Current Affairs Exam

India successfully test-fired its nuclear capable and indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile from Odisha, as part of user training trial.

Prithvi-II missile is a proven system and a surface-to-surface missile. It is capable of striking targets with high degree of precision.

User training launch has validated all operational and technical parameters Prithvi missile.

The missile has a strike range of 350 km.

It was test-fired from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.

Prithvi-II is capable to carry 500-1,000 kilogram of warheads. It is powered by liquid propulsion twin engines. It uses advanced inertial guidance system with manoeuvring trajectory in order to hit its target. It was randomly chosen from production stock. Entire launch of the missile was carried out by Strategic Force

Command (SFC) of the Indian Army. It is monitored by scientists of DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

An Innovative project called National Initiative for Promoting Upskilling of Nirman workers (NIPUN) was launched on June 20, 2022 by Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri.

The NIPUN Initiative was launched for skilltraining of 100,000 construction workers.

It has been launched under the flagship scheme of Deendayal Antyodaya-Yojana National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).

Under the scheme, construction workers will be trained through fresh skilling and upskilling programs. This move will provide work opportunities to them in foreign countries also.

The NIPUN Project

will be implemented by National Skill development Corporation (NSDC), which is the nodal agency under Ministry of Skill Development & (MSDE). The agency would be responsible for overall execution of training, candidate tracking and monitoring.

According to a report by World Gold Council (WGC), India has become the fourth largest gold recycler worldwide. In 2021, it has recycled 75 tonnes of gold.

The Gold refining and recycling report was published by WGC recently.

In the report, China

was ranked first in global gold recycling chart after recycling 168 tonnes of gold in 2021.

It is followed by Italy at second position, with recycling of 80 tonnes gold and US at third position, with recycling of 78 tonnes in

2021.

As per report, Indias gold refining capacity has increased from 300 tonnes in to 1,500 tonnes in 2021. It witnessed a jump by 500 per cent. Its capacity has changed in last decade. Number of formal operations has increased from less than five in 2013 to 33 in 2021. Informal sector accounts for an additional 300-500 tonnes.

The idea to have an UN-mandated day for celebrating was put forward by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2014. Later, this proposal was backed by 177 nations which led UN to declare June 21 as International Day of Yoga. The day was incepted in UNGA in 2014.

June 21 was selected as Yoga Day because it is the longest day of year in Northern Hemisphere.

It also Shares a special significance in different parts of the world.