Triput

Triput is the first of two Advanced Frigates that is under construction by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Navy, was launched recently in Goa.

• Triput is an Advanced Frigate that was built by the Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).
• The ships are equipped with stealth features, advanced weapon & sensors and platform management systems.
• The ship is designed for combat operations against enemy surface ships, submarines and aircrafts.
• Being constructed at GSL, the Triput class of ships are follow on ships of the Teg and Talwar class ships acquired from Russia.
• These frigates are being constructed for the first time indigenously by an Indian Shipyard.

Olympic Games

The Olympic Games Paris, 2024 is all set to start soon.

• The Olympic game originated in 776 BC, were held every four years in honour of the god Zeus, featuring not only athletic contests but also artistic events such as music, poetry and theatre.
• In the late 19th century, attempts to revive international sporting events were met with challenges due to disorganization within the global sporting community.
• This changed when Baron Pierre de Coubertin convened the first Olympic Congress in Paris.
• First Olympic Games – Of the modern era took place in Athens (Greece), the birthplace of the ancient Olympics, in April 1896.
• It was known as the Games of the I Olympiad, this historic event saw the participation of 241 athletes from 14 nations.
• Women in the Olympic Games – The Paris 1900 Olympic Games saw women compete for the first time.
• British tennis player Charlotte Cooper, a five-time Wimbledon champion, became the first female Olympic champion.
• Female participation in the Olympics has steadily increased over the decades, from 13% in 1964 to approximately 48.9% in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
• In Rio 2016, 45% of athletes were women, a trend that continued in Tokyo, making it the most gender-balanced Olympics yet with nearly half of all athletes being women.
• India at Olympics – India's Olympic journey has evolved significantly since its debut at the Paris Olympics in 1900 with just one participant.
• A landmark moment arrived at the Antwerp Games in 1920 when India sent its first official contingent, marking a century of notable achievements.
• India secured its first Olympic gold medal at the Amsterdam 1928 Olympics by Indian men's hockey.
• At the Helsinki 1952 Olympics, wrestler KD Jadhav made history by clinching India's first individual Olympic medal, a bronze.
• Karnam Malleswari in 2000 Olympics by became India's first woman to win an Olympic medal with her bronze in weightlifting.
• Abhinav Bindra secured the nation’s first individual gold medal in Beijing 2008 Olympics.
• Neeraj Chopra clinched India’s first track-and-field gold in javelin throw at Tokyo Olympics, 2020.
• Olympic Charter (OC) – Is the codification of the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Rules and byelaws adopted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
• International Olympic Committee – Is the guardian of the Olympic Games and the leader of the Olympic Movement.
• The International Sports Federations (IFs) – Establish the rules that govern their sport and ensure that they are applied.
• They are responsible for the technical aspects of their sport at the Olympic Games.
• They ensure that their sport is developed worldwide and disseminate the values of Olympism through their activities.
• Olympic Winter Games – The first Winter Games were held in Chamonix (France), in 1924.
• Initially called the “International Winter Sports Week”, this event was renamed the “1st Olympic Winter Games” only in 1926 at the IOC Session in Lisbon.

Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) Initiative

• Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB) is an initiative for upskilling of all anganwadi workers to build their capacity to provide early childhood care and education and nutrition service to children below 6 years of age.
• It is an early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program that was envisaged under the National Education Policy.
• It is a component of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
• It was launched by the Minister of Women and Child Development.
• Comprehensive Training – The initiative focuses on upskilling Anganwadi workers, with 11,364 State Level Master Trainers and 1,877 Anganwadi Workers trained as of June 2024.
• Infrastructure Enhancement – Aims to transform Anganwadi Centres into well-equipped Learning Centres with high-quality infrastructure and play equipment.
• Inclusive Approach – Special emphasis on accommodating divyang (differently-abled) children in all aspects of the program.
• Curriculum Frameworks:
  • Navchetana – National Framework for Early Childhood Stimulation (Birth to Three Years).
  • Aadharshila – National Curriculum for Early Childhood Care and Education (Three to Six Years).
• Age-Specific Programs:
  • For 0-3 years – Monthly age-based activities focusing on holistic early stimulation and responsive caregiving.
  • For 3-6 years – Weekly calendar with 36 weeks of active learning, 8 weeks of reinforcement, and 4 weeks of initiation.
• Flexible Learning Environments – Incorporates in-centre and at-home activities, indoor and outdoor learning, and both child-led and educator-led approaches.

Global Navigation Satellite (GNSS)-based Tolling

The GNSS-based toll collection system was recently introduced on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway as part of the pilot project alongside the existing FASTag system, to modernize the country’s road infrastructure.  

• Global Navigation Satellite (GNSS) is an electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system that uses virtual toll booths to monitor vehicle entry and exit from tolled sections.

• This initiative, aimed at making India toll booth-free within a couple of years, showcases the nation's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for socio-economic development.
• It enhances the current FASTag system by eliminating the need for physical toll booths.
• It utilizes GAGAN (GPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) and NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).
• As it can be automated charged, it enables seamless toll collection without vehicles needing to slow down or stop.
• Advantages:
  • Flexible charging schemes
  • Low infrastructure investment
  • Scalability
  • Enhanced user experience
• Challenges:
  • Accuracy concerns
  • Privacy issues
  • Need for standardization
  • Transition and compatibility with existing systems
  • Education and awareness requirements

Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM)

The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers has played a crucial role in this achievement of India's defence sector remarkable growth, with domestic production reaching a record Rs 1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24.

• The Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) is a not-for-profit association formed to be the apex body of the Indian defence industry.
• SIDM plays a proactive role as an advocate, catalyst, and facilitator for the growth and capability building of the defence industry in India.
• SIDM’s vision is to catalyse the Indian defence industry to effectively contribute to India’s national security and become a trustworthy global partner.
• It is committed towards making India Aatamanirbhar in Defence Production and is “Proud to Arm the Nation”.
• It was instrumental in shaping key policies like:
  • Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020,
  • Draft Defence Procurement Manual 2020 and
  • Draft Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy 2020.
• It facilitates interface between the industry and the armed forces.