Rajnath Singh approves committee to review defence procurement procedure to strengthen Make in India

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Defence Minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the formation of 12-member high-level committee, headed by the Director-General (Acquisitions) to revise and align the procedure of Defence procurement with the aim of strengthening the ‘Make in India’ initiative.Rajnath Singh approves a high-level Committee to review Defence Procurement Procedure to strengthen ‘Make in India’ initiative

12-member high-level committee, headed by the Director-General (Acquisitions). Source:newsonfloor.com

Lucknow’s iconic Hazratganj Chauraha renamed as ‘Atal Chowk’

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Famous ‘Hazratganj Chauraha’ of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh has been renamed as ‘Atal Chowk’ in memory of former Prime Minister of India, Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion of his first death anniversary, from August 16, 2019. He was a five-time Member of Parliament (MP) from Lucknow. A memorial named “Atal Smriti Upvan” will also be built on his name.

Lucknow’s iconic Hazratganj Chauraha renamed as Atal Chowk. Source:uttarpradesh.org

Sao Paulo: 28th BASIC Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change #Gallery

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The 28th session of BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, and China) Ministerial meeting 2019 on Climate Change was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 14 – 16 August 2019. Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar represented India for this meeting. This comes ahead of United Nations Framework for Climate Change (UNFCC) Conference of Parties (COP-25) meet scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile from 2 – 13 December 2019.

28th BASIC Ministerial Meeting 2019 on Climate Change held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Source:indianexpress.com

Mumbai to host World Youth chess meet

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The 2019 World Youth chess championship is to be held in Mumbai from October 1-13, at the Renaissance Hotel in Powai, Mumbai under the aegis of All-India Chess Federation and organized by the All-Marathi chess Association.

Mumbai to host 2019 World Youth chess meet. Source:youthincmag.com/

BRICS nations come together for Urban Environmental Management

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5th BRICS Minister of Environment Meeting held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, which was preceded by the 2-day meeting of BRICS Joint Working Group on Environment. The Indian delegation was led by Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar.

5th Meeting of BRICS Minister of Environment held in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Source:indianexpress.com

The Ministers of BRICS countries underlined the” Partnership on Urban Environmental Sustainability Initiative (PUESI)” for sharing knowledge & experience on major issues such as waste management, cogeneration, reverse logistics, sanitation, urban air quality, urban green areas.

Air India Becomes 1st Indian Airline to Fly over Zero Degree North Pole on I-Day

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Air India hoisted its Boeing 777 aircraft (Delhi-San Francisco flight AI-173 ) over the zero degrees the North Pole and became the first Indian airline to operate commercial flights overflying polar region. It usually overflies the Atlantic or the Pacific ocean. Flying over the North Pole saved fuel and time.

Air India is the first Indian Airline to fly over Zero Degree North Pole. Source:cntraveler.com

SC clears Chardham highway project, forms fresh committee for environmental concerns

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The Supreme Court(SC) bench comprising of Justices Rohinton Fali Nariman and Surya Kant has cleared the Chardham highway project, which will connect 4 holy places of Uttarakhand(Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri)through 900 km all-weather roads by modifying an NGT(National Green Tribunal) order to form a committee to look into environmental concerns.

SC clears Chardham project, which will connect 4 holy places in Uttarakhand. Source:euttaranchal.com

Nine-day national tribal festival, Aadi Mahotsav, begins at Leh in Ladakh

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Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda inaugurated a nine-day National Tribal Festival, Aadi Mahotsav in Polo Grounds of Leh. This is the first mega event arranged by the Centre after the announcement of Union Territory status for Ladakh region which has 97 per cent tribal population.

2019 ‘Aadi Mahotsav’ -national tribal festival begins at Leh-Ladakh. Source:dnaindia.com

Centre launches San-Sadhan Hackathon for Divyang accessible toilets

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Under Swachh Bharat Mission, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) has launched a nationwide Hackathon called “San-Sadhan” for Divyang/ physically challenged people accessible toilets, which will be held from September 14- 15,2019 in New Delhi.It aimed to enhance sensitivity and develop an ecosystem for creating a barrier-free environment.

Under Swachh Bharat Mission, DEPwD launches San-Sadhan Hackathon for Divyang accessible toilets. Source:pressablecdn.com

Meet 'Graspman,' The IIT-Madras Robot Whose Grip Is As Good as a Human's

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A team of researchers led by Asokan Thondiyath at Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) have developed a new class of Robotic System called “GraspMan’, which has a human hand like grasping, manipulation and locomotion abilities.

IITM develops Multimodal Robotic System called “GraspMan” with a human-like grasp. Source:hindustantimes.com

Indian Navy to host multi-lateral exercise in Vizag

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The Indian Navy is to host the multilateral naval exercise named ‘MILAN‘ at Visakhapatnam for the year 2020 in the month of March. The announcement for this exercise was made by Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at the INS(Indian Navy Ship) Circars Parade Ground in the ENC on the occasion of 73rd Independence day.

The Indian Navy is to host naval exercise MILAN in March 2020 in Vizag. Source:indiannavy.nic.in

MILAN is a biennial exercise which was first started in 1995. Until last year the exercise was held at Andaman and Nicobar Command(ANC).

India: Growth downgrade – ANZ

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According to a recent report of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), India’s GDP (gross domestic product) growth expected to grow by 6.2 % in 2019 (FY-Fiscal Year 2020) It revised downwards its outlook for FY20 from 6.5% due to sluggish domestic demand, and slowing down of Industry figures.

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group lowers India’s GDP growth in FY20 to 6.2%. Source:lasa.asn.au

It also downgraded its forecast for the year to March 2021 to 6.5% from 7.1%.

India win historic gold in Junior Track Cycling World Championships

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Cyclists Esow Alben, Ronaldo Singh and Rojit Singh of India won the first cycling gold by defeating Australia in men’s team sprint event at UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) Junior Track Cycling World Championships 2019 held in Frankfurt, Germany. Bronze was won by Great Britain. The event was held from August 14-18, 2019.

India’s Men’s team clinched first cycling gold at UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships 2019. Source:vidibuscloud.net

The women’s team of Triyasha and Nikita finished 5th in the women’s team sprint event.

2020 UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships will be held in Cairo, Egypt.

INS Tarkash participates in KONKAN bilateral exercise

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The Indian Navy’s stealth frigate, INS Tarkash, participated in the 14th Edition of KONKAN-19 series of annual bilateral exercises between Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Britain off the South Coast of the United Kingdom (UK).

INS Tarkash participates in 14th Edition of KONKAN-19 Bilateral Exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Britain. Source:dnaindia.com

It exercised with the Royal Navy’s Daring Class Destroyer, HMS Defender with integral helicopter Wildcat.

‘I will call you’: Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik announces ‘Mo Sarkar’ programme

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Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Naveen Patnaik announced the “Mo Sarkar” initiative. It is an initiative to ensure transparency in governance focusing fully on the common public and will be commenced from October 2,2019 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanthi.

INS Tarkash participates in 14th Edition of KONKAN-19 Bilateral Exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Britain. Source:dnaindia.com

The govt. will work on this initiative to ensure that people get their rights with the help of the 5T mantras introduced by the CM to address public issues. The 5Ts are Technology, Transparency, Teamwork, Transformation and Time.

New scheme will fund cutting-edge research

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Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) plans to launch a new scheme called “Supra” (Scientific and Useful Profound Research Advancement) to fund scientists,which was designed as a part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 100-day transformative ideas.

SERB’s new scheme called “Supra” will fund cutting-edge research. Source:thehindubusinessline.com

SERB: It is a statutory body under the Department of Science and Technology. It was set up to promote and fund research in different scientific disciplines.

CORAS: Indian Railways’ commando unit

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CORAS (Commandos For Railway Security), a special railway unit for the Indian railways and a new establishment manual for the Railway Protection Force(RPF) was launched by union Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal at a function in New Delhi railway station.

CORAS (Commandos For Railway Security). Source:zeenews.com

A state of the art commando training centre is to be established in Jagadhri, Haryana.

India's first space museum inaugurated in Hyderabad

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The first space museum of India opening new attraction to space enthusiasts, was set up at Hyderabad in association with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The museum is housed in the Birla Science Museum at Naubat Pahad,Hydrabad, Telangana.

First ever space museum of India inaugurated at Hyderabad. Source:thehindubusinessline.com

It was inaugurated on the celebration on golden jubilee year of the Birla Archaeological and Cultural Research Institute (BACRI).

Mumbai all set to get first Indian Institute of Skills

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Mumbai is all set to get the first Indian Institute of Skills - IIS, the foundation stone of which will be laid next month. Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey today announced that the institute is likely to be operational by next year. He said this after visiting the campus of National Skill Training Institute in Mumbai to review the site were IIS will be built.

The Government has provided 4.5 acres of land for the project, which will be executed on a Public-Private Partnership (P-P-P)basis, where the TEDT will invest around Rs. 300 crore for the construction of IIS ,which will have a capacity to train 10,000 trainees in various areas including security, aerospace, iron and natural gas.

Govt appoints VG Somani as new Drug Controller General

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The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) appointed VG Somani as Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in Level 14 of the Pay Matrix as per the 7th Central Pay Commision (CPC), on deputation basis, for a period of 3 years. He is currently Joint Drugs Controller of India. He succeeds Dr. S. Eswara Reddy, who was on ad-hoc position for the post of DCGI.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. Source:wikipedia.org

India beat England by 36 runs to lift Physical Disability World Series T20

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India won the T20 Physical Disability (PD) World Cricket Series 2019 after defeating England by 36 runs in the final held at the New Road Stadium in Worcester, England. The tournament was organized by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). 6 teams- India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, England, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe had participated in the tournament.

India wins Physical Disability T20 World Cricket Series 2019 by defeating England by 36 runs. Source:toiimg.com

Harshad Pandurang Thakur appointed NIHFW Director

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The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, Government of India(GoI) has made Harshad Pandurang Thakur as the Director of National Institute of Health and Family Welfare(NIHFW) for a period of 5 years. He replaces Shri. Sudhansh Pant.

Axis Bank ex-chief Dharmesh Mehta and investors buy IDFC Securities

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Former Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Axis Capital, Dharmesh Mehta and other investors bought 100% stake in IDFC Securities Ltd from IDFC Financial Holding Company (IDFC FHCL) for an undisclosed amount. Both the entities entered into an agreement to sell/acquire the stake.

Axis Capital Ex-chief Dharmesh Mehta and investors bought 100% stake in IDFC Securities Ltd. Source:hindustantimes.com

Pretomanid, first TB drug developed by non-profit, gets FDA approval for resistant infections

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The United States(US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave approval to a new drug named Pretomanid, for treating extensively drug resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB) which is estimated to have a mortality rate of 60%.

FDA of US approves PRETOMANID new drug for drug resistant TB. Source:medscape.com

Pretomanid was developed by New York based non profit organisation TB alliance.

Japanese missile destroyer "JS Sazanami" on two-day visit to India

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Japanese Ship, JS Sazanami, the fourth vessel of the Takanami class destroyers of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) commanded by Commander Shoji Ishkawa visited Kochi on a 2-day goodwill visit from August 13 to 19, 2019.

Japanese missile destroyer "JS Sazanami". Source:seaforces.org

Activities such as the visit of Indian Navy personnel onboard JS Sazanami and professional interaction between the two navies were conducted during the visit. The visiting team was also provided with a conducted tour of the Anti-Submarine Warfare School and the Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel, INS (Indian Navy Ship ) Sunayna.

Government issues guidelines for ₹1 trillion partial credit guarantee for NBFCs

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In a bid to help the Financially sound NBFCs (Non- Banking Financial Companies), including Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), which are facing stress following stocks of defaults, the Central Government has issued guidelines of partial guarantee scheme covering a maximum standard asset value of Rs 1 trillion under which state-run public-sector banks(PSBs) can purchase high-rated pooled assets originated up to March 31, 2019, from NBFCs.

Centre issues guidelines for granting Rs 1 trillion credit guarantee for NBFCs. Source:economictimes.indiatimes.com

Central government will provide a one-time 6 months’ partial credit guarantee to PSBs for first loss of up to 10 %( valid for 24 months from the date of purchase).

Danish bank launches world's first negative interest rate mortgage

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Denmark’s third-largest bank, Jyske Bank has launched the world’s first negative interest rate mortgage – handing out loans to homeowners where the charge is minus 0.5% a year. It has begun offering borrowers a 10-year deal at -0.5%.

Denmark’s Jyske Bank unveiled world’s first negative interest rate home loan. Source:guidedanmark.org

Another Danish bank, Nordea will begin offering 20-year fixed-rate deals at 0% and a 30-year mortgage at 0.5%.

Assam's Dikom Tea Estate brand fetches 'record' Rs 75K per kg

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A rare tea variety of eastern Assam’s Dikom Tea Estate named “Golden Butterfly tea” created a record of being sold at Rs.75,000 per kg at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC), Assam.

Assam’s rare variety tea from Dikom Tea Estate makes records for being sold at Rs.75,000 per kg. Source:deccanherald.com

This golden butterfly tea surpassed previous record of sale of “Maijan Golden Tips” tea just by Rs.4,499. The Maijan Golden Tips was sold at Rs.70,501 per kg.

Rajasthan gets award at World Education Summit

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Rajasthan was awarded “best innovation and initiative leadership award” at the 14th World Education Summit-2019, held at New Delhi. The state was awarded for its achievement in higher education.

14th World Education Summit-2019. Source:eletsonline.com

Mamata opens world''s 1st museum on Chaitanya Mahaprabhu

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West Bengal Chief Minister(CM), Mamata Banerjee has opened the World’s 1st museum dedicated to the life of a 16th-century saint and social reformer, Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, designed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) in Kolkata, West Bengal. It is named as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu museum.

Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Museum. Source:Gaudiya Mission,YouTube