Indian Navy Sheds Colonial Legacy

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Why in News?

The Indian Navy has recently made important changes to break away from its British colonial past by renaming old naval symbols and creating new ones.

This change highlights India's efforts to reshape its naval identity to better reflect its own heritage and goals.

What are the Recent Changes in Nomenclature?

• New Names: To promote national pride, the Indian Navy has renamed the 'Jack' to the 'National Flag' and the 'Jackstaff' to the 'National Flag Staff'.
• Old Terms: The terms 'Jack' and 'Jackstaff' come from British naval history and are used by many navies, including India's. 'Jack' refers to a flag, and the 'Jackstaff' is the pole at the front of a ship where the flag is flown.
• Official Changes: This renaming was made official by changing the "Regulations for the Navy (Ceremonial, Conditions and Service and Miscellaneous Regulation) 1963", using the authority of the Naval Act of 1957.

What are Other Symbolic Changes Across the Armed Forces?

Changes in Naval Insignia: In September 2022, the Indian Navy introduced a new naval ensign. They replaced the British-inspired George's Cross with a design featuring a blue octagon with twin golden borders, the national emblem, and the motto ‘Satyamev Jayate’. This new design is inspired by the seal of Shivaji Maharaj and represents the Navy's presence in all eight directions (north, south, east, west, and the four intercardinal points).

Change in Epaulettes of Naval Officers: The Indian Navy also revealed new epaulettes for senior officers, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's seal. These new epaulettes symbolize a move away from colonial influences and a celebration of India's maritime heritage. The design includes five changes from the previous version for the navy chief, vice admirals, and rear admirals.

Naval Dress Code Update: The Indian Navy is now wearing Kurta-Pyjama in their messes, honouring their culture. Senior officers are leading by example in this change.

Changes in Indian Army: Traditional practices like using horse-drawn buggies and pipe bands are being phased out from events and ceremonies.

Why it Matters: Renaming and redesigning naval symbols show India's move away from colonial ties and emphasize its sovereignty and maritime heritage. These actions support the Prime Minister's vision for India's progress by its 100th year of independence.

Cyclone Remal

Why in News?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned about a severe cyclonic storm named Cyclone Remal, which might hit the coasts of West Bengal and Bangladesh.

What are the Key Insights About Cyclone Remal?

Naming: The name 'Remal' for this tropical cyclone comes from Oman. It's the first cyclone expected to hit the region during the pre-monsoon season of 2024. 'Remal' means 'sand' in Arabic.

Origin: Cyclone Remal is forming in the Bay of Bengal (BoB).

Factors Behind Formation: A depression, an area of low pressure with circulating winds and atmospheric instability, has developed in the central Bay of Bengal, giving birth to Cyclone Remal. The Bay of Bengal's warmer-than-average water temperatures, about 2–3°C higher, provide the energy necessary for cyclones to develop and strengthen. Additionally, the Madden Julian Oscillation, a band of clouds moving eastward, combined with winds and warm ocean waters, is currently south of the Bay of Bengal. These winds contribute to cyclone initiation due to their rotational effect.

Potential Impact: If Cyclone Remal makes landfall on the Indian coast and coincides with high tide, it could affect the Sundarbans region, potentially causing partial damage to its delicate ecosystem. The shallow depth of the water and the funnel-shaped geography of the northern Bay of Bengal can amplify the cyclone's intensity as it nears the coast, raising the risk of storm surges and flooding.

Previous Cyclones: The threat of Cyclone Remal is reminiscent of past devastating cyclones, such as Yaas (2021), Amphan (2020), Cyclone Fani (2019), and Aila (2009), which caused significant damage in the Sundarbans and other parts of West Bengal. State disaster management authorities and local communities are leveraging the lessons learned from these past experiences to better prepare for and mitigate the potential impact of Cyclone Remal.

CSIR PRIMA ET11and Simplified Tractor Testing Process

Why in News?

CSIR's Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) has created a compact, 100% Pure Electric Tractor called CSIR PRIMA ET11. This tractor is specifically designed to assist small and marginal farmers in India.

Furthermore, the government has taken a significant step to promote Ease of Doing Business and foster trust-based governance by streamlining the process for testing tractor performance evaluation.

What are the Important Features of CSIR PRIMA ET11?

The introduction of the CSIR PRIMA ET11, a 100% Pure Electric Tractor, highlights India's dedication to sustainable agriculture. This tractor is entirely made with indigenous components and technologies to meet the demands of agricultural field applications.

Features: The technology behind this tractor is designed to be user-friendly, with a focus on making it convenient and easy to use, especially for women. It comes with a special port called V2L (vehicle to load), which means that when the tractor is not in use, its battery power can be used for other purposes like pumps and irrigation.

Significance: Traditional tractors run on diesel, contributing significantly to environmental pollution. They consume about 7.4% of the country's annual diesel usage and account for 60% of total agricultural fuel usage. Additionally, their emissions of PM2.5 and NOx are expected to rise 4-5 times in the next two decades. As part of the global strategy to reduce carbon footprints, transitioning this sector to electrification is crucial. Electrifying tractors is a necessary step toward helping India achieve its climate-related targets.

What is the Simplified Procedure for Tractor Testing?

Tractor manufacturers can now participate in the subsidy scheme by providing CMVR/Conformity of Production (COP) certificates and a self-declaration confirming that the tractor meets the benchmark specifications set by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.

Manufacturers must offer a minimum three-year warranty on subsidized tractors.

The tractor testing process will include mandatory tests such as Drawbar Performance Test, PTO Performance Test, Hydraulic Performance Test, and Brake Performance Test. These tests will be conducted at approved facilities like Central Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute (CFMTTI), Mahindra Research Valley (MRV), government authorized institutes, or the manufacturer's own facilities.

The Brake Performance Test will adhere to the requirements outlined in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR).