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By admin: April 21, 2022

PM Modi Announces Plan To Issue AYUSH Visas For Foreigners

Tags: Government Schemes Popular

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Centre would soon introduce a special Ayush visa category for foreign nationals who want to come to India to take advantage of traditional medicine.

• It will be a part of initiatives to promote medical tourism.

• With this visa, it will be easier for foreigners to come to India for AYUSH treatment.

• Ayush methods of treatment are Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.

• It aims to further promote medical tourism in the country with a special focus on treatment under traditional systems of medicine.

• Just as traditional medicine has given a boost to tourism in Kerala, it has the same potential in every nook and corner of the country.

• As the acceptance of traditional medicines is growing, the market for the Ayush products has grown multifold since 2014 from about Three Billion Dollars to about $18.2 Billion now.

• Tedros announced holding an annual international meet for Traditional medicines in Gujarat.

• The first meeting will be held next year, when WHO and India together celebrate 75 years.

• Other important announcements by PM

—Special AYUSH hallmark for high quality AYUSH products

—Expansion of AYUSH e-marketplace to enable farmers involved in growing medicinal plants to easily connect with the market. 

—India will set up a network of Ayush Parks in the country to popularise Ayush products, encourage manufacturing and R&D in the area.

Assam, Arunachal Pradesh to form district level committees to resolve border disputes

Tags: State News National News

After Meghalaya, Assam and its neighbouring state Arunachal Pradesh decided to form District Level Committees for resolving the boundary disputes between the two states in a time-bound manner.

• The decision was taken during the second Chief Minister level meeting between both states held at State Guest House, Koinadhora in Guwahati in presence of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu.

• The district committees will undertake joint surveys in the disputed areas to find tangible solutions to the long-pending issue based on historical perspective, ethnicity, contiguity, people’s will and administrative convenience of both the states.

• Border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh 

—Arunachal Pradesh, which was earlier a part of Assam, shares a boundary of roughly 800 km with the state.

—The dispute dates back to the British era when in 1873 the British announced inner line regulation.

—British demarcated planes and frontier Hills, which were later designated as North-East frontier tracts in 1915.

—These northeastern frontiers make up present-day Arunachal Pradesh. 

—Administrative jurisdiction was handed over to Assam, the border areas were renamed as Northeast Frontier Agency (NEFA) in 1954.

—Arunachal Pradesh was declared a Union Territory in 1972 and got statehood in 1987.

—Based on the NEFA committee report, 3648 sq. km of the plain area was transferred from Arunachal Pradesh to Assam’s then Darrang and Lakhimpur districts.

—Arunachal Pradesh refused to accept this notification and it has become a matter of dispute.

—Assam feels that the demarcation as per 1951 notification is constitutional and legal.

—But, Arunachal Pradesh believes that the transfer was done without consultation with its people.

Russia test-fires ‘world’s most powerful' nuclear-capable missile

Tags: Science and Technology International News

Nearly two months after invading Ukraine, Russia tested the Sarmat missile, a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile.

• The test was conducted in Palestek, in the southwestern part of Russia.

• After the test, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that this missile will make Russia's enemies stop and think.

• The Sarmat missile is a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile.

• It was test-launched for the first time from Plesetsk in northwest Russia and hit targets in the Kamchatka peninsula, nearly 6,000 km (3,700 miles) away.

• The missile weighs more than 200 tonnes and can transport more than ten warheads.

• As per Russian media, Sarmat is a three-stage, liquid-fueled missile with a range of 18,000 km.

• The missile is 35.3 metres long and 3 metres in diameter.

• The long-range missile has been in the works since the 2000s.

• Russia's nuclear forces will start taking delivery of the new missile "in the autumn of this year" once testing is complete. 

• It is among Russia's next-generation missiles that Putin has called "invincible," and which also include the Kinzhal and Avangard hypersonic missiles.

• It has the highest tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern means of anti-missile defence.

• The missile can hit any target on Earth.

Ajay Kumar Sood appointed Principal Scientific Advisor

Tags: Person in news

Physicist Ajay Kumar Sood of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore has been appointed as new Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the government.

• He succeeds Prof. K. VijayRaghavan.

• Dr. Sood is member of the Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) and a physicist known for his work on graphene. 

• Mr Vijay Raghavan was appointed PSA in 2018 and played a key role in vaccine and drug development as well as pandemic management.

• His term ended in 2021 but was given an extension.

• About Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA)

—The Office of the PSA coordinates with several ministries and advises the government in science and technology policies and interventions that are of strategic socio-economic importance.

–It also advises institutions, academia and industry.

–The PM-STIAC is one of the catalysts for such tasks.

–This body has nine major missions - Natural Language Translation, Quantum Frontier, Artificial Intelligence, National Biodiversity Mission, Electric Vehicles, Bio–science for Human Health, Waste to Wealth, Deep Ocean Exploration, Accelerating Growth of New India’s Innovations (AGNIi).

The Indian Navy launched the sixth and last submarine of the Kalvari class submarines under Project-75

Tags: Science and Technology National News

The sixth and last of the French Scorpène-class submarines,  Vagsheer, was launched at the Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.

• The 'Vagsheer' submarine was commissioned by Mrs. Veena Ajay Kumar, wife of Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, in keeping with the naval traditions of a woman's launch or naming.

• This Scorpene class submarine will undergo sea trials for about 1 year, after which it will be inducted into the Indian Navy after successful completion.

• INS Vagshir is named after a deadly predatory fish found in the depths of the Indian Ocean.

• These submarines have been built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in collaboration with France Naval Group in Mumbai.

• The first 'Vagshir' submarine was commissioned in the Indian Navy in December 1974 and was decommissioned in April 1997.

• The new Vagshir submarine is the latest incarnation of its older version.

• The other five submarines to come from the Kalvari class

–INS Kalvari -It was launched on 27 October 2015 and commissioned on 14 December 2017.

–INS Khanderi –It was launched on 12 January 2017 and commissioned on 28 September 2019

–INS Karanj – It was launched on 31 January 2018 and commissioned on 10 March 2021.

–INS Vela - It was launched on May 6, 2019 and commissioned on November 25, 2021.

–INS Vagir – It was launched on November 12, 2020 and sea trials have started from February 2022.

• Features of Scorpene class submarines

–The Scorpene class submarines are ensured with enhanced features such as advanced acoustic silencing technology, low radiative noise level, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to strike the enemy with precision weapons.

–These Scorpene-class submarines can attack the enemy with both torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles, both underwater or on the surface.

–Scorpene submarines can perform a variety of missions, such as anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, etc.

• Project 75-India

—Project 75 intends to build six diesel-electric attack submarines of the Kalvari class that are based on the Scorpene-class, which are being built at MDL (Mazagon Dock Limited).

—Project 75 (I), approved in 2007, is part of the Indian Navy’s 30 year Plan for indigenous submarine construction.

Pomila Jaspal 1st woman Director (Finance) at ONGC

Tags: Person in news

Pomila Jaspal has been appointed as the first woman director (finance) of the country's leading oil and gas producer ONGC.

• Prior to this appointment, Pomila Jaspal was a subsidiary of ONGC, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL) as Director (Finance).

• Pomila Jaspal has been appointed as the second woman Executive Director in ONGC Company. One, Alka Mittal who serves as the Acting Chairperson and Managing Director of the company as well as the Director of Human Resources.

• She will replace Subhash Kumar.

• Pomila Jaspal joined ONGC in 1985 as a Finance and Accounts Officer.

• About ONGC

—ONGC is owned by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.

—Founded- 14 August 1956.

—--Headquarters- New Delhi.

—-Chairman & MD- Alka Mittal

—--Full Form - Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited

Navy chief unveils jointly produced navigation chart in Maldives

Tags: Defence

The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Adm R. Hari Kumar during a three–day visit to the Maldives unveiled the first navigation chart jointly produced by India and the Maldives.

• It helps ships to understand the maritime topography of Maldives Exclusive Economic zones, water depths and which areas to avoid.

• He handed over hydrography equipment to consolidate the capabilities of the Maldivian National Defence Forces (MNDF).

• The CNS also visited MNDF maritime assets and complimented the joint efforts of MNDF personnel and the Indian Navy for maintaining the role of worthiness of these assets. 

• He presented a consignment of engineering equipment for further sustenance of MNDF ships, thereby reaffirming India’s commitment to the capacity–building efforts of the MNDF.

• The INS Sutlej is deployed to the Maldives for undertaking joint hydrographic survey under the MoU on hydrographic cooperation. 

• The two countries have been working together closely in several bilateral and multilateral fora such as the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and the Colombo Security Conclave.

India Post Payments Bank launches ‘Fincluvation’

Tags: Economy/Finance

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence & ongoing Azadi ka Amrit Mahotasav, India Post Payments Bank (IPPB), a 100% government owned entity under Department of Posts (DoP) announced the launch of Fincluvation.

• Fincluvation is a joint initiative to collaborate with the Fintech Startup community to co-create and innovate solutions for financial inclusion.

• The country made rapid strides in the FINTECH space in Global Tech world leading innovations like UPI, Aadhaar.

• Fincluvation is Industry's first initiative to create a powerful platform to mobilise the start-up community towards building meaningful financial products which aim is financial inclusion. 

• Fincluvation will be a permanent platform of IPPB to co-create inclusive financial solutions with participating start-ups.

• Startups are encouraged to develop solutions aligned with any of the following tracks-

• Creditization - Develop Innovative & Inclusive credit products aligned with the use cases of target customers and take them to their doorsteps through Postal network.

• Digitization - Bring convenience through convergence of traditional services with Digital Payment Technologies such as making the traditional Money Order service as Interoperable Banking service.

• About India Post Payments Bank

–It has been established under the Department of Posts, Ministry of Communication with 100% equity owned by the Government of India. 

–IPPB was launched by the Prime Minister  Narendra Modi on September 1, 2018. 

—The bank has been set up with the vision to build the most accessible, affordable and trusted bank for the common man in India.

—IPPB is committed to provide a fillip to a less cash economy and contribute to the vision of Digital India. 

NITI Aayog releases Draft Battery Swapping Policy for comments of Stakeholder

Tags:

NITI Aayog has released Draft Battery Swapping Policy for the comments of Stakeholders.

• Under this policy all metropolitan cities with a population above 40 lakh will be prioritised for development of battery swapping network under the first phase.

• all major cities such as state capitals, UT headquarters and cities with population above 5 lakh will be covered under the second phase.

• According to the draft policy, vehicles with swappable batteries will be sold without a battery, providing the benefit of lower purchase costs to potential EV owners.

• any individual or entity is free to set up a battery swapping station at any location, provided that the specified technical, safety and performance standards are adhered to.

• The draft is up for consultation, and Niti Aayog has invited comments on it until June 5.

• During the COP26 summit in Glasgow, India had committed to reduce carbon emission intensity by 45 per cent and take the non-fossil energy capacity to 500 Giga Watt by 2030.

• The road transport sector is one of the major contributors to CO2 emissions and contributes one third to particulate matter emissions.

• In her Budget Speech 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced that the Government will introduce Battery Swapping policy.

National Apprenticeship Mela-2022 organised at more than 700 locations across the country

Tags: National News

National Apprenticeship Mela-2022 is being organised across the country in more than 700 locations on 21 april. 

• Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Apprenticeship Mela at an event in New Delhi.

• He said the initiative will empower the youth of the nation.

• He stated that people will be job creators through this Apprenticeship programme. It will boost the confidence level of a person.

• Skill India, in association with the Directorate General of Training, is organising the day-long Apprenticeship Mela across the country. 

• The aim of the initiative is to support the hiring of more than one lakh apprentices and assist employers in tapping the right talent and developing it further with training and providing practical skill sets. 

• The event is witnessing participation from more than four thousand organisations across the country, operating in more than 30 sectors such as Power, Retail, Telecom, IT/ITeS, Electronics, and Automotive. 

• In addition, the aspiring youth will have the opportunity to engage and select from more than 500 trades including Welder, Electrician, Housekeeper, Beautician, and Mechanic.

• National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. 

Atal Pension Yojana total enrolments crossed 4 crore

Tags: Government Schemes

The total enrollments under APY Scheme have crossed 4.01 crore as on March 2022 out of which more than 99 lakh APY accounts were opened during FY 2021-22. 

• The scheme had seen this tremendous success due to the active participation of all categories of Banks. 

• Around 71% of the enrolments are done by Public-sector banks, 19% by Regional Rural Banks, 6% by Private Sector Banks, 3% by Payment and Small Finance Banks.

• State Bank of India, Indian Bank, Bank of India, Bank of Baroda and Central Bank of India achieved annual targets in the Public-sector Bank category.

• Out of the total enrolments under APY as on 31st March 2022, nearly 80% subscribers have opted for Rs 1000 pension plan and 13% for Rs 5000 pension plan.

• Out of the total APY subscribers 44 % are female subscribers while 56% are male subscribers. 

• Further, out of the total APY subscribers, 45% are aged between 18 and 25 years.

• About Atal Pension Yojana

—Atal Pension Yojana is the guaranteed pension scheme of Government of India administered by Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA).

—The scheme allows any Citizen of India between the age group of 18-40 years to join through the bank or post office branches where one has the savings bank account. 

—Under the scheme, a subscriber would receive a minimum guaranteed pension of Rs1000 to Rs 5000 per month from the age of 60 years, depending upon his contribution.

—On the death of the subscriber, the spouse is guaranteed pension for life.

—In case of death of both the subscriber and his/her wife/husband, the entire pension amount is paid to the nominee.

ISRO develops Space Bricks from Martian Soil

Tags: Science and Technology

Researchers from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a way to make bricks from Martian soil with the help of bacteria and urea.

• ISRO and IISc have collaborated to develop a novel scalable technique of manufacturing space bricks using Martian Simulant Soil (MSS).

• The researcher first made the slurry by mixing Martian soil with guar gum, a bacterium called Sporosarcina pasteurii, urea and nickel chloride (NiCl2).

• This slurry can be poured into moulds of any desired shape, and over a few days the bacteria convert the urea into crystals of calcium carbonate.

• These crystals, along with biopolymers secreted by the microbes act as cement holding the soil particles together.

• The bacteria seep deep into the pore spaces, using their own proteins to bind the particles together, decreasing porosity and leading to stronger bricks.

• These ‘space bricks’ can be used to construct building-like structures on Mars that could facilitate human settlement on the red planet.