GPS-based solution developed to track disaster management trains
The Western Railway (WR) has developed a GPS-based solution to determine the precise location and speed of disaster management trains.The system has been implemented in all Accident Relief Trains (ARTs), Accident Relief Medical Equipment (ARME) and Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains (SPARTs) of the Mumbai division of the WR.
Earlier, it was a challenge to know the actual location of relief trains heading to accident or disaster sites.
How it works?
Important information that can be derived from this system is speed and location of relief trains on a real time basis.The installation of the system is very simple. It uses a mobile charging point provided in the rolling stock (engine or carriage).
The mobile-based app is universally accessible and the tracker should be switched on all times
India's Vedangi Kulkarni becomes fastest Asian to cycle the globe
Indian woman Vedangi Kulkarni has become the fastest Asian to cycle the globe.Hailing from a suburb of Pune, 20-year old Vedangi cycled into Kolkata on 23 Dec, completing the 29,000 kilometers' distance required to qualify as bicycling across the globe.
Vedangi: The Cyclist
She spent 159 days peddling up to 300 kilometers a day in 14 countries.Starting off from Perth in July, she will now be flying back to the Australian city to complete the record by cycling a 15 kilometer distance to reach the same place from where she started.
Vedangi is a student of the University of Bournemouth in the United Kingdom pursuing a degree in sports management.
Thirty-eight year old British adventurer Jenny Graham is the fastest woman to have cycled the globe in 124 days this year.
Thiruvaiyaru: India's first Music museum to be set up
The country’s first music museum will be set up with assistance from the Central government in Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu, and the birth place of Saint Tyagaraja, one of the Trinities of Carnatic music.Trinity of Carnatic Music refers to the outstanding trio composer-musicians of Carnatic music in the 18th century:
1. Tyagraja (1767-1847)
2. Muthuswami Dikshitar (1775-1835)
3. Syama Sastri (1762-1827)
The Trinity are known for creating a new era in the history of Carnatic music by bringing about a noticeable change in what was the existing Carnatic music tradition.
Compositions of the Trinity of Carnatic Music are recognized as being distinct in style and original in handling ragas.
All three composers were born in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu.
Father of Carnatic Music: Purandardasa
Over 280 dead in Volcano triggered Tsunami in Indonesia
At least 280 people were killed and another 1000 injured on the islands of Sumatra and Java after a tsunami struck coastal areas around the Sunda Strait on the night of 22 Dec.The tsunami was caused by “an undersea landslide resulting from volcanic activity on Anak Krakatau” and was exacerbated by abnormally high tide because of the current full moon, according to Indonesia Disaster Agency.
Rare Event of Volcano Causing Tsunami
The tsunami that killed hundreds of people on Sumatra and Java in Indonesia late 22 Dec is a reminder that such destructive waves are not always caused by earthquakes.This disaster, which struck without warning and killed at least 222 people and injured more than 800 others, appeared to have been caused by volcanic activity.
No earthquakes were recorded before the tsunami struck, Indonesian authorities said.
But there had been an eruption on the volcanic island of Anak Krakatau about half an hour before.
Possible Reasons:
Volcanic activity creates a tsunami differently.One possibility is an explosive eruption, or general weakening of the flanks of a volcano by hot magma passing through.
Either way, part of the volcano — perhaps, in the case of Anak Krakatau, a part that is underwater — can collapse, creating a landslide that displaces water. Another possible mechanism is the collapse of a magma chamber below the volcano as it empties during an eruption.
Ring of Fire
Indonesia is often stuck by tsunamis because it lies on the Ring of Fire.The horseshoe-shaped Ring of Fire, which is 25,000 miles-long (40,233km), is known for its chain of volcanoes.
The Ring is located in the basin of the Pacific Ocean and is said to be the location for 90 per cent of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Commemorative coin in honor of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Indian PM Narendra Modi released a commemorative coin worth Rs 100 in honor of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who died in August 2018.The coin was released a day before Vajpayee's 94th birth anniversary.
ABV Coin
The commemorative coin features the Emblem of India on the front face.The words Satyamev Jayate are inscribed below the Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar in Devanagri script. Also inscribed on the coin are the words 'Bharat' in Devanagri and 'India' in Roman script.
The reverse side of the coin features a portrait of Atal Bihari Vajapyee and his name inscribed in both Devanagari and Roman. The years 1924 and 2018 are inscribed below Vajpayee's portrait to mark the year of his birth and death respectively.
India successfully test fires Agni IV ICBM
India on 23 December successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable long-range Inter Continental Ballistic Missile Agni-IV, with a strike ranges of 4,000 km.The test was part of a user trial by the Army.
The strategic surface-to-surface missile was flight tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Dr Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast at 8.30 am.
Agni IV
Agni IV is a surface to surface intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM).It has a range of 4000 KM which means it can strike anywhere in Southeast Asia and Eastern Africa.
The missile weighs 17,000 kilograms and is 20 metres long.
The missile, which has the latest features to correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances, is equipped with state of the art Avionics, 5th generation onboard computer and distributed architecture.
Agni Series: I, II, III, IV and V
Agni I, II and III are part of India’s arsenal but IV and V are still to be inducted.On 10 December 2018, India had test-fired the Agni-V ICBM successfully for the seventh time.
It is reported that India is also developing Agni VI which will have a range of up to 10000 KM.
Missile | Range | Technical Configuration |
Agni I | 700-800 KM | Nuclear Capable Single Solid Fuel Stage Ballistic Missile Short Range |
Agni II | 2000 KM | Nuclear Capable Two Solid Fuel Stages Ballistic Missile Medium Range |
Agni III | 4500 KM | Accurate Strategic Ballistic Missile Two Stage Solid Propellants Intermediate Range |
Agni IV | 4000 KM (Altitude reach 900 KM) | Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile Intermediate Range |
Patrick Shanahan appointed new US Defense Secretary
US president Donald Trump announced on 23 Dec announced that Patrick Shanahan will serve as acting US secretary of Defense from January 1 2019.Shanahan is currently holding the office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense.
The announcement comes days after James Mattis stepped down as the US Secretary of Defense on December 21. Mattis was scheduled to leave the office in February next year. But he was shown an early exit due to differences with the president.
Why James Mattis resigned?
After the announcement of US soldiers’ withdrawal from Syria by Donald Trump, James Mattis decided to resign from his post.Patrick Shanahan
Mr Shanahan, a former executive at the aerospace giant Boeing, joined the Pentagon in July 2017 after Mr Trump nominated him.He was reportedly a vocal supporter of the president's plan to establish a sixth branch of the armed forces, known as the "space force".
National Consumer Day: December 24
Every Year 24th December is observed as National Consumer Day with a specific theme in India.This year the National Consumer Day will be celebrated with the theme "Timely Disposal of Consumer Complaints".
Background:
On this day the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 had received the assent of the President.The enactment of this Act is considered as a historic milestone in the consumer movement in the country.
The Consumer Protection Act aims to provide consumers with effective safeguards against different types of exploitation such as defective goods, deficiency in services and unfair trade practices.
This day provides an opportunity for individuals to highlight the importance of the consumer movement and the need to make every consumer more aware of their rights and responsibilities.
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