24-12-21 Daily-Kerala-KPSC Current Affairs

Several and civic organizations, such as the K-Rail SilverLine Viruddha Janakeeya Samiti, have protested “Kerala’s SilverLine project.”

Highlights:

MPs have signed a petition opposing the project, claiming that it is an “astronomical scam in the making” that will add to the state’s debt.

Furthermore, environmentalists believe that the project will have a significant negative impact on the Environment because its route passes through wetlands, paddy fields, and hills.

SilverLine is a project for a semi-high-speed RAILWAY. It envisions trains traveling at 200 km/h between Kerala’s northern and southern ends.

The project’s total cost is estimated to be Rs 63,940 crore. Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod will be connected by a 529.45-kilometer rail link.

Through 11 stations, it will cover 11 districts. Travel time from Kasaragod to Thiruvananthapuram will be reduced from 12 hours to less than four hours at 200 km/hr.

“Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL)” is in charge of the project. Kerala’s government and the Union Ministry of Railways collaborated on the project. The project’s completion date is set for 2025.

Several urban policy experts have expressed concerns that Kerala’s existing railway Infrastructure will not be able to meet future demands.

Because of the curves and bends on the existing stretch, the majority of the trains travel at a 45 km/h Average speed.

This government is working on the SilverLine project, which will relieve congestion on the existing stretch and allow commuters to travel more quickly.

Aside from that, the project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, and aid in the expansion of Ro-Ro Services, as well as connect Airports and IT corridors and allow for faster development in the cities it passes through.

The DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni P.

Agni P was launched from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha.

Trajectory and parameters of the missile was tracked and monitored by several telemetry, electro-optical stations, radar, and down range ships positioned along eastern coast.

Agni P followed textbook trajectory and met all the objectives of mission with high level of accuracy.

Agni P is a two-stage canisterised solid propellant ballistic missile, having a dual redundant and guidance system. It is a medium-range ballistic missile, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as the successor of Agni-I and Agni-II missiles. It is the sixth missile in Agni (missile) series of ballistic missile. The missile can be either transported on train or stored in canister

The DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) demonstrated the Controlled Aerial Delivery System on December 19, 2021.

Flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System was demonstrated by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE).

The System was of 500 kg capacity (CADS-500).

Demonstration of the flight was part of series of activities that were organised to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

System performance was demonstrated at Drop Zone, Malpura from an altitude of 5000m.

This system was para-dropped from AN32 aircraft. After that, it was steered to the predesignated landing point in autonomous mode.

The CADS-500 is used to deliver payload precisely up to 500 kgs at predetermined location. It makes use of manoeuvrable capabilities of Ram Air Parachute (RAP) to conduct such activities. It also uses Global Positioning System to get the coordinates and altitude & heading sensors to get heading information during its flight. The CADS, comprising of electronics unit, autonomously steers path of flight through waypoint towards target location by operating controls.

and United Nations World Food Programme (UN WFP) have agreed to diversify the food basket. Both the organisation signed a Statement of Intent on December 20, 2021.

PARTNERSHIP between NITI Aayog and UN WFP focuses to mainstream the Millets and support India in taking a lead internationally in knowledge exchange amid the recognition of 2023 as an International Year of Millets.

This partnership also aims to build resilient livelihoods for small-farmers and adaptation capacities towards <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change as well as transforming food systems.

The Statement of Intent focuses on strategic and technical collaboration between both the parties, in order to strengthen climate resilient <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture for enhanced food & Nutrition security across India.

Government of India had observed 2018 as a year of millets, to encourage and promote the millet production. GoI also spearheaded the resolution of UNGA, for declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets.

The decision to end censorship is being interpreted as UAEs effort to become competitive in the Gulf region and appear broad-minded & liberal to foreigners. This step is significant for country, as it tries to diversify its economy by attracting foreign and reducing dependence on oil.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced to end the censorship in cinematic releases.

UAE administration decided to end censorship, in a bid to attract foreigners.

As per latest announcement, government will not cut sensitive scenes which offend the Islamic sentiments.

Administration have also introduced a new above 21 years of age category for viewers.

Now, movies will be screened in cinemas as per their international version and their Classification will be given on the basis of standards of media content in UAE.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously passed a resolution on December 22, 2021, allowing for sanctions exemptions against the Taliban.

Highlights:

The exemptions are intended to make humanitarian aid delivery to Afghanistan easier.

It covers urgent humanitarian assistance and other activities in Afghanistan to meet basic human needs.

It will primarily benefit low-income or at-risk populations, as well as alleviate human suffering in other ways.

Among the Services and activities provided are:

Assistance with finding a Home and settling in

Food safety is important.

Support for Education and livelihood

Energy and Water Sanitation, as well as Health, Nutrition, and Hygiene, including COVID-related assistance.