National
'100 Success Stories of Women Scientists Scheme-C (WOS-C)' Booklet
⇒ An inspiring journey of 100 women scientists who returned to science after a break in career has been documented into a book form, titled ‘100 Success Stories of Women Scientists Scheme-C (WOS-C)’.
The booklet presents select stories of women who completed their training under WOS-C component of this scheme and are now achieving greater heights in their careers. Booklet contains 100 success stories of women scientist scheme trainees which captures the lives of women who succeeded despite all odds in life.
‘Knowledge Involvement in Research Advancement through Nurturing’ (KIRAN) division (now WISE-KIRAN) of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) supports women with break-in careers to return to science through the Women Scientists Scheme (WOS).
Environment Friendly Hand Sanitizer
⇒ An environment friendly hand sanitizer that is gentle on the hands and does not dry them, will soon be available in the market.
The hand sanitizer has been developed from Silver Nanoparticles by a Pune based start-up WeinnovateBiosolutions. It is alcohol free, aqueous, non-inflammable and non-toxic.
Hand sanitizer prolongs antimicrobial activity, that is, its effect lasts for a long time, due to which there is no need to apply it again and again. Silver nanoparticles give slow and sustained release of silver ions to kill microorganisms that come in contact.
A study to evaluate the efficacy of hand sanitiser on different types of viruses is also currently underway by the group.
WeinnovateBiosolutions was supported by CAWACH 2020 grant of National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board under the Department of Science and Technology and incubated at Entrepreneurship Development Centre (Venture Centre), Pune.
Additional Judge of the Gauhati High Court
⇒The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind appointed Shri Robin Phukan, as Additional Judge of the Gauhati High Court. He will hold office for a period of two years from the date of assuming his charge. The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice issued a notification in this regard on 18 June 2021.
Judges of the Madhya Pradesh High Court
⇒ The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind appointed Shri Anil Verma, Shri Arun Kumar Sharma, Shri Satyendra Kumar Singh, Smt Sunita Yadav, Shri Deepak Kumar Agarwal, and Shri Rajendra Kumar (Verma), as Judges of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The Department of Justice, Ministry of Law & Justice issued a notification in this regard on 18 June 2021.
International
MoU Between India and Bhutan
⇒ India and Bhutan inked an MoU for developing cooperation between two countries in the area of environment on 18 June 2021.
Objective of MoU:
» The MoU is a platform to further enhance Indian and Bhutanese partnership and support.
» The MoU will exchange best practices in areas like prevention of Air Pollution, Waste Management, Chemical Management, Climate Change, etc.
» The MoU will also strengthen technological, scientific and management capabilities.
» It will also expand the areas of cooperation in the field of environment to promote a mutually beneficial partnership between the two countries.
Maiden Indian Navy - European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Joint Naval Exercise
⇒ The maiden Indian Navy – European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Joint Naval Exercise was held on 18th and 19th June 2021 in Gulf of Aden.
A total of five warships from four navies were participated in the exercise.
» Indian Naval Ship Trikand, deployed for Anti-Piracy Operations, participated in the exercise.
» Other warships included Italian Navy Ship ITS Carabinere, Spanish Navy Ship ESPS Navarra, and two French Navy Ship FS Tonnerre and FS Surcouf.
The high-speed naval operation at sea was witnessed during the two-day exercise.
Information sharing Exercise:
Concurrently, a virtual “Information sharing Exercise” was also conducted between the Indian Navy Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region and Maritime Security Centre-Horn of Africa on 18 June 2021.
Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR:
» EUNAVFOR and the Indian Navy converge on multiple issues including counter piracy operations and protection of vessels deployed under the charter of World Food Programme (UN WFP).
» Indian Navy and EUNAVFOR also have regular interaction through SHADE (Shared Awareness and De-confliction) meetings held annually at Bahrain. This engagement showcases increased levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between IN and EUNAVFOR. It also underscores the shared values as partner navies, in ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive and a rules-based international order.