15 September 2024

• Environment: World Ozone Day (16 September) preparatory events highlighted the Montreal Protocol's role in reversing ozone depletion.
• Governance: Engineers Day observed in India on 15 September, the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna M. Visvesvaraya.
• Security: Zorawar Light Tank completed first-phase field trials in Ladakh-type terrain, advancing India's indigenous armour programme.
• Technology: The BHASKAR startup registry (DPIIT) was expanding to create a centralised knowledge and networking hub for Indian startups.

GS area: History (modern), Governance

National Engineers Day is observed on 15 September each year, the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya (1861-1962).

Key facts:

• Birth anniversary: 15 September 1861.
• Awards: Bharat Ratna (1955). He received the knighthood from the British as Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
• Notable works:
  • Chief Engineer of the Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam on the Cauvery River in Mysore (now Karnataka). The KRS dam was one of Asia's largest reservoirs when built.
  • Designed the automatic sluice gates for the Khadakwasla Reservoir near Pune.
  • Dewan of Mysore (1912-1918) where he promoted industrial development.
• Philosophy: "Industrialise or perish" is his most quoted statement on economic development.
• Institutions founded: The Bank of Mysore, Bhadravathi Iron and Steel Works, Mysore University.
• Related: UNESCO World Engineers Day: Observed on 4 March separately.

Static linkage: Indian science and technology, modern Indian history, economic history.

GS area: Environment, International Relations

World Ozone Day on 16 September commemorates the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987. The 2024 theme is "Montreal Protocol: Advancing Climate Actions."

Key facts:

• Ozone layer: The stratospheric ozone layer (approximately 15-35 km above Earth's surface) absorbs most of the Sun's ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. UV-B causes skin cancer, cataracts and suppresses immune function. It also damages phytoplankton, disrupting marine food chains.
• Ozone depleting substances (ODS): Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide. CFCs were widely used in refrigerants, aerosols and foam insulation.
• Montreal Protocol (1987): The treaty to phase out ODS. It entered into force in 1989. Universally ratified (197 parties). It is described as the most successful international environmental agreement.
• Kigali Amendment (2016): Extended the Protocol to also phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs replaced CFCs and do not deplete ozone, but are potent greenhouse gases.
• India's obligation: India is in the Article 5 group (developing countries) with delayed phase-out timelines. India's cooling action plan targets an HFC phase-down schedule.
• Recovery: The ozone hole is recovering. Modelling suggests it may fully close over Antarctica by around 2066.
• Climate benefit: The Kigali Amendment's HFC phase-down is estimated to prevent 0.5 degrees Celsius of warming by 2100.

Static linkage: International environmental agreements, Montreal Protocol, ozone layer.

GS area: Security, Science and Technology

The Zorawar Light Tank completed the first phase of field trials successfully.

Key facts:

• Developer: DRDO's Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), in collaboration with Larsen and Toubro.
• Weight: 25 tonnes. This is significantly lighter than the T-90 (46 tonnes) and Arjun (58 tonnes) tanks that India operates.
• Transportability: Can be airlifted by C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, enabling rapid deployment to Ladakh and other high-altitude areas.
• Purpose: Designed specifically for high-altitude warfare in Ladakh. The current tanks in India's inventory are too heavy for some mountain roads.
• Incorporates: Unmanned systems integration and loitering munition capability.
• Context: Named after General Zorawar Singh of the Dogra clan, whose campaigns extended Dogra and Sikh power into Ladakh and Tibet in the 19th century.
• Ladakh threat context: Following the 2020 eastern Ladakh standoff with China, India has been rapidly improving its military infrastructure in the region.

Static linkage: Defence indigenisation, India-China border, Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

GS area: Economy (start-ups), Governance

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) launched BHASKAR (Bharat Startup Knowledge Access Registry) as part of the Startup India initiative.

Key features:

• Purpose: Centralise knowledge, networking and resource access for India's startup ecosystem.
• Features: Personalised IDs for founders, investors and mentors; networking and collaboration tools; one-stop resource portal linking startups to government schemes.
• Startup India overview: Launched in January 2016. As of 2024, India has over 1.18 lakh DPIIT-recognised startups and over 100 unicorns. India is the third-largest startup ecosystem globally.
• Unicorn definition: A privately held startup with a valuation above $1 billion.
• DPIIT: The nodal department for industrial policy, FDI and the Startup India programme.

Static linkage: Startup India, industrial policy, DPIIT, entrepreneurship ecosystem.

GS area: Environment (wildlife conservation)

On 17 September 2024, Project Cheetah completed two years since India reintroduced cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa. The date for analysis was widely covered from 15 September onward.

Key data:

• Translocation: 8 cheetahs from Namibia (September 2022) and 12 from South Africa (February 2023). Total: 20 adults. An additional 4 were sent later.
• Births: 17 cubs born in India. Total population (adults + cubs) around 24 as of September 2024 after mortality.
• Mortality: 8 adult cheetahs (40 per cent of adults) died. 5 cubs died.
• Cause of deaths: Infections, territorial disputes and in some cases unclear causes.
• Kuno National Park: The reintroduction site in Madhya Pradesh. Issues include limited prey base (chital population declining) and insufficient habitat size for a growing population.
• Cheetah extinction in India: Officially declared extinct in India in 1952. Last known cheetahs (three) were shot in Chhattisgarh.
• Historical distribution: Historically, the Asiatic cheetah ranged across India, West Asia and Central Asia. The Indian cheetah had adapted to grassland hunting. African cheetahs (what India imported) are a related but genetically distinct population.

Static linkage: Wildlife conservation, biodiversity, Kuno National Park, IUCN.

GS area: Culture, Economy (GI tags)

The Naga King Chilli (also called Raja Mircha or Bhut Jolokia) was featured at the third annual festival at Seiyhama village, Nagaland, in September 2024.

Key facts:

• Heat: Exceeds 1 million Scoville Heat Units (SHU). Certified by Guinness World Records as the world's hottest chilli.
• GI tag: Granted a Geographical Indication tag, protecting it as a Naga product.
• Uses: Central to Naga cuisine. Also used historically in making smoke grenades and in herding elephants.
• Scientific genus: Capsicum chinense. "Chinense" is misleading; the species originated in South America and spread through the Columbian Exchange.
• Cultural significance: The chilli is intertwined with Naga identity and has become an economic product for farmers.

Static linkage: Geographical Indication, North-east culture, biodiversity (agri-biodiversity).

• Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme: Operational at Delhi and Mumbai airports. Provides priority clearance for HNIs, CEOs and OCI cardholders. Five-year validity with biometric enrollment.
• INDIAsize: The government's body measurement survey to standardise clothing sizes for Indian body types. NIFT is the implementing agency.