Operation Brahma

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Recently, India launched 'Operation Brahma' to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to earthquake-hit Myanmar.

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• A 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit the country and neighboring Thailand on 28th March.
• Operation was launched to aid rescue and relief work, with tones of rations, tents, medicines, sleeping bags, rescue teams and equipment, a canine squad and a fully functional field hospital.
• The total aid sent by India via air sorties and naval ships so far is around 137 tones.
• India has dispatched two naval ships Satpura and Savitri, from the Eastern Naval Command to the neighboring country.
• In addition, Indian Navy Ships Karmuk and LCU 52 from the Andaman and Nicobar Command will also be sailing for Yangon on 30 March to assist in the HADR operations.
• Besides the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) being sent via aircraft, a field hospital with 118 members from Agra was also being sent.

First Person View (FPV) Drone

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The Indian Army has begun inducting a First Person View (FPV) drone equipped with anti-tank payload. 

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This drone was developed, tested, and validated internally in collaboration with the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh.

The first batch of five FPV drones, each costing ₹ 1.4 lakh, has been inducted, with a subsequent procurement of 95 more planned.

The FPV drone was developed by Major Cephas Chetan in conjunction with a team from TBRL, led by Dr. Raghvendra, under an initiative launched in August 2024.

• TBRL is a DRDO lab based in Chandigarh and it is actively involved in the development, production, processing and characterization of different high explosive compositions, Blast, Lethality and Fragmentation studies of warheads, shells and other ammunitions etc.

The FPV drone was entirely assembled in-house at the Rising Star Drone Battle School.

FPV drones 

They are developed to perform kamikaze-style tactical warfare.

• “Kamikaze style” refers to a military tactic where pilots deliberately crash their aircraft, loaded with explosives, into enemy targets by a suicide attack.

FPV drone is a drone with a first-person view. It means that pilot of such a drone sees everything that the drone camera can see as if he were inside this flying device.

FPV drone is a camera that transmits a video image in high quality, at a high speed in real-time.

An FPV includes a solid frame to which a controller board is screwed, rotors with propellers connected to it, a video-image-transmission system, antennas, a battery, and a camera mount.

State of emergency declared in the Czech Republic

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Recently, the Czech Republic’s Olomouc region declared a state of emergency after the world’s largest benzene contamination.

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• Czech officials declared a state of emergency in the vicinity of Hustopeče nad Bečvou in the Přerov region due to the spread of toxic benzene following a train crash on 28th February.
• The toxic chemical spill has contaminated local soil and water sources, including a nearby lake.
• A state of emergency grants special powers to local officials, like the right of imposing a work obligation, make decisions on work assistance or enable the provision of material resources to deal with the crisis.

Benzene pollution 

• It refers to the presence of benzene, a carcinogenic (causes cancer) volatile organic compound (VOC), in the environment, primarily through industrial processes, vehicle emissions, and gasoline evaporation, posing health risks.
• Benzene (C6H6) is a colorless, flammable, and volatile liquid with a sweet odor. It's a hydrocarbon, meaning it's composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. 

Impacts of Benzene Contamination

• If a person drinks water contaminated with benzene at high levels, even for a short time, they may experience drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, confusion, rapid heart rate, vomiting and stomach irritation, tremors or convulsions.

Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM)

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Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy conducted the successful flight-test of the indigenously developed Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM).

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• The test was conducted from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
• VLSRSAM was launched from a land-based vertical launcher, effectively destroyed a high-speed aerial target at close range and low altitude, demonstrating its agility, precision, and reliability, and validating its Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability.
• The test was conducted with all weapon system elements deployed in combat configuration. 
• VLSRSAM had elements, including a missile with an indigenous Radio Frequency seeker, Multi-Function Radar and Weapon Control System, have performed as per expectations. 

Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM)

• It is a quick reaction vertically launched Surface to Air Missile with all-weather capability developed by the Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for use by the Indian Navy. 
• With high kill probability, the missile can identify, track and destroy targets at a range of up to 80 km. 
• It is capable of neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges, including sea-skimming targets. 
• The system can provide point and area defence against various aerial targets like jets, fighter aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Statement of Intent (SOI) to Empower Rural Women

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The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) YuWaah have signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) to empower rural women and youth across India.

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• This three-year partnership focuses on creating livelihood opportunities by connecting women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to jobs, self-employment, entrepreneurship, and skill-building initiatives.
• Under this SOI, efforts will be made to strengthen digital infrastructure through Computer Didi Centers and Didi ki Dukan to be established in five blocks across five states, namely- Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan. 
• This pilot project has the potential to scale up and reach 35 lakh women across more than 7000 blocks after being successful.

• This collaboration aligns with the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme outlined in the 2025-26 Union Budget.

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) YuWaah

• YuWaah (Generation Unlimited India) is a UNICEF-led multi-stakeholder platform launched in 2019 to empower young people (10-24 years) with skills, employment opportunities, and civic engagement to drive social impact.

Its key objectives are – 

• Build pathways for 100 million young people to aspirational economic opportunities. 
• Facilitate 200 million young people to gain relevant skills aligned with the future of work and lead productive lives. 
• Partner with 300 million young people as change-makers and create spaces for developing their leadership. 

12^th round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions

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Recently, the Ministry of Coal launched the 12th round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions under the first-ever Commercial Coal Mine Auctions.

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• This initiative marks another significant step toward enhancing domestic coal production, reducing imports, and ensuring long-term energy security for the nation.
• Under the 12th round, 25 blocks located in seven states, including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, were on sale.
• Under round 12, a total of 25 coal mines are being offered, comprising 7 mines under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and 18 mines under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. 
• 13 coal mines are Fully Explored, while 12 are Partially Explored.

Commercial Coal Mine Auctions 

• The commercial coal mine auctions have been a game-changer, unlocking the vast potential of India's coal reserves while promoting competition, efficiency, and sustainable mining practices.
• The first-ever Commercial Coal Mine Auctions were launched by the Prime Minister of India in 2020. 
• According to the Union Minister for Coal and Mines, India has auctioned 125 mines so far, which will bring in over Rs 40,000 crore and create more than 4 lakh jobs, both directly and indirectly.