Defence

Successful Flight Test of SFDR

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about SFDR) + Mains GS III Science and Technology (defence indigenisation of technology)

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the second indigenously developed ‘Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR)' propulsion based missile system from ITR, Chandipur, Odisha today.

Know! more about the test and SFDR

• Missile was guided to high altitude to simulate aircraft release conditions and subsequently nozzle-less-booster was ignited.
• SFDR based missile accelerated to achieve ramjet Mach number successfully. The trajectory was tracked by telemetry and radar stations till touchdown.
• The success of SFDR propulsion technology is a significant milestone and will pave the way for development of long range air-to-air missiles in the country.

 Know! all about SFDR

• This advanced propulsion system promises to enhance the range and agility of air-to-air (AAM) and surface-to-air missiles (SAM).
• The Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) developed under a joint Indo-Russian R&D project achieved a speed of Mach 3.
• SFDR uses a ramjet propulsion system to react with the solid propellant as air, that acts as oxidizer flows through a solid propellant duct.
• The design of the SFDR propulsion allows for throttling up and down, enabling the missile to increase the speed as it reaches the terminal phase of the flight, or when sharp turns are required in pursuit of highly maneuvering targets.
• Compared to conventional rockets that must carry a propellant and oxidizer - Ramjet, like a jet engine, uses the air as an oxidizer thus eliminates the weight of that fuel.
• Therefore, such missile can carry more fuel or use a smaller propulsion unit. With more fuel stored on board, longer burn time is achieved, resulting in higher velocity, that enabling missiles to fly farther
• SFDR propulsion is a key technology for the development of extended range missiles such as surface-to-air and long-range air-to-air missiles.
• According to the DRDO, the SFDR has a range of 120 km with a speed range of 2.3-2.5 Mach.
• As the Ramjet is most effective at supersonic speed, this engine is often used in combination with strapped boosters (particularly in SAM) or integrated boost phase (AAM), accelerating the missile to supersonic speed where the ramjet kicks in. The variant tested recently in India was launched from a ground-based test rig using a booster.

Election Commission

Election Commission of India launches Voter Verification and Information Programme (VVIP) for upcoming General Elections 2019

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about VVIP initiative and steps taken by ECI for fair election) + Mains GS III electoral reforms)

What's the NEWS

• The Election Commission of India has launched a Voter Verification and Information Programme (VVIP) for citizens for verifications of their names, new registrations, changes in the voter details and corrections in the Voter Id Cards for the upcoming General Elections 2019.

Know! about the VVIP programme

• ECI has enabled various channels for this VVIP programme. ECI has also set up Contact centers in all districts across India. The Voter Helpline number is 1950. The Contact Centres are equipped with latest information and telecom infrastructure to help the callers.
• The VVIP Programme was launched during the 2-day intensive Training-cum-Workshop on the use of Information & Communication Technology for the conduct of General Elections 2019.

cVIGIL App

• One of the important applications for which training was imparted to all States and UTs wascVIGIL.
• cVIGIL App providestime-stamped,evidence based proof of Model Code of Conduct / Expenditure Violation, having live photo/video with auto location data. Any citizen can lodge a complaint through Mobile App.

PwD App

• A ‘PwD App' to enable Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to request for new registration, change in address, change in particulars and mark themselves as PwD through the use of the mobile application was also launched.
• By simply entering their contact details, the Booth Level Officer is assigned to provide doorstep facility. PwDs can also request for a wheelchair during polling.

Health and Family Welfare

8th round of National Deworming Day (NDD) campaign

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about deworming) + Mains GS II steps taken by the government in the field of Health sector + government policies and intervention)

What's the NEWS

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) conducted its eighth round of National Deworming Day (NDD)

Know! more about the programme

• This key program initiative is implemented with an objective to reduce the prevalence of Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) or parasitic intestinal worms so that they are no longer a public health problem.
• As per WHO, 64% of the Indian population less than 14 years are at risk of STH infections.

Know! about National Deworming Day (NDD) programme

• Launched in 2015 through a single fixed day approach, the NDD program in this round, targets to reach 24.44 crore children and adolescents in 30 states/UTs, in the age group of 1-19 years.
• The program is implemented with the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Human Resource Development, where the anganwadi workers and teachers administer the deworming medicine to children and adolescents at the anganwadis and schools.
• The NDD program is a cost-effective program at scale that continues to reach crores of children and adolescents with deworming benefits through a safe medicine Albendazole.
• Using Albendazole tablet for deworming is an evidence-based, globally-accepted, and effective solution used to control worm infections in all children, regardless of socio-economic background.
• NDD is observed bi-annually on 10th February and 10th August in all states and UTs followed by mop-up activities. This year the NDD is being conducted on 8th February and mop up day on the 14th February.

Know! more about NDD programme

• NDD falls under the purview of the Extended Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, and is also committed to improving the nutritional uptake in all children and adolescents and has immensely contributed to the cause of Anemia Mukt Bharat and Poshan Abhiyaan, under the National Nutrition Strategy, formulated by Niti Aayog in December 2017, with a vision towards anemia and malnutrition reduction by 2022.
• The convergence of NDD with the Swachh Bharat Mission is another step towards ensuring cleanliness and hygiene in our surroundings and towards prevention and control of worm infestation.
  

What is Soil Transmitted Helminths (STH) disease

• Soil-transmitted helminth infections are among the most common infections in humans, caused by a group of parasites commonly referred to as worms, including roundworms, whipworms and hookworms.
• Those living in poverty are most vulnerable to infection which can impair nutritional status by causing:

-         intestinal inflammation and obstruction;

-         diarrhoea; and

-         impairment of nutrient intake, digestion and absorption.

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