Daily Current Capsules
12th July 2022

Defence
AI in Defence' (AIDef) symposium and exhibition

What's the NEWS

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched 75 newly-developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) products/technologies during the first-ever ‘AI in Defence' (AIDef) symposium and exhibition, organised by Ministry of Defence in New Delhi
• The Raksha Mantri released the physical as well as e-version of the book comprising the details of these 75 products, showcasing the collective efforts put on by the Services, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), iDEX start-ups and the private industry in last four years in the field of AI.
• The Raksha Mantri appreciated the fact that MoD, Armed Forces, DRDO, DPSUs and the Industry are making meaningful efforts to provide innovative & indigenous AI solutions for defence and are developing futuristic technologies.

• The Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence has approved a central sector scheme (iDEX) with budgetary support of Rs. 498.80 crore for the next 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
• It aims to promote innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries (which includes MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia)
• iDEX is an initiative taken by the government to contribute towards modernization of the Defence Industry.
• It was launched by the Government in April 2018.
• Its two founding members are Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) & Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) - Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). HAL and BEL are navratna companies.
• The objective of the scheme is to provide financial support to nearly 300 Startups/ MSMEs/ individual innovators and about 20 Partner incubators through Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).
• iDEX aims to promote innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries (which includes MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia).
• iDEX will be funded and managed by Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), and will function as the executive arm of DIO.
• iDEX-DIO had launched the Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) to address problems faced by the Armed Forces, DPSUs & OFB.

Factoids
Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray's contributions as a Chemist and Freedom Fighter

What's the NEWS

• Ministry of Culture along with Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi and Vijnana Bharti (VIBHA) organised a curtain raiser for two days International Conference on the "Contributions of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray as a Chemist and Freedom Fighter" at the Department of Chemistry, University of Delhi in Delhi today.
• The Conference will be held on 161th birth anniversary of Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray on 2nd-3rd August 2022, under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
• The Department of Chemistry is celebrating its centenary year along with the University of Delhi and Vijnana Bharti (VIBHA) is going to organize jointly with Indraprastha Vigyan Bharti, New Delhi and Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi.

• He was an eminent Indian chemist, educationist, historian, industrialist and philanthropist.
• He established the first modern Indian research school in chemistry (post classical age) and is regarded as the father of chemical science in India.
• The Royal Society of Chemistry honoured his life and work with the first ever Chemical Landmark Plaque outside Europe.
• He was the founder of Bengal Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, India's first pharmaceutical company.
• He is the author of A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century (1902).

• It is a national movement for the propagation and popularization of Science & Technology among students and masses.
• VIBHA promotes scientific contributions made by India in ancient times as well as now.
• Previously known as Swadeshi Science Movement, is a non-profit organization in India that works for the popularization of sciences in a nationalist manner.
• Its main aim is to rejuvenate the Swadeshi Movement in this age of science and technology for the purpose of national reconstruction.
• It is the largest scientific organization having the longest chain of state units and networking institutions across the country.

Social Issues
Samajik Adhikarita Shivir

What's the NEWS

• A ‘Samajik Adhikarita Shivir' for distribution of aids and assistive devices to Divyangjan and Senior citizens under the ADIP and Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana scheme respectively of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India will be organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) in association with ALIMCO.

• It is a scheme initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
• This scheme has been launched to provide assistance to disabled persons in obtaining standard aids and appliances in order to enhance their economic conditions.

Factoids
KHEJRI TREES

What's the NEWS

• The proposed installation of eight solar power plants in Jodhpur district's Phalodi tehsil has led to a major confrontation with the Bishnoi activists, who have strongly protested against the felling of khejri trees (or Prosopis cineraria trees).
• Khejri trees, which is the State tree of Rajasthan, plays an important role in maintaining the ecosystem of Thar region because of its ability to survive in dry weather.
• The tree is used in different ways, such as a source of fodder and firewood, and it helps in sustaining the soil's nutrient value and ensuring a good yield of desert crops and food plants. Its fruit is used to make the popular dish 'Sangri'.

Factoids
WORLD POPULATION DAY

What's the NEWS

• World Population Day is observed on the 11th of July every year.
• The objective of the day is to increase the awareness of the people towards the worldwide population issues.

• World Population Day, which seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues, was established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme in 1989.
• By a resolution in December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly decided to continue observing World Population Day enhance awareness of population issues, including their relations to the environment and development.
• The Day was first marked on 11th July 1990 in more than 90 countries.
• In 2011, the world reached a population of 7 billion. This year, the number will hit 8 billion.
• The theme for World Population Day 2022 is ‘A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all - Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all.

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