Daily News Digest:07 July 2020

Transformation of Indian Railways to 'Net Zero' Carbon Emission Transportation Network by 2030

In an effort to become self-reliant for its energy requirements, the Indian Railways will transform itself into a ‘Net Zero’ Carbon Emission Mass Transportation Network by 2030 by using the available unoccupied land for the development of renewable energy projects. The Indian Railways has committed itself to the use of solar energy to match its power requirement for running the trains and become a ‘Green mode of transformation’ completely.

Roads will be ranked by NHAI based on Quality Service

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) functioning under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will conduct performance evaluation and ranking of the highways across the country. The objective of Quality Service ranking is to keep a check on the quality of roads and highways in an effort to provide a higher level of quality and service to the highway commuters.

First Plasma Bank of West Bengal set up at Kolkata Medical College Hospital

The state government of West Bengal has established the first plasma bank for the treatment of patients infected by COVID-19. The Plasma Bank has been established at the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital (KMCH). The Plasma Bank was inaugurated by the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee on 6 July 2020.

$750 million Agreement signed by World Bank and Government of India for MSME

The Indian government has signed a $750 million agreement with the World Bank for the Emergency Response Programme of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. The MSME Emergency Response Programme by the World Bank, will resolve the immediate credit and liquidity requirements of around 1.5 million potential MSMEs and will provide the MSMEs with a cushion against the shock and will help in protecting millions of jobs.

Israel successfully launches Spy Satellite ‘Ofek 16’

The Ministry of Defense of Israel has successfully launched the new spy satellite ‘Ofek16’ on 6 July 2020 that will help the country to keep an eye on the many threats present across the region. The satellite will also help Israel in keeping a close eye on Iran, which has recently developed a long-range missile and has its military presence in Syria.

NMPB signs MoU with ICAR for Germplasm conservation

The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), affiliated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research functioning under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) under Ministry of AYUSH on 6 July 2020. The objective of the MoU is to aid in the Germplasm conservation of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Genetic Resources (MAPGRs) at the designated places of ICAR-NBPGR for a long term duration.

Nano Coated Filter developed by IIT Madras Researchers for Healthcare Workers

A nano-coated filter media has been developed by the researcher’s working at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras for health care workers that are involved in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The coating property of the material helps in removing dust particles of submicron size efficiently from the air.

Sanskrit School Funded by India inaugurated in Nepal

As a part of Nepal-Bharat Maitri: Development Partnership (a High Impact Community Development Project of Indian Government in Nepal), the Indian Government has inaugurated Sanskrit Vidhyalaya in the Ilam district of Nepal. The name of the Vidhyalaya is ‘Shree Saptmai Gurukul Sanskrit Vidhyalaya’. The District Coordination Committee of Ilam is implementing the project and has been built at the cost of Rs.1.94 crore.