KERALA

New Idukki hydel plan gets moving

Left with little or no scope for setting up new major hydroelectric power stations in the state, the Kerala State Electricity Board is all set to float a global tender for appointing an agency to stu

INTERNATIONAL

World’s 1st fully electric commercial aircraft takes inaugural test flight in Canada

Signifying the start of the electric aviation age, the world’s first fully-electric commercial aircraft took its inaugural test flight, in Vancouver, Canada.

The technology would mean significant cost savings for airlines, not to mention zero emissions.

The range is enough to start the revolution, adding that batteries and electric motors will eventually be developed to power longer flights.

The company designed the plane’s motor and worked in partnership with Harbour Air.

India among top 10 countries with higher climate performance

India, for the first time, ranks among the top 10 in this year’s Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) released at the COP25 climate summit in Spanish capital Madrid.

The current levels of per capita emissions and energy use in India ranked 9th in the high category showing that emissions are still comparatively low.

India’s 2030 renewable energy target is rated very high for its well-below 2 degrees Celsius compatibility.

As none of the countries assessed is already on a path compatible with the Paris climate targets, the first three places of the ranking remain unoccupied.

While some EU countries such as Sweden (4th) and Denmark (5th), one of the best climbers, achieve overall high or very high ratings.

China, the largest global emitter slightly improves its ranking in the index to 30th place.

Universal Health Coverage Day: 12 December

Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated annually on December 12 and is promoted by the World Health Organization.

This day reminds of the quality health care that people need and deserve without facing financial hardship.

December 12 is the anniversary of the first unanimous United Nations resolution calling for all nations to provide for their citizens affordable, quality health care.

The theme of Universal Health Coverage Day 2019 is “Keep the Promise”.

NATIONAL

ISRO launches earth observation satellite, RISAT-2BR1 from Sriharikota

The ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) launched its earth observation satellite, RISAT-2BR1 on PSLV-C48 from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

RISAT-2BR1, a Radar imaging earth observation satellite weighing about 628 kg, will be placed into an orbit of 576 km at an inclination of 37 degrees.

PSLV-C48, which is the 50th mission of PSLV, will also carry 9 customer satellites of Israel, Italy, Japan and the USA as co-passengers.

These international customer satellites are being launched under a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited.

National award for outstanding services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has started the scheme of National award for outstanding services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse.

The scheme is applicable to institutions and individuals working in the field of prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse.

The national award will be presented to the awardees on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th of June next year.

India won the 2019 South Asian Games championship

The 13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal on 10 December 2019. India topped the championship with a medal tally of 312 medals, of which 174 gold, 93 silver, and 45 bronze. It was followed by Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.

SAG was held for the first time in September 1984 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The games are held once every 2 years. It is held among the Asian athletes. South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) is the governing body of SAG. The 8 members of SAG are India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Ministry of Culture Prahlad Singh Patel Indian Culture web portal

Ministry of Culture launched the Indian Culture web portal in New Delhi. It was launched by the State for Culture and Tourism (IC), Shri Prahlad Singh Patel.

The knowledge and cultural resources of various organizations of the Ministry of Culture are now available in the public domain on a single platform

This is the first government-authorized portal of such kind

The portal is a part of the Prime Minister’s Digital India initiative

It will showcase information about the rich cultural heritage of India.

This portal will host images, documents, audio-video files and other data from archives, museums, academies and libraries across India.

Information about more than 90 lakhs items are currently available in the portal.

dy the technical and financial feasibility of a new power generating station tapping into the Idukki reservoir.

It was in the aftermath of the 2018 floods and subsequent controversies over management of water reservoirs that the board decided to explore the possibility of a second phase expansion of the hydel power station commissioned in 1976. An in-house technical feasibility study of the expansion project had cleared the setting up of a new 780 MW station.

According to the in-house report, using the existing reservoir in Idukki, the board could generate 780 MW more power by setting up a power station with six generators, each with 130 MW capacity. It estimated the project cost at around Rs 2,500 crore. The Idukki power house in Moolamattom currently runs six generators with an installed capacity of 780 MW.

The board calculates that ramping up Idduki’s generating capacity to 1,560 MW would help to considerably lower its dependence on generating stations outside the state. The present demand for power in Kerala is 4,000 MW annually. If the state would be able to generate 780 MW more power, it may be able to meet peak-hour demand using Idukki stations alone, KSEB hopes. The additional generating stations would also give the board a better control and management over water in the reservoir.

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