NEWS IN SHORT

K9 VAJRA-T

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Limited for the procurement of Artillery Guns K9 VAJRA-T.

About K9 VAJRA-T

• The K9 Vajra is a 155 mm, 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Limited.
• Its development is based on the technology transferred from South Korean defence company Hanwha Aerospace which created self-propelled howitzer K9 Thunder.
• L&T won the contract for the first batch of 100 K9 Vajra-T platforms in 2017 through global competitive bidding.
• They are being manufactured at the Armoured Systems Complex at Hazira in Gujarat.

Key Features

• It is capable of high mobility, precision targeting and the ability to deliver long-range lethal firepower even in sub-zero temperatures at high altitudes.
• It will be able to operate in sub-zero temperatures in high-altitude areas to its full potential.
• It is best suited for operation in the plains and desert sectors bordering Pakistan.

Mass Varmam Therapy

Context: Recently, the National Institute of Siddha (NIS) has set a Guinness World Record for providing Varmam therapy to 567 individuals simultaneously in Chennai.

What is Varmam Therapy?

• Varmam therapy, a unique and traditional healing modality within the Siddha system of medicine, has long been revered for its effectiveness in treating various health conditions.
  Varmam is a subtle energy that flows inside the body.
• It involves the appropriate and desired pressure manipulation over the varmam points.
  Varmam point is the energy storage place in which the energy is transmitted to various parts of the body that regulates all the functions of the body.
  The places where the vaasi energy resides and activates both the body and life energy are varmam points.
• The human body has 108 varmam points. These are divided into 12 padu varmam and 96 thodu varmam.

The National Institute of Siddha (NIS)

• NIS was inaugurated in 2005 and is a centre of excellence with research and higher education in the Siddha System of Medicine as its mission. 

Objectives of the National Institute of Siddha (NIS)

• To promote the growth and development of the Siddha system of medicine.
• To provide medical relief through the Siddha system.
• To impart the post graduate course of Siddha system of medicine.

INS Nirdeshak

Context: Recently, the Indian Navy Ship Nirdeshak was commissioned into the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. 

More on the News

• The formal induction of the second of the four ships of the Survey Vessel (Large)(SVL) project under construction at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Kolkata.
  The hull (watertight body of the ship) of these ships (SVL) is made from indigenously developed DMR 249-A steel manufactured by the Steel Authority of India Limited.
  The Survey Vessel (Large) ships are capable of full scale coastal & deep-water hydrographic survey of Ports & Harbors, as well as of approaches & determination of navigational channels & routes.
• The ship is built with over 80% Indigenous content.
• The ship will strengthen the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative by promoting shared maritime data with friendly foreign countries.

Key features of the Ship

• Multi Beam Echo Sounders
• Side Scan Sonars 
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) 
• Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

Objectives of the Ship

• Safe navigation and planning in deep-sea operations 
• To expand survey capabilities in hazardous and restricted zones 
• To facilitate faster and safer data collection for wreck identifications and environmental studies.