ETEN Enlightens-Daily Current Capsules (Prelims Prep. Prominence) 04th June 2018

Defence

Agni-5 successfully test-fired

Agni-5 is a three-stage, 17-metre tall, two-metre wide missile, capable of

carrying a nuclear warhead of about 1.5 tonnes. IT has a range of 5,000

km.

Long-range ballistic missile Agni-5 was successfully test-fired off the Odisha

coast on Sunday, proving its reliability.

This is the sixth successful test of the missile and the second in its pre-induction

configuration.

The surface-to-surface missile was launched with the help of a mobile

launcher from launch pad number 4 of the Integrated Test Range at Dr

Abdul Kalam Island, earlier known as Wheeler Island, in the Bay of

Bengal

Enlighten about Agni -5

Agni-5 is the most advanced with new technologies in terms of

navigation and guidance, warhead, and engine

Agni-5's navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based

Inertial Navigation System or RINS, and the most modern and accurate

Micro Navigation System or MINS ensured that the missile reached its

target with precision.

The Agni-5 missile has a high speed on-board computer and fault tolerant

software along with a robust and reliable bus. Its path is precisely

directed by the advanced on-board computer and inertial navigation

system.

The three-stage, 17-metre tall, two-metre wide Agni-5 missile is capable

of carrying a nuclear warhead of about 1.5 tonnes. The missile also has

higher reliability, longer shelf life, less maintenance and enhanced

mobility.

Enlighten about Agni Family

36COMMENTS

At present, apart from the Agni-5, other Agni missiles that India has in its

armoury are: Agni-1 with a 700-km range, Agni-2 with a 2,000-km range,

Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500 km to more than 3,500 km range.

Enlighten about The Integrated Guided Missile Development

Programme (IGMDP)

It was conceived by renowned scientist Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam to enable

India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.

Keeping in mind the requirements of various types of missiles by the

defence forces, the team recommended development of five missile

systems.

The missiles developed under the programme were:

1. Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Prithvi-

The Prithvi missile is a family of tactical surface-to-surface short-range

ballistic missiles (SRBM) and is India’s first indigenously developed

ballistic missile.

Development of the Prithvi began in 1983, and it was first test-fired on 25

February 1988 from Sriharikota, SHAR Centre, Pottisreeramulu Nellore

district, Andhra Pradesh.

It has a range of up to 150 to 300 km.

The land variant is called Prithvi while the naval operational variant of

Prithvi I and Prithvi II class missiles are code named Dhanush

2. Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni

The Agni missile is a family of Medium to Intercontinental range

ballistic missiles developed by DRDO of India.

The initial Technology demonstrator version had a range of 1500 km

but were based on a solid and a liquid stage making for long

preparation before firing.

Learning from this the production variants of Agni are solid fuel based

to allow for swift retaliation against adversaries.

3. Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile Trishul

Trishul is the name of a short range surface-to-air missile developed

by India as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development

Program.

It has a range of 9 km and is fitted with a 5.5 kg warhead. Designed to

be used against low-level (sea skimming) targets at short range, the

system has been developed to defend naval vessels against missiles

and also as a short-range surface-to-air missile on land.

Guidance consists of three different guiding beams, with the guidance

handed over progressively to a narrower beam as the missile

approaches the target.

4. Medium-range surface-to-air missile Akash

Akash is a medium range surface-to-air missile developed as part of

India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme to achieve

self-sufficiency in the area of surface-to-air missiles.

It is the most expensive missile project ever undertaken by the Union

government in the 20th century.

Development costs skyrocketed to almost US$120 million which is

far more than other similar systems.

5. 3rd generation anti-tank missile Nag

Nag is India’s third generation “Fire-and-forget” anti-tank missile. It

is an all weather, top attack missile with a range of 3 to 7 km.

State Specific Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana

Odisha’s Health Insurance Scheme for Journalists

Enlighten about the health scheme

This scheme provides Rs. 2 Lakh per annum health insurance cover to all

working journalists of the state.

This insurance scheme has come into effect from June 1, 2018 and will

initially cover around 3200 journalists and their family members from

various media groups.

The insurance coverage will be applicable for cashless treatment in

government and private hospitals.

The scheme will also cover the injuries and illness faced by journalists

while performing their duties.

Enlighten about Gopalbandhu Dasa

A prominent social worker, reformer, political activist, journalist, poet

and essayist of Odisha.

His contribution to art, culture and society to Odisha earned him the

epithet of Utkalmani (jewel of Odisha).

Environment

Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS)

IMD’s new forecast model

Concerned agency/launched by

The Ministry of Earth Science (MoES)

Specific purpose

It will generate more accurate and area specific forecast of extreme

weather events including rains, heat wave and cold wave.

Enlighten about Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS)

Developed by -

Three bodies under Ministry of Earth Sciences viz. Indian Meteorological

Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium Range Weather

Forecasting (NCMRWF) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

Features of EPS

It is equipped with high resolution for short-medium range weather

forecasts.

With the implementation of the new EPS the area of spatial resolution

(currently 23 km grid scale) will come down to 12 km.

This new system will helps in sending out district level warning and

forecast extreme weather events as before as five days.

The new system will generate more accurate and better area specific

forecast of extreme weather events

Economy

Online Analytical tool to Monitor foreign contributions

Concerned/implementing Ministry

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

Specified purpose

To ease closer monitoring of flow and utilisation of foreign contributions

received by various organisations registered or permitted under Foreign

Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010.

It will effectively monitor hundreds of thousands of transactions

undertaken by such organisations and help stakeholders in Government to

better regulate acceptance and utilisation of foreign contributions.

This web baes tool will scrutinise source of foreign funds and their actual

use in India. It will give them capacity to take evidence-based and data-

driven decisions regarding compliance of provisions of FCRA, 2010.

FCRA 2010

FCRA 2010 provides for regulation of acceptance of foreign

funds/foreign hospitality by certain individuals, associations,

organisations and companies.

Bilateral Agreements

Agreement between Finance Ministry and World Bank

For financing of for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

Union Finance Ministry and World Bank have signed US $500 million

(Rs 3,371 crore) loan agreement to provide additional financing for

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) rural road projects.

The loan has maturity of 10 years along with 3 year grace period.

It will provide additional financing for PMGSY Rural Roads Project to

build 7,000 km of climate resilient roads, out of which 3,500 km will be

constructed using green technologies.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)

PMGSY fully funded centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2000.

It aims to provide single all-weather road connectivity to all eligible

unconnected habitations in the rural areas with population of

500 persons and above (in plain areas) and 250 persons and above (in

Hilly States , desert Areas, Tribal areas and selected Tribal and

Backward Districts).

The scheme encourages use of “Green Technologies” and non-

conventional materials (like waste plastic, geo-textiles, fly-ash, iron and

copper slag etc) for constructing rural roads.

Specially for this project 75 paise per litre has been earmarked

out of cess levied on high speed diesel.

Union Ministry of Rural Development is nodal ministry for

implementation of Scheme.

Sources – PIB, The Hindu, Ministry of defence, liveMint, Vikaspedia