Indian Railways conduct trial run of High-Speed Spanish Talgo Train

Indian Railways has conducted the first ever trial run for high-speed Talgo trains of Spain on the 90-km Bareilly-to-Moradabad stretch in Uttar Pradesh. It was the first phase of the trail run and was conducted as part of the Indian Railways’ strategy to increase the speed of trains. 

Trail Run 

• The first phase of trial run was conducted t speeds between 80 KMPH and 115 KMPH (km per hour) by a joint team of the Railway Design Standards Organisation (RDSO) and Spanish train manufacturer Talgo. 
• It consisted of nine-coach Talgo train hauled by a 4500 HP diesel engine. The train covered 90-km distance in 1 hour 10 minutes. 

In the second and third phase, Indian Railway’s is going to conduct trail run on Mathura-Palwal (Rajdhani) route and Mumbai-Delhi route respectively to test the riding, safety and stability of Talgo trains. 

Key features of Talgo train 

• Talgo trains are lighter and faster with speed up to 115 KMPH. They are designed to run on curves tracks without decelerating the speed. 
• They consume 30 percent less energy. The 9 coach Talgo train consists of 2 Executive Class cars, 4 Chair Cars, 1 cafeteria, 1 power car and tail-end coach for staff and equipment. 

Talgo: It is a Madrid-based Spanish leading manufacturer of energy-efficient semi-high speed (160-250 kmph) and high-speed (350 kmph) passenger trains.

Union Railways Ministry launches Rail Humsafar Saptaah

The Union Ministry of Railways has launched Rail Humsafar Saptaah, a week-long initiative to highlight significant achievements made by Indian Railways in all spheres. 

The Rail Humsafar Saptaah starting on 26th May 2016 will conclude on 1st June 2016. The week-long initiative coincides with completion of two years of NDA Government at Centre. 

Each day of the Rail Humsafar Saptaah will focus on a particular theme and the days have been named as

• 26th May (Swachchta Diwas): On this day Intensive Cleanliness Drive will be undertaken on all the Stations and in Trains. 
• 27th May (Satkar Diwas): On this day, officers would be deputed to inspect all drinking water facilities and catering establishments at stations and in trains. 
• 28th May (Sewa Diwas): On this day, each train would be monitored by nominated officer who travel by these trains and interact with passengers in all classes. He will ensure that amenities, as required, are provided and grievances of passengers are redressed.
•  29th May (Satarkata Diwas): It will be observed as punctuality day and ticket checking drive would be undertaken across the Zonal Railways.
•  30th May (Saamanjasya Diwas): Representatives of recognized unions will undertake cleanliness drive in the railway colonies and also for their upkeep and maintenance. Each Zonal Railways will plant at least 1000 trees especially in the railway colonies and other premises.
•  31st May (Sanyojan Diwas): on this day all DRMs and GMs will hold meetings and organize seminars with all Major Freight Traffic Customers. They will advise them about the various reforms and policy initiatives on the freight traffic side. 
• 1st June (Sanchaar Diwas): All DRMs and GMs would review various activities under taken during the week. All Zonal Railways have been directed to ensure that various passenger amenities works nearing completion would be commissioned during this week.

Barack Obama becomes first US president to visit Hiroshima bomb site

Barack Obama became the first incumbent US president to visit Hiroshima memorial, site of the world’s first atomic bombing dropped on August 6, 1945. 

He paid tribute to the 140,000 people killed by the world’s first atomic bomb attack and laid wreath at Hiroshima nuclear memorial. 

In the guest book of the memorial President Obama wrote “We have known the agony of war.

 Let us now find the courage, together, to spread peace, and pursue a world without nuclear weapons.” 

However President Obama did not officially apologize for the attack, which is viewed by many in the US as having hastened the end of World War II and others have called it a war crime that targeted civilians. 

Background 

• The official trip of US President Barack Obama comes more than seven decades after an American plane, dropped its payload (nuclear bomb), dubbed ‘Little Boy’ over the western Japanese city. 
• The bombing had claimed lives of about 140,000 people and affected many from radiation-related illnesses. 
• Three days later (On 9 August 1945) US dropped a second bomb dubbed as ‘Fat Man’ on the city of Nagasaki in which 70,000 more people were killed. 
• The twin bombings by US were dealt as the final blows to Japan which led to its unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, bringing an end to World War. 
• These two nuclear bombs attack on Japanese cities, are only instance in warfare history of mankind in which nuclear weapons by any country were used against another. 

Comment 

• The visit US President Barack Obama also marks seven years since he used his trademark soaring rhetoric to call for the elimination of atomic (nuclear) arms in a landmark speech in Prague that helped him win the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize. 
• Visit of incumbent US President, is also considered as a gesture US and Japan hope will showcase their alliance and reinvigorate efforts to rid the world of nuclear arms.