Daily Current Capsules 03^rd October 2020

Science and Technology
VAIBHAV Summit

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about VAIBHAV Summit) + Mains ( GS III awareness in the field of science and technology)
What's the NEWS

• Prime Minister inaugurated Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) Summit on 2^nd October

Know! about VAIBHAV Summit

• The VAIBHAV Summit is a global virtual summit of overseas and resident Indian Researchers and Academicians, and is being organized from 2^nd October to 31^st October 2020.
• The aim of the summit is to bring Indian origin luminaries in academic institutes and R&D organizations across the world and resident counterparts on a single platform to debate upon collaboration mechanisms to strengthen academic and S&T base in India for global development.
• The initiative involves multiple levels of interactions among overseas experts and Indian counterparts over a month-long series of webinars, video conferences etc.
• More than 3000 overseas Indian origin academicians and scientists from 55 countries and more than 10,000 resident academicians and scientists are taking part in the summit.
• About 200 academic institutes and S&T departments, led by Principal Scientific Advisor, Government of India, are organizing the summit running through the month of October.

Prelims Factoids
The Atal Tunnel

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the Atal Tunnel)
What's the NEWS

• Prime Minister inaugurated Atal Tunnel, Rohtang on 3 October 2020.

Know! all about Atal Tunnel

• Atal Tunnel is the longest highway tunnel in the World.
• The 9.02 Km long tunnel connects Manali to Lahaul-Spiti valley throughout the year.
• Earlier the valley was cut off for about 6 months each year owing to heavy snowfall.
• The Tunnel is built with ultra-modern specifications in the Pir Panjal range of Himalayas at an altitude of 3000 Mtrs (10,000 Feet) from the Mean Sea Level (MSL).

• The tunnel reduces the road distance by 46 Kms between Manali and Leh and the time by about 4 to 5 hours.

• The South Portal (SP) of Atal Tunnel is located at a distance of 25 Km from Manali at an altitude of 3060 Mtrs, while the North Portal (NP) of the tunnel is located near village Teling, Sissu, in Lahaul Valley at an altitude of 3071 Mtrs.
• It is horse shoe shaped, single tube double lane tunnel with a roadway of 8 Mtrs. It has an overhead clearance of 5.525 Mtrs.
• It has the state of the art electromechanical system including semi transverse ventilation system, SCADA controlled firefighting, illumination and monitoring system.

Know! about the inception of the Atal Tunnel

• The historic decision to construct a strategic tunnel below the Rohtang Pass was taken on June 03, 2000 when late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister.
• The foundation stone for the Access Road to the South Portal of the tunnel was laid on May 26, 2002.
• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) worked relentlessly to overcome major geological, terrain and weather challenges that included the most difficult stretch of the 587-metre Seri Nalah Fault Zone.
• The breakthrough from both ends was achieved on October 15, 2017.

Know! also about Zojila Tunnel

Defence
DRDO successfully test fires laser-guided anti-tank guided missile(ATGM) from Arjun Tank

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Laser Guided Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM))
What's the NEWS

• The indigenously developed Laser Guided Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) was successfully test fired today on 1^st Oct 2020 defeating a target located at longer range.
• The test was conducted from MBT Arjun at KK ranges (ACC&S) Ahmednagar in continuation of successful trial done on 22^nd Sep 2020.

• The ATGM employs a tandem HEAT warhead to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected armoured vehicles in ranges from 1.5 to 5 km.
• These missiles use laser designation to lock and track the targets for better accuracy.
• It has been developed with multiple-platform launch capability and is currently undergoing technical evaluation trials from 120 mm rifled gun of MBT Arjun.
• The Arjun is a third generation main battle tank developed by the DRDO.
• This Laser Guided Missile has been developed by Armament R&D Establishment (ARDE), Pune in association with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune and Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun.

Defence
Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) Phase IV
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the role of ASCON)
What's the NEWS

• The Cabinet Committee on Security, has approved the proposal for establishment of Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) Phase IV Network

Know! about ASCON

• The project is a strategic and theatre area communication network which will upgrade the existing Asynchronous Transfer Mode Technology to Internet Protocol (IP) / Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) Technology.
• Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), Microwave Radio and Satellite will be used as communication media.
• The project will provide better survivability, responsiveness and high bandwidth in any operational scenario and enhance the communication coverage of network closer to IB/LC/LAC.
• The network will extend the high bandwidth communication to the remote operational areas in Central and Eastern Sectors and enhance communication reach to the forward locations in the Western border too.
• Thus, the project would augment the communication network of Indian Army in the sensitive forward operational areas
• The project will provide a boost to the Indian Industry with approximately 80% indigenous content

Science and Technology
RAISE 2020
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about RASIE 2020 + role of AI) + Mains ( GS III awareness in the field of space)
What's the NEWS

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and NITI Aayog are organizing a Global Virtual Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI), RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020,' from October 5-9, 2020.
• The Summit will be inaugurated by Prime Minister
• RAISE 2020 will have session on building inclusive AI that empowers one billion plus Indians.
• So far, more than 15,000 stakeholders from across academia, the research industry and government representatives from across the world have registered to participate in RAISE 2020.

Know! the role of AI and steps taken by the government for its development

• Home to the world's third largest startup ecosystem, elite science and technology institutions like the IITs, robust and ubiquitous digital infrastructure, and millions of newly-minted STEM graduates every year, India is well-positioned to become a global leader in the development of artificial intelligence.
• Industry analysts predict that AI could add up to USD 957 billion to India's economy by 2035.
• From agriculture to fin-tech and healthcare to infrastructure, artificial intelligence can be a truly transformative force.
• India is uniquely positioned to become the AI laboratory of the world and contribute to inclusive development and growth through empowerment.
• The RAISE 2020 Summit will serve as a platform for discussion and consensus building to help create a data-rich environment, which is a stepping stone to eventually transform lives globally.
• It will facilitate an exchange of ideas to create mass awareness about the need to ethically develop and practice AI.

Know! about RAISE 2020:

• RAISE 2020 is a first of its-kind, global meeting of minds on Artificial Intelligence to drive India's vision and roadmap for social transformation, inclusion and empowerment through responsible AI.
• Organized by Government of India along with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and NITI Aayog,the event will witness robust participation from global industry leaders, key opinion makers, Government representatives and academia.

Education

Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about CSTT and its role) + Mains ( GS II Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What's the NEWS

• Union Minister of Education virtually attended Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (Department of Higher Education)

Know! the work of CSTT

• The Commission has done important work in the creation and development of Scientific and Technical Terminology for Hindi and other Indian languages
• Development of vocabulary in Hindi and other Indian languages by the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology for more than 9 lakh English words in various subjects including Science, Engineering and Technology, Agriculture and Medical Sciences

Know! all about CSTT

• The Commission for Scientific & Technical Terminology (CSTT) was set up on December 21, 1960 by a resolution of Government of India under the proviso to Clause (4) of Article 344 of the Constitution

Objective

• To evolve and define scientific and technical terms in Hindi and all Indian languages; publish glossaries, definitional dictionaries, encyclopaedia.; to see that the evolved terms and their definitions reach the students, teachers, scholars, scientists, officers etc.

The Commission carries out the following functions :-

• Preparation and Publication of Bilingual and Trilingual Glossaries involving English/Hindi and other Indian Languages.
• Preparation and Publication of National terminology.
• Identification and Publication of School Level Terminology and Departmental Glossaries.
• Identification of Pan Indian Terms.
• Preparation of Definitional Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias.
• Preparation of University level textbooks, monographs and journals
• Grant-in-Aid to Textbook Boards and University Cells for University level books in regional languages.
• Propagation, expansion and critical review of terms coined and defined through training/orientation programmes, workshops, seminars etc.
• Free distribution of Publications.
• Providing necessary terminology to the National Translation Mission.

Eighth fundamental duty

• The eighth fundamental duty enshrined in Part 4 of our Constitution instructs us to "develop humanism and the spirit of learning and reform from a scientific perspective." For the scientific approach and the process of learning, it is necessary to have knowledge in your language and to develop your language scientifically and appropriately.

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