current affairs 12 September 2022

US issued highest number of student visas to Indians in 2022.

• As per the US Embassy, the United States has issued a record of 82,000 student visas to Indians in 2022 that is highest than any country.
• This is also the highest number of visas given to Indian students ever by the US Mission in India.
• The Open Doors report in 2021 stated that there were 167,582 students from India in the 2020-2021 academic year.
• Indian students comprise nearly 20% of all international students studying in the United States.

Odisha launched rainwater harvesting scheme "CHHATA".

• Odisha government has launched a rainwater harvesting scheme named ‘Community Harnessing and Harvesting Rainwater Artificially from Terrace to Aquifer (CHHATA).
• It will be implemented for a period of five years.
• Aim: Conserve rainwater and improve the water quality in urban local bodies (ULBs) and water scarce blocks.
• It will be implemented through the department of Water Resources (DoWR) with an outlay of Rs 270 crore.
• Odisha Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik

Indian Army, air force conduct joint exercise "Gagan Strike" in Punjab.

• Kharga Corps of Army and the Indian Air Force have conducted a joint exercise named Gagan Strike, to showcase the might and prowess of the armed forces.
• The exercise was conducted for four days in several areas of Punjab, bordering Ambala in Haryana.
• The operation validated the Apache 64E and Advanced Light Helicopter WSI as potent weapon delivery platforms.
• The exercise was also attended by Lt Gen Nav K Khanduri, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command.

HPCL, Indian Army collaborates for CSR Project "Kargil Ignited Minds".

• Indian Army has been collaborated with the HPCL to provide a learning platform to less-privileged girl students of Kargil Region in UT Ladakh.
• The platform named Kargil Ignited Minds, which provide coaching and mentoring to the aspiring girl students.
• Aim: To prepare 50 girl students for various National-level Engineering & Medical entrance examinations.
• Focus: To empower the underprivileged girls with limited resources, residing in extreme weather conditions.

3rd Stealth Frigate of Project 17A "Taragiri" launched by MDL.

• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) has launched the third Stealth Frigate of Project 17A Taragiri.
• The vessel has an approximate launch weight of 3510 Tons.
• Designed by: Bureau of Naval Design, in-house design of Indian Navy
• The ship is 149.02 M long & 17.8 M wide, is propelled by a CODOG combination of two Gas Turbines and 02 Main Diesel Engines.
• The keel of Taragiri was laid on the 10th of September 2020 and the ship is expected to be delivered by August 2025.