Prelim Bits 03-09-2022 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Sentosa Island

Sentosa Island is celebrating golden jubilee year (1972-2022).

• Sentosa Island is a tiny island off the coast of Singapore.
• It is best known for its largely man-made beaches, scarce natural beauty and unexpected water sports.
• Its location between China and India turned the island into a haunt for merchant sailors and pirates.
• The island was then known as Pulau Blankang Mati, which means "island of death behind" in Malay because of its bloody reputation.
• During World War II, Sentosa Island was transformed into a Japanese prisoner of war camp when the British colonial forces surrendered.
• The island was renamed Syonan-to, which means "light of the south."
• The Sentosa Development Corporation has given space to local artisans to display their craft, which draws a steady flow of visitors during weekends.
• It has a Museum of icecream, where you can learn about the world’s most loved summer treat, and play in a cheery “sprinkle pool.

Reference

1. https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/a-speed-boat-at-sentosa/article65533104.ece
2. https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20141201-surfing-the-waves-of-a-man-made-island
3. https://www.bustle.com/p/what-is-sentosa-island-singapores-former-pirate-hangout-now-hosts-foreign-leaders-tons-of-tourists-9351952

Vizhinjam Port Project

The fisherfolk is demanding to stop the construction of Vizhinjam International Seaport project. According to fisherfolk, the port work has aggravated the coastal erosion along the coast of Thiruvananthapuram.

• Vizhinjam is an all-weather port that lies south of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. It is the international shipping line just one nautical mile off Vizhinjam coast.
• Vizhinjam International deep water Multipurpose Seaport is a Greenfield port. It is known as the ‘Port of the Future.’
• The Kerala Government has formed a separate company, viz. Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL) as a special purpose Government company (fully owned by Kerala Government) to develop the port.
• Advantages of Vizhinjam - Availability of 20m contour within one nautical mile from the coast.
• Minimal littoral drift along the coast, hardly any maintenance dredging required.
• Links to national/regional road, rail network.
• Flexibility in design and expansion being a Greenfield project.
• Proximity to International shipping route.
• Significance - The Vizhinjam port is located on the southern tip of the Indian Peninsula.
• It is just 10 nautical miles from the major international sea route and east-west shipping axis, and with a natural water depth of more than 20 m within a nautical mile from the coast.
• It has more advantages compared to Colombo port and if developed can harbour even Panamax class and futuristic vessels. It also satisfies the physical and hydrographical parameters of modern seaports.

Reference

1. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/why-fishermen-want-to-stop-kerala-vizhinjam-international-port-construction-explained/article65830874.ece?homepage=true
2. https://www.vizhinjamport.in/aboutproject.php
3. https://www.vizhinjamport.org/index.php/cms/why_vizhinjam

Grievance Redressal Index

The Grievance Redressal Index for the month of August 2022 has been published by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).

• In this report, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has topped amongst all Ministries/ Departments for resolving Public Grievances.
• The UIDAI has been a top performer in resolution of cases received through the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS).
• The UIDAI has a robust grievance redressal mechanism in place comprising of UIDAI HQ Divisions, Regional Offices, Technology Centre and engaged Contact Centre partners.
• CRM - The organization is dedicated to further strengthen its Grievance Redressal Mechanism and is going to launch State-of-the-art Open Source Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution soon.
• The new CRM solution has been designed with advanced features that shall enhance UIDAI service delivery to residents.
• This solution shall have the capability to support multi-channels like Call, Email, Chatbot, Portal, Social Media, Letter and Walk-in through which the grievances can be lodged, tracked and resolved effectively.

Reference

1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1856333
2. https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/companies/uidai-tops-grievance-redressal-index-in-august-2022-article-93954571