Current Affairs

KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS 2024

Why in the News?

It is annually observed on 26^th July to commemorate the brave hearts of the Indian Army and celebrate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan during Kargil war (1999). This year, the nation commemorates the 25th anniversary of this victory.

About Kargil War

• India and Pakistan conducted nuclear tests in 1998 which further escalated tensions and finally the Kargil War in 1999.
• It is also known as the Kargil conflict and was fought between May-July of 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC).
• It was the first ever war to be broadcasted live on TV channels in India.
• It was the last war that happened between India and Pakistan.
• In a first, the Indian side used the Bofors FH-77B howitzers to shoot down enemy positions nested at top of the mountains.
• Israel provided their Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to India during the conflict.

Operation Vijay

• In 1999, India and Pakistan signed the Lahore Agreement to mutually resolve the Kashmir issue in a peaceful manner.
• However, Pakistani troops began infiltrating toward the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) under Operation Badr, hoping to cut off Indian Troops in Siachen.
• On 3rd May 1999, Pakistan started this war when it had infiltrated into the high altitudes in the mountainous region of Kargil and captured it.
• When the Indian Government got the information about it, Operation Vijay was launched by the Indian army to expel intruders who had treacherously occupied Indian territory.

Location of Kargil (LOC)

KHAAN QUEST 2024

Why in the News?

The Indian Army contingent departed for the Multinational Military Exercise Khaan Quest 2024. The exercise will be held Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to prepare Indian Armed Forces for peacekeeping missions in a multinational environment, enhancing interoperability and readiness for peace support operations. The exercise first started as a bilateral event between the USA and the Mongolian Armed Forces in 2003.

About Khaan Quest

• It is a multinational peacekeeping operations exercise conducted in Mongolia.
• It consists of a United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping Mission command post exercise, a UN Peacekeeping Operation (PKO) Mission field training exercise at the Mongolian Armed Forces' Five Hills Training Area.
• The exercise is designed to improve peacekeeping capabilities, strengthen military-to-military relationships and enhance the core UN doctrine PKO competencies of all participants.

Note: Capital of Mongolia: Ulaanbaatar Currency of Mongolia: Mongolian Tugrik President: Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh

Location of Mongolia

RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN

Why in the News?

The iconic Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall in Rashtrapati Bhavan have been renamed Ganatantra Mandap and Ashok Mandap, respectively. The Durbar Hall is where national awards are presented, while the Ashok Hall was originally a ballroom.

The Durbar Hall (left) and the Ashok Hall (right) in Rashtrapati Bhavan

About

• Location: New Delhi, India
• Historical Significance: Originally known as the Viceroy's House, it became Rashtrapati Bhawan post-independence in 1947.
• Construction: Built during the British colonial period, completed in 1929.
• Architecture: Classical and Indian architectural styles.
• Architect: British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
• Function: Official residence of the President of India.
• Gardens: Mughal Gardens renamed as Amrit Udyan 28th January 2023.
• Cultural Symbol: Represents the democratic and multicultural ethos of India.

MANDYA AND YADGIRI DISTRICTS OF KARNATAKA

Why in the News?

The Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) for Exploration and Research of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has found presence of lithium deposits in Mandya and Yadgiri districts, Karnataka. AMD has established 1,600 tonnes (G3 stage) Lithium resources in Marlagalla area of Mandya district and preliminary surveys and limited subsurface exploration have been carried out in the Yadgiri district to know about the deposits.

About Lithium

• It is a chemical element of Group 1 (Ia) in a periodic table with the symbol Li (3).
• It is a soft, silvery-white metal.
• Under standard conditions, it is the lightest metal and the lightest solid element.
• It is highly reactive and flammable and must be stored in mineral oil.
• It is an alkali metal and a rare metal.
• Uses
  • Batteries
  • Medicine
  • Alloys
  • Glass and Ceramics
  • Lubricants
  • Nuclear Applications
  • Polymer Productio
  • Air Treatment
  • Alkaline Batteries
  • Aluminum Production

Atomic Minerals Directorate (AMD) Exploration and Research

• Established: 1948
• Headquarter: Hyderabad
• It was started as a rare minerals survey unit. Later it was transformed into the atomic minerals division in 1958 and in 1998, it became AMD.
• It is the oldest unit of India’s Department of Atomic Energy.
• It conducts surveys to explore raw materials required for atomic power in the country and to find Uranium resources in the country, it also works to recover rare earth metals.

Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)

• Established: 3^rd August 1954
• About: It was set up under the direct charge of the Prime Minister through a Presidential Order.
• Aim: To empower India through technology, wealth creation, and improved quality of life by achieving energy independence and enhancing food safety, nutrition, and healthcare via nuclear and radiation technologies.
• Objectives
  • To increase nuclear power share using indigenous and proven technologies and develop fast breeder and thorium reactors.
  • To build and operate reactors for radioisotope production and radiation technology applications in medicine, agriculture, industry, cancer care, water technology, and waste management.
  • To develop accelerators, lasers, supercomputers, advanced materials, and instrumentation; facilitate technology transfer to industry.
  • To promote basic research in nuclear energy, collaborate with universities and academic institutions, support R&D projects related to DAE’s programmes, and engage in international research cooperation.

General Knowledge

INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC)

• Establishment: 1988
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Chairperson: Jim Skea
• It is an international body for assessing the science related to climate change.
• It was set up by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• It offers the scientific foundation for governments to create climate policies and support negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Assessment Reports: The IPCC publishes comprehensive assessment reports approximately every 5 to 7 years.
  • First Assessment Report (FAR) (1990).
  • The Second Assessment Report (SAR) (1995)
  • Third Assessment Report (TAR) (2001)
  • Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) (2007)
  • The Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) (2014)
  • The Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) (2023)
  • The IPCC is currently (2024) in its Seventh Assessment cycle (AR7).
• Special Reports: In addition to assessment reports, the IPCC releases special reports on specific topics or emerging issues.
  • Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C (2018): Examined the impacts of global warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
  • Special Report on Climate Change and Land (2019): Focused on land use, land degradation, and food security.
  • Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (2019): Addressed changes in the ocean and polar regions.

Jim Skea, Chairperson of IPCC

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

• Founded: 1873
• It was established in 1950 as a successor to the International Meteorological Organization (IMO).
• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Initiatives: Global Observing System (GOS) and Global Telecommunication System (GTS)
• India is a member of the WMO since 1950.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

• Establishment: 5^th June 1972
• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
• Executive Director: Inger Andersen
• Function: It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes sustainable development within the UN system, and advocates for global environmental protection.
• Major Reports
  • Emission Gap Report
  • Adaptation Gap Report
  • Global Environment Outlook
  • Frontiers,
  • Invest into Healthy Planet.
• Major Campaigns
  • Beat Pollution
  • UN75
  • World Environment Day
  • Wild for Life

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

• After the establishment of IPCC the text of the UNFCCC is adopted at the United Nations in 1992.
• It came into force in 1994.
• Executive Secretary: Simon Emmanuel Kervin Stiell

Note: Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the UNFCCC and advances implementation through the decisions that are taken at its periodic meetings. COP 1 took place in Berlin, Germany in 1995. COP 28 took place in United Arab Emirates in 2023. COP 29 will convene in November 2024 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

GOA

• Location: Situated in the southwestern part of India along the Arabian Sea coast.
• Capital: Panaji (Panjim)
• History:
  • It was a Portuguese colony from 1510.
  • In 1961, India launched Operation Vijay, leading to the annexation of Goa, Daman and Diu. These regions became Union Territories of India
  • After integration into India, Goa became a state in 1987.
• Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant
• Largest City: Vasco da Gama
• Rivers: Mandovi, Zuari, Chapora, Sal, Terekhol River
• Official Language: Konkani
• Most of its soil is made up of laterites.
• Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks:
  • Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary
  • Mollem National Park
• Ports:
  • Mormugao Port
  • Panaji Port
  • Vasco da Gama Port
  • Betul Port
  • Chapora Port

Map of Goa