Google is to invest $10 Bn in India

NATIONAL NEWS

Nitin Gadkari to inaugurate new economic corridor projects in Haryana

• Union Minister for Road Transports, Highways and MSMEs Nitin Gadkari is to inaugurate and to lay foundation for several new economic corridor projects in Haryana.
• The total project is of worth Rs 20000 Crore.
• The main aim of these projects is to provide safe and timely journey and to be cost and fuel effective mainly for the backward people of Haryana.
• The projects will provide a better connectivity between its neighbouring states.
• Fact: Chief Minister of Haryana – Manohar Lal Khattar.

Google is to invest $10 Bn in India

• Alphabet Inc. Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai announced an investment of $10 billion in India to use it for the next 5 to 7 years in the digitalisation of Indian economy.
• This announced during his virtual conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• The fund will be used to accelerate Google’s effort through a mix of Investments, partnerships, operations, infrastructure, and ecosystem investments.
• The investments are to mainly focus on – enabling every citizens to access information in their own language, providing services mainly for Indians to meet their relevant needs, entitling digital transformation on their businesses and technological support in the field of health, education and agriculture.
• Google is also to set to make partnership with Central Board of Secondary Education to enhance Online education in India.
• Google grants $1 million to the Kaivalya Education Foundation through Global Distance Learning Fund which is a part of google.org, aims to help teachers in delivering virtual education.

VNIR Biotech launches fluorescence probes & PCR mix for RT-PCR detection of COVID-19

• VNIR Biotechnologies, a start-up by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) has launched indigenous fluorescence probes and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mix for RT-PCR detection of COVID-19.
• PCR based test kit has three critical components, the oligos, enzymes and molecular probes.
• VNIR’s Research and Development effort in line with the Make-In-India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat missions of the Government of India are meant to contribute to self-reliance in COVID-19 testing.

IAA named ISRO Chief K Sivan as the Recipient of 2020 Von Karman Award

• Dr. K Sivan, Chief of Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) has been announced as the Recipient for Von Karman Award 2020, by the International Academy of Astronautics(IAA).
• The Award will be presented to him at Paris, on March 2021.
• The Von Karman Award is annually presented to recognise the distinguished contributions and lifetime achievements in any branch of science.
• Fact: Founder of IAA - Dr Theodore Von Karman
•          Headquarters– Paris, France

SPORTS

Lewis Hamilton Won the Styrian Grand Prix in Spielberg

• Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes Driver won the Styrian Grand Prix (GP) in Spielberg, Austria.
• The trophies of the winners were delivered through a remote controlled device to maintain social distancing amid COVID-19 pandemic.

OBITUARY

Dutch 70s legend Wim Suurbier dies aged 75

• The Hague (AFP) - Netherlands and Ajax defender Wim Suurbier, dies at the age of 75 due to cerebral haemorrhage.
• He has won three European championships with the legendary Ajax side and won seven national titles.

APPOINTMENTS

Dr. Vidhu P. Nair appointed India's next Ambassador to Turkmenistan

• Dr. Vidhu P Nair has been appointed as the next ambassador to Turkmenistan from India.
• Dr. Nair is presently serving as the Director in the Ministry of External Affairs.