Kerala, Solar Power - GS questions based on daily current affairs

ANSWER: Provide uninterrupted electricity supply

Explanation:

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed an MoU with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a policy research institution, to launch a new ‘Initiative on Solar for Healthcare’.
• The collaboration will focus on providing effective health care delivery at the last mile by reducing uncertainty in critical infrastructure, particularly electricity supply via cost effective solar-based solutions.
• Under this collaboration, on a pilot basis, ICMR will install solar systems at select PHCs in partnership with three state governments and evaluate its impact on healthcare delivery and health outcomes.
• The aim of the collaboration is to create resilient health systems in rural India, benefitting primarily women and children.
• In the absence of electricity, services catered by health institutions such as institutional deliveries, paediatric emergencies, and administering of vaccines get severely affected. Electricity access in health centres is also imperative as a means to facilitate communication services, tele-health applications and to retain skilled health workers.

ANSWER: Council on Environment and Water

Explanation:
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has signed an MoU with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a policy research institution, to launch a new ‘Initiative on Solar for Healthcare’.

• The collaboration will focus on providing effective health care delivery at the last mile by reducing uncertainty in critical infrastructure, particularly electricity supply via cost effective solar-based solutions.
• As of 2015, nearly 35 million citizens in rural India rely on un-electrified PHCs for primary health services.
• The synergy between health and energy are the two specific goals of this initiative, and the efforts within this collaboration advances on both fronts.

ANSWER: Dera Baba Jaimal

Explanation:
World’s largest single rooftop solar power plant of 11.5 Mw capacity was inaugurated in Beas near Amritsar in Punjab.

• Spread at a single rooftop stretch of 42 acre at Dera Baba Jaimal, the project was synchronised earlier this year.
• In addition to single largest rooftop solar power plant, seven rooftop solar power plants of 8Mw capacity were also inaugurated in Beas Dera campus making this place the highest single campus generating solar power of 19.5 Mw at multiple rooftops in the country.

ANSWER: Punjab

Explanation:

• World's largest single rooftop solar power plant of 11.5 Mw capacity has been inaugurated in Beas near Amritsar in Punjab.
• Spread at a single rooftop stretch of 42 acre at Dera Baba Jaimal, the project was synchronised earlier this year.
• The project would generate clean and green energy sufficient to power approximately 8000 homes.

ANSWER: Gujarat Energy Development Agency

Explanation:
In an attempt to scale up the present solar power generation in Gujarat, the state government is now all set to launch its much awaited project of grid-connected rooftop solar power units, wherein residential property owners will be encouraged to install this new system.

• The Solar Rooftop project was initiated by Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), which is the state nodal agency to promote renewable energy.
• In the current fiscal of 2016-17, GEDA has set a target of generating 50 megawatt (MW) of electricity by installing such rooftop solar photovoltaic (SPV) units across Gujarat.
• This rooftop solar project is for residential consumers only

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
This project was initiated 6 years ago. It is an important project for restoring archeological monuments through Thrissur, Enrakulam, Pattanam and Pallipuram. The project is named after Port Muziris where everything from stones to spices was traded. Large ships of ocean traders from across the world including Arabs, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Chinese once came to this port. It is the largest conservation project in the country and the first green project in Kerala. It involves heritage, conservation and tourism. Apart from Athithi Devo Bhava, the Spice Route Initiative that will explore international linkages and collections across Malabar Coast and many parts of the world will be implemented with the support of UNESCO and United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

ANSWER: Both a and b

Explanation:
Kerala under the umbrella of Compassionate Kerala or Kanivinte Kerala has introduced an initiative called Kanivu for helping the ill and those with acute mental disorders living in isolation. INR 100 crore has been earmarked for this project. Food, medicine and care will be provided to needy people through community participation via this initiative.

ANSWER: Rajasthan > Gujarat > Madhya Pradesh > Maharashtra

Explanation:
The installed capacity of solar power in India crossed the milestone of 5,000 MW. The cumulative installed capacity has reached to 5,130 MW. The state of Rajasthan stands 1st in the country with 1264 MW, followed by Gujarat (1024MW), Madhya Pradesh (679 MW), Tamil Nadu (419 MW), Maharashtra (379 MW) and Andhra Pradesh (357 MW). The Government has set the ambitious target of generating 100 GW of solar power by the year 2021-22 under the National Solar Mission.

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
Kerala has become the first state in the nation to attain total primary education. This has been attained through primary education equivalency drive of the state literacy mission-Athulyam. Equivalency programmes have produced great success and ultimate aim is to attain Plus Two education within the state.

ANSWER: Kerala

Explanation:
The festival is being organised jointly by the Department of Tourism and the Legislative Assembly Secretariat at Mahe, which is Puducherry’s exclave in Kerala. It will conclude on December 1, 2015. National as well as international performers will be part of this festival called Fete de Mahe.