National
AIM-PRIME Initiative
- Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog on 31 March 2021 launched AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers on Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship), an initiative to promote and support science-based deep-tech startups & ventures across India.
AIM has joined hands with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) to launch this nationwide program which will be implemented by Venture Center – a non-profit technology business incubator.
Key Points:
- The first cohort of the program is open to technology developers (early-stage deep tech start-ups, and scientists/ engineers/ clinicians) with strong science-based deep tech business ideas.
- The benefits of this program are aimed at addressing specific issues through training and guidance over a period of 12 months.
- Candidates selected for the program will get access to in-depth learning via a comprehensive lecture series, live team projects, exercises, and project-specific mentoring.
Light Weight Bullet Proof Jacket
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur has developed light weight Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) for Indian Army, weighing 9.0 kilogrammes. The Front Hard Armour Panel (FHAP) jacket was tested at TBRL, Chandigarh.
The Jacket is met the qualitative requirements of Indian Army and relevant BIS standards.
Cruise service from Hazira Port of Surat to Diu
- Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways (I/C) Shri Mansukh Mandaviya flagged off the Cruise service from Hazira Port of Surat to Diu via video conferencing on 31 March 2021.
One side voyage time of the cruise service is approximately 13 to 14 hours. Cruise has the capacity of 300 passengers and has 16 cabins.
Book ‘Suparipalana’ (सुप्रीपालना)
- Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu released the book ‘Suparipalana’ (सुप्रीपालना), the Telugu translation of “Echo T Calling: Towards People-Centric Governance” on 01 April 2021.
The book has been written by former Telangana Chief Secretary, Shri Shailendra K Joshi, & translated by Shri Annavarapu Brahmaiah. The book has been published by Shri Maruthi.
International
Multinational Military Exercise SHANTIR OGROSHENA 2021 (शांतिर ओग्रोशेना 2021)
- Multinational Military Exercise SHANTIR OGROSHENA 2021 (Front Runner of the Peace) was held at Bangladesh. The Exercise was held to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh’s ‘Father of the Nation’ Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and to mark glorious 50 years of liberation.
Indian Army contingent comprising of 30 personnel of a Battalion from The DOGRA Regiment participated in the exercise along with contingent of Royal Bhutan Army, Sri Lankan Army and Bangladesh Army from 04 April to 12 April, 2021.
Theme:
The theme of the exercise was “Robust Peace Keeping Operations”.
Military observers from the USA, UK, Turkey, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Singapore were also present during the entire exercise.
PayPal launches Cryptocurrency checkout service
- PayPal Holdings Inc announced on 30 march 2021 that it has started allowing US consumers to use their Cryptocurrency holdings to pay at millions of its online merchants globally.
The customers, who hold Bitcoin, Ether, Bitcoin Cash and Litcoin in PayPal digital wallets, will now be able to convert their holdings into fiat currencies at checkouts to make purchases.
BAFTA Film Awards 2021
- The 74th EE British Academy Film Awards, also known as the BAFTA, were held on 10 and 11 April 2021 in London.
British Academy of Film and Television Arts presented the awards to best national and foreign films during the ceremony.
Read More about BAFTA Film Awards 2021
Death:
Former Speaker of Goa Assembly, 'Surendra Sirsat'
- Former Speaker of Goa Assembly Surendra Sirsat has passed away. He was 74. Mr. Sirsat was Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLA for three terms – 1977, 1989 and 1994. He was also Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly during 1990-91.