24TH AUGUST
Contents
WEF’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT SUMMIT
FM LAUNCHED NATIONAL MONETISATION PIPELINE
ZAIR-AL BAHR NAVAL EXERCISE B/W INDIA & QATAR
WORLD’S 1ST FOSSIL FREE STEEL DEVELOPED IN SWEDEN
ADB LOAN TO EXPAND METRO NETWORK IN BENGALURU
INDIA’S 1ST INDIGENOUS MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR
WORLD WATER WEEK 2021: 23-27 AUGUST
WEF’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IMPACT SUMMIT
- The World Economic Forum’s annual Sustainable Development Impact Summit will take place on September 20-23, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland. This year’s event will focus strongly on inclusively revitalizing economies.
- The United Nations General Assembly, the summit convenes under the theme “Shaping an Equitable, Inclusive and Sustainable Recovery”.
- It will welcome almost all leaders from government, business and civil society who will work together to drive action and build momentum for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
- The meeting will examine four interdependent areas and bring together communities of purpose to advance ongoing project work. Impact sessions and briefings will focus on:
- Revitalizing economies
- Advancing an inclusive recovery
- Scaling up climate action
- Shaping future food systems
(SOURCE: THE PRINT)
FM LAUNCHED NATIONAL MONETISATION PIPELINE
- Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman has launched the asset monetisation pipeline of Central ministries and public sector entities: ‘National Monetisation Pipeline’.
- Asset Monetisation, means a limited period license/ lease of an asset, owned by the government or public authority, to a private sector entity for upfront or periodic consideration.
What is the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP)?
- The National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) lists out assets and asset classes, under various infrastructure ministries, which will be monetised over a period of time. Which means assets will be monetised.
- The pipeline has been developed by NITI Aayog, in consultation with infrastructure line ministries, based on the mandate for ‘Asset Monetisation’ under Union Budget 2021-22.
- NMP estimates aggregate monetisation potential of Rs 6.0 lakh crores through core assets of the Central Government, over a four-year period, from FY 2022 to FY 2025.
- The top 5 sectors capture about 83% of the aggregate pipeline value. These top 5 sectors include- Roads (27%) followed by Railways (25%), Power (15%), oil & gas pipelines (8%) and Telecom (6%).
(SOURCE: FINANCIAL EXPRESS)
ZAIR-AL BAHR NAVAL EXERCISE B/W INDIA & QATAR
- The second edition of the joint naval exercise, Zair-Al-Bahr, between the Indian Navy and Qatar Emiri Naval Force (QENF) was conducted between August 9 and 14 in the Persian Gulf.
- This edition of the exercise included a three-day harbour phase followed by a two-day sea phase.
- The sea phase is comprised of tactical maritime exercises involving surface action, anti-piracy exercises, air defence, maritime surveillance, boarding operations and SAR exercises.
- In the sea phase of the exercise, the Indian Navy’s Stealth Frigate INS Trikand, QENF’s missile boats of Barzan and Damsah class, fast-attack crafts of MRTP 34 class and Rafale fighter aircraft participated.
- Qatar Capital:
- Currency: Qatari riyal.
- Prime Minister of Qatar: Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdelaziz Al Thani.
(SOURCE: THE ECONOMIC TIMES)
WORLD’S 1ST FOSSIL FREE STEEL DEVELOPED IN SWEDEN
- Swedish green steel venture HYBRIT, which had made the ‘world’s first’ customer delivery of steel produced without using coal.
- The steel was made using Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology, which uses 100% fossil-free hydrogen instead of coal and coke. The venture has started delivering the fossil-free steel to the Volvo Group as part of its trial run.
- Development for the Hybrit project, which was set up in 2016 and is owned by SSAB, energy firm Vattenfall and LKAB, a mining and minerals group.
- Both Vattenfall and LKAB are owned by the Swedish state. The idea underpinning Hybrit is to use “100% fossil-free hydrogen” rather than coal and coke in steel production.
- Stockholm is the capital of Sweden.
- The krona is the official currency of Sweden.
- The current PM of Sweden is Stefan Lofven.
(SOURCE: THE REUTERS)
ADB LOAN TO EXPAND METRO NETWORK IN BENGALURU
- Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India have signed a $500 million loan to expand the metro rail network in Bengaluru with the construction of two new metro lines totalling 56 km in length.
- The project will construct two new metro lines, mostly elevated, along Outer Ring Road and National Highway 44 between Central Silk Board and Kempegowda International Airport with 30 stations.
- The new metro lines will further strengthen safe, affordable and green mobility in Bengaluru, having a positive impact on enhancing the quality of life, sustainable growth in urban habitat and livelihood opportunities.
- President of ADB: Masatsugu Asakawa
- Headquarters: Manila, Philippines.
(SOURCE: JAGRAN JOSH)
INDIA’S 1ST INDIGENOUS MOTORIZED WHEELCHAIR
- IIT Madras has developed India’s first indigenous motorized wheelchair vehicle named ‘NeoBolt’, which can be used not only on roads but even on uneven terrains.
- It has a maximum speed of 25 kmph. The researchers collaborated extensively with organisations and hospitals working for people with locomotor disabilities and built the products after factoring in their experiences and making constant design adjustments.
- About the ‘NeoBolt’: IIT Madras said the wheelchair will be available to users at an approximate price of ₹55,000.
- The motor-powered attachment, NeoBolt, converts the wheelchair into a safe, road-worthy vehicle that can navigate any kind of terrain that we may normally encounter — drive through unpaved streets or climb a steep gradient. And do this comfortably as it has suspensions to absorb the shocks.
- It is powered by a Lithium-Ion Battery and can travel up to 25 km per charge. It empowers wheelchair users with a convenient, safe and low-cost mode of outdoor mobility when compared to cars, auto-rickshaws or modified scooters.
(SOURCE: HINDUSTAN TIMES)
WORLD WATER WEEK 2021: 23-27 AUGUST
- The World Water Week is an annual event organized by Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) since 1991 to address the global water issues and related concerns of international development.
- The World Water Week 2021 has been organised from 23-27 August, in entirely digital format. The theme for World Water Week 2021 is ‘Building Resilience Faster’.
- World Water Day is observed globally on 22nd March every year. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water.
- It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis. A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
- SIWI Executive Director: Torgny Holmgren.
- SIWI Headquarters: Stockholm, Sweden.
(SOURCE: TIMES OF INDIA)