Mi-8
- Mi-8, also known as Pratap, is a helicopter served the IAF since 1969.
- It is commonly used as a transport helicopter and as an airborne command post, an armed gunship.
- It has served the IAF in mainland India and the island territories of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep islands.
- It has been deployed in various operations such as IPKF operation in Sri Lanka, UN Mission in Congo, Siachen etc.
- The Indian Air Force is phasing out the Mi-8 helicopters.
Degradation of Plastic Bags
- A recent study has found that the plastic wastes which find its way to ocean are being shredded by marine organisms in to microplastics.
- The marine wildlife is actually contributing to the spread of microplastics within the marine environment.
- A marine organism “Orchestia Gammarellus”, an amphibod found in the coastal areas of Northern and Western Europe involved in breaking up of the plastic bags into microplastics.
- Scientists examined the rate at which plastics were broken down by the marine organism.
- They also found that the type of plastic such as conventional, degradable and biodegradable had no effect on the rate of ingestion by the organism.
- Amphibod – They are microscopic Crustaceans inhabiting all parts of the sea, lakes, rivers, sand beaches, caves, and moist (warm) habitats on many tropical islands.
Asset Stripping
- It refers to the practice of buying an ongoing business with the aim of selling off its individual assets to buyers in the open market.
- It usually happens when a business as an ongoing entity is no longer able to operate profitably and add value to its existing shareholders.
- Instead of incurring even more losses, it might be a better option for the shareholders to simply sell off its assets and realize its value.
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)
- It is a paramilitary force that works under the command of the Union Home Ministry.
- The CISF security consultancy wing was raised in 1999 which provide expert advice over 150 institutions such as IITs, IIMs, RBI etc.
- It earns revenue through this service by charging consultancy fee.
- Recently, it has extended its special consultancy wing services to the schools across the country to protect school children.
- It will provide security suggestions to organizations and agencies to strengthen safety and security features.
Hambantota Port
- Hambantota port is located in southern province of Sri Lanka.
- It was formally handed over to China on a 99-year lease.
- The lease is accordance to repay the $8 billion loan that the country owes to China.
- China Merchants Port Holdings Company and the Sri Lanka ports Authority will own the port and the investment zone around the port.
- The port city is twinned with Chinese city of Guangzhou since 2007.
- Twin towns are a form of legal or social agreement between towns, cities, provinces, regions, states, and even countries in geographically and politically distinct areas.
- It is intended to foster friendship and understanding between different cultures as an act of peace and reconciliation and to encourage trade and tourism.
World Heritage Tag
- The Telangana government is planning to send a proposal to UNESCO to get “World Heritage Site” tag for Hyderabad.
- Monuments which will be included in the file are Charminar, Golconda and Qutb Shahi Tombs.
- Charminar was built by Muhammed Quli Qutb Shah, the 5th Sultan, Qutub Shahi Dynasty in 1591.
- Golconda fort was first built by kakatiya dynasty and later ceded to Bahmani sultanate in 1364.
- Qutb Shahi dynasty of Bahmani sultanate expanded the fort which was finally came under Mughal ruler Aurangazeb.
- Qutb Shahi tombs are located in Ibrahim Bagh close to Golconda fort.
Source: The Hindu
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