'Naseem Al Bahr' or 'Sea Breeze' is India’s bilateral naval exercise with the Omani navy conducted since 1993.
The 11th edition of the exercise was recently held off the coast of Oman.
The Indian Navy deployed two naval ships - INS Trikand and INS Teg - for the exercise, an Indian Navy submarine and the versatile P8I long-range maritime aircraft.
India has an ancient maritime tradition and maritime interaction with Oman dating back to more than 4,000 years.
Archaeological research at sites in Mesopotamia, Bahrain, and Oman has led to the recovery of artefacts traceable to the Indus Valley civilization.
Bilateral relations between Indian and Oman were formally established with the signing of the 1953 Indo-Oman Treaty of Friendship, Navigation and Commerce, a first between India and an Arab country.
P-8I
It is a long-range, multimission maritime patrol aircraft manufactured by Boeing, for the Indian Navy.
The aircraft was designed to protect the vast coastline and territorial waters of India.
It can conduct anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (AsuW), intelligence, maritime patrol, and surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
National Rail and Transport University (NRTU)
The Cabinet recently approved the setting up of India's first National Rail and Transport University (NRTU) in Vadodara in Gujarat.
The university plans to use latest pedagogy and technology applications such as satellite based tracking, Radio Frequency Identification and Artificial Intelligence to improve on-the-job performance and productivity.
It is expected to have 3,000 full-time students.
A not-for-profit company would be created under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013.
The company will be created by the ministry of railways and it would be the managing company of the proposed university.
The company will provide financial and infrastructural support to the university.
Schaller’s Wood Scorpion
It is a new species recently identifiedfrom Tripura.
They are found in low elevations in parts of Tripura, including Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary and Bison National Park.
It is the 11th wood scorpion species from India.
India is home to more than 125 species of scorpions. Nine of India’s 11 wood scorpions are endemic to the country.
Wood scorpions are also called dwarf scorpions as they are only about 3 cm long and live in small burrows on the ground, making them very difficult to spot.
Scorpions belong to the class Arachnida (having 8 legs) and phylum Arthopoda (jointed legs).
Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary and Bison National Park is well known for Indian Bison locally known as Gaur.
It also supports of viable population of Holook Gibbon, Spectacled Langurs, slow loris, Pig Tailed Macaque.
STRIVE Project
Skill Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE) is a central sector scheme, implemented by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
It aimed at improving the quality and the market relevance of vocational training provided in ITIs.
The project will also strengthen the apprenticeship programme through industry-cluster approach.
It helps in setting up Vocational Education and Training (VET).
VET is a national body for vocational education which shall regulate accreditation and certification to bring uniformity in vocational training.
It is supported by World Bank loan assistance.
A financing agreement for the credit of USD 125 million for this project was recently signed by the Government of India with the World Bank.
Dramatic Performances Act, 1876
The birth of professional Bengali theatre and plays like Nildarpan in 1872 brought anti-British subject matter to the general public.
Subsequently the government passed the DPA in 1876 during the period of Lord Lytton to regulate theatre.
It empowered the government 'to prohibit Native plays which are scandalous, defamatory, seditious or obscene'.
The police could 'enter, arrest, and seize scenery, dresses, etc'.
Also, public dramatic performances 'in specified localities' had to receive a license’, and 'a copy of the piece, shall be previously furnished to the proper authorities'.
Even after Independence, the DPA remained in effect, with most states introducing their own amended versions.
