1. Dr Jitendra Singh led the Indian delegation at the Abu Dhabi Space Debate
Tags: International Relations International News
Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Atomic Energy and Space, led the Indian delegation to the Abu Dhabi Space Debate, which began in the United Arab Emirates on 5 December. He addressed the inaugural session along with Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Important facts
In this two-day international meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh participated in the Ministerial level meeting on 'Role of Foreign Policy in Enabling Space Diplomacy and International Cooperation'.
He also discussed ways to strengthen bilateral space cooperation with Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairperson of the UAE Space Agency.
During the conversation, Dr. Singh also discussed the joint startup venture between India and UAE on cutting edge and emerging space technology.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) signed an MoU in 2016 regarding cooperation in the exploration and uses of outer space for peaceful purposes.
UAE's first nanosatellite- 'Nayif-1' was launched by PSLV from Sriharikota to collect environmental space data.
UAE's achievements in the space sector
The UAE is an emerging space power and has made rapid progress in the last 25 years of its space journey.
In July 2020, the UAE sent its Mars mission into space named 'Hope Probe', which entered Mars orbit in February 2021.
The UAE is the first Arab country and the sixth country in the world to achieve this feat.
UAE is planning to launch Rasheed Rover or Emirates Lunar Mission soon.
In September 2019, Hanzala Al Mansoori from the United Arab Emirates became the first astronaut to go into space when he went to the International Space Station (ISS) for eight days via a Russian spacecraft from Kazakhstan.
This year, another astronaut from the United Arab Emirates was selected to travel to the ISS aboard NASA's crew rotation flight, SpaceX Crew-6, for a period of six months.
About UAE
Capital : Abu Dhabi
Currency: Emirati Dirham
President : Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
2. Indonesia raises volcano warning to highest after Semeru erupts
Tags: Environment place in news International News
The Indonesian authorities raised the warning on Semeru volcano to the highest level on 4 December 2022 after an eruption spewed a column of ash high into the air.
The eruption in the Semeru volcano located in the East Java province follows a series of earthquakes on the west of the island, including one last month that killed more than 300 people.
The eruption started on 3 December 2022 and the plume from the volcano reached a height of 50,000 feet (15 km).
The Indonesian authorities have started the evacuation of people including children and seniors, living near the volcano.
Mount Semeru last erupted in December 2021, killing at least 69 people. At that time the eruption had left entire streets filled with mud and ash, swallowing homes and vehicles, with nearly 10,000 people seeking refuge.
Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where the meeting of continental plates causes high volcanic and seismic activity.
Indonesia has around 142 volcanoes and it has the largest population (86 lakh) in the world living within 10 km close range to volcanoes.
3. International conference on “J C Bose: A Satyagrahi Scientist” organized in New Delhi
Tags: place in news National Summits Person in news
The Union Ministry of Culture organised an “International conference on the contributions of J C Bose: A Satyagrahi Scientist” at the Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi on 3 December 2022 on the occasion of 164th birth anniversary of legendary Indian scientist Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.
The aim of the conference was to acknowledge and popularize the contributions of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose.
Jagdish Chandra Bose
JC Bose was born on 30 November 1858 in Mymensingh (Bangladesh) and died on 23 November 1937 at Giridih, Jharkhand.
He was a Plant Physiologist and physicist who invented the crescograph, a device for measuring the growth of plants. He for the first time demonstrated that plants have feelings.
He discovered wireless communication and was named the Father of Radio Science by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
A crater on the moon is named in his honour.
He established Bose Institute in Kolkata in 1917 which is the first interdisciplinary research centre in Asia.
4. 3 Indian-Origin Women Scientists Among Australia's "Superstars of STEM"
Tags: Person in news International News
Three Indian-origin women among 60 scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians have been selected as Australia's 'STEM Superstars'.
Important facts
It is an initiative aimed at breaking the gendered perceptions of society about scientists.
In 2022, three Indian-origin women to be recognized as STEM superstars are Neelima Kadiala, Dr. Ana Baburamani and Dr. Indrani Mukherjee.
Apart from Indians, women scientists of Sri Lankan origin have also been selected in this.
About Australia’s ‘Superstars of STEM'
Each year Science and Technology Australia (STA), the country's apex body in this field and representing more than 105,000 scientists and technologists, selects 60 Australian experts working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Neelima Kadiyala
Kadiala is an IT Program Manager at Challenger Limited and has 15 years of experience across multiple industries including Financial Services, Telco and FMCG.
She moved to Australia in 2003 as an international student to pursue a Master of Business in Information Systems.
Dr. Ana Baburamani
Baburamani is Scientific Adviser in the Department of Defense - Science and Technology Group and has always been fascinated by how the brain develops and functions.
Baburamani completed her PhD at Monash University and has spent 10 years as a post-doctoral researcher in Europe.
Dr. Indrani Mukherjee
Ms Mukherjee is a geologist at the University of Tasmania and focuses on what drove the biological transition.
She is working as a postdoctoral researcher in Tasmania, as well as in the areas of public outreach, geoscience communication and diversity initiatives.
5. President presents National Awards on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Tags: Awards National News
President Droupadi Murmu on December 3, conferred the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2021 and 2022 on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities at a function in New Delhi.
Important facts
The program was organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr. Virender Kumar presided over the function.
On this occasion, President Murmu presented annual national awards to individuals, institutions, organisations and states and districts doing remarkable work for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The National Awards for 2021 were given to 25 individuals, institutions and organisations.
The National Awards for 2022 were presented to 29 individuals, institutions and organisations for their outstanding achievements and work done towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
These awards were given in various categories including Sarvshresth Divyangjan, Shresth Divyangjan, Shresth Divyang Bal and Balika, Sarvshrestha Vyakti working towards the empowerment of Divyangjan and Sarvshrestha Rehabilitation Professional worker.
This award is presented by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment every year on the occasion of International Day of Persons with Disabilities i.e. 3rd December.
Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment - Virendra Kumar
6. Scientists revive nearly 48,500-year-old 'Zombie Virus' from bottom of frozen lake in Russia
Tags: Science and Technology International News
French scientists have warned of the onset of another outbreak after they revived a 48,500-year-old zombie virus buried under a frozen lake in Russia.
Important facts
It has broken the previous record of a 30,000-year-old virus discovered by the same team in Siberia in 2013.
This report is published in the New York Post.
The new research was prepared by Jean-Marie Alempic, a microbiologist at the French National Center for Scientific Research.
It has been said in the report that due to the survival of this zombie virus, a more devastating situation can arise in plants, animals and humans.
Scientists have expressed the possibility of another epidemic like corona due to the survival of this virus.
Threat of melting glacier
According to the report, due to global warming, permanently frozen ice is melting, which covers a quarter of the northern hemisphere.
This has a destabilising effect on organic matter that has been frozen for millions of years, including deadly microbes.
Research has shown that part of this organic matter includes revived cellular microbes (prokaryotes, unicellular eukaryotes) as well as viruses that have been dormant since prehistoric times.
What is a Zombie Virus?
Zombie virus is the term given to a virus that is frozen in ice and therefore dormant.
Research mentions 13 viruses, each of which has its own genome.
It is called Pandoravirus Yedoma which is 48,500 years old and has the ability to infect other organisms.
It was discovered at the bottom of a lake in Yukechi Alas in Yakutia, Russia.
All of the zombie viruses have the potential to be infectious and hence pose a health danger.
Scientists believe that epidemics like Covid 19 will become more common in the future.
7. Horticulture Cluster Development Programme
Tags: Government Schemes National News
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has prepared a Horticulture Cluster Development Program (CDP), for which a meeting was held on November 30 under the chairmanship of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar.
Important facts
The implementation of the CDP will focus on the overall development of horticulture in the country.
Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with garden crops, generally fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants.
About Horticulture Cluster Development Programme
The Nodal Agency of CDP is the National Horticulture Board (NHB).
Aim of CDP is to improve exports of targeted crops by about 20% and create cluster-specific brands to enhance the competitiveness of cluster crops.
Its objective is to promote the Agriculture sector in the country and to increase the income of the farmers by giving them a reasonable price for their produce.
It will support integrated interventions to enhance the competitiveness of targeted clusters.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has identified 55 horticulture clusters.
8. First 'Divya Kala Mela' for divyang artist starts in New Delhi
Tags: Festivals place in news National
The Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Dr. Virendra Kumar inaugurated the Divya Kala Mela in Kartavya Path (earlier known as Raj Path) at India Gate, New Delhi on 2 December 2022. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhowmik was also present on the occasion.
The mela is being organised by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2 -7 December 2022.
Dr. Virendra Kumar said that Divya Kala Mela will be organized across the country.
The Mela s aims to provide a great platform for the products and craftsmanship of Divyang artisans, craftsmen and artisans from across the country.
Around 200 Divyang artisans, artists and entrepreneurs from 22 states and union territories will showcase their products and skills in the fair.
9. Russia refuses to give Pakistan 30-40 percent discount on crude oil
Tags: International News
On 1 December, Russia denied Pakistan a 30–40 percent discount on Russian crude oil after the Pakistani delegation demanded a reduction in the price during talks in Moscow.
Important facts
Earlier this week, a Pakistani delegation demanded oil concessions during talks in Moscow.
Pakistani officials said that they should also be given oil with a discount of 30-40 per cent on the price like India.
Pakistan's official delegation was on a three-day visit to Moscow starting on the 29th of November.
Russia also promised to consider Pakistan's demand and to share its mind later on through diplomatic channels.
Russian crude oil can be processed in Pakistan's refineries, and in the past one private refinery had used Russian crude oil to deliver finished products.
Russia can offer crude at the rates it is providing to its large client countries, which are reliable and sound economies, at a suitable time.
10. Govt approves Production Linked Incentive scheme for drones and drone components
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
The government has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for drones and drone components for implementation during 2022-23 to 2024-25 with an outlay of 120 crore rupees on 2 December.
Important facts
The scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The objective of this scheme is to incentivize the manufacturing of drones and drone components in the country with a focus to make the indigenous' industries globally competitive.
Support under the scheme will be provided only to companies engaged in the manufacturing of drones and drone components in India.
As per the guidelines, the minimum annual sales turnover to claim the benefit of PLI should be Rs 2 crore for drones and Rs 50 lakh for single component segment for MSMEs and startups.
Non-MSMEs must have an annual sales turnover of Rs 4 crore for drones and Rs 1 crore for components segment.
Empowered Group of Secretaries chaired by the Cabinet Secretary will monitor the scheme.