[Newsbits] 2-9.07.2024: Zorawar Tank, GOLD Satellite, Great Nicobar Project & More

Maharashtra has won the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024, announced by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee chaired by Justice P. Sathasivam. The award ceremony will be held on July 10, 2024, in New Delhi, where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will receive the award. Maharashtra was recognized for its innovative agricultural initiatives, including the largest bamboo mission covering 21 lakh hectares, a green belt project in Nandurbar district spanning 1.20 lakh acres, and irrigation projects covering 17 lakh hectares. The state’s sustainable development policies focusing on environmental protection and food security were also acknowledged.

The Zorawar tank, developed by DRDO and L&T, is a 25-ton light battle tank designed for high-altitude warfare, particularly in the Ladakh region. Named after General Zorawar Singh, it features amphibious capabilities, a 105mm rifled gun, and modular armor. The tank integrates UAVs and loitering munitions, enhancing its strategic utility. Initial trials began in Hazira, Gujarat, with induction expected by 2027. The Indian Army has placed an initial order for 59 tanks, with plans to acquire a total of 354. The Zorawar tank aims to counter Chinese deployments in Ladakh, offering enhanced mobility and air transportability.

India created 46.7 million jobs in the fiscal year 2023-24, resulting in a 6% employment growth rate and bringing the total number of jobs to 643.3 million. This job growth is set against a backdrop of 8.2% GDP growth in FY24, with a projected 7.2% growth in FY25. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Ministry of Labour provided the employment data, which was extrapolated from 27 industries, covering agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Despite the significant job creation, the Center for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE) reported a 9.2% jobless rate in June 2024, highlighting discrepancies with job creation data. Future employment prospects remain uncertain, with Citibank estimating that 7% GDP growth would yield only 8-9 million jobs, while the federal labour department reported an average of 20 million jobs created annually between 2017-22.

Masoud Pezeshkian, born in Mahabad, is a prominent Iranian cardiac surgeon and reformist politician. He has a mixed Azeri-Kurdish background and pursued medical education in his home province. During the Iran-Iraq War, he served as a doctor on the front lines. Pezeshkian specialized in cardiac surgery and became president of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. His political career includes roles as governor, Minister of Health, and parliament member. Elected president in 2024, he advocates for ethnic group rights, economic reforms, and reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. Despite personal tragedies and challenges from hardliners, he remains a significant reformist figure in Iran.

Xenophrys apatani is a newly discovered species of horned frog found in the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Named after the Apatani tribe for their conservation efforts, this frog inhabits subtropical forests and is characterized by small horns and dark brown coloration. The discovery underscores the rich biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayan and Indo-Burma hotspots and emphasizes the importance of rigorous taxonomic studies. The Apatani tribe, residing in the Ziro Valley, are known for their integrated rice-fish farming and cultural festivals like Dree and Myoko.

The Great Nicobar Project is a ₹75,000 crore mega-infrastructure initiative aimed at developing the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island. Key components include an international container transshipment terminal, a greenfield airport, a gas and solar power plant, and two new coastal cities. Strategically important for defense, logistics, and tourism, the project faces significant criticism due to its potential impact on indigenous communities and the environment. Legal and ethical concerns have been raised, particularly regarding the Shompen and Nicobarese tribes, biodiversity loss, and forest cover reduction. Despite environmental clearances, the project remains contentious, with ongoing legal challenges and calls for suspension.