Important Facts for Prelims (23rd January 2019)

• 23 Jan 2019

Exercise Sea Vigil

• The Indian Navy has coordinated the largest coastal defence exercise off the Indian coast on 22-23 Jan 19, Exercise SEA VIGIL.
• The exercise, a first of its kind, is being undertaken along the entire 7516.6 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India and involves all the 13 coastal States and Union Territories along with all maritime stakeholders, including the fishing and coastal communities.
• The exercise is a part of the major theatre level tri-service exercise TROPEX [Theatre-level Readiness Operational Exercise] which Indian Navy conducts every two years.
  • 'Tropex' is the country's biggest inter-service exercise held along the western coast.
  • It provides opportunity to test combat capability of the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
• The conduct of the exercise SEA VIGIL has been facilitated by the Ministries of Defence, Home Affairs, Shipping, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Fisheries, Customs, State Governments and other agencies of Centre/ State.
• Post '26/11', operational responsibilities for coastal security were entrusted to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. In the discharge of these very responsibilities that Exercise 'SEA VIGIL' has been planned by the Indian Navy.
• Exercise SEA VIGIL aims to comprehensively and holistically validate the efficacy of the measures taken since '26/11'. The exercise will entail both seaward and shore-based monitoring.
• The exercise will in addition to covering the entire coastline, will also go deeper into the hinterland.
• Exercise SEA VIGIL will provide a realistic assessment of the country’s strengths and weakness and this will certainly help further strengthening of maritime security and in turn national security.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

• The 15^th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) was held in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) from January 21 to January 23, 2019.
• Its theme was “Role of Indian Diaspora in building a New India”.
• It was organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in association with the government of Uttar Pradesh.
• PBD is celebrated on 9^th January. But this time dates were shifted to allow the guests attending the event to get an opportunity to participate in the 'Kumbh Mela' at Prayagraj and to attend the Republic Day parade.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

• Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) is celebrated once in every two years to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots.
• It is celebrated on 9 January to mark the contribution of the Overseas Indian community in the development of India.
• January 9 was chosen as the day to celebrate this occasion since it was on this day in 1915 that Mahatma Gandhi returned to India from South Africa.
• PBD conventions are being held every year since 2003.
• These conventions enable networking among the overseas Indian community and to share their experiences in various fields.
• During the event, individuals of exceptional merit are honored with the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award to appreciate their role in India’s growth.