ARCI, MEKINS develop UVC-based disinfection cabinet to control spread of COVID 19

1.World Oceans Day: 8 June

World Ocean Day is observed globally on 8th June every year.This day is observed to raise global awareness about the importance of the ocean in our lives and the ways through which we can protect it.The government of Canada had proposed the concept of World Ocean Day, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.The theme of UN World Oceans Day 2020 is “Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean.”

2.OPEC & its allies agree to cut oil production by about 10% till July

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied nations have agreed to extend a production cut of nearly 10 million barrels of oil a day through the end of July, hoping to boost energy prices hard hit by the Coronavirus pandemic.Ministers of the cartel and outside nations like Russia met via video conference to adopt the measure, aimed at cutting out the excess production depressing prices as global aviation remains largely grounded due to the pandemic.It represents some 10 percent of the world’s overall supply.Algerian Oil Minister Mohamed Arkab, the current OPEC president, warned attendees that the global oil inventory would soar to 1.5 billion barrels by the mid-point of this year.

3.ARCI, MEKINS develop UVC-based disinfection cabinet to control spread of COVID 19

International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) and the MEKINS Industries have developed a UVC-based Cabinet.The UVC-based Cabinet will disinfect non-critical hospital items, laboratory wear, and PPEs in order to prevent surface contamination of COVID 19.The cabinet will also have the capability to disinfect items that have been exhibited to customers in commercial establishments and several domestic items.With relaxation of the lockdown, there is a chance of transmission through surface contamination and hence the common utilities will play a key role in such situations.Therefore, the best way to tackle this transmission is by using a dry and chemical-free rapid disinfection through exposure to UVC light.

4.CSIR, AIM join hands to promote culture of innovation, entrepreneurship

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) has partnered with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) to promote innovation in India.AIM is a Government of India flagship initiative that promotes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country.Both organizations have signed a letter of intent to boost the innovation ecosystem of the country.The partnership will support world class start-ups through CSIR Incubators under the Atal Innovation mission initiatives.They will jointly work on new models of innovation and will also set-up CSIR Innovation Parks.With the collaboration of CSIR with ARISE, an initiative of AIM, they will together stimulate innovation and research in the MSME industry.

5.NABARD provides Rs 270 crore to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank

In the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has made available a Special Liquidity Facility (SLF) of Rs 270 crore to Assam Gramin Vikash Bank.This amount has been provided for supporting the agricultural activities of the farmers.Following the pandemic, NABARD has provided Rs 25,000 crore nationwide for providing liquidity support to Cooperative Banks, Regional Rural Banks and Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) during 2020-21 with a view to ensuring continued flow of credit to farmers.

6.ISRO signs MoU with ARIES for space situational awareness

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Aryabhatta Research Institute (ARIES) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of Space Situational Awareness (SSA) and Astrophysics.This MoU will make the way for future collaborations between ISRO and ARIES in setting up optical telescope observational facilities for space object tracking, R&D studies in space weather, astrophysics and Near-Earth Object (NEO).The main objective of the MoU is to shield the Indian Space assets from the space debris’s conjunction threats and R&D of Astrophysics, solar sciences and space environment are the base for future space exploration projects and the key to progress in the Indian Space sector.

7.IIT, Hyderabad researchers develops low cost and Artificial Intelligence-based test kit for COVID-19

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Hyderabad have developed a low cost and Artificial Intelligence-based test kit for COVID-19.These kits can give results in about 20 minutes.The test kits are Reverse Tranion Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR)-free and get rid of many processes.He further said the cost of COVID testing with these IIT-H BioChips will be around 600 rupees and can be almost halved in case of mass production of the chips.These kits can be transported to rural areas as they are very light and helpful to increase the testing for COVID-19 in the country.

8.M Nethra declared as ‘Goodwill Ambassador for the Poor’ by UNADAP

In Tamil Nadu, 13-year old girl, M Nethra has been appointed as the ‘Goodwill Ambassador for the Poor’ by the United Nations Association for Development and Peace (UNADAP).The UNADAP recognition brings to the girl the opportunity to address the upcoming Civil Society forums at the UN conferences in New York and Geneva.The Dixon Scholarship has awarded Nethra a scholarship amount of Rs 1,00,000.The 13-year old girl convinced her father C. Mohan to spend their savings of Rs 5 lakh and donate essential items to the poor during the lockdown.The money had been saved for Nethra’s education and for her to pursue her goal of entering the civil service.

9.Kannada actor Chiranjeevi Sarja passes away

Kannada actor Chiranjeevi Sarja passed away.He had made his debut with the movie ‘Vayuputra.He has featured in films such as Samhaara, Aadyaa, Khaki, Sinnga, Amma I Love You, Prema Baraha, Dandam Dashagunam and Varadhanayaka among others.He was last seen in the Kannada action-drama Shivarjun.

10.Former US gymnast Thomas passes away

The first U.S. male gymnast to win a world championship gold medal, Kurt Thomas passed away.He won the gold medal at the world championships in 1978.Thomas won a record six gold medals at the 1979 world championships.His record has since been tied by Simone Biles, who accomplished the feat at the 2018 world championships.Prior to competing professionally, Thomas was a five-time NCAA champion at Indiana State University.