Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 11 Jan 2023
DAC Approves VSHORAD Missile System
The Defence Acquisition Council (headed by Defence Minister) provided Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD) (Infrared (IR) Homing) missile system being designed and developed by DRDO.
DAC also approved the procurement of the (a) HELINA Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, launchers and support equipment for the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) (for Army) and (b) Brahmos Launcher & Fire Control System and Next Generation Missile Vessels (for Navy).
The acquisitions have been made under ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category - the highest priority procurement under DAP-2020.
These advancements in the defence system can be attributed to the growing tensions with China at LAC.
Read More - VSHORAD, Helina: Anti-Tank Guided Missile, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)
Union Carbide Corporation and Bhopal Gas Tragedy
The Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) has said that it is not willing to pay any more amount than what was settled with the Central Government in 1989 following the Bhopal Gas Tragedy as the Centre has sought additional funds of over ₹7,400 crore from UCC.
On December 3, 1989, the highly dangerous and toxic gas, methyl isocyanate (MIC) (Chemical formula- CH3NCO or C2H3NO), leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) in Bhopal. The tragedy resulted in the death of 5,295 people and injuries to almost 5,68,292 persons besides substantial loss of livestock and property.
Read More - Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Restoration Project for Paigah Tombs
The US Govt will extend financial support of USD 250,000 (by the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation) towards the conservation and restoration of 6 of the Paigah tombs, built in 18th-19th centuries, in Hyderabad. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture will implement the project.
The Paigah tombs (or Maqbara Shams al-Umara) is a necropolis belonging to the nobility of the Paigah family who served the Nizam of Hyderabad (Asaf Jahi dynasty). The tombs, made of lime, mortar and marble, are one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture (blend of Asaf Jahi and Rajputana styles).
The Paigahs were among the most influential and powerful families of Hyderabad in the 18th century. Wealthier than most rulers, they were responsible to look after the security and defence of the region. They claimed to be the descendants of Hazrath Omar bin Al-Khattab, Islam’s second caliph.
Read More - Islamic Architecture
Pollution and PM 2.5
As per a CPCB air quality data analysis by the National Clean Air Programme, in 2022, Delhi was the top polluted city with an annual avg. PM 2.5 concentration of 99.7 ug/m3. This is much above the CPCB standard of 40 ug/m3 of air.
The analysis has found that most cities in the top 10 most polluted list of 2022 are from the Indo-Gangetic Plain; for PM 2.5 (Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Patna, Muzzafarpur, Noida, Meerut, Gobindgarh, Gaya and Jodhpur) and for PM 10 (Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Delhi, Noida, Patna, Meerut, Muzzafarpur, Durgapur, Jodhpur and Aurangabad).
The position of the cleanest city in India in 2022 was jointly held by Srinagar and Kohima.
India’s current annual average safe limits for PM 2.5 and PM 10 are 40 ug/m3 and 60 ug/m3. The NCAP initially set a target of reducing key air pollutants PM10 and PM2.5 by 20-30% by 2024 and by 40% by 2026 (base year - 2017).
Read More - Air Pollution (PM 2.5 and PM 10)