Current Affairs 24 September | General Knowledge

1. DRDO Successfully test-fired Laser-Guided ATGM

DRDO successfully tested the MBT Arjun Tank Laser Guided Missile (ATGM) at the KK Ranges, Armored Corps Center and School (ACC&S) Ahmednagar on September 22, 2020. The missile was developed with a multi-platform launch capability. The ATGM is currently undergoing technical evaluation tests of the MBT Arjun gun.

Anti-Tank Laser Guided Missile (ATGM):

• In association with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune and Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) Dehradun, the ATGM was developed by Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) Pune.
• During the test, the ATGM successfully defeated a target located 3 km away.
• With laser designation, laser-guided ATGMs lock and track targets to ensure precise hit accuracy.
• The missile uses a tandem anti-tank explosive warhead (HEAT) to defeat armored vehicles protected by reactive explosive armor (ERA).

2. Center launched National Conservation Strategy for Indian One-Horned Rhino

The Ministry of the Environment has launched a national conservation strategy for the Indian one-horned rhino. Rhino conservation initiatives have also enriched grassland management. They help to reduce the negative impacts of climate change. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar launched this.

National Rhino Conservation Strategy:

• The strategy has been initiated to conserve the great one-horned rhino.
• It aims to work for the conservation of the rhinoceros species under five objectives, namely protection, strengthening, expanding the research, range, monitoring and adequate and sustainable funding.

Context:

India is home to a large number of the great one-horned rhinos in the world. The rhino population is high in Assam, West Bengal and UP. At the start of the 20th century, the one-horned rhino was near extinction with a population of less than 200. The rhino is the only large mammal species in Asia to be downgraded from the endangered to vulnerable in the list. ‘International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List in 2008

3. FACT signed MoU with ITI Kalamassery to improve industry-institute interaction

Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT), a PSU under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government Institute for Industrial Training (ITI) Kalamassery to improve the interaction between industrial institutes. FACT Executive Director (Production Coordination) Sri Kesavan Nampoothiri and ITI Director Kalamassery Sri Raghunadhan signed the MoU.

Highlights:

• The MoU aims to implement an adoption program to facilitate academic interaction between ITI students and FACT employees and share training facilities.
• The MoU will strengthen knowledge exchange, organize factory visits, allow FACT experts to provide training, organize joint projects, participate in research, provide ongoing training, employment on FACT, mutually intimate courses, seminars, workshops, etc.