Current Context : Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the Vadhvan Port project in Maharashtra’s Palghar.

Aim : to create a state-of-the-art maritime gateway that is expected to enhance India’s trade capabilities.

ABOUT VADHVAN PORT

• Location : Dahanu town in Palghar (around 150 km from Mumbai).
• It will be one of India’s largest deep-water ports.
• It will provide direct connectivity to international shipping routes, help reduce transit times and costs, cater to large container vessels, offer deeper drafts and accommodate ultra-large cargo ships.
• This includes development of core infrastructure, terminals and other commercial infrastructure in public-private partnerships (PPP) mode.
• It is the India’s 13th major port, which will also be an integral part of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
• It will aid EXIM (Export-Import) trade flow through IMEEC and INSTC (International North South Transportation Corridor).
• Constructed by a joint venture in which Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) will have a 74 percent stake and Maharashtra Maritime Board will hold 26 percent.
• It will comprise nine container terminals, each 1000 meters long.

Current Context : The Indian Army launched the first phase of Project NAMAN.

• A project is designed to provide dedicated support and services to Defence Pensioners, Veterans and their families.

ABOUT NAMAN

• Project NAMAN is centred around the implementation of the SPARSH (System for Pension Administration Raksha), digital pension system, which streamlines pension related processes for Defence Pensioners
• In the first phase of Project NAMAN, 14 CSCs have been established across India.
• It is set to expand with plans to establish approximately 200 centres nationwide over the next 2-3 years.
• Banking partner : HDFC Bank

Observed from 1st September to 7th September.

• Objective : to provide knowledge among people about the importance of nutrition and its importance for the human body, for better health.
• It was first observed in India in 1982 by the Central Government to reduce the cases of malnutrition.

Current Context : Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the meeting of the 44th edition of PRAGATI. 

• During meeting seven significant projects were reviewed, which included two projects relating to road connectivity, two rail projects and one project each of the Coal, Power and Water Resources sectors.

ABOUT PRAGATI

• PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance And Timely Implementation) is a unique, multi-modal platform.
• Launched by the Government of India in
• It is a multi-purpose and multi-modal platform that is aimed at addressing common man’s grievances, and simultaneously monitoring and reviewing important programmes and projects of the Government of India as well as projects flagged by State Governments.
• PRAGATI is used for monitoring infrastructure projects, social sector schemes, and other significant initiatives across the country.

OBJECTIVES:

• Timely Completion: Ensures projects are completed on time by addressing delays and administrative hurdles.
• Transparency and Accountability: Enhances transparency in the execution of projects and holds officials accountable for performance.

Coordination: Improves coordination between central and state governments, as well as between different departments and agencies.

Current Context : Solar Energy Corporation of India Ltd (SECI), has been granted the Navratna status by the Ministry of Finance.

• It is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• Dedicated to the development and expansion of Renewable Energy (RE) capacity in India with a cumulative generation awarded capacity of 69.25 GW and an annual power trading volume upwards of 42 Billion Units.

ABOUT NAVRATNA STATUS

• The Navratna status is granted to select Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) in India that have demonstrated strong performance and operational efficiency.
• The designation provides these enterprises with enhanced autonomy in financial and managerial decisions.
• Aim : to enhance the competitiveness and efficiency of PSEs, allowing them to perform better and contribute more significantly to the economy.

Current Context : Manish Narwal wins the Silver in the P1 Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 event at Paris Paralympics 2024.

• Manish had won gold in the mixed SH1 50m pistol at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
• The SH1 shooting category includes athletes with limited movement in their arms, lower body, or those with limb absence.

ABOUT MANISH NARWAL

• He was born on 17 October, 2001 in Ballabhgarh, Haryana.

HIS ACHIEVEMENTS

• Paralympics Games (2020)– Gold Medal in P4 – Mixed 50m Pistol
• Asian Para Games (2022)– Bronze Medal in P1 – Men’s 10m Air Pistol
• Asian Para Games (2018) Gold Medal in P1 – Men’s 10M Air Pistol & Silver Medal in P4 – Mixed 50M Free Pistol
• New Delhi World Cup (2024) – Silver Medals in P1 – Men’s 10m Air Pistol & P1 – Men’s Team 10m Air Pistol & P6 – Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol
• Osijek World Cup (2023) – Gold Medal in P1 – Men’s Team 10m Air Pistol & Silver Medals in P1 – Men’s 10m Air Pistol & P6 – Mixed Team 10m Pistol

Avani Lekhara became the first Indian woman to win two Paralympic gold medal with her victory in the women’s 10m air rifle (SH1).

Mona Agarwal clinched the bronze medal in women’s 10m air rifle.

Current Context : Goa Shipyard (GSL) has launched the first of two indigenous Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs) for the Indian Coast Guard, Named ‘Samudra Pratap.

• It represents the pinnacle of Indian engineering and innovation in maritime environmental protection.

ABOUT SAMUDRA PRATAP

• This will help the Coast Guard to conduct oil spill response operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and beyond.
• The vessel contains specialised equipment for the containment, recovery, separation, and dispersal of pollutants.
• It can recover oil at a rate of 300 tonnes per hour and has a storage capacity for 300 tonnes or 1,000 tonnes in inflatable barges.
• Designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL)
• Capacity of 4,170 tonnes.

Current Context : The World Gold Council (WGC) has raised its projection for India’s gold consumption in 2024 to 850 tonnes from 750 tonnes.

ABOUT WGC

• The World Gold Council is an international trade association for the gold industry dedicated to promoting and supporting the global gold industry.
• Founded in 1987
• Headquartered in London
• Offices in India, China, Singapore, the UAE and the United States.
• The organization’s members are gold mining companies.
• It publishes research advocating for gold, various products such as SPDR Gold Shares and gold accumulation plans.

Current Context : Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched “Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training” (RESET) Programme.

• Objective : Empowering our retired sportspersons who have played for the country and brought immense laurels to the nation.
• The programme will support retired athletes on their career development journey by empowering them with the necessary knowledge and skills and making them more employable.
• Eligibility : The athletes, who have retired from an active sports career and are aged between 20-50 years and who have been winners are eligible to apply for courses under RESET Programme.
• Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE) will be the lead institute to implement the Programme on pilot phase.