Prelim Bits 02-02-2018

Khelo IndiaProgram

• First Khelo India school games were declared open at New Delhi.
• The program focuses on the entire sport ecosystem in country
• It includes infrastructure, community sports, talent identification, coaching for excellence, competition structure and sports economy.
• Salient features of the program are,

1. Pan Indian Sports Scholarship scheme
2. long-term athlete development pathway would be made available to gifted and talented youngsters
3. promote 20 universities across the country as hubs of sporting excellence.

Quantum Dots

• Quantum dots can lead to a new generation of high definition technology.
• It will pave the way for brighter, lighter and more energy efficient TVs and smart devices.
• The Science Advances journal says, when quantum dots are       clustered together they are more fluorescent, providing a wide variety of colours.
• Quantum dots are tiny particles or nanocrystals of a semiconducting material with diameters in the range of 2-10 nanometres.
• Quantum dots display unique electronic properties, intermediate between those of bulk semiconductors and discrete molecules.

‘Adopt A Heritage’ project

• During the closing ceremony of Bharat Parv, under “Adopt a Heritage: ApniDharohar, ApniPehchaan” letter of intent was given to agencies.
• Private sector companies, Public sector companies and individuals will act as ‘Monument Mitras’ for the development of tourist amenities
• Project is a key initiative of Ministry of Tourism in close collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archeological Survey of India (ASI)

Global Democracy Index

• India has slipped to 42nd place on an annual Global Democracy Index.
• India has moved down from 32nd place last year and remains classified among “flawed democracies”
• The index is compiled by the UK based Economic Intelligence Unit(EIU)
• The index ranks on the basis of five categories: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, the functioning of government, political participation and political culture.

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA)

• IREDA and Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited signed an agreement for financing the shared infrastructure of two large Solar Parks in Madhya Pradesh
• IREDA is a Mini Ratna Enterprise under the administrative control of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• engaged in promoting, developing and extending financial assistance for setting up projects relating to new and renewable sources of energy
• The motto of the organisation is : “ENERGY FOR EVER”

Technical Education Quality Improvement Project (TEQIP-III)

• MHRD started the Technical Education Quality Improvement Project (TEQIP-III) for improving the quality of engineering graduates
• The focus is on the most-backward states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, North-East, Rajasthan, MP etc.
• The measures include:

1. Institution based: accreditation of the courses through NBA, governance reforms, improving the processes, digital initiatives, securing autonomy for the colleges.
2. Student based: improving the quality of teaching, teacher training, equipping the class rooms, revision of syllabus, etc.,

Source: The Hindu, BusinessLine, Business Standard