NHAI & NRSC Entered into MoU to Develop and Report Green Cover Index forNational Highways in India
National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with theNational Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), one of the primary centres of the Indian Space ResearchOrganization (ISRO), for 3 years to developand report a “Green Cover Index” for the vastNational Highways network in India.
Key Points:
- By using high-resolution satellite imagery,NRSC will undertake a comprehensive panIndia estimation of green cover referred to asthe ‘Green Cover Index’ for NationalHighways.
- This approach not only enhances in-situ datacollection but also supplements plantationmanagement and monitoring, includingperformance audits conducted by NHAI.
- This innovative approach aims to streamline the assessment process and facilitate targeted interventionswhere green cover is insufficient.
About National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC):
NRSC has been converted into full-fledged centers of ISRO since September 1, 2008. Earlier, it was anautonomous body called the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) under the Department of Space(DOS).
Director– Dr. Prakash Chauhan
Headquarters– Hyderabad, Telangana
Established in– 1974
3 Products from Arunachal Pradesh gets GI tag: Adi Kekir, Handmade Carpets &Wancho Craft
Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN) based Geographical Indications Registry has awarded the GeographicalIndication (GI) tag to 3 indigenous products from Arunachal Pradesh (AR) namely Adi Kekir (ginger),Handmade Carpet (by Tibetan settlers), and Wancho Wooden Craft.
- With the addition of 3 new GI products, Arunachal Pradesh now has a total of 8 GI products.
- The other 5 products are: Arunachal (Wakro) Orange; Idu Mishmi Textile; Khaw Tai (Khamti Rice); YakChurpi and Tangsa Textile.
About the 3 New GI products:
GI product | Goods type |
Arunachal Pradesh Adi Kiker (Ginger) | Agriculture |
Arunachal Pradesh Handmade Carpet | Handi Crafts |
Arunachal Pradesh Wancho Wooden Craft | Handi Crafts |
QCI & KVIC Signed MoU to Enhance Quality of Khadi Products; Introduce Made-inIndia Khadi Labels
- Quality Council of India (QCI) and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) signed aMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) atKochrab Ashram in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) toimprove the quality of Khadi products, introduceMade-in-India label for khadi, and empowerkhadi artisans.
The MoU was exchanged in the presence ofManoj Kumar, Chairman of KVIC; and JaxayShah, Chairman of QCI. - As per the MoU, QCI will assist KVIC in variousactivities, including training for enhancedproduct quality, improving productivity, andmarketability of Khadi and Village Industriesproducts domestically and internationally.
- This collaboration will give a new identity to Khadi as a ‘Made in India’ label, and aims to position Khadiproducts as a symbol of quality globally, fostering increased production and sales.
- This will also provide new employment opportunities to Khadi artisans with greater productivity andefficiency by empowering them with enhanced skills and knowledge.
SpaceX launches its first ‘direct-to-cell’ Starlink satellites
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launched the 21 Starlink satellites, including its first six “direct-to-cell” satellites, toLow-Earth orbit(LEO) from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base inCalifornia, the United States of America(USA).
Key Points:
- Direct to cell satellites aims to provideseamless global access to text, call, andbrowse across all-terrain and locationcoverage without changing hardware orfirmware
- These starlink satellites uses advancedeNodeB modem that acts as a cellphonetower in the space.
eNodeB – refers to the base stationequipment that handles the radio interfacewith the mobile devices. - This will eliminate deadzones (a placethat doesn’t receive a cell signal) with network integration similar to a standard roaming partner.
About SpaceX:
SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corporation) is a space transportation and aerospace manufacturer.
Founder & CEO– Elon Musk
Founded in 2002
Headquarters– Hawthorne, California, USA
World Braille Day 2024 – January 4
United Nations (UN) World Braille Day is annually observed across the globe on 4 January to raiseawareness about the significance of Brailleas a communication medium for peoplewho are blind or partially sighted.
The Day commemorates the birthanniversary of Louis Braille, a 19thcentury French educator, who invented theBraille script for the blind and visuallyimpaired in 1824.
4 January 2024 marks the observance ofthe 6th World Braille Day and the 215thbirth anniversary of Louis Braille.
Key Points:
- On 17 December 2018, the UnitedNations General Assembly (UNGA)adopted the resolution A/RES/73/161 and proclaimed the 4 January of every year as World Braille Day.
- The 1st ever World Braille Day was observed on 4 January 2019.
Assam Celebrates 14th Chandubi Festival – 1 to 5 January 2024
Chandubi festival is an annual 5 day festival held from the first day of the New Year along the Chandubilake(64 km away from Guwahati city), Assam. The 14th edition of Chandubi Festival was held from 1st to5th january 2024.
This festival celebrates the cultural heritage ofAssam’s tribal communities such as Rabhas, Garos,Gorkhas, etc that live near the Chandubi Lake.The 2024 festival was orgnised by the people ofRajapara village in the Kamrup district, under theRabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC).
- The opening of the festival witnessed the release ofthe souvenir ‘Lokeia’ by Gaurikanta Bhauyan, ateacher and creator of the Kuhipath.
- The Festival Celebration Committee organisedvarious ethnic sports competitions, including Baghbol,Khutikhel, and many other Rabha tribe ethnic sports competitions throughout the festival.The festival was inaugurated by the Hemanga Thakuria, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) ofPalashbari constituency.