Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury took charge as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury took charge as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament in Delhi on 6 May amid the COVID-19 lockdown. He has been appointed as the Chairperson of the Committee for the term beginning on 1 May 2020 and ending on 30 April 2021. The appointment was made by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
UP launched Ayush Kavach app to boost immunity through Ayurveda
Uttar Pradesh state government unveiled the Ayush Kavach app that will provide health-related tips and information about ayurvedic medicines amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The app was launched by the UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on 5 May. Ayush Kavach mobile app will help people access prescriptions to strengthen their resistance through the ancient mode of Yoga and Ayurveda of India.
CSIR-IGIB, TATA Sons sign MoU for licensing KNOWHOW for FELUDA for rapid and COVID-19 diagnosis
CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) and TATA Sons signed an MoU for licensing of KNOWHOW for FNCAS9 Editor Linked Uniform Detection Assay (FELUDA) for rapid diagnosis of COVID-19. The license includes the transfer of the knowledge for scaling up the KNOWHOW in the form of a kit that can be deployed for COVID-19 testing on ground in May 2020.
Scientists to culture novel coronavirus in human lung epithelial cell
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad has partnered with a Bengaluru-based company, Eyestem Research Private Limited, to take up research activities on COVID-19. The collaboration aims to grow novel coronavirus in human cell lines, which will enable in vitro testing of potential drugs and vaccines against the COVID-19.
Karnataka announced Rs.1,610 crore package for farmers, construction workers, weavers, auto and taxi drivers
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa announced Rs.1,610 crore package for farmers, construction workers, weavers, auto and taxi drivers on 6 May. The state govt. has also announced that all those who incurred losses due to lockdown will be compensated.
Rajasthan begins Plasma therapy to treat COVID-19 patients
Rajasthan State Health Minister Raghu Sharma formally launched COVID-19 treatment with plasma therapy at the city’s SMS Medical College through video conferencing on 6 May.
PM chaired a meeting of the Task Force on Corona Vaccine Development
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Task Force on Corona Vaccine Development. He reviewed the current status of India’s efforts in developing the vaccine, drug discovery, diagnosis, and testing.
Russia awarded Kim Jong Un on its 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany
Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Kim Jong Un a commemorative war medal to mark the 75th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. The medal was awarded to recognize the North Korean leader’s role in preserving the memory of Soviet soldiers who died on North Korean territory. Russia-North Korea ties: In 1948, diplomatic relations were established between the Soviet Union and North Korea.
Professor Saurabh Lodha received 2020 Young Career Award in Nano Science and Technology
Professor Saurabh Lodha from Electrical Engineering, IIT Bombay, received the Young Career Award in Nano Science & Technology for the year 2020. The award is instituted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The award recognized his contributions in the development of logic transistor technologies beyond silicon and nanoelectronic devices based on two-dimensional Van der Waals materials.
Indian Navy launched Operation Samudra Setu
Indian Navy launched Operation Samudra Setu, meaning Sea Bridge, as a part of a national effort to repatriate Indian citizens from overseas. Indian Naval Ships (INS) Jalashwa and Magar are presently en route to the port of Malè, the Republic of Maldives to commence evacuation operations from 8 May 2020 as part of Phase-1.
PM discussed the COVID-19 pandemic with PM H.E. Antonio Costa
Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the COVID-19 pandemic through a phone call with H.E. Antonio Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal on 5 May. The two leaders discussed the state of COVID-19 pandemic and the steps being taken by both countries to control their health and economic impact. The PM Modi commended PM Costa for his effective handling of the crisis.
CMIE data reports Indias unemployment rate climbed to 27.1 percent
Centre for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE) data stated that the unemployment rate in India has climbed to a staggering 27.1% as of 3 May 2020. It also stated that over 121.5 million Indian’s were out of jobs in April due to the continuous nationwide lockdown to contain COVID-19.
Himachal Pradesh to launch Nigah Scheme
Himachal Pradesh State Government is to launch the “Nigah” Scheme to properly sensitize and educate family members of people coming from other states so that social distancing is effectively maintained. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
Centre nominates Economic Affairs Secretary as Director RBI Central Board
Government of India has nominated Secretary of Economic Affairs Department Ministry of Finance Tarun Bajaj as a director on the Central Board of Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The nomination of Bajaj is effective from 5 May 2020.
