Introduction
IBSAMAR-VI is a multinational maritime exercise involving the navies of India, Brazil, and South Africa. The event is currently being held in Simons Town, South Africa, from October 1 to October 13, 2018. The previous edition, IBSAMAR V, took place in Goa, India.
Purpose of IBSAMAR-VI
The goal of this naval manoeuvre is to facilitate joint training for the involved navies, foster interoperability and mutual understanding as well as encourage sharing of best practices among the participants. The activities of the exercise include both harbour and sea phases, covering various navigation and seamanship evolutions, surface weapons firing, force protection exercises, anti-piracy, anti-air and anti-submarine exercises, as well as flying operations. Additionally, several sports and social engagements are scheduled.
India’s Representation in IBSAMAR-VI
The Indian Navy is representing by Guided Missile Frigate Tarkash (Talwar-class frigate), Guided Missile Destroyer Kolkata, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I, Sea-king and Chetak helicopters, and a MARCOS (Marine Commandos) contingent.
What is IBSA?
IBSA is a tripartite association comprising India, Brazil, and South Africa. Established following the signing of the Brasilia Declaration in 2003, it aims at international cooperation among the three member nations and strengthening south-south cooperation.
Exercise Avia-Indra-18
Exercise Avia Indra, a biennial air force level exercise between India and Russia had its second edition in 2018. The first phase of this exercise was conducted from September 17 to September 28, 2018, at Lipetsk, Russia. The second phase is scheduled from December 10 to December 22, 2018, in Jodhpur, India.
Goals of Exercise Avia-Indra-18
The primary purpose of this military exercise is to develop strategies and validate the use of airpower in anti-terrorist operations in a bilateral context while sharing best practices. The exercises include briefings on aerospace safety and anti-terrorist air operations. The aircraft that may participate in the exercise include Su-30 SM, Mig-29, Su-25, Mi-8, and An-26.
National Safai Karamcharis Finance & Development Corporation (NSKFDC)
NSKFDC is an initiative fully owned by the Government of India and operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Established in 1997 as a non-profit organization, apart from operating various loan and non-loan based schemes for uplifting the target group, NSKFDC plays a crucial role in eradicating manual scavenging – the gravest surviving symbol of untouchability.
Role of NSKFDC in Elimination of Manual Scavenging
NSKFDC has been appointed as the Nodal Agency for implementation of the SRMS (Central Sector Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers) under the aegis of the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. It organized a pan-India Workshop on Prevention of Hazardous cleaning of sewers and septic tanks.
UNESCO Global Geopark Status
Lonar Lake, St. Mary’s Island, and Malpe Beach are poised to become Global Geoparks. A Global Geopark is a single, unified geographical area where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education, and sustainable development. An aspiring Global Geopark must have a dedicated website, a corporate identity, and a comprehensive management plan.
Significance of Geoparks Tag
The Geopark tag stimulates the creation of innovative local enterprises, new jobs, high-quality training courses, and generates new sources of revenue through geo-tourism, while protecting the geological resources of the area. A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, along with other aspects of its natural and cultural heritage, to promote awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as the sustainable use of earth’s resources, mitigating the effects of climate change, and reducing risks related to natural disasters.
Lonar Lake
The Lonar Crater Lake, located in Buldana district, Maharashtra, is a National Geo-heritage Monument.
It boasts rich biological diversity, including non-symbiotic nitrogen-fixing microbes like Slackia sp. Actinopolyspora sp. and migratory birds such as shelducks, grebes, Ruddy shelduck and black-winged stilts.
St. Mary’s Island
St. Mary’s Islands, also known as Coconut Island, are a set of four small islands off the coast of Malpe in Udupi, Karnataka. Known for their unique geological formation of columnar basaltic lava, the islands were declared an important site for geo-tourism by the Geological Survey of India in 2001. The western coasts of these islands are a seashell haven, with various shapes and sizes scattered along the coast.
Malpe Beach
Malpe is a natural port located to the west of Udupi, Karnataka. The beach plays a significant role as an important port and major fishing harbor on the Karnataka coast.
Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0
The flagship programme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0, aims to enrich rural India. The initiative targets to engage faculty and students from top-tier educational institutions to understand and address rural challenges and contribute to holistic development of villages.
Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GDPD) – Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas
The People’s Plan Campaign is set to launch as ‘Sabki Yojna Sabka Vikas’ from October 2 to December 31, 2018. The campaign plans to strengthen the role of elected Panchayat leaders and Women under DAY-NRLM in effective Gram Sabha meetings. The campaign includes a public information campaign of all programmes in Gram Panchayat office and on Gram Samvad App.
