National
CSIR Young Scientist Award 2021
⇒ The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research introduced in 1987, a scheme of awards for Young Scientists in the CSIR system to promote excellence in various fields of science and technology.
Each award consists of a citation, a cash prize of rupees fifty thousand and a plaque.
Award winners of CSIR Young Scientist Award 2021:
Biological Sciences:
Dr Divya Tej Sowpati, Scientist
Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology
Dr Rakesh Shamsunder Joshi, Scientist
Biochemical Sciences Division, National Chemical Laboratory
Chemical Sciences:
Dr Amit Ashok Vernekar, Scientist
Inorganic and Physical Chemistry Laboratory, Central Leather Research Institute
Dr K Giribabu, Scientist
Electrodics and Electrocatalysis Division, Central Electrochemical Research Institute
Earth, Atmosphere, Ocean & Planetary Sciences:
Dr Shilpi Kushwaha, Scientist
Analytical and Environmental Sciences Division
Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute
Engineering Sciences:
Dr Achu Chandran, Scientist
Materials Science and Technology Division
National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology
Dr Bhavya B Krishna, Senior Scientist
Material Resource Efficiency Division, Indian Institute of Petroleum
Large-scale reactor developed for cost-effective production of Hydrogen
⇒ A team of scientists have, for the first time, developed a large-scale reactor which produces a substantial amount of hydrogen using sustainable sources like sunlight and water, which is a cost-effective and sustainable process.
In this direction, Dr Kamalakannan Kailasam and his team from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology, Mohali, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology, GoI have developed a prototype reactor which operates under natural sunlight to produce hydrogen at a larger scale (around 6.1 L in 8 hours).
They have used an earth-abundant chemical called carbon nitrides as a catalyst for the purpose.
Breast Cancer & Benign Breast Disease Helpline in India
⇒ The Vice President Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu launched the UBF HELP, the first of its kind National dedicated Breast Cancer & Benign Breast Disease Helpline in India set up by Ushalakshmi Breast Cancer Foundation.
UBF HELP makes available every facet of breast cancer and benign non-cancer breast health issues in the Helpline’s Resource Section of the website in English and 11 other Indian languages.
The helpline will play an important role in addressing the initial concerns of people experiencing health issues.
First Director General of the Ordnance Directorate
⇒ E.R. Sheikh assumed charge as first Director General of the Ordnance Directorate (Co-ordination and Services). It is the successor organization of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).
About E.R. Sheik:
E.R. Sheik a graduate of IIT Kanpur, he has served in various Ordnance Factories. He is also the recipient of the Ayudh Ratna Award, 2020, conferred on him in recognition of his exemplary services to the organisation.
Indian Navy Sailing Championship – 2021
⇒ Indian Navy Watermanship Training Centre (INWTC), Mumbai conducted the largest intra-Navy sailing regatta, the ‘Indian Navy Sailing Championship – 2021’ from 01 to 05 October 2021.
Yachtsmen and women from all three Commands of the Indian Navy viz., Western Naval Command, Eastern Naval Command and Southern Naval Command, honed and demonstrated their sailing and watermanship skills in Mumbai harbour over five days.
About Championship:
A total of 63 personnel from the three naval commands participated in the event.
The championship was conducted in seven different classes of boats, namely, Laser (Standard), Laser (Radial), Laser Bahiya, Enterprise, Bic-Nova, 29er and J-24.
The concept of Team Racing in Enterprise and Match Racing in J24 classes of boats were re-introduced to facilitate enhanced team spirit and instill leadership qualities amongst the participants.
Winner:
The Mumbai-headquartered Western Naval Command, the sword arm of the Indian Navy, has won the overall sailing championship hosted by the three-dimensional blue-water force.
The Western Naval Command won the overall championship and Kochi-based Southern Naval Command was the runners-up.
Loan Agreement between NTPC REL and Bank of India
⇒ NTPC Renewable Energy ltd (REL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of NTPC ltd, has signed its first Green Term Loan agreement of Rs 500 crores at a very competitive rate with a tenor of 15 years with Bank of India on 29th September 2021.
The loan agreement has been signed for the REL’s 470 MW Solar Projects in Rajasthan & 200 MW Solar Project in Gujarat.
International
17th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) Meeting
⇒ The 17th India-Australia Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) Meeting was held in New Delhi, India on 30th September, 2021.
Co-chaired by
The Session was co-chaired by Hon’ble CIM and Hon Dan Tehan MP, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Govt of Australia.
Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and Mr Dan Tehan, MP, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Govt of Australia, have formally launched the resumption of negotiations on the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA).
Both Ministers discussed a range of issues:
Key issues included the expeditious negotiation of a bilateral CECA, resolution of tax-related issues faced by Indian software firms in Australia, ensuring increased two-way trade and the 12th Ministerial Conference of the WTO scheduled to be held at the end of this year.
European Union Meet
⇒ Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh addressed the concerned Ministers of different countries of the European Union at a meeting held virtually on 29 September 2021.
India has extended support for protecting the Antarctic environment and for co-sponsoring the proposal of the European Union for designating East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) at a high-level ministerial meeting.
Host:
The high-level ministerial meeting was hosted virtually by VirginijusSinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, EU.
It was attended by Ministers, Ambassadors and Country Commissioners from nearly 18 countries.
Aim:
The meeting aimed to increase the number of co-sponsors of the MPA proposals and reflect on a joint strategy and future actions for their swift adoption by CCAMLR.
Addressing the European Union Meet, Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said:
- The proposed MPAs are essential for regulating illegal & unreported fishing.
- India will join Australia, Norway, Uruguay and the United Kingdom in co-sponsoring the MPA proposals.
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR):
CCAMLR is an international treaty to manage Antarctic fisheries to preserve species diversity and stability of the entire Antarctic marine ecosystem. CCAMLR came into force in April 1982. India has been a permanent member of the CCAMLR since 1986.
Marine Protected Area:
An MPA is a marine protected area that provides protection for all or part of its natural resources. Certain activities within an MPA are limited or prohibited to meet specific conservation, habitat protection, ecosystem monitoring, or fisheries management objectives.