil Nadu, and thus he is a forerunner to Gandhiji in this respect.
• A turning point in V.O.C’s life came with the Tuticorin Coral Mills strike in 1908.
  • The workers at the British-owned mill were unfairly treated.
  • 59% of the workers were aged 14 – 16. They had to work from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm. In February 1908, they decided to go on a strike demanding better pay and a reduction in the number of working hours.
  • V.O.C took up the workers’ cause and gave many fiery speeches which drew the people’s attention to the plight of the workers. The cause gained widespread sympathy and support.
• In 1920, Chidambaram withdrew from the Indian National Congress, citing ideological differences with Mahatma Gandhi.
• He focused his efforts on establishing labor unions in Madras and writing.
• He rejoined the Congress party in 1927 and presided over the third political conference held at Salem.
• By 1935, he had written commentary on the first book of the Tirukkural (Book of Virtue) and was published under a different title.