CONTENTS
- NIRMAN Portal
- Exercise MAITREE
NIRMAN Portal
Context:
Union Minister for Coal and Mines launched the portal “Noble Initiative for Rewarding Mains Aspirants of National Civil Services Examination (NIRMAN)” in New Delhi.
Relevance:
GS II: Education
About NIRMAN:
This CSR scheme by Coal India Limited aligns with the vision of “Mission Karmayogi” set forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It aims to support meritorious youth from Coal India’s operational districts who have cleared the Preliminary round of the UPSC examinations in 2024, for Civil Services and Forest Service.
Key Features of NIRMAN:
- Financial Support:
- Qualified candidates with annual family incomes below Rs 8 lakhs, belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, females, or third gender, are eligible for financial assistance of Rs 1,00,000.
- Operational Districts:
- Permanent residents of any of the 39 operational districts of Coal India Limited are eligible to apply.
- Application Process:
- The entire application process is conducted through a dedicated portal, ensuring transparency and efficient screening of applications, in line with the Digital India initiative.
Social Responsibility Initiatives by Coal India Limited:
- Educational Support:
- Coal India Limited (CIL), a Maharatna Company crucial for India’s energy security, also functions as a socially responsible corporate entity.
- It supports education in coal-bearing areas and has undertaken various initiatives to help deserving and underprivileged students secure admissions into prestigious professional institutes across the country.
Vision and Goals:
- Viksit Bharat:
- The initiative aims to contribute to “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) through inclusive development, emphasizing “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Prayas” (Together with all, Development for all, Efforts from all).
Exercise MAITREE
Context:
The Indian Army contingent departed for the 13th edition of the India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE, scheduled from 1st to 15th July 2024 at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province, Thailand.
Relevance:
GS III: Security Challenges
Key Points of Exercise MAITREE:
This exercise marks a continuation of bilateral military cooperation between India and Thailand, focusing on enhancing joint capabilities in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in both jungle and urban environments, under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
- Participants:
- The Indian Army contingent comprises 76 personnel, predominantly from a Battalion of the LADAKH SCOUTS, supported by personnel from various other arms and services.
- The Royal Thailand Army contingent also includes 76 personnel from the 1st Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment of 4 Division.
- Objectives:
- Foster military cooperation and enhance joint operational capabilities.
- Focus on physical fitness, joint planning, and tactical drills.
- Tactical Drills:
- Creation of a Joint Operation Centre.
- Establishment of an Intelligence & Surveillance Centre.
- Deployment and utilization of Drones and Counter Drone Systems.
- Securing of a Landing Site.
- Small Team Insertion & Extraction.
- Special Heliborne Operations.
- Cordon and Search Operations.
- Room Intervention Drills.
- Demolition of Illegal Structures.
- Outcome:
- Sharing of best practices in Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for joint operations.
- Development of interoperability, mutual understanding, and camaraderie between soldiers of both nations.
