- EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program: The United States Department of State recently released data that indicates significant progress in the processing of EB-5 applications that are currently pending, especially those from Indian citizens. The EB-5 (employment-based, 5th preference), or US golden visa, provides a special road for overseas investors and their families to seek permanent residency and Green Cards in the United States. It is administered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).It was created in 1990 to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Under this program, investors (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible to apply for lawful permanent residence (become a Green Card holder) if they: Make the necessary investment in a commercial enterprise in the United States, and Plan to create or preserve 10 permanent full-time jobs for qualified U.S. workers.
- INS Chennai: It is the Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and constructed guided missile destroyer. It is the third and last ship of the Kolkata-class stealth-guided missile destroyers (Project 15A).It was constructed by the Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) at Mumbai. It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 21, 2016.It is powered by four reversible gas turbine engines. It can carry 350 to 400 people. It is armed with Vertical launch and long-range surface-to-air and surface-to-surface missile systems like supersonic BrahMos, ‘Barak-8’ Long Range Surface to Air missiles. The ship is equipped to fight under nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. It is fitted with a modern Surveillance Radar, which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems of the ship. The ship’s Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities are provided by the indigenously developed Rocket Launchers and Torpedo Launchers.
- PRITHVI Scheme: It is an initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to enhance the understanding of the Earth and its vital signs. This overarching initiative, with an allocation of Rs 4,797 crore for the period 2021-26, aims to significantly enhance research, modelling, and service delivery across crucial areas like weather, climate, oceans, and the polar regions. The Prithvi scheme integrates five existing sub-schemes:
- Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS)
- Oceanographic Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)
- Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)
- Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)
- Research, Education, Training, and Outreach (REACHOUT).
One of the primary objectives of Prithvi is to augment and sustain long-term observations across the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth. This will enable recording and monitoring of the Earth System’s vital signs and changes. Additionally, the scheme focuses on developing predictive models for weather, ocean, and climate hazards, as well as advancing the understanding of climate change science. Exploration of the polar regions and high seas is another key aspect, aiming at discovering new phenomena and resources. The scheme also emphasises the development of technology for the exploration and sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications.
