National
World's first 200-meter-long Bamboo Crash Barrier “Bahu Balli”
⇒ An extraordinary accomplishment towards achieving AatmanirbharBharat has been made with the development of the world’s first 200-meter-long Bamboo Crash Barrier.
» World’s first 200-meter-long Bamboo Crash Barrier “Bahu Balli” has been installed on the Vani-Warora Highway, Vidarbh, Maharashtra.
About Bamboo Crash Barrier:
- This Bamboo Crash Barrier, which has been christened Bahu Balli, underwent rigorous testing at various government-run institutions such as the National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) in Pithampur, Indore.
- It was rated as Class 1 during the Fire Rating Test conducted at the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee.
- Additionally, it has also been accredited by the Indian Road Congress. The recycling value of the bamboo barrier is 50-70% whereas that of steel barriers is 30-50%.
- The bamboo species used in the making of this barrier is Bambusa Balcoa, which has been treated with creosote oil and coated with recycled High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE).
This achievement is remarkable for the bamboo sector and India as a whole, as this crash barrier offers a perfect alternative to steel and addresses environmental concerns and their aftermath.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya unveils the book ‘India’s Vaccine Growth Story - From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri’
⇒ Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya released the book ‘India’s Vaccine Growth Story – From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri’ at the World Book fair 2023, at Pragati Maidan, on 04 March 2023.
- The Book is authored by Shri Sajjan Singh Yadav, Additional Secretary, Govt of India.
About Book:
- The book entitled “India’s Vaccine Growth Story- From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri presents World’s largest vaccination drive for COVID-19 conducted by India is elaborately.
- The book elaborates on India’s impressive achievement in developing, producing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines.
- Tough and multifaceted challenges overcome in the process like vaccine hesitancy, eagerness, availability, transportation, equitable access, effective communication and expectation management, cold chain dynamics, vaccine centers logistics have been explained too.
- The author has also delved upon future challenges that may emerge for vaccinology and new vistas for the growth of Indian vaccine industry in a candid manner. It also digs deep into India’s impressive achievement in developing, producing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines.
Safe City Projects in Bengaluru
⇒ Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah launched Safe City Projects in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 03 March 2023.
- Shri Amit Shah flagged off Mobile Command and Control Centre and new fleet of 112 vehicles in Bengaluru.
In his address, Shri Amit Shah said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi envisaged the Bangalore Safe City Project, and this project will equip the police with technology to meet the challenges of future.
- The Safe City project is being implemented on a trial basis in 8 cities, and central government has decided to provide Rs 2,840 crore for this project.
- In this first phase, Rs 667 crores have been spent, about 4,100 surveillance cameras have been installed and the most modern command centre with 8 drones equipped with cameras has been set up in Bengaluru.
- He added that Shri Modi’s Safe City project is a completely Make in India project, as the technology used for this is not only excellent but also 100 percent indigenous. 30 security grids have been prepared in Bengaluru, which will immediately connect the victim to the control room.
Honeywell India is implementing the Bangalore Safe City Project. Honeywell delivers industry-specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally.
Sale of hallmarked gold jewellery or gold artefacts without 6-digit HUID is prohibited
⇒ Bureau of India Standards (BIS) has prohibited the sale of hallmarked gold jewellery or gold artefacts without 6-digit alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification Number (HUID) after 31st March 2023.
- Till date, the old hallmarked jewellery with four marks without HUID was also permitted to be sold by the jewellers along with the 6-digit HUID mark.
Hallmarking scheme:
» Hallmarking scheme for hallmarking of Jewellery was started by BIS in the year 2000.
- However, Mandatory Hallmarking has been successfully implemented in 288 districts of the country with effect from 23 June 2021 vide Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery and Gold Artefacts Order, 2022, and its amendment dated 04 March, 2022.
- At present more than 3 lakh gold articles are being hallmarked with HUID every day. At present, 339 districts have at least one AHC.
- Before implementation of 6-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number, hallmarking of Gold jewellery was consisted of 4 logos viz, BIS logo, purity of the article as well as logo of jeweller and Assaying and Hallmarking Centre.
6-digit HUID:
» 6-digit HUID was introduced from 01 July 2021 and all articles hallmarked post 01 July 2021 have to be hallmarked with HUID only.
- After introduction of HUID, hallmark consisted of 3 marks viz, BIS logo, purity of the article and six-digit alphanumeric HUID. Each hallmarked article has unique HUID number which is traceable.
- Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number is a six-digit Alphanumeric code consisting of numbers and letters.
- A consumer can check and authenticate hallmarked gold jewellery items with HUID number using ‘verify HUID’ in BIS CARE app.
- It provides information of the jeweller who got the article hallmarked, their registration number, purity of the article, type of article as well as details of hallmarking centre which test and hallmarked the article.
International
Deakin University becomes first foreign university to set up its International Branch Campus in India
⇒ The Deakin University, which is a premier University in Australia, has become the 1st foreign university to receive approval of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) to set up an International Branch Campus (IBC) in GIFT-IFSC, GIFT City, Gujarat.
Key Points:
- The IFSCA has granted in-principle approval to Deakin University based on the recommendation of the Committee of Experts set up by the GIFT City Company Limited.
- By virtue of this approval, Deakin University will be able to offer the same degree courses it offers in Australia in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Financial Management in GIFT IFSC to both Indian and foreign students.
- The degree offered shall be identical or similar to that offered in the home jurisdiction.
Background:
- Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in the Union Budget 2022-23 announced that “World Class Foreign Universities and Institutions will be allowed in the GIFT City to offer courses in Financial Management, FinTech, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, free from domestic regulations, except those by the IFSCA to facilitate availability of high-end human resources for financial services and technology”.
- IFSCA is the unified financial regulator for IFSCs in India. IFSCA notified IFSCA (Setting up and Operation of International Branch Campus and Offshore Education Centres) Regulations, 2022 in October, 2022, which has received encouraging response from reputed foreign universities from across the world.
The setting up of world class educational institutions in GIFT IFSC will contribute to developing a robust extended ecosystem and make available high-end human resources to the financial institutions operating out of GIFT City. It will also promote deep collaboration between academia and industry resulting in financial innovations.