Daily Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: January 25, 2016
PADMA Awardees 2017
| A | B | C |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Field | State |
| Shri K J Yesudas | Art-Music | Kerala |
| Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev | Others-Spiritualism | Tamil Nadu |
| Shri Sharad Pawar | Public Affairs | Maharashtra |
| Shri Murli Manohar Joshi | Public Affairs | Uttar Pradesh |
| Prof. Udipi Ramachandra Rao | Science & Engineering | Karnataka |
| Late Shri Sunder Lal Patwa (Posthumous) | Public Affairs | Madhya Pradesh |
| Late Shri PA Sangma (Posthumous) | Public Affairs | Meghalaya |
Varishtha pension Bima Yojana
The Union Cabinet gave its post-facto approval for the launch of the Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana 2017.
The scheme will be implemented through Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) during the current financial year to provide social security during old age and protect elderly persons aged 60 years and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.
Highlights:
- The scheme is meant to provide an assured pension based on a guaranteed rate of return of 8% per annum for ten years, with an option to opt for pension on a monthly/quarterly/half-yearly or annual basis.
- The difference between the return generated by LIC and the assured return of 8% per annum would be borne by Government of India as subsidy on an annual basis.
- VPBY-2017 is proposed to be open for subscription for a period of one year from the date of launch.
Japan launches first military communications satellite
Japan launched its first military communications satellite to boost the broadband capacity of its Self Defence Forces as they reinforce an island chain stretching along the southern edge of the East China Sea.
Under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the military is operating further from Japan’s home islands as it takes on a bigger role to counter growing Chinese military activity in the region.
Highlights:
- The satellite lifted off from Japan’s Tanegashima space port aboard an H-IIA rocket and successfully entered orbit.
- The satellite is one of three planned so-called X-band satellites, that will quadruple broadband capacity, unify a fractured and overburdened communications network and allow communications across more territory.
- Japan and China are locked in a territorial dispute in the East China Sea over a group of uninhabited islands known as the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. The two countries are also at odds over the exploitation of gas fields that straddle exclusive economic zones claimed by both.
- Japan, the main US ally in Asia, is concerned that a recent increase in Chinese military activity in the area is a sign it is looking to extend its military influence from the neighboring South China Sea as a challenge to US maritime dominance.
- In December, China’s first aircraft carrier, the Soviet-built Liaoning, accompanied by several warships, sailed through the passage between the Japanese Southwestern islands of Mikado and Okinawa and into the Pacific for what China described as routine exercises.
- This launch marks the successful resumption of a programme that was halted last year by an embarrassing mishap.
- The first of the three satellites, which was meant to go into space from Europe’s Space port in French Guiana, was crushed during a flight from Japan after a blue tarpaulin covering its transport box blocked valves meant to equalize the internal air pressure as the cargo aircraft descended.
Guided PINAKA successfully test fired
DRDO successfully test fired the Guided PINAKA from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Chandipur for further enhanced range. PINAKA Rocket Mark-II, equipped with navigation, guidance and control kit, is transformed to a Guided PINAKA.
The conversion has facilitated to enhance the range and improve the accuracy of PINAKA.
Highlights:
- The Mission met all the objectives. The Radars, Electro Optical and Telemetry Systems at ITR Chandipur tracked and monitored the vehicle all through the flight path.
- The guided PINAKA is developed combinedly by ARDE Pune, RCI and DRDL, Hyderabad. ITR, Chandipur provided the range and launch support.
- SA to RM and DG (Missiles and Strategic Systems) Guided PINAKA has reinforced the technological strength of the country in converting unguided systems into weapons of high precision.