Engine relight test on the HANSA-NG aircraft successful

20 May 2022
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Engine relight test on the HANSA-NG aircraft successful

The HANSA-NG 2 seater flying trainer aircraft, designed and developed by CSIR-NAL, passed an in-flight engine relight test at DRDO‘s Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) facility in Challakere. Wg Cdr K V Prakash and Wg Cdr NDS Reddy, Test Pilots from the Indian Air Force’s Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), conducted a flight test at an altitude of 7000-8000 feet with a speed range of 60 to 70 knots (IAF).

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KEY POINTS:

• The aircraft’s in-flight engine relight capability was proven using a wind milling propeller and a starter aided start. During these test flights, the aircraft handling characteristics and flight parameters were found to be normal.
• The in-flight engine relight test, according to CSIR-NAL, is the most significant and important milestone toward DGCA certification of the aircraft. After gaining the requisite clearances from the DGCA, the aircraft was transferred to ATR, Challakere.
• The flight tests were overseen by Mr Abbani Rinku, HANSA’s Project Director, as well as members of the CSIR-NAL design team and ASTE’s flight test crew: Wg Cdr Senthil Kumar, Flight Test Director, Sq Ldr Sahil Sarin, Safety Pilot, and Gp Capt M Rangachari, Chief Test Pilot.
• Mr Jitendra J Jadhav, Director, CSIR-NAL, commended the CSIR-NAL, DGCA, ASTE-IAF, and ADE-DRDO teams, stating that the integrated team’s combined and coordinated efforts resulted in flawless test flight execution.

WPI inflation at a record high of 15.08% in April 2022

20 May 2022
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WPI inflation at a record high of 15.08% in April 2022

India’s wholesale inflation soared to a three-decade high in April as high commodity prices and supply-chain disruptions pushed up input costs for producers. The annual rate of inflation was 15.08% (Provisional) for the month of April 2022 (Y-o-Y) as compared to 10.74% in April 2021. The rate of inflation based on the WPI Food Index increased marginally from 8.71% in March 2022 to 8.88% in April 2022.

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Why does this happen?

• The high rate of inflation in April 2022 was primarily due to a rise in prices of mineral oils, basic metals, crude petroleum & natural gas, food articles, non-food articles, food products and chemicals & chemical products etc. as compared to the corresponding month of the previous year.
• Fuel prices, a big component of the increase, were up 38.66 % on the year versus 34.52 % in March.
• The Office of the Economic Adviser, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade released the index numbers of wholesale prices in India (Base Year: 2011-12) for the month of April 2022 (Provisional) and for the month of February 2022 (Final).

India warns the West, indicating food grains should not go as COVID vaccinations

20 May 2022
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India warns the West, indicating food grains should not go as COVID vaccinations

After receiving criticism for its restrictions on wheat exports, India accused the West of neglecting principles of justice, affordability, and accessibility in the case of anti-Covid-19 vaccinations, and asked them not to do so again in the case of food grains. Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres  was present at the meeting, which was held at the UN headquarters. The United States and the other G-7 nations chastised New Delhi after it barred wheat exports without previous government approval.

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KEY POINTS:

• V Muraleedharan, the Minister of State for External Affairs, represented India in a ministerial conference in New York held by Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, to discuss the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the resulting supply disruptions.
• When it comes to food grains, he believes that everyone needs to understand the importance of equity, affordability, and accessibility.
• The world has already witnessed how these principles were neglected at tremendous expense in the example of Covid-19 vaccinations. The justification for open markets must not be used to justify unfairness and discrimination.At a ministerial meeting held by the US, Muraleedharan stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in New Delhi had noticed the abrupt jump in global wheat prices, which had put India’s food security, as well as those of its neighbours and other vulnerable countries, in jeopardy.
• Muraleedharan noted that India had sent food aid in the form of thousands of metric tonnes of wheat, rice, pulses, and lentils to a number of nations in South Asia and Africa in order to improve their food security.
• He also mentioned India’s donation of 50 thousand tonnes of wheat to the Afghan people and 10,000 tonnes of rice and wheat to Myanmar.
• India was also supporting Sri Lanka with food aid, as the island nation had just fallen victim to a severe economic crisis.

Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams:

• Minister of State for External Affairs, GoI: Shri V Muraleedharan
• Secretary General of the United Nations: Antonio Guterres
• US Secretary of State: Antony Blinken