Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Launches World's Most Affordable COVID-19 Diagnostic Kit Corosure
NATIONAL NEWS
INCOIS, Hyderabad observes Swachhata Pakhwada
- The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad recognised institution under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has concluded Swachhata Pakhwada.
- This is a part of the Swachh Bharat Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Swachhata Pakhwada, was observed mainly with the objective to eradicate open defecation, efficient management of solid and liquid waste, encourage cost effective and appropriate technologies for ecologically safe and sustainable sanitation etc.,
- INCOIS is to provide free ocean information services to the nation by offering 3 primary services namely,
The Tsunami Early Warning Service,
Ocean State Forecast Service and
Potential Fishing Zone Advisory Service.
Fact: Chairman of INCOIS – Dr. M. Rajeevan
Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ Launches World's Most Affordable COVID-19 Diagnostic Kit Corosure
- Union Human Resource Development Minister, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' has e-launched the world’s most affordable Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) based COVID-19 diagnostic kit.
- This diagnostic kit was developed by IIT Delhi and approved by the ICMR and DCGI in New Delhi.
- The Union Minister also released the PRAGYATA Guidelines on Digital Education virtually which was prepared by the Department of School Education & Literacy of the Ministry of HRD
Sustainable Growth Pillar India Energy Modeling Forum Launched: India-US partnership
- Sustainable Growth Pillar is a significant gathering of the India–US Strategic Energy Partnership co-chaired by NITI Aayog and USAID.
- The SG pillar’s key focus is on energy data management, energy modelling and collaboration on low carbon technologies.
- During the gathering, an “India Energy Modeling Forum” was launched on July 2nd 2020.
AAI Signs MoU with BEL for Co-operation in Civil Aviation industry
- Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) to collaborate and support the emerging global opportunities in the airport business, including those in the Asia Pacific region.
- This MoU will provide for the synergy of capabilities of both the organisations in their particular field.
Fact: Headquarters of AAI - New Delhi, India
Poba Reserve Forest in Assam upgraded to wildlife sanctuary
- The major Biodiversity Hotspot, Poba Reserve Forest in Dhemaji district of Assam is going to be upgraded to a Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The Chief Minister of Assam announced this during a meeting with the chief officials at Dhemaji district.
Fact: Chief Minister of Assam - Sarbananda Sonowal
Governor of Assam - Professor Jagdish Mukhi
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
India joins Chile and FAO Co-Hosted the official launch of 2021 International Year of Fruits and Vegetables
- India and Chile joined the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nation (UN) and co-hosted the official launch of 2021 International Year of Fruits and Vegetables.
- This was launched during the event of 2020 High-level Political forum – “On the road to the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables 2021: Highlighting health and nutritional benefits through sustainable production and consumption of fruits and vegetables”.
- The aim of the event is to discuss the key roles of fruits and vegetables in health and in sustainable production systems with the relevant stakeholders.
- The UN designated 2021 as the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables to acknowledge the nutritional and health benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables.
Fact: Headquarters of FAO – Rome, Italy.
APPOINTMENTS
ADB Appoints Ashok Lavasa as its New Vice-President
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Ashok Lasava as its new Vice-President and he will take charge after Diwakar Gupta, whose term will end on 31 August 2020.
- Ashok Lasava is currently serving as one of the Election Commissioners of India.
Fact: Headquarters of ADB – Metro Manila, Philippines
OBITUARY
Former Goa health minister passed away at 68
- Former Health Minister Suresh Amonka has passed away due to COVID-19 infection.
- He served as the Minister of Health, Labour & Employment, and Factories and Boilers in the First Manohar Parrikar cabinet.
Fact: Chief Minister of Goa - Pramod Sawant.