Current Affairs Question - 11 October 2019

Explanation :

• GEMINI or GAGAN Enabled Mariner’s Instrument for Navigation and Information is based on GAGAN (GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation) satellite system developed by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• The GAGAN satellite system consists of three geosynchronous satellites namely the GSAT-8, GSAT-10 and GSAT-15 and these three cover the entire Indian Ocean region constantly.
• However, the device only allows one-way communication — it can’t be used by fishermen to make calls, for instance.

Benefits

• Mobile phone frequencies cannot be accessed 10-12 km beyond the coast and with GEMINI this range can increase to 300 nautical miles, allowing better communication.
• Through the new system, all the key alerts and messages will be send directly to the fishermen venturing in deep sea, providing them the accurate information about any disaster, thus help in saving precious human resources.

Explanation :

• On 10^th October, 2019, HRD Ministry launched a unique initiative, the Pradhan Mantri Innovative Learning Programme-DHRUV, which will act as a turning point in the lives of extra ordinarily talented students, from the premises of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Headquarters at Bengaluru.

Objective

• To encourage talented students to realize their full potential and henceforth, contribute to society.

About DHRUV Programme

• The programme will cover two areas namely, Science and Performing Arts.
• Overall 60 students will be selected (30 from each area) from across the country. The students will be broadly from classes 9 to 12 from all schools including government and
• Every student selected under this programme will be called as ‘Dhruv Tara’. The students will thus both shine through their achievements and light a path for others to follow.

Significance

The programme will prove to be a turning point for the students as well as the society, and it is through their achievements that the world will know ‘Saare Jahan se accha Hindustan Hamara’.