GS- 3rd Paper
Topic– Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
11th Nuclear Energy Conclave
Context
The Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region (I/C), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space inaugurates 11th Nuclear Energy Conclave.
About
The India Energy Forum organized the 11th Nuclear Energy Conclave in New Delhi.
The theme of the event was “Economics of Nuclear Power: Innovation towards safer and cost-effective technologies”
Key Points of the 11th Nuclear Energy Conclave
- A nuclear power plant is to be constructed in Gorakhpur, Haryana.
- The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is working along with TATA Memorial Centre towards the implementation of flagship programmes of the Government.
- A hall of Nuclear Energy was opened at the Pragati Maidan in Delhi.
- The aim is to use the hall in the process of educating students and the public about the applications of nuclear energy.
The Scope of 11th Nuclear Conclave
- The annual Nuclear Conclave has been focusing on various key issues in the nuclear power and providing a platform for in-depth deliberations between the stakeholders.
- To prepare a summary report of the Conclave which is placed to the government for consideration while planning the road map for future developments.
- “Growth of Nuclear Power for meeting Base Load demands – Opportunities & Challenges for Indian Manufacturing Industry”, will be discussed.
- There will be presentations on growth of nuclear power through fleet mode implementation of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) Projects by NPCIL.
- For the Light Water Reactor (LWR) power projects coming up with foreign technology, lowering the cost and reducing the gestation period.
- The technology challenges for the long-term sustainability of nuclear energy will also be covered.
- Non-Power Applications of Nuclear Energy will highlight the recent expansion of use of nuclear energy in healthcare, food security and municipal waste treatment activities.
- Challenges in each of these activities with great societal values will be discussed by concerned experts.
Nuclear Power: Way Forward
- One of the main challenges India faces today is to increase the electricity generation capacity many fold, while simultaneously reducing the emission of greenhouse gases for complying with its international commitments.
- The solution lies in shifting from burning carbonaceous fossil fuel to the use of primary energy sources, such as solar, wind and nuclear.
- An optimum mix of renewable and nuclear energy sources is the solution for a carbon free world with plentiful of energy.
- The cost of nuclear power and the long gestation period for installation are the most serious concerns which are impeding a rapid capacity growth in the nuclear sector.
- In view of this the forthcoming Nuclear Conclave is planned to address the issue of economy of nuclear power and to identify ways and means of reduction of its capital cost.
India Energy Forum
- The Forum is a unique, independent, not-for-profit, research organisation and represents energy sector as a whole.
- The Forum represents energy sector as a whole was established in October 2001.
- The Forum has acquired a unique status as a spokesman of total energy sector.
- Most major public and private sector organizations in Power, Oil and Gas, Coal and Renewable Energy have become its members.
- The Forum serves as a catalyst for the development of a sustainable and competitive energy sector in India.
- The Forum tries to bring, Government institutions, policy makers, and multi-national agencies in an attempt to identify and resolve problems, which impede the development of projects in India.
Objective of India Energy Forum
- The Forum’s mission is development of a sustainable and competitive energy sector.
- Promoting an effective regulatory framework, establishing standards for reliable and safety, ensuring an equitable deal for consumers, producers and the utilities, encouraging efficient and eco-friendly development.
- Use of energy and developing new and better technologies to meet the growing energy needs of the society.
GS- Ist Paper
Topic- Indian culture: will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
Context
50th IFFI announces International Jury and Films in International Competition Section
Highlights
- IFFI is an annually event.
- 50th IFFI is being held in the state of Goa.
- John Bailey, Cinematographer and Ex. President of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences will chair the International Jury of 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
- The Golden Jubilee edition of International Film Festival of India has the best lot of 15 films representing 20 countries competing for the coveted Golden Peacock Award.
- Marathi film Mai Ghat: Crime No. 103/2005 and Malayalam film Jallikattu are the two Indian films competing at 50th IFFI.
About IFFI
- International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was started way back in 1952.
- the first ever IFFI was organized by the Films Division, Government of India, with the patronage of the first Prime Minister of India – Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
Objective
- The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) aims at providing a common platform to the cinemas across the world to project the excellence of the art of film making.
- This India’s most prestigious festival is also the first International Film Festival held anywhere in Asia.
For Prelims
Exercise Nomadic Elephant XIV
Context
The fourteenth edition of joint military training exercise between Indian Army and Mongolian Army concluded at Foreign Training Node (FTN), Baklo, Himachal Pradesh.
Highlights
- 14th edition of Indo – Mongolian joint military training, Exercise Nomadic Elephant-XIV, is concluded at Bakloh.
- Bakloh is a cantonment town. It is a hill station, 4584 feet above sea level, in Chamba district in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India.
- The Mongolian Army is being represented by officers and troops of the elite 084 Air Borne Special Task Battalion while Indian Army is being represented by a contingent of a battalion of RAJPUTANA RIFLES.
- Nomadic Elephant-XIV is aimed – at training troops in counter insurgency &counter terrorism operations under United Nations mandate.
- The Joint Exercise will enhance defence co-operation and military relations between the two nations.
- It is an ideal platform for the armies of both the nations to share their experiences & best practices and gain mutually during the joint training.
Defence of Andaman and Nicobar Islands exercise 2019
Context
Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has conducted the second edition of Defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands 2019 (DANX-19).
Highlights
- Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) has conducted the second edition of Defence of Andaman & Nicobar Islands 2019 (DANX-19),.
- DANX-19 includes components of the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
- In addition to internal forces from ANC, accretional forces from Mainland comprising ships and aircraft, Special Forces from the newly formed Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), also participated in this edition.
