Prelims Focus 15th April 2025

BatEchoMon

In News: BatEchoMon is India’s first automated, real-time bat monitoring and detection system developed by bat biologist Kadambari Deshpande and engineer Vedant Barje at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Bengaluru. It stands for “Bat Echolocation Monitoring” and is designed to autonomously detect, record, analyze, and classify bat echolocation calls, a task that previously required months of manual effort by researchers.

Significance and Applications

• BatEchoMon aids biodiversity conservation by tracking bat populations, which are vital pollinators and natural pest controllers. 
• It helps identify endangered species and monitors habitat changes due to urbanization and climate change. 
• The system generates spectrograms, audio files, and species-specific statistical data, providing valuable insights for ecological research and conservation planning.

First Fully Digital Literate District in Kerala

In  News: Ernakulam district was declared Kerala’s first fully digitally literate district on October 23, 2024. This milestone was achieved under the “DG Kerala” project, focusing on empowering residents with essential digital skills through a collaborative effort involving various organizations.

Key Achievements

1. Comprehensive Survey and Training

• A survey conducted across 8,36,648 households identified 1,92,883 individuals as digitally illiterate.
• These individuals were trained with the support of colleges, Kudumbashree units, voluntary organizations, and the Literacy Mission.

2. Milestones in Digital Literacy

• Muvattupuzha Municipality: First municipality in Kerala to achieve complete digital literacy (August 14, 2024).
• Ayavana Panchayat: First panchayat to reach full digital literacy.
• Muvattupuzha Constituency: Declared the first constituency in India to achieve total digital literacy on September 30, 2024.

3. Community Participation

• Kochi Corporation conducted the largest number of surveys (1,47,392 individuals), with 11,958 gaining digital literacy.
• Edathala Panchayat recorded the highest number of literates at the panchayat level (7,309).

Significance

Ernakulam’s achievement highlights Kerala’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and enhancing access to e-governance services. Digital literacy empowers citizens to use technology for education, banking, and accessing government services, fostering socio-economic development.

Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW)

In News: DRDO efficiently examined the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system in Andhra Pradesh.

• The system was developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad at the side of other labs, instructional establishments and Indian industries.
• It has the potential to interact and destroy drones, enemy sensors, and antennae with speed and precision.
• With this fulfillment, India joins a pick group of nations, which include the USA, China, and Russia, owning such advanced competencies.
• It gives a price-powerful technique to counter low-price drone threats, with the cost of operation being equivalent to only some litres of petrol. 
• It makes use of a high-intensity laser beam to neutralize targets at the speed of light, minimizing collateral harm and decreasing reliance on costly ammunition.

Exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 

In News: The first edition of the huge-scale multilateral exercise Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) is being held from thirteen to 18 April 2025.

• • AIKEYME, because of this ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit, is deliberate for 6 days from thirteen to 18 Apr 25 and could consist of participation from Comoros, Djibouti, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles and South Africa, alongside the co-hosts India and Tanzania.
  • It aligns with India’s vision of Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR).

Importance

• It aims to address shared regional maritime challenges by enhancing interoperability and joint operations among collaborating navies.
• It also reflects the strong and friendly ties between India and African nations.

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