Government Launches ‘Mausam’ App for Weather Forecasts

1.India begins reconstruction of 300-year-old Sree Sree Joy Kali Matar Temple in Bangladesh

India began the reconstruction of a 300-year-old temple Sree Sree Joy Kali Matar Temple in Bangladesh’s northern Natore district.The reconstruction is happening with Indian grant assistance of Bangladeshi Taka 97 lakhs and a total cost of Bangladeshi Taka of 1.33 Crores under the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) scheme of India.The Sri JoyKali Matar temple is among the oldest temples in Bangladesh.It was built approximately 300 years back in the early 18th century by Shri Dayaram Roy.He was an influential Dewan of Queen Bhahani of Natore and the founder of Dighapatia Royal Family.

2.India Hands over 10 Diesel Locomotives to Bangladesh

India handed over 10 broad-gauge diesel locomotives to Bangladesh, strengthening the neighbouring country’s railway infrastructure.External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar flagged off the locomotives online in the presence of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal and several dignitaries from across the border.Last week, the two sides marked a notable achievement in maritime connectivity with the first shipment of container cargo from Kolkata to Agartala in the landlocked northeastern region via Bangladesh’s Chattagram port.

3.PM launches three ICMR labs to boost testing capacity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched three state-of-the-art high Indian Council of Medical Research labs in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Noida.They will boost the testing capacity by almost 10,000 daily tests in each of the three cities.At present, more than 5 lakh tests are being conducted in the country daily.The efforts are underway to increase COVID-19 testing capacity to 10 lakh per day in the coming weeks.These labs will not be limited to testing for covid, but in future, will also be able to test for Hepatitis B and C, HIV, dengue and several other diseasesThe tests are being conducted using both real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and antigen-based testing.

4.India amongst biggest suppliers of Tiger body parts in the world: UN World Wildlife Crime Report

According to the recently released United Nations World Wildlife Crime Report, India and Thailand are the two main countries which are the suppliers of the illegal tiger products in the world.The report said that India and Thailand are the main source countries which were traced in the shipments seized in international trade of tiger parts.It also said that the shipments traced to both the countries accounted for 82 percent of the total whole tiger equivalents seized in the world in the same period.The most valuable body part of the tigers is their bones which are the most sought after parts of their body.The medicines made of the bones of the tiger are used to heal bone, joint and ligament injuries.

5.India to setup its own Cotton Warehouse in Vietnam to boost Exports

The Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) is trying to boost exports of the fibre crop.A memorandum of understanding is being worked out to export 1.5-2 million bales (of 170 kilograms each) of cotton to Bangladesh while the state-run CCI will also set up its own warehouse in Vietnam to boost cotton exports.The CCI has so far procured 12.1 million bales of cotton.Along with its agent Maharashtra State Cooperative Marketing Federation, CCI was able to sell 900,000 bales of cotton this season.

6.Government Launches ‘Mausam’ App for Weather Forecasts

India got its dedicated mobile-based application MAUSAM which will relay weather forecasts and warnings for multiple cities and locations.Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched the app and a Knowledge Resource Centre Network (KRCN) on the occasion of 14th foundation day of MoES.The mobile-based application will provide weather forecasts, nowcasts and warnings for various cities and locations.The app will provide information on current weather with temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction for around 200 cities.The information on the app will be updated 8 times a day.

7.Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan launches BIS-Care mobile app

Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan launched a mobile app BIS-Care, which consumers can use for checking the authenticity of ISI and hallmark quality certified products.The BIS is the national standards setting body in the country.The ISI mark is a standards-compliance mark for industrial products in India since 1955. Hallmark is quality certification for gold jewellery.On the BIS-Care mobile app, consumers can check the authenticity of ISI and hallmark quality certified products and lodge complaints.The mobile app, in Hindi and English, can be operated on any Android phone and can be downloaded free from Google play store.

8.Tunisia appoints interior minister Mechichi as the new prime minister

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied appointed the Interior Minister, Hichem Mechichi, as the new Prime Minister for the North African country.Mechichi will succeed Elyes Fakhfakh, who resigned last week over allegations of conflict of interest.Mechichi has been a counsellor to President Saied, handling legal matters.He has previously been chief of staff at the Ministry of Transport and also served in the Ministry of Social Affairs.

9.Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi assumed Charge as commandant INA

Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi, AVSM, NM assumed charge as the Commandant, Indian Naval Academy (INA).Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, AVSM, NM handed over charge as the Commandant, Indian Naval Academy (INA) after a successful tenure of over 13 months.Under the Flag Officer’s leadership, on 12 November 2019, INA was bestowed with the President’s Colour for rendering 50 years of yeoman service in shaping Naval leaders for Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Friendly Foreign Countries.Vice Admiral MA Hampiholi is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the erstwhile College of Naval warfare, Karanja and the prestigious National Defence College, New Delhi.He served as the Commandant, Naval Academy, and Commanding Officer, INS Mandovi, Goa during 2007-2009.

10.Actor John Saxon dies at 83

American actor John Saxon, who starred opposite Bruce Lee in the classic film “Enter the Dragon,” has died at 83.Saxon was born Carmine Orrico in Brooklyn, New York, on August 5, 1936.According to IMDB, Saxon starred in nearly 200 movies and TV shows after his 1954 debut, with roles on detective shows and horrors including “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”He won the Golden Globe Award for new star of the year in 1958 for his role in the film “This Happy Feeling.”

11.Oscar-winner Olivia de Havillan passes away at 104

Two-Time Oscar Winner, Olivia de Havilland passed away at the age of 104.She was born on 1st July 1916, in Tokyo, Japan.On March 13, 1946, Olivia won an Oscar award for the movie ‘To Each His Own’ under the category Best supporting actress.Again in the year 1949, she won the second Oscar award for the movie “The Heiress’.In the year 2008, Olivia was honoured with, National Medal of Arts and France’s Legion of Honor (Légion d’honneur) award after two years.