DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 12 – 13 December 2021
SANT missile
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) flight-tested the indigenously designed and developed Helicopter launched Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) Missile from Pokhran ranges on December 11, 2021. The flight-test was successful in meeting all its mission objectives. The release mechanism, advanced guidance and tracking algorithms, all avionics with integrated software, performed satisfactorily and tracking systems monitored all mission events. The missile is equipped with a state-of-the-art MMW seeker which provides high precision strike capability from a safe distance. The weapon can neutralise targets in a range up to 10 kms.
- The SANT missile has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in coordination with other DRDO labs and participation from industries. This is the third in the series of indigenous stand-off weapons to be tested in recent times after long range bomb and smart anti airfield weapon for strengthening the arsenal of IAF. The indigenous development of various configurations for different applications with advanced technologies is a firm march towards ‘Atmanirbhar’ in defence.
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated the team associated with the mission. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy said the successful flight test of SANT missile would further bolster the indigenous defence capabilities.
Swarnim Vijay Parv
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated Swarnim Vijay Parv, an event commemorating the valour & professionalism of the Armed Forces and their contribution to the liberation of Bangladesh in the Indo-Pak 1971 war, at India Gate Lawns in New Delhi on December 12, 2021.
- The event marks the culmination of year-long celebrations of 50 years of India’s victory in the war. Shri Rajnath Singh began his address by paying rich tributes to the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat who passed away in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu on December 08, 2021.
- “In the untimely death of General Rawat, India has lost a brave soldier, an able advisor and a lively person. He was looking forward to taking part in the Swarnim Vijay Parv,” he said.
- The Raksha Mantri termed ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv’ as a festival which commemorates the glorious victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 war, which changed the history and geography of South Asia.
- He paid tributes to the brave Indian soldiers, sailors & air warriors and their families who ensured the victory in the 1971 war, saying that the country will always be indebted to their sacrifice. “This festival is a testament to the fact that the memories of 1971 are still fresh in the heart of every Indian. At the same time, it is a symbol of the zeal, passion, and valour our forces displayed during the 1971 war. It inspires us to keep moving forward on the path of Nation’s progress with same zeal and passion,” he added.
Helpline Against Atrocities on SCs/STs to be Launched
- The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is scheduled to launch a National Helpline Against Atrocities (NHAA) on 13th Dec 2021 with an aim to ensure proper implementation of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities){PoA} Act, 1989 which was enacted with a view to, inter-alia, preventing atrocities on members of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
- The NHAA will be available round the clock on toll-free number 14566 across the country. It can be accessed by making a voice call /VOIP either from a mobile or land line number of any Telecom Operator across the country. This service will be available in Hindi, English, and regional language of the State/UTs. Its Mobile application will also be available.
- The objective of the helpline is to build informed awareness about the provisions of the Law that are aimed at ending discrimination and provide protection to all. The system will ensure that every complaint is registered as an FIR, relief is provided, all registered complaints are investigated and all chargesheets filed are prosecuted in the Courts for decision – all within the given timelines in the Act.
- Available as a web based self-service portal also, the NHAA will generate awareness about the Protection of Civil Right (PCR) Act, 1955 and its rules as well.
- A Docket number shall be given for each complaint received from Victim/Complainant/NGOs regarding non-compliance of the POA Act, 1989 and the PCR Act, 1955. The status of the grievance can be tracked by complainant/NGOs online.
- Any inquiry shall be replied by IVR or operators in Hindi, English, and regional languages.
- This helpline will adopt the concept of Single Point of Contact and have a proper feedback system.
India Assumed the Chairmanship of RATS-SCO
- India assumed the Chairmanship of Council of Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (RATS-SCO) in 2021 for a period of one year.
- In pursuance of this, the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) in association with Data Security Council of India (DSCI), organized a Seminar on Securing Cyberspace in the Contemporary Threat Environment.
- SCO-RATS is a permanent body of the SCO and is intended to facilitate coordination and interaction between the SCO member states in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
- The main functions of SCO-RATS are coordination and information sharing.
- As a member, India has actively participated in the activities of SCO-RATS.
- India’s permanent membership would enable it to generate greater understanding among members for its perspective.
Ramanujan Prize 2021
- The Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from developing countries has been given to Professor Neena Gupta.
- She is a mathematician at the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata and has been awarded for her outstanding work in affine algebraic geometry and commutative algebra.
- She is the third woman to receive the Ramanujan Prize.
- Her solution for solving the Zariski cancellation problem, a fundamental problem in Algebraic Geometry, earned her the 2014 Young Scientists Award of the Indian National Science Academy.
- The Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from developing countries has been awarded annually since 2005.
- It is administered by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) jointly with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) Government of India and the International Mathematical Union (IMU).
Nation to pay homage to martyrs of 2001 Parliament House Attack
- The nation will pay homage to the martyr’s tomorrow who sacrificed their lives while defending Parliament House in the terrorist attack on 13th December in 2001.
- A function to pay floral tributes to the martyrs will be organised tomorrow at Parliament House complex. Parliamentarians and other dignitaries will pay floral tributes to the martyrs on the occasion. Two minutes silence will also be observed in the honour of martyrs.
- The 2001 Indian Parliament attack was a terrorist attack on the Parliament of India in New Delhi, India on 13 December 2001.
- The perpetrators belonged to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) – two Pakistan-raised terrorist organisations.
- The attack led to the deaths of six Delhi Police personnel, two Parliament Security Service personnel, and a gardener – in total 9 – and led to increased tensions between India and Pakistan, resulting in the 2001–02 India–Pakistan standoff. The 5 terrorists were killed outside the parliament.
Para-Athlete Chandeep Singh Created History
- Para-Athlete Chandeep Singh has created history by clinching silver medal in Men’s plus 80 kg (K41) event at the 9th Para World Taekwondo Championships held recently at Istanbul in Turkey.
- Chandeep is the first Para Athlete from the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to achieve such a feat at World level. He trained under Taekwondo Coach in J&K Sports Council, Atul Pangotra.
- Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan has congratulated Chandeep Singh for the feat.
- Secretary in Sports Council, Nuzhat Gull has also congratulated Chandeep Singh and assured all logistic and possible help to him in his future endeavors
- Taekwondo, Tae Kwon Do or Taekwon-Do is a Korean form of martial arts, characterized by punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. The literal translation for tae kwon do is “kicking,” “punching,” and “the art or way of.”
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- Which Indian armed force has created a first-of-its kind ‘Human rights cell’?
- Indian Navy
- Indian Army
- Indian Coast Guard
- Indian Air Force
ANSWER: B
- With reference to DRDO, what is ‘Rakshita’, which was making news recently?
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
- Bike-based Ambulance
- Air Ambulance
- Water Ambulance
ANSWER: B
- ‘Desert Knight-21’, which was making news recently, is the Military exercise between India and which country?
- Brazil
- France
- Japan
- United Kingdom
ANSWER: B
- What is AMPHEX – 21, that was seen in the news recently?
- Communication satellite
- COVID Vaccine candidate
- Tri service joint exercise of India
- NASA’s moon rover
ANSWER: C
- Which Indian city is the venue of the Global Air show ‘Aero India’?
- Cochin
- Vishakhapatnam
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
ANSWER: C
- Which organisation is to supply the Super Rapid Gun Mounts (SRGM) for Indian Navy?
- HAL
- DRDO
- BHEL
- OFB
ANSWER: C
- What is the name of the third Scorpene-class submarine that has been inducted into the Indian Navy recently?
- INS Kanakalata
- INS Chennai
- INS Kolkata
- INS Karanj
ANSWER: D
- The Indian Army has leased four Heron unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from which country?
- USA
- Israel
- France
- Japan
ANSWER: B
- Which aircraft of the Indian Air Force met with a fatal accident and crashed in Central India?
- MiG-21 Bison
- Mirage 2000
- Sukhoi Su-30
- Rafale
ANSWER: A
- Indian Navy carried out Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with which country in the Persian Gulf under Operation Sankalp?
- UAE
- Qatar
- Bahrain
- Oman
ANSWER: C
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