UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 05-08-2024

Bailey bridge

The Indian Army erected a Bailey bridge in Wayanad recently due to the heavy floods.

• Bailey Bridge - It is a modular bridge, mechanically-launched single-span for temporary purposes.
• It has been crucial in facilitating the movement of heavy machinery and ambulances.
• Invented by - Donald Coleman Bailey, an English civil engineer, during World War 2 (1939-45).
• Construction - Developed during the 2^nd World War and its parts are pre-built to assemble quickly when needed.
• Parts - Consist of light steel panels linked through pins, which are big, screw-like objects. These help establish the guardrails of the bridge.
• Through the guardrails on either side, beams are placed to form the deck or path of the bridge.
• Beams are made to lock with guardrails, and the bridge is extended to cover the crossing.
• Advantages - No heavy installation equipment is needed. It has a weight-carrying capacity of 24 tonnes.
• It has an increased span than other such temporary bridges and less time for construction.
• Modular bridges have the potential to accelerate reconstruction after disasters by transitioning directly to permanent infrastructure.
• Use - Employed over various types of obstacles like canals and ditches , across river, movement of troops in military operation, and disaster rescue.
• A 46-meter indigenously designed and manufactured modular bridge was inducted into the Indian Army in February 2024.
• It was designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and produced by L&T as a DRDO-nominated production agency.

References

1. Indian Express | Bailey Bridge
2. Economic Times |Bailey Bridge

Commemorative stamp

The Union government will release commemorative postage stamps to celebrate the Paris 2024 Olympics.

• Commemorative stamps are issued, as the name suggests, commemorating important events,
  • Prominent personalities in various fields,
  • Aspects of nature,
  • Beautiful or rare flora and fauna,
  • Environmental issues,
  • Agricultural activities,
  • National/international issues,
  • Games etc.
• Released by- Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications.
• These stamps are only available at Philatelic Bureaux and counters or under the Philatelic Deposit Account Scheme.
• They are printed in limited quantities.
• An event which is not nationally important e​nough to be commemorated by issue of a Commemorative/Special stamp may be commemorated by the Department by issue of Special Covers.
• It can be cancelled with a special cancellation at the post office selected for the purpose.
• Such covers can also be issued at the instance of private parties on payment of requisite charges.
• These covers should bear minimum postage stamps of any kind equivalent to the minimum inland letter mail rate.

References

1. PIB | Commemorative stamps
2. India Post | Commemorative stamps  

Newly launched apps

Recently, the union government launched e-Sakshya, Nyaya Setu, Nyaya Shruti, and e-Summon App for three new criminal laws.

• Launched by- Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Aim- The apps aim to strengthen the technical competency of the entire system.

• New criminal laws- The central governmnet lauched the three new criminal laws Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) on July 2024, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Indian Evidence Act.

Reference

PIB | Newly launched App  

Har Ghar Tiranga

The Prime Minister paid tribute to Pingali Venkayya on his birth anniversary, honoring his role in creating Tricolour to the nation.

Pingali Venkayya was an Indian freedom fighter and the designer of the Indian national flag.

• ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ is a campaign under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to encourage people to bring the Tiranga home and to hoist it to mark the 75th year of India’s independence.
• Objective- The idea behind the initiative is to invoke the feeling of patriotism in the hearts of the people and to promote awareness about the Indian National Flag.
• The National Flag of India is horizontally rectangular in a shape.
• Date of Adoption- July, 1947.
• Designer- Pingali Venkayya
• Proportions- 3:2 (Length to Height ratio)
• Dimension- The ratio of the width to length of the Flag is 2:3.
• Colors
  • Saffron (Top band)- It signifies courage, sacrifice, valour, wisdom and action.
  • White (Middle band)- It stands for purity, peace and tranquility.
  • Green (Bottom band)- It symbolises growth of the country, the vegetation, agriculture and plant life.
• Ashoka Chakra- The Indian Flag has the Ashoka Chakra on the white band which has 24 equally spaced spokes.
• The Navy blue in the Chakra refers to the boundless sky and fathomless sea and the inner energy.
• The wheel/chakra is the Law of Dharma.
• It also means 24 hours a day which indicates movement of time i.e., the progressiveness of the country.

References

1. PIB | Har Ghar Tiranga movement
2. Amritmahotsav | Har Ghar Tiranga

Axiom-4 Mission

India has shortlisted 2 astronaut-designates for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station.

• Axiom-4- It is a private spaceflight to the ISS operated by Axiom Space.
• Launch- October 2024.
• Aim- It aims to promote commercial activities in space, including scientific research, technological development, and space tourism.    
• Spacecraft- The mission is supported by SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The flight is in collaboration with NASA.
• Location- It will take off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida from a Falcon 9 launcher.
• Duration- The mission is said to last for 14 days.
• Crew Training- Axiom Mission 4 crew members will train with NASA, international partners, and SpaceX.
• Objectives
  • Commercial Space Endeavours - It aims to facilitate commercial activities in space, including scientific research, technological development, and space tourism.
  • International Collaboration – It is set to carry a diverse crew of astronauts from different countries, reflecting the growing international interest in space exploration.
  • Research and Development - The mission will support various scientific experiments and technological tests in the unique microgravity environment of space.
• Significance- This collaboration between ISRO, Axiom Space, and NASA is a significant leap forward in international space cooperation.

References

1. The Hindu | Axiom-4 mission
2. NASA | Axion-4