6th Edition of Indo-France joint military exercise “Ex Shakti 2021” being conducted in France
The Sixth Edition of Indo - France joint military exercise “Ex SHAKTI 2021” has commenced at the Military School of Draguignan, France with an opening ceremony on 15 Nov 21. The Indian Army contingent is being represented by a composite team of three Officers, three Junior Commissioned Officers and 37 soldiers from a battalion of Gorkha Rifles and support Arms. The training so far has focused on aspects of joint planning, mutual understanding of conduct of operations and identification of coordination aspects required for jointly operating in a Counter Terrorism environment under United Nations mandate. The participating contingents have also been put through paces of combat conditioning and tactical training which included firing drills and ‘battle hardening’ work sessions. The exercise is being conducted in two phases which will culminate with a grueling 36 hours exercise to validate the standards achieved during the two phases. The contingent apart from joint training went to visit MAZARGUES War Cemetery in Marseilles where 1,002 Indian soldiers of the First World War have been cremated. The Indian and French contingents together presented a Guard of Honor and paid their homage to commemorate the valour of the fallen bravehearts.
Dream Girl Hema Malini conferred Indian Film Personality of the Year Award at 52nd IFFI
Be it Basanti, Seeta aur Geeta or Dream Girl, Hema Malini has immortalized every character she has played on the big screen, etching herself and the characters she portrayed in the hearts of the audience forever. In recognition of her quintessential contribution to the world of cinema, the 52nd edition of the International Film Festival of India, Goa has conferred the two-time Member of Parliament and veteran actor, dancer, producer, and director of Hindi cinema, with the Indian Personality of the Year Award, at the opening ceremony today, November 20, 2021. For her exceptional contribution to Hindi cinema, Hema Malini is regarded as one of the most successful actors of the Indian film industry.
Hungarian Filmmaker Istvan Szabo conferred with Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement award at IFFI
Noted Hungarian Filmmaker Istvan Szabo has been conferred the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement award by the 52nd International Film Festival of India, at the opening ceremony held in Goa, November 20, 2021. For his outstanding contribution to World cinema, Istvan Szabo has been honored with the award at IFFI 52, which will come to a grand closing on November 28, 2021. An extraordinary artist, Istvan Szabo achieved international success with his film Mephisto in the year 1981. The film is the first Hungarian film to have won an Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film. His movies broke the barrier of language and touched viewers’ hearts everywhere around the world.
PM inaugurates Purvanchal Expressway
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Purvanchal Expressway here. He also witnessed the Airshow on the 3.2 km long airstrip constructed on the Expressway in Sultanpur district.
Pochampally village in Telangana selected as one of the best Tourism Villages by UNWTO
The Pochampally Village in Telangana State has been selected as one of the best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The prestigious award will be given on the occasion of the 24th session of the UNWTO General Assembly on 2nd December 2021 in Madrid, Spain.
India launches the 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica
India has successfully launched the 41st Scientific Expedition to Antarctica with the arrival of the first batch of its contingent at the southern white continent. The first batch comprising of 23 scientists and support staff reached the Indian Antarctic station Maitri last week. Four more batches shall be landing in Antarctica by air using DROMLAN facility and onboard chartered ice-class vessel MV VasiliyGolovnin by mid-January 2022. The 41st expedition has two major programs. The first program encompasses geological exploration of the Amery ice shelf at Bharati station. This will help explore the link between India and Antarctica in the past. The second program involves reconnaissance surveys and preparatory work for drilling of 500 meters of ice core near Maitri. It will help in improving the understanding of Antarctic climate, westerly winds, sea-ice, and greenhouse gases from a single climate archive for the past 10,000 years. The ice core drilling will be done in collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey and the Norwegian Polar Institute. In addition to accomplishing scientific programs, it will replenish the annual supplies of food, fuel, provisions, and spares for operations and maintenance of life support systems at Maitri and Bharati. The Indian Antarctic program, which began in 1981, has completed 40 scientific expeditions, and built three permanent research base stations in Antarctica, named DakshinGangotri (1983), Maitri (1988), and Bharati (2012). As of today, Maitri and Bharati are fully operational. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa—an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences - manages the entire Indian Antarctic program.
Cabinet approves declaration of 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the declaration of 15th November as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas dedicated to the memory of brave tribal freedom fighters so that coming generations could know about their sacrifices about the country. India’s freedom struggle was strengthened by several movements by tribal communities such as Santhals, Tamars, Kols, Bhils, Khasis, and Mizos to name a few. The revolutionary movements and struggles organized by the tribal communities were marked by their immense courage and supreme sacrifice. Tribal movements in different regions of the country against the British colonial rule got linked with the national freedom struggle and inspired Indians all over the country. However, the public at large is not much aware of these tribal heroes. Pursuant to the speech of Hon’ble Prime Minister on Independence Day of 2016, the Government of India has sanctioned 10 tribal freedom fighter museums across the country. The date is the birth anniversary of Sri Birsa Munda who is revered as Bhagwan by tribal communities across the country. Birsa Munda fought bravely against the country against the exploitative system of the British colonial system and spearheaded the movement against British oppression giving a call for ‘Ulgulan’ (Revolution). The declaration acknowledges the glorious history and cultural heritage of tribal communities. The day will be celebrated every year and would recognize the efforts of the tribals for the preservation of cultural heritage and promotion of Indian values of valour, hospitality, and national pride. Tribal Freedom Fighter Museum at Ranchi where Birsa Munda breathed his last will be inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister. The government of India has planned week-long celebrations starting from 15th November to 22nd November 2021 to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of the glorious history of tribal people, culture, and achievements.
Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar to be the next Chief of the Naval Staff
The Government has appointed Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC presently Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command as the next Chief of the Naval Staff with effect from the afternoon of 30th November 2021. The present Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM, AVSM, ADC, retires from service on 30th November, 2021.
Delivery of Fourth Scorpene Submarine VELA to Indian Navy
The fourth submarine of the Project – 75, Yard 11878 was delivered to the Indian Navy, 09 November 2021. Project – 75 includes the construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France. Christened ‘Vela’, the submarine was launched on 06 May 19, and has completed all major harbour and sea trials including weapon and sensor trials despite COVID restrictions. Three of these submarines are already in commission with the Indian Navy. Submarine construction is an intricate activity as the difficulty is compounded when all equipment is required to be miniaturised and is subject to stringent quality requirements. Construction of these submarines in an Indian yard is yet another step towards ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’. The submarine would soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy and enhance the Indian Navy's capability.
WHO approves Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for emergency use
The World Health Organisation (WHO) approved Covaxin, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Indian pharmaceutical firm Bharat Biotech Ltd, for emergency use. The Technical Advisory Group of WHO, which met earlier in the day to decide on Covaxin, has recommended emergency use listing (EUL) status for the vaccine for use on all age groups above 18. The two doses of the vaccine are to be administered at a gap of four weeks. Covaxin was found to have 78 percent efficacy against COVID19 of any severity, 14 or more days after the second dose, and is extremely suitable for low- and middle-income countries due to easy storage requirements.
Rahul Dravid appointed head coach of Indian cricket team
Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid has been appointed as head coach of the Indian cricket team, The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on November 3. Dravid will be succeeding incumbent Indian team coach Ravi Shastri following the T20 World Cup. He will take charge of the upcoming home series against New Zealand.
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar inaugurates the first Internet Exchange for Uttarakhand in Dehradun
Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship inaugurated the first Internet Exchange in the state of Uttarakhand, hosted at Dehradun, through a virtual inaugural ceremony from Delhi. The inauguration of the 10th internet exchange of NIXI in India will help in enhancing and improving the quality of Internet and Broadband services in Uttarakhand.
KV Kamath will now head the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development
The central government has appointed veteran banker Kundapur Vaman Kamath, to head the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), a newly set up DFI in India.
The central government has appointed veteran banker Kundapur Vaman Kamath, to head the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID), a newly set up DFI in India. Parliament in March this year passed a bill to set up NaBFID to fund infrastructure projects in the country, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserting that its audited accounts will be placed before both the Houses every year and that they will have "oversight" of the institution. The bank is set up to support the development of long-term non-recourse infrastructure financing in India, including the development of the bonds and derivatives markets necessary for infrastructure financing and to carry on the business of financing infrastructure.
ADB, India sign $100 million loan for agribusiness development in Maharashtra
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India today signed a $100 million loan to promote agribusiness network to boost farm incomes and reduce food losses in the State of Maharashtra. Shri Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Finance signed for the Government of India, the agreement for the Maharashtra Agribusiness Network (MAGNET) Project, while Takeo Konishi, Country Director of ADB’s India Resident Mission signed for ADB. After the signing of the loan agreement, Shri Mishra stated that the project supports agribusiness development in Maharashtra with holistic support to on-farm improvement in productivity, up-gradation of post-harvest facilities, and establishing efficient marketing structures to benefit horticulture producers.
India’s First Banni Buffalo IVF Calf Born
With the birth of the first IVF calf of a Buffalo breed namely Banni in the country, India’s OPU - IVF work has reached to next level. This first IVF Banni calf is born out of 6 Banni IVF pregnancies established at the doorsteps of a farmer, Vinay L. Wala of Sushila Agro farms, located at Dhanej in Somnath district of Gujarat. Both the government and the scientist fraternity see a great potential in the field of IVF of buffaloes and are striving hard to improve cattle wealth in the country.
Martin Scorsese and Istevan Szabo to be honoured with Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Anurag Thakur has announced that Mr. Istevan Szabo and Mr. Martin Scorsese will be conferred the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the 52nd International Film Festival of India in Goa. Istvan Szabo is one of the most critically acclaimed Hungarian film directors of the past few decades known for masterpieces like Mephisto (1981) Father (1966). Martin Scorsese is one of the major figures of the New Hollywood era, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential directors in film history.
PM inaugurates Kushinagar International Airport
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Kushinagar International Airport. Addressing the gathering, he said that India is the centre of the faith of Buddhist society around the world. He termed the facility of Kushinagar International Airport, launched today as a tribute to their devotion. This region is witness to the entire journey from the enlightenment of Lord Buddha to Mahaparinirvana. Today this important region is getting directly connected to the world, he said.
Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd) is the new Chairman & Managing Director of National Research Development Corporation
Commodore Amit Rastogi (Retd), after an illustrious career of 34 years in Indian Navy has taken over as Chairman & Managing Director of National Research Development Corporation on 18 October, 2021. An avid technologist who has held diverse portfolios in Indian Navy and carries rich experience in induction of missile systems, state-of-the-art technology intensive combat systems, Phased array radars, Communication equipment etc. for warships through Indigenous development and TOT route and simultaneous engagement of R&D community, Academia and Industry.He was earlier, Director, Electrical Engineering at Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence for five years and Additional General Manager Tech Services at Naval Dockyard for two years. He also held the position of Deputy Director General Quality Assurance for five years and Director, Electrical Trials Modification Authority for two years. He is a fitness enthusiast, an Isha meditator, keen golfer and Randonneur (Long distance cyclist).
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) celebrates World Standards Day
On the occasion of World Standards Day, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) organized a day-long event on the theme of ‘Shared Vision for a Better World’ Standards for Sustainable Development Goals at its headquarters in New Delhi.
Shri Amit Shah laid the foundation stone of the 3rd Campus of National Forensic Science University (NFSU)
The Union Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, laid the foundation stone of the 3rd Campus of the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) at Dharbandoda, Goa. The Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Pramod Sawant, Union Minister Shri Shripad Naik and the Union Home Secretary were present on the occasion among many dignitaries.
NMDC Wins two Prestigious Environment Awards
National Mineral Development Corporation Ltd.(NMDC),Country’s largest iron ore producer, a CPSE under Ministry of Steel has bagged Gold Award in Environmental Sustainability category and Kumaraswamy Iron Ore Mine bagged Platinum Award in Environment Management category. The function was organised by Sustainable Development Foundation (a unit of EK KAAM DESH KE NAAM) and the awards were presented in the 10th conference held at Dehradun.
P L Haranadh takes over as Chairman of Paradip Port Trust
Shri P.L. Haranadh took over the post of Chairman of Paradip Port Trust (PPT). An IRTS officer of 1994 batch, he has studied MSc & Ph.D. from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi.
The Nobel Prize in Literature 2021
The Nobel Prize in Literature for 2021 is awarded to the novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah “for his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents”.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021
Building molecules is a difficult art. Benjamin List and David MacMillan are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 for their development of a precise new tool for molecular construction: organocatalysis. This has had a great impact on pharmaceutical research and has made chemistry greener.
The Worlds First Malaria Vaccine gets WHO approval
The arrival of a long-awaited malaria vaccine for children is a big breakthrough for medical science, child health, and disease control. The World Health Organization(WHO) on October 6, 2021, approved the first Malaria vaccine. The vaccine named "RTS, S" or Mosquirix, has been developed by the British Drugs maker GlaxoSmithKline. The pilot trials of the vaccine have been carried out on more than 8 lakh children across parts of sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi since 2019, with result indicating a moderate efficacy of 30% reduction in severe cases of malaria.
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2021
This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded one half jointly to Syukuro Manabe, Klaus Hasselmann, and the other half to Giorgio Parisi. They have laid the foundation of our knowledge of the Earth’s climate and how humanity influences it, as well as revolutionized the theory of disordered materials and random processes.
JNCASR Scientist developing innovative strategies to make high-performance thermo-electrics materials wins Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize
Professor Kanishka Biswas, currently working as an Associate Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, has received the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in Chemical Science for Science and Technology (2021) for his discoveries in the field of solid-state inorganic chemistry and thermoelectric energy conversion. His research involves a fundamental understanding of the relationship between structure and property of inorganic solids to develop lead (Pb)-free high-performance thermoelectric materials, which can efficiently convert waste heat to energy and are being translated into cost-effective technologies.Using fundamental and insightful chemical principles, Kanishka Biswas has achieved an unprecedented thermoelectric performance through control of atomic ordering and consequent electronic state delocalization in a crystalline inorganic solid, simultaneously enhancing its electronic transport and reducing the thermal conductivity, which was published in Science journal this year.
JNCASR Scientist wins Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize
Professor T Govindaraju from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, has received the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, 2021 for his ground-breaking concepts and discoveries, which have significant potential for diagnosis and treatment for Alzheimer’s, lung cancer among other health problems. His innovative work on small molecules, peptides, and natural products offers both diagnostics as well as therapeutics, leading to personalised medicine.
The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2021
This year’s medicine prize is awarded to David Julius and Ardem Patapoutian. Their discoveries have unlocked one of the secrets of nature by explaining the molecular basis for sensing heat, cold and mechanical force, which is fundamental for our ability to feel, interpret and interact with our internal and external environment.
Successful field trial of Drone spraying of Nano Urea undertaken
A practical field trial of Drone Spraying of Nano Liquid Urea was conducted in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The trial was attended by a large number of farmers. This demonstration of spraying liquid nano urea by drone was undertaken by IFFCO, a company involved in developing nano urea. IFFCO in its study has found that spraying nano urea through drones is more effective on crops and will also have a positive effect on productivity. A large number of farmers participated in today's trial and eagerly inquired about nano urea and the technique of drone spraying. IFFCO experts answered the queries of the farmers.
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