Why in news?

• Satellite internet operators are turning to Very High Throughput Satellites (VHTS), a type of fixed service satellites (FSS) that offer significantly higher data bandwidth over the previous generation FSS satellites provided by Telcos.
  • Bandwidth refers to maximum amount of data transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time.
• FSS are used in television broadcasting and telephone communication, and depend on dish-style antennas.
  • FSS are typically deployed at a geostationary equatorial orbit (GEO) of 35,786km above Earth’s surface.
• Satellite Internet Services is a wireless internet connection which uses satellites in space to get an Internet signal from Internet Service Provider (ISP) to users.
• Satellite-based low-bit-rate connectivity is possible using Geo Stationary, Medium and low Earth orbit Satellites.
• It is different from satellite television as Internet signals have to go both ways with a much greater amount of bandwidth to move all that data.
• They operate by sending and receiving broadband signal to a satellite in space rather than using an underground copper/fibre network.
• Benefits of Satellite Internet Services: Cheap and easy internet option for rural areas. hilly terrains. Faster than Digital Subscriber Line (DSO connection etc.

Models for satellite-based connectivity

• Direct to Satellite Model: Allows devices to directly communicate with the satellite without the need of any Intermediate ground gateway.
• Hybrid (LPWAN + Satellite) or Indirect Model: In this, each sensor and actuator in a network may communicate with the satellite through an Intermediate sink node. i.e., Low Power Wide-Area Network gateway.

Why in news?

• Stand-Up India Scheme has recently completed 6 years.

About the Scheme

• It was launched in 2016, as part of efforts to support entrepreneurship among women and SC & ST communities.
• Its objective is to provide a bank loan between Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 1 crore to at least one SC or ST borrower and one-woman borrower per bank branch (without collateral) for setting up a Greenfield enterprise.
• The government does not allocate funds for loans under the Stand Up India Scheme rather loans are extended by Scheduled Commercial Banks as per commercial parameters.

Why in news?

• NCC has initiated a nationwide flagship campaign ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ to clean seashores/beaches and other water bodies, including rivers and lakes of plastic & other waste material.

About NCC

• It is a tri-service organization set up in 1948 through the National Cadet Corps Act,1948 (based on the recommendations of the Kunzru committee).
• It provides for voluntary participation by school and college students.
• It aims for armed forces drills & training and also engages in community services.

Why in news?

• National Maritime Da y in India is observed on 5 April every year. This year is the 59th edition of the National Maritime Day. The National Maritime Day is celebrated every year day to illustrate the awareness in supporting intercontinental commerce and the global economy as the most well-organized, safe and sound, environmentally responsive approach of transporting goods from one corner to another corner of the world.
• On this day ‘NMD Award of Excellence’ is usually given during the celebrations and there is a trophy and citation, given to recognize and honour individuals for their lifetime distinguished and exceptional achievements and performances in the Indian Maritime sector at a senior level.
• The theme of the National Maritime Day is “Sustainable Shipping beyond Covid-19’’.
• History of National Maritime Day of India: National Maritime Day was first celebrated on April 5, 1964.The saga of Indian shipping first started on April 5, 1919, when the SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd travelled from Mumbai to the United Kingdom (London).
• On this day an award called “Varuna” is conferred to those who made an outstanding contribution to the Indian maritime sector.

Why in news?

• The Minister of State for Culture and External Affairs, Meenakshi Lekhi has launched a website ‘Temple 360’ during an event organized by the Ministry of Culture at IGNCA Ampitheatre, Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts, New Delhi under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

About the Temple 360:

• Temple 360 is a digital platform where anyone can visit or do darshan of 12 Jyotirlinga and Char Dham from any location, making everyone’s life convenient while also keeping people connected.
• The website also allows a devotee to perform e-Darshan, e-Prashad, e-Aarti and several other services. Temple 360 is a website where one can visit a temple of their choice, anytime and from anywhere from India.
• With the help of this website, one can digitally witness the magnificence of some of the most pious Hindu pilgrimages that exist. The website also allows a devotee to perform e-aarti and several other services.

Why in news?

• The historical town of Sujanpur is famous for the Holi fair. “The fair not only represents rich cultural heritage of Himachal pradesh .
• The Sujanpur Mela was a centre of business activities. Merchants from across the region, skilled craftsmen in handicrafts participate here and handlooms products were always a centre of attraction at the fair.

Why in news?

• According to the Himachal Pradesh education minister, school students in classes 9, 10, 11 and 12 will be taught the Bhagavad Gita from this academic session.
• “Gita will be taught in schools in Sanskrit and Hindi languages. Besides, Sanskrit will be introduced for students of Class III onwards,” Minister Govind Singh Thakur said.
• Thakur’s statement comes two weeks after the Gujarat government announced that the Bhagavad Gita will be a part of the school syllabus for classes 6 to 12 across the state from the academic year 2022-23.
• The Karnataka government is also considering introducing the Gita as part of ‘moral education’ in state schools.

Why in news?

• Recently, th e PM greeted people at the start of New Samvatsar (New Year), i.e. the start of Vikram Samvat 2079.
• Vikram Samvat is a lunar calendar started by King Vikramaditya of Ujjain in 57 BC (zero year) to mark his victory over Sakas.

Why in news?

• Recently, the Indian Army has inducted Igla-S systems from Russia.
• Igla-S (Igla- Super) is a very short range air defence system which acts as last line of defence against enemy combat aircraft and helicopters in the multi-layered air defence network.
• It has a maximum range of 6 km, fired from shoulder to neutralise low-flying aircrafts and helicopters.

Why in news?

• Ladakh has identified proper mapping and boundary identification of Changthang and Karakoram sanctuaries along India-China border as a priority concern.
• Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has been asked to map and identify areas of ‘high conservation value to help ‘rationalise’ boundaries – alowing for addition or deletion of land.
• Changthang WLS is located in Ladakhi Changthang plateau in Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Lakes: Home to highest altitude water lakes, namely, Tso Moriri (also the highest lake on earth), Pangong Tso and Tso Kar.
• Fauna: Kiang or Tibetan wild ass along with the black-necked crane (Grus nicricollis)
• It has Korzok village, which is also considered to be the world’s highest village.
• Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS is located in high altitude of easternmost reaches of Karakoram Range in Leh District.
• Fauna: Abode of Chiru or Tibetan Antelope, Tibetan gazale, Himalayan ibex, Shapo, bharal, wild yak, Snow leopard etc.
• Karakoram wildlife sanctuary is located in the easternmost reaches of the Karakoram range in Leh district.