Defence
Long Range Surface to Air Missiles (LRSAM)

Relevance IN - Prelims (about LRSAM + MSQAA)
What's the NEWS

• Final production batch of Long Range Surface to Air Missiles (LRSAM), designed and developed by DRDO in collaboration with various industry partnersand integrated by BDL, was flagged off on 14 Feb 2021 at DRDL,APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad

Know! about LRSAM

• LRSAM is jointly developed by DRDO and IAI Israel to equip latest ships of Indian Navy.
• This LRSAM Missile system can provide point and area defence against various aerial targets including fighter aircraft, subsonic & supersonic cruise missiles.
• The Missile is powered by indigenously developed dual-pulse rocket motor and dual control system to impart required manoeuvrability at the terminal phase.
• This state of art weapon system is designed with active Radio Frequency (RF) seeker to identify, track, engage and destroy the target with high kill probability.
• LRSAM system end to end performance has been successfully demonstrated through number of user flight trials from Indian Naval ships.
• This weapon system has been successfully productionised and has been delivered to Indian Navy.

Know! the role of various industries and agencies

• The indigenous production efforts complemented the industries that have established the manufacturing facilities and successfully executed the production orders in achieving the goal towards 'Make in India'.
• The efforts of Missile System Quality Assurance Agency (MSQAA), DG (NAI) in streamlining the production activities at various industries across India, leading to delivery of missiles with aerospace quality standards.

Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency (MSQAA)

• The Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency (MSQAA) is established in 1990 under Ministry of Defence, Department of Defence Production as the designated Quality Assurance Agency for providing QA coverage during design, development and productionisation of the indigenous missiles and associated ground systems that are designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• MSQAA also provides QA coverage during indigenous production of missiles and associated ground systems undertaken through Joint Ventures (JVs) or Transfer of Technology (ToT) with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
• MSQAA functions under the administrative control of the Director General Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA).
• The technical Headquarters of MSQAA headed by a Director is located at DRDL Hyderabad.
• The MSQAA is formed with experienced QA personnel drawn from the three participating QA organisations viz; Director General Quality Assurance (DGQA), DGAQA and Director General Naval Armament Inspection (DGNAI), in equal proportions.

The IGMDP projects for which MSQAA provides QA coverage include

The non - IGMDP projects for which MSQAA provides QA coverage include

• Some of the prime production agencies for the missile systems (where MSQAA is involved) are M/s Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), M/s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), M/s Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), M/s Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), M/s BrahMos Aerospace and other Indian private industries like M/s Godrej & Boyce, M/s Larsen & Toubro, TCPL etc.

Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA)

• It is an organisation under Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence.
• This organisation is the regulatory authority for Quality Assurance and final acceptance of Military Aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Aero Engines, Airborne Systems, Avionics, Armaments, Consumables (FOL Stores), Allied Ground Systems and Missiles during Design & Development, Production, Repair, Modification and Overhaul/ Repair at various Defence PSUs, Ordnance Factories and Private Firms.

PLACES IN NEWS
Chittaura Lake

Relevance IN - Prelims ( places in NEWS)
What's the NEWS
Prime Minister, will lay the foundation stone of Maharaja Suheldev Memorial and development work of Chittaura Lake on 16^th February 2021

• The event in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh marks the birth anniversary of Maharaja Suheldev.
• The complete project will include installation of an equestrian statue of Maharaja Suheldev and development of various tourist amenities like cafeteria, guest house and a children's park.

Maharaja Suheldev

• Maharaja Suheldev's devotion and service to the country is a source of inspiration for all and with the development of this memorial site, the country will be able to get better acquainted with the heroic saga of Maharaja Suheldev.
• It would also further enhance the tourist potential of this site.
• Suhaldev or Suheldev is an Indian king from Shravasti, popularly known to have defeated and killed the Ghaznavid general Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud at Bahraich in 1034 CE.
• He is mentioned in the 17^th century Persian-language historical romance Mirat-i-Masudi.
• Since the 20^th century, various Hindu nationalist groups have characterized him as a Hindu King who defeated a Muslim invader.

Chittaura Jheel

• It is also known as Ashtwarka jheel) is a lake in Uttar Pradesh, India.
• It is situated about 8 km from Bahraich city, on Gonda road, near Jittora or Chittaura village.
• A small river, Teri Nadi, flows from this lake. Many migratory birds are also found here during August - October
• Chittaura Jheel is a Hindu pilgrimage site. According to local legends, Ashtwarka Muni, the Guru of Maharaja Janak used to live here in his ashram.
• According to local folklore, the area beside the lake is the site of an 11^th-century battle between the Hindu king Suhaldev and the Muslim invader Ghazi Saiyyad Salar Masud.

India's first full-fledged international cruise terminal in Kerala
Relevance IN - Prelims ( places in NEWS)
What's the NEWS

• Prime Minister inaugurated the Sagarika International Cruise Terminal on Sunday, marking another landmark for Kochi, which has turned into a major cruise destination across the globe.

Sagarika International Cruise Terminal

• The cruise vessel handling facility, which is now being enhanced by the inauguration of Sagarika, started initially more than a decade ago.
• The Cochin Port Trust has catered to the requirements of major cruise operators in the industry
• A dedicated terminal, that is fully air-conditioned and serving the cruise ship requirements, provides all statutory clearances, including Customs and Immigration, for cruise passengers.
• Other amenities included walk-in-berthing, assured quality bunkers and fresh water services, said Port Trust sources.
• The Union government has relaxed cabotage restrictions for cruise vessels so that it is possible to transport Indians from one port to another port in the country on foreign cruise vessels transiting through the country's waters.
• The location of Kochi, close to the sites in Mattancherry and Fort Kochi that have a rich historic legacy, too has added strength to the importance of the port as a major cruise destination.
• The backwater tourism in Alappuzha and spices destinations in Idukki are also close enough to draw major tourist operations.

Kakinada deep-water port

Relevance IN - Prelims ( places in NEWS)
What's the NEWS

• In a major boost to India's rice exports potential, a consignment has been shipped from the Kakinada deep-water port.
• Andhra Pradesh government had granted approval for use of Kakinada deep-water port for rice exports as adjourning anchorage port was facing congestion.
• A shipment of one of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Exports Development Authority (APEDA)'s member exporter M/S Satyam Balajee Rice Industries Pvt Ltd (produced, sourced and processed at Chhattisgarh) from the Kakinada deep-water port was shipped on 12th February, 2021.
• APEDA, which registers and supervises rice exports, had communicated to the Andhra Pradesh government to let exporters use the Kakinada deep-water port.
• The use of the Kakinada deep-water port, under the control of the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board, will help in boosting India's rice exports potential.
• The Kakinada anchorage port has been facing congestion problems, especially in shipping rice, as demand for rice from India has seen sharp spike especially in the current financial year (2020-21).

Kakinada Port

• It is located at Kakinada off the east coast of India. It is 170 km (106 mi) south of Visakhapatnam Port.
• Kakinada Port is a large complex comprising Kakinada Anchorage Port, Kakinada Deep Water Port, Kakinada Fishing Harbour and Ship-Breaking Unit. Kakinada Anchorage Port has a century-long tradition.
• Kakinada Deep Water Port is an all-weather deep water port, and the channel has a depth of 12 metres (39 ft).
• The port handled 10.81 million tonnes of cargo in 2010-2011. The AP Govt developed Kakinada beach in 2013 and it has 100 acres of land covered from port to uppada area.

Know! the statics of rice export

• The Rice Exporters Association, Kakinada had also made a similar request to the Andhra Pradesh government.
• India's exports of cereals - rice, wheat and coarse cereals witnessed an impressive rise during the first three quarters of 2020-21 financial year.
• The exports of cereals witnessed a rise of 52.90% in Rupee term and 45.81% in US dollar term.
• The total share of value of cereal exports was 48.61% in Rupee terms in the total export of (APEDA) scheduled products.
• The exports of non-Basmati witnessed a growth of 122.61 % in Rupee terms and 111.81 % Dollar terms.
• A key factor attributed to such a spike in non-Basmati rice exports was demand from many African and Asian countries during COVID19 pandemic. Many countries wanted to create rice stocks so that they could be used during emergencies.
• Another factor which helped India's non-basmati rice exports was Thailand, the second-largest rice exporter in the world after India, suffered a drought last year that has impacted the output.

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