American Academy of Arts and Sciences elects three Indians
- Three Indians have been elected for the prestigious membership of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences this year.
- Two of them are in the sciences: Biman Bagchi from the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, and Shobhana Narasimhan from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru.
- Kavita Singh, from the School of Arts and Aesthetics at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, has been selected for the Humanities and Arts stream.
Australia restrict use of saliva, sweat to shine ball under Covid-19 guidelines
- Australia restricts the use of saliva & sweat to shine ball under COVID-19 guidelines. Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in consultation with doctors has come up with guidelines, restricting the utilization of saliva and sweat to shine the ball.
- There is speculation that the utilization of saliva to shine the ball are going to be stopped to cut down the danger of the highly contagious infection with reports suggesting that the ICC is considering the likelihood of allowing the utilization of artificial substances to shine their ball under the supervision of umpires.
Centre directs Arunachal to include Chakmas, Hajongs in COVID-19 programme
- The Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region directed Arunachal Pradesh Government to include Hajong and Chakma communities in the COVID-19 relief programme.
- The Chakma and Hajong communities, the migrants from the then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) are still living in relief camps. They came to India in 1964. There are more than 1 lakh Chakma and Hajong refugees in the country.
- Currently, the tribes do not have citizenship or land rights. However, they are provided the basic amenities.
eCovSens developed by National Institute of Animal Biotechnology
- The scientists in National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad have developed a biosensor called the eCovSens. The sensor is used to detect COVID-19 virus in saliva samples. The lens can help detect COVID-19 virus within 10 to 30 seconds of testing.
- The electrode of the device is coated with the antibody of COVID-19 virus. When the saliva sample of the infected person is put in the device, it gets applied to the electrode. A reaction then occurs between the antibody in the electrode and the antigen in the saliva. The reaction creates an electric flow that confirms the presence of the virus.
FORMER WORLD SNOOKER CHAMPION PETER EBDON HAS HUNG UP HIS CUE
- Former World Snooker Champion Peter Ebdon has announced his retirement from professional snooker. He has announced his retirement after suffering from various neck and back injuries.
- Peter Ebdon was the winner of 2002 World Snooker championship when he defeated Stephen Hendry in an 18-17 final thriller. He also ended as a runner up in the championship for the record two times in his professional career of 29 years. He also won the UK Championship in 2006.
Green nod to Rs 922 crore new Parliament complex
- The Expert Appraisal Committee cleared the proposal to new Parliament at Rs 922 crores. The Central Vista committee has also approved the new plan.
- The case on minimized tree cutting and its related environmental concerns is still pending before the Supreme court. However, the apex court had refused to stay the Central Vista Redevelopment project recently.
- Central Vista Redevelopment Project aims to build a triangular parliament building. It will revamp the 3-km long Raj Path from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate.
India is placed 3rd among countries in scientific publication
- The National Science and Technology Management Information (NSTMIS) has conducted a survey on Research and Development Statistics and Indicators 2019-20.
- The report says that India ranks 3rd globally in the scientific publication. The first two ranks were occupied by USA and China.
- The women participation in the R&D field has increased from 13% to 24%.
- According to the report, India is currently spending 185 USD per researcher and is ahead of Russia, Hungary, Israel, UK and Spain in this spending.
Kashmir Saffron receives GI Tag
- The Saffron cultivated in the Kashmir valley has received Geographical Indication Tag.
- The Saffron cultivated in Kashmir is long, thick and has natural deep red colour. Also, it has high aroma and is processed without adding any chemicals. The colour of the saffron is unique due to the high quantity of crocin.
- The Kashmir Saffron is the only saffron in the world that is grown at an altitude of 1,600 metres.
Maharashtra becomes first state in India to provide free & cashless insurance cover to its people
- The Maharashtra government has announced the inclusion of state’s whole population under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana. According to the announcement, state will provide free health treatment to cent per cent population of the state. With this inclusion, Maharashtra has become India’s first state to provide free and cashless insurance premium to the people of the state.
- At present, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana is covering 85% of the state’s population. With the latest announcement, the benefits of the scheme have been extended towards the remaining 15% people of state. The latest announcement enables the state government, semi-government employees as well as the white ration card holders to apply for this scheme. Under the scheme, people in the state can avail the benefits of free and cashless health insurance.
May 2: International Astronomy Day
- Every year, International Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a year. Once on September 26 and other on May 2. On this day, astronomical institutions, planetariums, museums organize fun filled activities and spread awareness about the world of astronomy.
- The first International Astronomy Day was celebrated in 1973. It was started by the then president of Astronomical Association of Northern California.
- The Astronomy Day is also a part of the National Astronomy Week. The week is held in United Kingdom.
May 2: World Tuna Day
- Every year, World Tuna Day is observed by the United Nations to spread the importance of conservation of the Tuna Fish species. The tuna and tuna like species are economically important for both developing and developed countries.
- The United Nations passed a resolution in 2016 and the world Tuna Day is being observed since 2017. The day is marked to prevent tuna fish stocks from crashing.
- According to Food and Agriculture Organization there are more than 96 countries that are involved in conservation of tuna fishes.
May 3: World Press Freedom Day
- World Press Freedom Day is observed globally on 3 May every year. It is also known as World Press Day. The day also pays tribute to journalists who have lost their lives. They risk their lives at times or may even have to face tough situations in order to bring the news from different corners of the world in front of the public.
- The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2020 is “Journalism without Fear or Favour”.
National E-Commerce Marketplace launched by CAIT
- A National E-Commerce Market place was launched by Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) called “Bharat Market”.
- The e-commerce market place will integrate the capabilities of technology companies in order to provide end to end services. The portal will include participation of retailers and aims to bring 95% of retail traders into the platform. It will mainly focus on technology companies to provide end to end services.
- The initiative is to be guided and supported by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
New simulation code helps study electric field structure in Earth’s Magnetosphere
- Scientists at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) developed a generalized one-dimensional fluid simulation code capable of studying a wide spectrum of coherent electric field structures of earth’s magnetosphere.
- The study will help to plan the future space missions. The study will also lead to control fusion experiments to fulfill ever-expanding energy demands of humanity.
NMCG & NIUA organized IDEAthon on ‘The Future of River Management’
- The National Mission for Clean Ganga operating under Ministry of Jal Shakti launched “IDEAthon”. It focuses on “The Future of River Management” to explore how the COVID-19 crisis will change the river management strategies.
- The IDEAthon event examined how social angle of rivers can be leveraged to address the crisis. It also discussed about the lessons taught by COVID-19 crisis. The IDEAthon had created a framework called River Management in a city’s Urban river management plan.
Prahlad Singh Patel releases e-book “Prof. B. B. Lal -India Rediscovered”
- Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel launched an e-book titled “Prof. B.B. Lal: India Rediscovered”. E-book was launched on the occasion of centenary year of great archaeologist Professor B. B. Lal.
- E-book titled “Prof. B.B. Lal: India Rediscovered” has been prepared by the Ministry of culture along with Prof B B Lal Centenary Celebration Committee. This book is a centenary special edition and a tribute from Ministry of culture for his enormous contribution to the discipline of archaeology.
Project Monitoring Unit launched by Ministry of Coal
- The Ministry of Coal recently launched a project monitoring unit to facilitate early operationalization of coal mines that were allocated by the central government. The aim of launching the unit is to bring in more bidders.
- The Project Monitoring Unit will facilitate Ease of Doing Business as it will support coal mines in receiving timely approval in order to operate the mines. The unit will also help the mines in getting clearances from the state and central government authorities for their operationalization.
Rebate of State and Central Taxes Scheme in the form of Scrips
- The Government of India announced that the Rebate of State and Central Scheme arrears are to be provided in the form of scrips. It is to be provided by the Department of Revenue Communication. The arrears to be provided in the form of scrips is to benefit many of the cotton textile exporters.
- Scrip is a certificate that is subscribed to a bank or an individual entitling the holder a part of dividend or an amount of money.
