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Current Affairs Date: 02 March 2022

National

8th CII Industrial Innovation Awards 2021

⇒ A total of 33 awards were conferred on companies and academic and research institutions for their industrial innovations at the 27th DST CII Technology Summit 2021 on 17 December 2021.

During the summit, the 8th CII Industrial Innovation Awards 2021 has been conferred, included top 25 Innovative Company Awards, 7 awards to academic and research institutions and 1 grand award.

    • The company awards were given for processes, products, services, technologies, and other types of innovations which have the ability to fuel growth in the industry.
    • The awards to academic and research institutions were given for their contribution in assisting various private and public enterprises in their endeavours.
    • The grand award was given to the most innovative company of the year.
    • A special category of award was introduced in the year 2021 for the industry fostering innovation through Industry-Academia collaboration.
2021 Awards Winners are:

» The Most Innovative Company 2020 – Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.

» Top Innovative Company (Large) in Manufacturing

a) Tata Steel (Joint Winner)

b) Reliance Industries (Joint Winner)

» Top Innovative Company (Medium) in Manufacturing – Saankhya Labs Pvt Ltd

» Top Innovative Company (Large) in Services – Afcons Infrastructure

» Special Award (Large) in Services– Wipro

» Top Innovative Company (Medium) in Services – Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI)

Complete list of Award winners

'Rashtriya Ekta Geet’ launched

⇒ Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched ‘Rashtriya Ekta Geet’ composed by the National Cadet Corps cadets in 22 languages on the theme of National Integration during the grand finale of ‘Vijay Shrankhla aur Sanskrityon ka Mahasangam’ campaign in New Delhi on 17 December 2021.

The mega event was conducted by NCC as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. It comprised of honouring and felicitation of bravehearts of 1971 Indo-Pak War at 75 locations across the country under the NCC Vijay Shrankhla.

The campaign culminated with ‘Sanskritiyon ka Maha Sangam’ wherein selected NCC cadets from across the country congregated in Delhi and showcased their shared cultural heritage.

First meeting of National Apex Committee under National Clean Air Programme

⇒ The first meeting of the National Apex Committee under National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) held in hybrid mode on 17 December 2021.

Speaking at the meeting, Shri Yadav stated that since different cities have different set of factors contributing to air pollution in that region, therefore focusing on the airshed is important. He expressed satisfaction that the number of cities showing better air quality increased to 96 in 2020 from 86 cities in 2019.

National Clean Air Programme:
    • The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was launched in 2019.
    • Now, it is being implemented in targeted 132 cities, non-conforming to national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) consecutively for five years.
    • Out of 132, 124 cities include 34 million plus cities (MPCs)/ urban agglomerations identified by Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC). There are 8 other million plus cities covered under XV-FC grant for receiving performance based grant for air quality improvement, which are also covered under the programme.
    • NCAP focuses on preparation and implementation of national level action plan, state level action plans & city level action plans of the targeted 132 cites.
    • Under NCAP, Centre level Steering Committee, Monitoring Committee and Implementation Committee has been constituted and periodic review of the implementation progress is conducted.
Grants:
    • Under NCAP Rs 375.44 crores have been provided during 2019-20 to 2020-21 for taking up activities for improving the air quality in non-attainment cities and Rs 290 crore have been allocated to 82 cities for FY 2021-22.
    • The programme has Rs 700 crore allocation for 2021-2026.
    • Further, 15th Finance Commission (XV-FC) has provided a special grant of Rs 4,400 crore to 42 million plus cities/urban agglomerations for FY 2020-21.
    • Rs.12,139 crores have been allocated for improvement in air quality of 42 million plus cities/urban agglomerations for 2021-2022 to 2025-26.

International

MoU between Vietnam and India

⇒ Vietnam Natural resources & Environment Minister, Tran Hong Ha called on Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh on 17 December 2021 and discussed ocean and marine related collaboration during the delegation level talks between the two countries.

The two Ministers also signed the first-ever MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) aimed at promoting scientific and technical cooperation in marine science and ecology.

    • The MoU is the first agreement related to marine science and ecology between the two countries.
About MoU:

There are seven key areas of cooperation under the Indo-Vietnam MoU agreed upon by both countries.

    • These identified areas of collaboration aimed at sustainable development of marine resources by India and Vietnam.
    • The key areas are coastal erosion and vulnerability, coastal management, monitoring and mapping marine ecology and critical habitats, ocean observation system, marine pollution and microplastics, marine weather forecast, and capacity building.

» As part of the MoU, the two countries will facilitate the exchange of scientists, researchers, technical expertise, projects, and information in marine science and technology.

    • They will assist each other in enhancing knowledge, fundamental research, and understanding for the larger benefit of ocean health and resources.

» This MoU shall remain valid for a period of five years and shall be automatically renewed for subsequent period of five years only once.

India and the US announce new programme supporting innovations

⇒ A programme to support India-US S&T-based entrepreneurial initiatives that address the development and implementation of next-generation clean and renewable energy, energy storage, and carbon sequestration has been announced to tackle climate and clean energy challenges.

Programme title:

The programme titled ‘Technology-based Energy Solutions: Innovations for Net Zero’ constitutes a call for Ignition Grants by the United States-India Science & Technology Endowment Fund (USISTEF), in partnership with Social Alpha, a non-profit organisation promoting S&T entrepreneurship.

    • It will identify and support ‘technology showstoppers’ or promising joint India-US S&T-based entrepreneurial initiatives in this area.

» The new program aligns with the goals of the US-India strategic Clean Energy Partnership and will be administered by the bi-national Indo-US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF).

» The IUSSTF is a bilateral organization under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and US Department of State.

Source: PIB & Other News Reports

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