NATIONAL NEWS

DRDO Successfully launches Medium Range Missile

• Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully launched the Army version Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM).
• Army version of MRSAM is a surface to Air Missile developed jointly by DRDO, India and IAI, Israel for use of the Indian Army.
• MRSAM Army weapon system comprises of Command post, Multi-Function Radar and Mobile Launcher system.

Digital Platform for Effective COVID Vaccine Distribution Launched

• Grand Challenge for strengthening the COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (CoWIN) system, a digitalised platform to be used to effectively roll out and scale up the mechanism for COVID Vaccine Distribution System nationally has launched by the Union Ministers of Family & Health Welfare and Information Technology.
• The facility will be launched in the MeitY Startup Hub which was developed to build the environment for Startups and innovation technologies.

Air Quality Commission directs strict enforcement of dust control measures to curb Air Pollution

• The Commission of Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas reviewed the deteriorating air quality situation and has directed strict enforcement of dust control measures to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
• ​Dust emanating from the construction and demolition generate significant amount of dust, adversely impacting the Air quality by raising PM2.5 and PM10 levels.
• The body also issued statutory directions to Central Pollution Control Board and Pollution Control Boards and Delhi Pollution Control Committee to constitute teams for inspection and strict enforcement of dust control measures.

International Science Literature Festival organised

• International Science Literature Festival – VIGYANIKA organized to mark the birth anniversary of Srinivasa Ramanujan
• The event was jointly organised by CSIR, Ministry of Earth Sciences and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA).

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Cabinet approves signing of revised air services agreements

• Cabinet approves signing of revised air services agreement between India and Philippines and also with Afghanistan.
• The revised Air Services Agreement signifies an important landmark in the civil aviation relations between the two countries.
• The Air Services Agreement is a bilateral agreement to allow international commercial air transport services between signatories.

AWARDS AND PRIZES

ITC Sustainability Awards

• NTPC wins prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Awards 2020
• NTPC is the only PSU to receive the award in the Corporate Excellence category.
• NTPC wins the prestigious CII-ITC Sustainability Awards in Corporate Excellence category second time in a row i.e. in the year 2019 and 2020.