DRDO successfully flight tests Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle

NATIONAL NEWS

DRDO successfully flight tests Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated the Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) from APJ Abdul Kalam testing range (Wheeler Island) in Balasore, Odisha.
• The HSTDV was developed by DRDO with the help of US, Russia and Israel and is designed to steam at a velocity of six times the speed of sound.
• It auto-ignited to fly on its own after separating from the launch vehicle, which took it to an altitude of 30-km.
• India joined with the countries US, Russia and China in successfully testing the Hypersonic Technology.
• The launch vehicle, in turn, was powered by the proven solid propellant rocket motor of an Agni ballistic missile.

Fact: DRDO chairman – Dr G Satheesh Reddy

Prakash Javadekar to chair a webinar on first ever-International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies

• The Union Minister for Environment Prakash Javadekar has chaired a webinar on September 7, 2020, on the first-ever International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, as well as he reviewed the progress of activities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) which was launched in 2019.
• During which he also released a brochure on the integrated measures that will help in combating air pollution under the NCAP.
• International Day of Clean Air for blue skies is commemorated around the world by the United Nations General Assembly to create awareness on the importance of clean air for the health of the people.
• Globally, nine out of every ten people breathe unclean air, and air pollution causes an estimated seven million premature deaths every year says the secretary general of UN.

Fact: theme of the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies 2020 – “Clean Air for All”.

Social Justice & Empowerment Minister launches toll-free mental health rehabilitation helpline

• The Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment has launched 24*7 toll-free mental health rehabilitation helpline programme.
• The programme is called as “KIRAN” with the helpline 1800-500-0019 will provide relief and support to persons with mental illness.
• The helpline was launched in view of the growing incidence of Mental Illness, particularly in the onset of COVID-19 pandemic.
• The helpline was developed by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).

Fact: Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment - Thaawarchand Gehlot

GoI, GoHP and World Bank signs $82 million loan for implementation of Himachal Pradesh State Roads Transformation Project

• The Government of India, the Government of Himachal Pradesh and the World Bank today signed $82 million loan for the implementation of Himachal Pradesh State Roads Transformation Project.
• The loan is to strengthen transport and road safety institutions of Himachal Pradesh by improving the condition, safety, resilience, and engineering standards of state road network.
• The project will benefit initiatives to build climate and disaster resilient roads, improve road safety along tourism corridors in Himachal and support the government’s initiative to create a corporate body to look after the roads stability.

Fact: Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh - Jai Ram Thakur

         Governor of Himachal Pradesh - Bandaru Dattatreya

India’s Agriculture technology can grow to $24.1 billion in 5 years – Ernst & Young report

• India’s Agriculture technology has the capability of growing to $24.1 billion in 5 years says the Ernst & Young report.
• The report also stated that a turnover of $204 million India’s Agriculture sector is at under 1% of its market potential.
• The report has forecasted consolidation in agri-tech space with start-ups expanding horizontally to service the end-to-end needs of farmers within the next few days.
• According to the report, there are 500 agritech sectors in the country, out of which 57 are servicing the five high categories and have raised a combined total of $532 million until April.

Fact: Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare – Narendra Singh Tomar.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India, Iran Hold High Level Talks on Afghanistan & Regional Security

• Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with his Iranian counterpart, Amir Hatami, in the capital Tehran on bilateral cooperation and regional developments.
• It also had discussions on recent tensions between Tehran and Washington and US attempts to reinstate pre-2015 sanctions on Iran.
• This meet is more significant against the backdrop of recent developments at Iran’s port of Chabahar, where Iran reportedly dropped India from a lucrative project.
• Both countries have been involved in the development of the port, which links India with Afghanistan.

UNICEF to lead global procurement and supply of coronavirus vaccines

• UNICEF has announced that it will be leading the procurement and supply of coronavirus vaccines to ensure that all countries have safe, fast and equitable access to initial doses when they are available.
• The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is the world's largest single vaccine buyer, procuring more than 2 billion doses of various vaccines annually for routine immunisation and outbreak response on behalf of almost 100 countries.
• UN agency, in collaboration with the Revolving Fund of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), will lead efforts to procure and supply doses of COVID-19 vaccines on behalf of the COVAX Global Vaccines Facility for 92 low and lower middle-income countries.
• UNICEF will take these efforts in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), PAHO, the World Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and also with some more.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Literacy Day – September 8

• International Literacy Day is being celebrated on September 8^th annually by the countries across the world.
• The main aim to celebrate this day is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.
• This year the theme is “Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond” with a focus on the role of educators and changing pedagogies.
• The theme highlights literacy learning in a lifelong learning perspective, and therefore, mainly focuses on youth and adults.
• UNESCO declared International Literacy Day at the 14th Session of UNESCO's General Conference on 26th October 1966.

OBITUARY

Kesavananda Bharati of Edneer Mutt in Kasargod dies at 79

• Kesavananda Bharati Swamiji the head of Edneer Mutt whose petition led to landmark verdict on Constitution died at the age of 79 in Kasaragod.
• He was the petitioner in the His Holiness Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru and Ors. Vs. State of Kerala and others case in which the Supreme Court ruled that, the basic structure of the Constitution is inviolable, and cannot be amended by Parliament.