1. National Child Science Congress begins in Ahmedabad
Tags: Summits National News
The 30th National Child Science Congress began at Science City in Ahmedabad on 27 January.
An overview of the news
It was inaugurated by Vijay Nahera, Secretary, Gujarat Science and Technology Department.
The Gujarat Council on Science and Technology, Gujarat Council of Science City, and SAL Education are hosting the five-day Congress, which will conclude on January 31.
More than 1400 delegates including child scientists, escort teachers, evaluators and government officials will participate in it.
More than 850 students from across the country will be showcasing their unique projects at the Congress.
National Children Science Congress
It sparks children's curiosity, provides an opportunity to unleash their creativity and give shape to their imagination.
This program is supported by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Government of India.
Selected awardees are sponsored for the National Children's Science Congress held every year from 27th December to 31st December at selected places.
It aims to transform the way science is taught and learned in schools by linking the learning process to the surrounding physical and social environment.
2. PM Modi interacts with students on Pariksha Pe Charcha
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 27 January interacted with students during the 6th edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha program at Talkatora Stadium in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the event and has encouraged everyone to take part in the program.
The Prime Minister emphasised that students must match their determination and their own strength with the expectations of their parents.
The Prime Minister gave the mantra to adopt micro-management techniques on multi-tasking and efficient time management.
About Pariksha Pe Charcha
It is a unique interactive program that brings together students, parents and teachers from India and abroad to discuss their concerns related to examinations and life after school.
The goal of Pariksha Pe Charcha program is to help participants overcome stress and celebrate life as a celebration.
The Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education has successfully organised this program for the last five years.
3. Senior ISIS leader Bilal al-Sudani killed in US raid in Somalia
Tags: International News
Bilal al-Sudani, a prominent regional leader of the Islamic State group, was killed on January 25 in a US military raid in Somalia ordered by President Joe Biden.
An overview of the news
The US military operation has also killed 10 members of the terrorist group.
The US President authorised the strike earlier this week after consulting with top defence, intelligence and security officials.
Bilal al-Sudani had been on the radar of US intelligence officials for the past several years.
He played a key role in providing financial support to IS operations in Africa as well as ISIS-K, a terrorist organisation operating in Afghanistan.
About Islamic State
ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), also known as ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).
It is an Islamist militant jihadist group that follows Salafi jihadist doctrine based on the Sunni branch of Islam.
It was founded in 1999 by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and gained global prominence in 2014.
It soon took control of large parts of Iraq and Syria, raised its flag and imposed strict Islamic rule.
It strictly enforces Sharia or Islamic law.
4. India-Pakistan on brink of nuclear war after Balakot strike: Never give an inch
Tags: International News
The book 'Never Give An Inch: Fighting for the America I Love' written by former United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been in the limelight, commenting on India and many of its politicians.
An overview of the news:
Pompeo mentioned in his book 'Never Give An Inch' that India-Pakistan were on the brink of nuclear war after the Balakot strike in February, 2019.
Mike Pompeo said that the then Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had told him that Pakistan was preparing for a nuclear attack after the strike and India was also preparing an aggressive response.
Referring to this matter, Pompeo said that after the Balakot strike, his team held talks with India and Pakistan overnight to avoid nuclear confrontation between the two countries. His effort prevented a possible war between the two countries, which could turn into a nuclear war at any time.
In his book, Pompeo does not use respectful words for former Indian External Affairs Minister late Sushma Swaraj, while praising National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and in some cases describing S Jaishankar as his superior.
5. North India's largest floating solar plant in Chandigarh
Tags: National News
Administrator Balwari Lal Purohit inaugurated a 2MWp capacity solar plant on January 23, 2023, with the aim of making the city self-sufficient in power generation by the Chandigarh administration.
An overview of the news:
North India's largest floating solar plant has been installed at Chandigarh's Water Works.
Apart from this, Balwari Lal Purohit also inaugurated a 500 kWp floating solar power plant in Dhansa Lake.
The solar plant with 2MWp capacity will generate 28 million units of electricity. Also, due to the installation of panels on water, this project will reduce the evaporation of about 382 million litres annually.
Also, a major benefit from this project would be that, due to the cooling effect of water, this project would generate more electricity than all other projects.
Both these projects are on water, due to which about eight acres of valuable land of the city has been saved.
The electricity generated from the solar panels installed on Dhansa Lake will be used by the Forest Department. The forest department will light up all its offices with the electricity generated from this solar panel.
6. Egypt plans to allot land to Indian industries in Suez Canal Special Economic Zone
Tags: International News
Egypt is considering allotting a special zone to Indian industries in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCEZ) and the Indian side may prepare a master plan for the same.
An overview of the news
The proposal is in the context of India's proposal to encourage companies with the potential to make foreign investments to make use of the investment opportunities available in Egypt.
Egypt welcomes the flow of more Indian investments and promises to provide incentives and facilities in accordance with applicable regulations and framework.
The trade between India and Egypt currently exceeds $3.15 billion.
Prime Minister Modi and the President of Egypt agreed to encourage businesses to explore mutually emerging economic and investment opportunities.
Egyptian President El-Sisi, who arrived in Delhi on a three-day visit to India, attended the Republic Day celebrations as the chief guest.
About Suez Canal
The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway running north to south from the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt to connect the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea.
This canal separates the continent of Africa from Asia.
It provides the shortest sea route between Europe and the lands surrounding the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans.
The Suez Canal is one of the busiest trade routes in the world. About 12 percent of the world's total trade passes through this canal daily.
7. Union Health Minister unveils world’s first intranasal COVID19 vaccine, iNNCOVACC
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on 26 January unveiled world’s first intranasal COVID-19 vaccine, iNNCOVACC in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The vaccine was launched in the presence of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge).
It is developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) in collaboration with Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance (BIRAC).
An initial manufacturing capacity of several million doses per year of the vaccine has been established, to be scaled up to one billion doses as needed.
iNCOVACC has been priced at Rs 325 per dose.
On September 9, 2022, Bharat Biotech's iNCOVACC, the world's first nasal COVID-19 vaccine, was approved for emergency use in adults.
On November 28, 2022, Bharat Biotech announced that the vaccine has been approved for restricted emergency use in adults.
About iNCOVACC Vaccine
Bharat Biotech's intranasal COVID-19 vaccine is a recombinant replicating adenovirus vectored vaccine.
A recombinant vaccine means that it has been manufactured using bacterial cells or yeast cells or parts of a virus to introduce viral proteins into the host.
It removes critical parts of the genome of SARS-CoV-2, so that the viral vector can no longer replicate.
Phase I, II and III clinical trials of the vaccine have yielded successful results.
The vaccine will be given intranasally through drops in the nose, a system that has been designed and developed to be cost-effective in low- and middle-income countries.
The maximum temperature range for storage and distribution of iNCOVACC is two to eight degrees Celsius.
Working of iNCOVACC
An intranasal vaccine stimulates a broad immune response by producing a wide range of antibodies including neutralising Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and mucosal Immunoglobulin A (IgA).
The vaccine also initiates T cell responses.
When the iNCOVACC vaccine is given to an individual, the immune cells in the body express the immobilized spike protein.
As a result, the body starts producing antibodies against the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.
After a person is exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the immune system will block Covid-19 infection in both the upper and lower respiratory tract due to the presence of antibodies.
Therefore, iNCOVACC has the potential to block SARS-CoV-2 and prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
8. Republic Day 2023: This year's parade witnessed multiple events for the first time
Tags: National National News
India celebrated its 74th Republic Day on 26 January. This year's parade was special with many events taking place for the first time.
Programs to be organised for the first time in 74th Republic Day Parade
This was the first Republic Day celebrations hosted at the ceremonial boulevard after Rajpath was renamed to 'Kartavya Path' last year.
For the first time, 12 women riders were part of the Border Security Force's (BSF) camel contingent and 16 march contingents of the armed forces.
The old howitzers with 25-pounder guns, which traditionally thundered during the 21-gun salute during Republic Day celebrations, were replaced by 105 mm Indian field guns this year.
A team of "Daredevils" motorcycle riders from the Corps of Signals, co-led by a woman officer, became part of the parade for the first time.
Nine Rafale aircraft and the Navy's IL-38 participated in the air show for the first time.
Besides the IL-38 aircraft, the formations like 'Bheem' and 'Vajrang' showcased over the Kartavya Path for the first time.
It is the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has been invited as the chief guest on the Republic Day.
A military contingent from the Egyptian Army also participated in the Republic Day parade for the first time.
During the Beating Retreat Ceremony 2023, 3-D anamorphic projection was held for the first time on the façade of North and South Block.
Newly appointed Agniveer was also a part of the parade for the first time.
The Narcotics Control Bureau also presented a tableau for the first time.
9. Ministry of Tourism to organise six - day mega event “Bharat Parv” at Red Fort lawns
Tags: National News
The six - day mega event “Bharat Parv” event is going to be organised by the Government of India at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of Red Fort, Delhi from 26 to 31 January, 2023, as part of the Republic Day Celebrations.
An overview of the news
The Ministry of Tourism has been designated as the nodal Ministry for the event.
The event included display of the best Republic Day parade tableaux at the venue, cultural performances by Regional Cultural Centers as well as cultural troupes of States/UTs, an All India Food Court and an All India Crafts Bazaar with 65 handicraft stalls.
Bharat Parv was earlier held in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 and 2021 (virtually) on the lawns in front of the Red Fort and on the Gyan Path.
This physical event is being organised after a gap of 2 years on the lawn and Gyan Path of the Red Fort.
Branding and promotion of Dekho Apna Desh, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, G20 and Mission Life will be done during the event.
10. India-Egypt signed MoU between Prasar Bharati and National Media Authority of Egypt
Tags: International News
India and Egypt on 25 January signed an MoU to facilitate content exchange, capacity building, and Co-Productions between Prasar Bharati and the National Media Authority of Egypt.
An overview of the news
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry, Government of Egypt signed the MoU.
The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in New Delhi.
Under this MoU, broadcasters of both the countries will exchange their programs on bilateral basis in different genres of sports, news, culture, entertainment and many other fields and these programs will be broadcast on their radio and television platforms.
The validity of this MoU will be for three years.
Arab Republic of Egypt
It is an Arab country which is located on the African continent.
President: Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
Capital: Cairo
Currency: Egyptian pound
