SAMARTH UDYOG BHARAT 4.0
Recently, Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Steel updated Parliament on 4 Smart Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Transformation Hub (SAMARTH) Centres.
- An Industry 4.0 initiative by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to enhance competitiveness in the Indian capital goods sector.
- Focuses on smart manufacturing, IoT, and cyber-physical systems with five experiential centers for Industry 4.0 awareness.
- Stakeholders – Includes manufacturers, vendors, and customers to promote resource sharing and innovation.
Cape Town Convention and Protocol
Rajya Sabha passed ‘The Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 2025’ aiming to align it as per Cape Town Convention (Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment) and Protocol on Matters Specific to Aircraft Equipment.
- An international treaty to standardize transactions involving high-value mobile equipment like aircraft and railway stock.
- Concluded in Cape Town in 2001 under the joint auspices of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and UNIDROIT (International Institute for the Unification of Private Law)
- Key Benefits –
- Provides legal certainty, reduces borrowing costs, and promotes asset-based financing.
- Covers international interests in mobile equipment, ensuring predictability and enforceability across contracting state
Taiwan Strait
China launched new military drills named “Strait Thunder-2025A” in middle and southern parts of Taiwan Strait.
- A 180-km-wide strait separating Taiwan from mainland China, connecting the South China Sea and East China Sea.
- Named Formosa (“Beautiful”) by Portuguese navigators
- Strategic Importance – A vital international shipping route and a geopolitical hotspot due to tensions between China and Taiwan.
- Historical Context – Witnessed multiple military confrontations, including the Taiwan Strait Crises during the mid-20th century.
- Current Relevance – Frequent military drills and rising tensions make it a focal point of international diplomacy.
Naini Lake
Naini Lake has recorded a water level of 4.7 feet, the lowest in five years.
- A natural freshwater lake in Nainital, Uttarakhand, of tectonic origin.
- Geography – Crescent-shaped, surrounded by peaks like Naina Peak and Tiffin Top
- Cultural Significance – Mentioned in Hindu mythology as “Tri-Rishi-Sarovar”
- Faces challenges like water level decline and pollution, impacting its ecological balance.
P4 Initiative
Andhra Pradesh Government has launched P4 initiative
- Stands for Public-Private-People Partnership, launched by Andhra Pradesh to eradicate poverty by 2029.
- Key Features –
- Wealthy individuals (Margadarsis) mentor underprivileged families (Bangaru Kutumbams) for holistic development.
- Focuses on education, financial aid, and women empowerment, targeting over 2 million beneficiaries initially.