By: D.K Chaudhary
1. Narendra Modi Inducts Scorpene-Class Submarine Kalvari into Indian Navy
i. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India’s first modern conventional submarine, INS Kalvari, into Navy’s fleet in Mumbai, a first in almost two decades. Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines handed over by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL).
ii. The Navy last inducted a conventional diesel-electric submarine, INS Sindhushastra, procured from Russia in July 2000.
Key facts to know about Kalvari Submarine-
1. Dreaded Tiger shark-
Kalvari is named after the dreaded tiger shark, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean.
2. French naval defense’s design-
The submarines, designed by French naval defense and energy company DCNS, are being built by Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai as part of Project-75 of the Indian Navy.
3. Scorpene class submarine-
The Navy is inducting six Scorpene-class submarines on a 3 billion dollar contract. Construction for the first submarine, designated as MDL Yard 11875 commenced in December 2006.
- Indian Navy Chief of Naval Staff (CNS)- Admiral Sunil Lanba.
- The first Kalvari, commissioned on December 8, 1967, was also the first submarine of the Indian Navy.
2. India Signs Loan Agreement with World Bank for US$ 250 Million for SANKALP Project
i. A Financing Agreement for IBRD loan of USD 250 million (equivalent) for the “Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) Project” was signed with the World Bank.
ii. The Objective of the project is to enhance institutional mechanisms for skills development and increase access to quality and market-relevant training for the workforce. The closing date for the project is 31st March 2023.
- IBRD- International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
- World Bank President- Jim Yong Kim (12th), Headquarters- Washington DC, USA.
3. India Ranks 100 in Global Prosperity Index
i. India has upgraded its ranks in ‘The Legatum Prosperity Index 2017’ and is now on 100th position. At present, the rising trend in India’s prosperity is significant in view of the fact that India registered lower economic growth following demonetization and implementation of the goods and services tax (GST) reform in 2017.
ii. The index, which offers an insight into how prosperity is forming and changing across the world, ranks India 100th on the list of prosperous countries among 149 countries.
4. 27th National Energy Conservation Day- 14 December
i. The National Energy Conservation Day is celebrated annually on 14th December. The 14th President of India Mr. Ram Nath Kovind was the Chief Guest on the occasion.
ii. The ECD is organized on 14th December each year by Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), under Ministry of Power. The Day is celebrated with an aim to demonstrate India’s achievements in energy efficiency and conservation.
- Minister of State (IC) of Power and New & Renewable Energy– R.K. Singh.
5. India and Morocco Sign MoU for Enhanced Cooperation in Healthcare
i. India and Morocco signed an MoU for enhanced cooperation in the health sector in New Delhi. Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Dr. Abdelkader Amara, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Morocco signed the MoU.
ii. The main areas of cooperation include the following:
- Non-communicable diseases, including child cardiovascular diseases and cancer;
- Drug Regulation and Pharmaceutical quality control;
- Maternal, child and neonatal health;
- Hospital twinning for the exchange of good practices.
- The capital of Morocco- Rabat, Currency- Moroccan dirham.
