Govt. plans ‘ISRO-like’ ocean mission

Why in news?

Looking to emulate the success of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in designing and launching satellites, the Centre has drawn up a five-year, Rs. 8,000 crore plan to explore the deep recesses of the ocean.

About ocean mission

• The Union Earth Sciences Ministry — tasked with coordinating the exercise — unveiled a blueprint of the ‘Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)’.
• Among the key deliverables to achieve these goals are an offshore desalination plant that will work with tidal energy, and developing a submersible vehicle that can go to a depth of at least 6,000 metres with three people on board.
• “The mission proposes to explore the deep ocean similar to the space exploration started by ISRO about 35 years ago,” the report notes.

India’s share

• India has been allotted a site of 75,000 square kilometres in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the UN International Sea Bed Authority for exploitation of polymetallic nodules (PMN).
• These are rocks scattered on the seabed containing iron, manganese, nickel and cobalt.
• It is envisaged that 10% of recovery of that large reserve can meet the energy requirement of India for the next 100 years.
• It has been estimated that 380 million metric tonnes of polymetallic nodules are available at the bottom of the seas in the Central Indian Ocean. India’s Exclusive Economic Zone spreads over 2.2 million square kilometres and in the deep sea, lies “unexplored and unutilised.”
• The focus will be on technologies for deep-sea mining, underwater vehicles, under water robotics and ocean climate change advisory services, among other aspects.

National Register of Citizens (NRC)

Why in news?

Mohammed Nurul Islam is one of several Assam government school teachers and officials engaged in family tree verification, a vital part of the updating of the 1951 National Register of Citizens (NRC). But he is possibly the only NRC investigation officer entrusted with weeding out illegal migrants while carrying a D-voter tag.

Doubtful voters

• Doubtful voters, or D-voters, are those who have been disenfranchised during electoral roll revision for their alleged lack of proper citizenship credentials with their cases pending in one of 100 Foreigners’ Tribunals (FTs) across Assam.
• Once adjudged a foreigner, a person is sent to any of six detention camps — within jails — before deportation.

DigiYatra project

Why in news?

Having worked on the DigiYatra project for over a year, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is close to rolling out this service at airports in a few months.

About Digiyatra Project

• Under this project the moment you enter the airport, your images will be captured and then you will be able to go through the full lifecycle of your travel in a seamless manner.
• The basic objective is to reduce queues at airports and bring efficiency to the boarding process.
• As the civil aviation sector has started growing by 20%, airport infrastructure needs to cope up.
• Clarifying that the facility was in conformity with privacy guidelines of the Supreme Court, It is not just Aadhaar based. It is beyond Aadhaar. Once you establish your identity, you will be able to pass through the entire lifecycle of the travel and this facility is optional.
• If somebody does not want to disclose their identity, there will be separate provisions for them.
• DigiYatra is an industry-led initiative coordinated by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, in line with the Digital India programme.

Ramon Magsaysay Award

Why in news?

Two Indians Bharat Vatwani and Sonam Wangchuk are among six who have been declared winners of 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Award.

About Ramon Magsaysay Award

• It is Asia’s highest honour and is often regarded as the region’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
• It was established in 1957 by trustees of the New York City based Rockefeller Brothers Fund and Philippine government in the memory of Philippines’ third President Ramon Magsaysay.
• It is awarded annually to individuals or organizations from Asia region for their altruistic and philanthropic service.
• It carries Medallion bearing the likeness of the late President Ramon Magsaysay, cash prize and a certificate.