What is PM KUSUM?

• ‘Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (KUSUM).
• Launched by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
• Aim: To promote use of solar energy among the farmers.
• The Scheme is for farmers for installation of solar pumps and grid connected solar and other renewable power plants in the country.
• Target: To set up 25,750 MW solar capacity by 2022 to power irrigation pumps.
• Components: setting up of 10,000 MW of decentralized ground / stilt-mounted grid-connected solar or other renewable energy-based power plants.
• Installation of 17.5 lakh standalone solar agriculture pumps
• Solarization of 10 lakh grid-connected solar agriculture pumps

First ever RORO service of South Western Railway

• Recently, the state government of Karnataka flagged off first ever RORO service of South Western Railway from Nelamangla (near Bengaluru) to Bale (near Solapur).
• What is RORO Service?
• Roll on Roll Off (RORO) is a concept of carrying road vehicles loaded with various commodities, on open flat railway wagons.
  • RORO service is combination of best features of road and rail transport.
• With minimal handling transported by fat and direct rail link, it offers door to door service.
• Advantages:
• Faster movement of goods and essentials
• Reduces congestion on the roads
• It will save precious fuel thus reducing carbon footprint.
• Relief to crew of truck as it avoids long distance driving

India aims to achieve 100 MT coal gasification target by 2030

• As per Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri Prahlad Joshi, India aims for 100 million tonnes (MT) coal gasification by 2030.
• Investment would be worth over Rs. 4 lakh crores.
• The Government of India has provided concession of 20% on revenue share of coal that is used for gasification.
• Aim is to reduce energy imports of the country.
• What is Coal Gasification?
• Coal gasification is the process of producing synthesis gas.
• Synthesis gas / Syngas is a mixture consisting mainly of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, natural gas and water vapour — from coal.
• Syngas is used in applications such as making fertilizers.

National Nutrition Month: Poshan Maah

• The entire month of September is celebrated as the Rashtriya Poshan Maah since 2018.
• The programme is an initiative of Women and Child Development Ministry and NITI Aayog
• In this month, activities will be focused on antenatal care, optimal breastfeeding, anaemia, growth monitoring, girl’s education, diet, right age of marriage, hygiene and sanitation and eating healthy.
• Poshan Abhiyan:
• National Nutrition Mission, it is GoI’s flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
• Launched: 2018
• Implemented By: Ministry of Women and Child Development
• National Nutrition Month: Poshan Maah
• Aim: To reduce stunting, underweight, and low birth weight, each by 2% per year; and anaemia among young children, adolescents and women each by 3% per year until 2022.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee Passes Away

• Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee passed away on August 31, 2020, after testing positive for COVID-19.
• The Government of India has announced seven-day state mourning.
• Mukherjee was 13^th President of India.
• Served between 2012 and 2017.
• He served as the senior leader of the Indian National Congress.
• Also, as Union Finance Minister between 2009 and 2012.
• Mukherjee was appointed the External Affairs Minister of India in 1995.
• Manmohan Singh appointed Mukherjee as the Minister of Defence (2004 – 2006)- he signed Indo-US Defence Framework deal.
• Mukherjee thrice served as Commerce Minister of India.
• He was the only Finance Minister to have presented seven budgets.
•  Euromoney magazine voted him as the Best Finance Minister in the World in 1984.
• He received Padma Vibhushan in the year 2008
• And Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award in 2019.

Current COVID19 Situation in India

QUIZ TIME

Which state flagged off first ever RORO service of South Western Railway?

1. Karnataka
2. Andhra Pradesh
3. Goa
4. Tamil Nadu

Answer – A

Which month is celebrated as Poshan Maah?

1. August
2. September
3. November
4. January

Answer – B

Pranab Mukherjee served as:

1. President of India
2. Finance Minister
3. Minister of defence
4. All of the above

Answer – D

Question of the Day

Answer in next session…