UDAN (Ude Desh ke Aam Nagrik), 2016

• It is a regional connectivity scheme to develop smaller regional airports to allow easier access to aviation services. It is a part of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP).
• Objectives

1. Operationalization and development of 425 underserved and unserved airports.
2. Boost inclusive economic development by faster connectivity.
3. Development of air transport infrastructure in remote areas.

• It is funded jointly by Center and States.
• The duration of the scheme is of 10 years.
• Airlines are selected through a competitive bidding process.
• The Center will provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF), concessional GST on tickets, etc.
• The state will provide land for airports, trained security personnel, and 20% of VGF. VGF is not given to cargo airlines.
• Exclusivity for 3 years in routes. 2500 per 1-hour flight.

UDAN Phase 1.0 to 4.0

• UDAN 1.0: Under this phase, 5 airlines companies were awarded 128 flight routes to 70 airports (including 36 newly made operational airports)
• UDAN 2.0: In 2018, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced 73 underserved and unserved airports. For the first time, helipads were also connected.
• UDAN 3.0: Inclusion of Tourism Routes in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism. Inclusion of Seaplanes for connecting Water Aerodromes. Bringing in a number of routes in the Northeast Region.
• UDAN 4.0: seeks to offer priority routes connecting Bilaspur and Ambikapur airports in Chhattisgarh.

International UDAN Scheme

• It is an extension of UDAN to connect India's smaller cities to some key foreign destinations in neighborhood.
• It will utilise the Open Skies policy in which India and Asian countries allow direct and unlimited flights to 18 Indian destinations.

Lifeline UDAN flights were launched on March 26, 2020, for the movement of medical and essential supplies across India. Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and Pawan Hans + Private carriers are collaborating. India also collaborated with IAF to carry consignments to Ladakh, Port Blair, Imphal etc.

Anaemia and Obesity – UPSC

Anemia is a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood, or a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen. When anemia comes on slowly, the symptoms are often vague and may include feeling tired, weakness, shortness of breath, and a poor ability to exercise.

Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn't just a cosmetic concern. It is a medical problem that increases your risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.

Deep Sea Ports of India - UPSC

• West Bengal cabinet approves construction of 'state's first deep sea port in Tajpur. West Bengal's main port is Kolkata Port (including Haldia Port), but because of the shallow depth of the Hooghly river, it is impossible to anchor ocean-going vessels there.
• The Vizhinjam International Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport, also known as the Vizhinjam International Seaport and the Port of Trivandrum, is a port that as of 2020 is under construction on the Arabian Sea coast at Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

Presiding Officers of State Legislature

The Speaker

• The Speaker is elected by the assembly itself from amongst its members and remains in office during the life of the assembly.
• However, he may vacate his office by writing to the Deputy Speaker or be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the assembly or he ceases to be a member of the assembly. Such a resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days' prior notice.

Powers and Duties of Speaker

• His functions are similar to those of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. He adjourns the assembly or suspends the meeting in the absence of a quorum and maintains order and decorum in the assembly for conducting its business and regulating its proceedings.
• He can allow a secret sitting of the house at the request of the leader of the house. He decides the questions of disqualification of a member of the assembly, arising on the ground of defection under the provisions of the Tenth
• Schedule of the Constitution. However, he also vacates his office earlier in any of the following three cases:

1. If he ceases to be a member of the assembly.
2. If he resigns by writing to the deputy speaker.
3. If he is removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the members of the assembly. Such resolution can be moved only after giving 14 days advance notice.

• He appoints the Chairman of all the committees of the assembly and supervises their functioning. He himself is the Chairman of the Business Advisory Committee, the Rules Committee and the General Purpose Committee. The speaker decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not.

Deputy Speaker

• Like the speaker, the Deputy Speaker is also elected by the assembly itself from amongst its members.
• He is elected after the election of the Speaker has taken place.
• The Deputy Speaker performs the duties of the speaker's office when it is vacant.
• He also acts as the speaker when the latter is absent from the sitting of assembly. In both the cases, he has all the powers of the speaker.

Chairman of the Legislative Council

• The Chairman is elected by the Council itself from amongst its members. He may vacate his office by resigning by writing to the Deputy Chairman or if he ceases to be a member of the Council.
• His powers and functions are comparable to the Speaker of the Assembly with few exceptions. Such as the speaker has one special power which is not enjoyed by the Chairman.
• The speaker decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not and his decision on this question is final.

Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council

• Like the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman is also elected by the Council itself from amongst its members.
• The Deputy Chairman performs the duties of the Chairman's office when it is vacant.
• He also acts as the Chairman, when the latter is absent from the sitting of the Council. In both cases, he has all the powers of the Chairman.

Pierre Cardin, the iconic French fashion designer passes away at 98

Pierre Cardin, a renowned fashion designer, who was celebrated for his avant-garde styles in the 1960s and 70s passed away on December 29, 2020, at the age of 98. He was born in Venice, Italy on July 7, 1922, but was raised in Central France.

Pierre Cardin had established his own company and designed costumes and masks for the theatre before he launched a line of women’s clothing in a department store which was then followed by a boutique store for men.