Relevance I - Prelims (about Chaff Technology) + Mains ( GS III Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology)

What's the NEWS

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard the naval ships against enemy missile attack

Know! about Chaff technology

• Defence Laboratory Jodhpur (DLJ), a DRDO laboratory, has indigenously developed three variants of this critical technology namely Short Range Chaff Rocket (SRCR), Medium Range Chaff Rocket (MRCR) and Long Range Chaff Rocket (LRCR) meeting Indian Navy's qualitative requirements.
• The successful development of Advanced Chaff Technology by DLJ is another step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat
• Recently, Indian Navy conducted trials of all three variants in the Arabian Sea on Indian Naval Ship and found the performance satisfactory.
• Chaff is a passive expendable electronic countermeasure technology used worldwide to protect naval ships from enemy's radar and Radio Frequency (RF) missile seekers.
• The importance of this development lies in the fact that very less quantity of chaff material deployed in the air acts as decoy to deflect enemy's missiles for safety of the ships.
• The DRDO has gained the expertise to meet the futuristic threats from adversaries.
• The technology is being given to the industry for production in large quantities.

Science and Technology
Spices Board India and UNDP India's Accelerator Lab sign MoU to develop blockchain-powered traceability Interface for Indian spices
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Spices Board India + about UNDP + blockchain based traceability interface) + Mains ( GS III awareness in the field of science and technology)
What's the NEWS

• Spices Board India under Ministry of Commerce and Industry and UNDP India's Accelerator Lab signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the aim to build a blockchain based traceability interface for Indian spices to enhance transparency in supply chain and trade.

• Blockchain is a decentralized process of recording transactions on an open and shared electronic ledger.
• This allows for ease and transparency in data management across a complex network, including, farmers, brokers, distributors, processors, retailers, regulators, and consumers, thus simplifying the supply chain.
• It will allow farmers just as all other members of the supply chain to access the information which further makes the entire supply chain more efficient and equitable.
• UNDP and Spices Board India are working towards integrating the Blockchain Traceability Interface with the e-Spice Bazaar portal developed by Spices Board India for connecting spices farmers with markets.
• Design of the Blockchain interface is expected to be completed by May'21. The project will be piloted with over 3,000 farmers engaged in chilli and turmeric farming in select Districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Know! about the MoU highlights

• India said that India is the largest exporter, producer and consumer of spices in the world.
• India's spices export crossed a milestone of 3 Bn USD during 2019-20 and our estimates indicate that we would cross that milestone and achieve a new high during the 2020-21.
• Spices Board, the agency responsible for export promotion of Indian spices in the world markets
• The Board has been working tirelessly to provide support to the stakeholders of the sector and to strengthen the supply chain so as to position India as the premier destination for clean and safe spices to the world.
• This UNDP-Spices Board joint initiative to build a blockchain-powered traceability interface for Indian spices is significant milestone to make the spices value chain efficient, transparent and equitable for all stakeholders. This traceability interface is expected to enhance consumer confidence and facilitate sourcing of spices for exports as well as for local value addition and use.
• Upon successful demonstration, the Board would like to expand the reach of this interface to cover all major spices and regions of the country, and expects to have continuous partnership and support from the UNDP.

Know! about Spices Board

• Spices Board is one of the five Commodity Boards functioning under the Ministry of Commerce &Industry.
• It is an autonomous body responsible for the export promotion of the 52 scheduled spices and development of Cardamom (Small & Large).
• The main functions of the Spices Board are the following: (i) Research, Development and Regulation of domestic marketing of Small & Large Cardamom; (ii) Post-harvest improvement of all spices; (iii) Export promotion of all spices and assisting exporters in technology upgradation, quality management, brand promotion, research & product development; (iv) Development of spices in the North East; (v) Regulation of quality of spices for exports through its quality evaluation services; etc.

Know! about UNDP

• UNDP works across 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships, and institutions so they can sustain their progress.
• UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from systems strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment, and resilience.
• UNDP's programmes continue to integrate a global vision for catalytic change with India's national priorities. With over 30 projects on the ground in almost every state, today, it works to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by transforming traditional models to do development differently.

Defence
Indian Navy Ships and Aircraft to participate in exercise La Perouse

Relevance IN - Prelims (about Exercise La Perouse)
What's the NEWS

• Indian Navy Ships INS Satpura (with an integral helicopter embarked) and INS Kiltan alongwith P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft are participating, for the first time; in multi-lateral maritime exercise La Pérouse, being conducted in the Eastern Indian Ocean Region from 05 to 07 Apr 2021.
• The Indian Navy ships and aircraft will exercise at sea with ships and aircraft of French Navy (FN), Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) and United States Navy (USN) during the three day exercise at sea.

Know! about Exercise La Perouse

• The exercise La Pérouse, led by French Navy, has participation by FN Ships Tonnerre, an amphibious assault ship and frigate Surcouf. United States Navy is represented in the exercise by amphibious transport dock ship Somerset.
• Exercise La Pérouse will witness complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare and air defence exercises, weapon firing exercises, cross deck flying operations, tactical manoeuvres and seamanship evolutions such as replenishment at sea.
• The exercise will showcase high levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the friendly navies. Participation by the Indian Navy in the exercise demonstrates the shared values with friendly navies ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive Indo-Pacific and a rules-based international order.

Prelims Factoids
Railways complete the Arch closure of the iconic Chenab Bridge, World's highest Railway Bridge

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the world's highest railway bridge - location and features)
What's the NEWS

• Chenab Bridge, the world's highest railway bridge, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project (USBRL), set an important construction milestone today with completion of the steel arch of the iconic Chenab Bridge.
• This was one of the most difficult part of the bridge over Chenab.
• This achievement is a major leap towards the completion of the 111 k.m. long winding stretch from Katra to Banihal.
• It is arguably the biggest civil-engineering challenge faced by any railway project in India in recent history.
• The 5.6-metre last piece of metal was fitted at the highest point today and joined the two arms of the arch that currently stretch towards each other from both the banks of the river.
• This completed the shape of the arch that will then loom over the treacherous Chenab, flowing some 359 metres below.

Salient Features of the Arch of the iconic Chenab Bridge:

• Indian Railways is constructing the iconic Arch Bridge on River Chenab as a part of the USBRL project to connect the Kashmir valley to the rest of the nation.
• This bridge is 1315m long.
• This is the highest Railway Bridge in the world being 359m above the river bed level.
• It will be 35 meters higher than the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris (France)
• Construction of Bridge involved fabrication of 28,660 MT steel, 10 Lakh Cum Earthwork, 66,000 Cum Concrete and 26 Km motorable roads.
• Arch consists of steel boxes. Concrete will be filled in boxes of the Arch to improve stability.
• Overall weight of Arch is 10,619 MT.
• Erection of the members of arch by overhead cable cranes done for first time on Indian Railways.
• The most sophisticated ‘Tekla' software used for structural detailing.
• Structural steel suitable for -10°C to 40°C temperature.

Unique Features of This Bridge:

• Bridge designed to withstand high wind speed up to 266 Km/Hour.
• Bridge designed for blast load in consultation with DRDO for the first time in India.
• Bridge will remain operational at restricted speed of 30 Km/Hour even after removal of one pier/trestle.
• Bridge designed to bear earthquake forces of highest intensity zone-V in India.
• First time on Indian Railways, Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing machine used for testing of welds.
• First time on Indian Railways, NABL accredited lab established at site for weld testing.
• Approx. 584Km welding done to join the different parts of structure, which is to the tune of distance between Jammu Tawi to New Delhi.
• Height of cable crane's pylon at Srinagar End is 127m, which is much taller than Qutub Minar of 72m.
• Launching of curved viaduct portion done for first time on Indian Railways using End Launching Method.
• Extensive health monitoring and warning systems planned through state of art instrumentation.

Prelims Factoids
58^th National Maritime Day-2021

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about 58th National Maritime Day)
What's the NEWS

• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways celebrated 58th National Maritime Day in commemoration of the maiden voyage of the first Indian flag merchant vessel ‘S.S.LOYALTY' (Owned by M/s. Scindia Steam Navigation Company), from Mumbai to London, on the 5th April ,1919.
• National Maritime Day is celebrated every year on April 5 since 1964.
• The theme of National Maritime Day is ‘Sustainable Shipping beyond COVID-19' on the lines of ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat' initiative of the Government of India.

Know! more about it

• On this day in 1919, meaning over a century ago, the Indian shipping started when SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd, sailed to London (UK) from Mumbai.
• The date is truly historic because the sea routes were still under British control at the time. According to the Directorate General of Shipping, India now has 43 shipping companies owning 1,401 ships with a combined 12.69 million gross tonnage as of December 2018.
• Besides the historical significance, the day is also celebrated to extend support to the global economy, the most well-organized, safe and sound environmentally responsive approach of transporting goods from one corner to another in this world.
• In 1959, India also became a member of the International Maritime Organisation, which is responsible for maritime protection and preventing pollution from ships.
• On this day, an award ceremony is also organised to honour those who have made outstanding contributions to the Indian Maritime Sector.
• They receive the Varuna Award for their sustained and unimaginable contribution. The award includes a statue of Lord Varuna and a scroll honouring the awardee.
• Besides the Varuna Award, the NMD award of excellence is also handed to people for their lifetime contribution and distinguished achievements at the senior functional level in the maritime Sector. This award, too, carries a trophy and a citation.
• To recognise the efforts of distinguished individuals in the area of maritime education and training, the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Maritime Education and Training award is given to them

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