DCGI Approves India’s 1st Fully Indigenously Developed Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine
NATIONAL NEWS
HRD Minister launches NISHTHA programme in Andhra Pradesh
- Union Minister for Human Resources and Development Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has launched the first on-line NISHTHA programme for nearly 1200 key Resources persons in Andhra Pradesh.
- NISHTHA is a national initiative under the HRD ministry flagship programme Samagra Shiksha.
- The flagship programme focuses on the improvement in the learning outcomes of the students.
- NISHTHA ensures the comprehensive improvement at the elementary level for the school heads and teachers.
Fact: Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh – YSR Jaganmohan
Governor - Biswabhusan Harichandan
NTPC signs MoU with NIIF to explore business opportunities in India
- National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd., (NTPC) has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), working under National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIFL).
- The MoU signed for the exploration of investments in the fields like renewable energy, power distribution among other areas of mutual interest in India.
- Through this MoU, both the Companies come together for constructing a strong and sustainable energy infrastructure in the country.
Fact: Managing Director and CEO - Sujoy Bose
Chief Managing Director - Gurdeep Singh
DCGI Approves India’s 1st Fully Indigenously Developed Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine
- Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its approval for India’s first fully indigenously developed Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine said by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW)
- M/s. Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd, Pune, has developed the vaccine that is used against Pneumonia.
- The Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine is used for active immunization against invasive disease and pneumonia caused by ‘Streptococcus pneumonia’ in infants.
Fact: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare - Harsh Vardhan.
Government launches implementation guidelines for Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
- Government of India has launched the Implementation guidelines for Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, AHIDF which is of worth 15 thousand crore rupees.
- The fund was approved by the government under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan stimulus package for ensuring growth in several sectors.
- The eligible beneficiaries under the Scheme will be Farmer Producer Organizations, MSMEs, Private Companies, they can invest 10% of the marginal amount, and the balance will be a loan component from the Scheduled Bank.
Fact: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying - Giriraj Singh
India registers a steep decline in maternal mortality ratio
- The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India has declined to 113 in 2016-18 from 122 in 2015-17 and 130 in 2014-2016.
- The Office of the Registrar General’s Sample Registration System (SRS) released this report on Maternal Mortality in India 2016-18.
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is defined as the number of maternal deaths per 1,00,000 live births.
- The report also mentioned that the count in southern states of India has been much lower compared to the Northern states.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
The Committee to Protect Journalists Announced 2020 International Press Freedom Awardees
- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has announced the International Press Freedom Awards for the year 2020 and its recipients.
- Four Journalists from various countries has been selected as the recipients namely –
Shahidul Alam from Bangladesh,
Mohammad Mosaed from Iran,
Dapo Olorunyomi from Nigeria and
Svetlana Prokopyeva from Russia.
- In addition, lawyer Amal Clooney will be honoured with the Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award 2020.
- These Journalists are been selected for they been arrested or faced criminal prosecution for their reporting.
Fact: Headquarters of CPJ – New York, US
The 15th India-EU Summit held virtually
- The 15th India-EU summit was held virtually through video conferencing where Prime Minister Narendra Modi represented India and President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
- During the summit they have adopted significant declarations on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy, endorsed their Strategic Partnership and to enhance cooperation in climate change, science and space.
- There was signing of the Euratom-India Agreement between EURATOM and the Department of Atomic Energy of India on research and development cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
- India-EU endorsed “EU-India Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025” to further strengthen their Partnership in the next five years.
India & Bhutan Opens New Trade Route
- India and Bhutan opened a new trade route between Jaigaon in West Bengal and Ahlay, Pasakha in Bhutan.
- The new trade route enhances easy connectivity and improve trade between India and Bhutan.
- India and Bhutan (Kholongchhu Hydro Energy Limited and Bhutan Government) signed a pact for the construction of 600 MW Kholongchhu project in Thimphu, the first hydropower joint venture in Bhutan.
Fact: Prime Minister of Bhutan – Lotay Tshering
Capital of Bhutan – Thimpu