1 Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of Mauritius jointly inaugurated a new airstrip and a jetty at Agalega Island, Mauritius
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Mauritius Shri Pravind Jugnauth jointly inaugurated the new airstrip and St. James Jetty along with six community development projects at Agalega Island in Mauritius through video conferencing . The inauguration of these projects is a testament to the strong and decades-long development partnership between India and Mauritius, which will address the demand for better connectivity between mainland Mauritius and Agalega, strengthen maritime security and promote socio-economic development. The inauguration of these projects is very significant, as this inauguration comes just after the launch of UPI and RuPay card services in Mauritius by both the leaders on February 12, 2024.
2 Shri Bhupendra Yadav released report on the status of leopards in India
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupendra Yadav released the report on the status of leopards in India in New Delhi on February 29, 2024 . The fifth cycle of leopard population estimation is being done by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India, in collaboration with the state forest departments. The effort was undertaken as a part of the quadrennial “Monitoring of tigers, predators, prey and their habitat” exercise. This has given momentum to tiger conservation efforts. The leopard population in India is estimated at 13,874 (range: 12,616 – 15,132) individuals. This represents a stable population compared to the same area of 12,852 (12,172–13,535) individuals in 2018 . This estimate represents 70 percent of the population in the leopard’s habitat. The Himalayas and semi-arid parts of the country have not been sampled in this exercise, as these are not the habitat of tigers. Leopard populations appear to be stable or slightly increasing in central India (2018: 8071, 2022: 8820), with declines observed in the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic plains (2018: 1253, 2022: 1109). If we look at the area that was sampled across India in both 2018 and 2022, there has been a growth of 1.08 per cent per annum. In the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic plains, the decline is at -3.4 percent per annum, while the largest growth rate was in Central India and the Eastern Ghats at 1.5 percent. Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of leopards in the country – 3907 (2018: 3421), followed by Maharashtra (2022: 1985; 2018: 1,690), Karnataka (2022: 1,879; 2018: 1,783) and Tamil Nadu (2022: 1,070; 2018: 868). Tiger reserves or places with the highest leopard population are Nagarjuna Sagar in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh, followed by Panna and Satpura in Madhya Pradesh.
3 Giant leap for India Semiconductor Mission: Cabinet approves setting up three more semiconductor units
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved setting up of three semiconductor units under the ‘ Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India ‘. Construction of all three units will start within the next 100 days. The Program for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India was notified on 21.12.2021 with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crore . The Union Cabinet had in June 2023 approved Micron ‘s proposal to set up a semiconductor unit in Sanand , Gujarat . The three semiconductor units approved are:
- Tata Electronics Pvt Ltd (“TEPL”) will set up a semiconductor fab in partnership with Taiwan ‘s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp (PSMC) . This fab will be constructed in Dholera, Gujarat .
- Tata Semiconductor Assembly & Test Private Limited (“TSAT”) will set up a semiconductor unit at Morigaon , Assam .
- A semiconductor unit will be set up in Sanand, Gujarat by CG Power in partnership with Renesas Electronics Corporation , Japan and Stars Microelectronics, Thailand .
4 Cabinet approves establishment of International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the establishment of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) . The Alliance will be headquartered in India and will receive a one-time budgetary support of Rs 150 crore for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28 . Prime Minister, in his speech on the occasion of Global Tiger Day, 2019 , while highlighting India’s leading role in the conservation of tigers, other big cat species and its many endangered species, launched the Alliance of Global Leaders to End Poaching in Asia. Had called for. He reiterated this on April 9, 2023, on the occasion of 50 years of India’s Project Tiger and formally announced the launch of an International Big Cat Alliance, aimed at protecting the future of big cats and the landscapes where they thrive. To make it safe. The pioneering and long-term tiger and other tiger conservation best practices developed in India can be replicated in many other range countries. The seven Big Cats include tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar and cheetah . The International Big Cat Alliance is envisioned as a multi-country, multi-agency alliance of 96 big cat range countries, non-range countries with an interest in big cat conservation, conservation partners, and scientific organizations working in the field of big cat conservation. Has been done.
5 Union Cabinet approves PM-Surya Ghar: Free electricity scheme to install rooftop solar power in one crore homes
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved PM-Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme with a total outlay of Rs 75,021 crore to install rooftop solar energy and provide up to 300 units of free electricity every month to one crore households. Has given. The Prime Minister launched this scheme on February 13, 2024 . The scheme will provide CFA equal to 60 per cent of the additional system cost for a 2 kW capacity system and 40 per cent of the additional system cost for a 2 to 3 kW capacity system. CFA will be capped at 3 kW. At current standard prices, this would mean a subsidy of Rs 30,000 for a 1 kW capacity system, Rs 60,000 for a 2 kW capacity system and Rs 78,000 for a 3 kW or more system. Families joining the scheme will apply for subsidy through the national portal and will be able to select a suitable vendor to install rooftop solar power. The national portal will assist households in their decision making process by providing relevant information regarding appropriate size of the system to be installed, calculation of benefits, rating of the vendor, etc. Households joining the scheme will be able to avail guarantee-free low-interest loans currently available at around 7 per cent for installation of residential RTS systems up to 3 kW.
6 Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launches “Swayam Plus Platform”
Union Minister for Education, Skill and Entrepreneurship Development Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched “ Swayam Plus ” platform in New Delhi . A video on Swayam Plus was also played during the launch event. An MoU between Swayam and industry partners including Apna Time Tech Pvt Ltd, L&T Education Tech, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, The Job Plus and People Network, Wadhwani Foundation (Skill Development Network), Midority Online Ltd, Smart Bridge Educational Services Pvt Ltd Was signed. Anadi Foundation, 360 Digi TMG, and Balani Infotech Pvt Ltd will launch industrial courses in Swayam Plus.
7 India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy for haemophilia A (FVIII deficiency) at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore.
India has conducted the first human clinical trial of gene therapy for hemophilia A (FVIII deficiency) at Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore . This was disclosed by Union Minister of Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Dr. Jitendra Singh while addressing the ” National Science Day 2024 ” program at Vigyan Bhawan . This program is supported by the Center for Stem Cell Research, a unit of INSTEM, Bengaluru, Department of Biotechnology (DBT), in collaboration with Emory University at Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, United States of America (USA). Is. The trials involved using a new technique of using a lentiviral vector to express the FVIII transgene in the patient’s own hematopoietic stem cells which would then co-express FVIII. The Minister expressed hope that manufacturing of this vector will begin in India shortly and it will progress with further clinical trials.
8 MoU signed during ‘Bharat TEX 2024’ between Textile Committee, Government e-Marketplace and Standing Conference of Public Enterprises to promote upcycled products made from textile waste and scrap
Textiles Committee under the Ministry of Textiles , Government e-Marketplace (GeM) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) of the Department of Public Enterprises with the objective of promoting upcycled products made from textile waste and scrap. A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during India’s flagship global textile event ‘ Bharat TEX 2024 ‘ being held at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi . Upcycling essentially means reusing textile waste and scrap to extend their life cycle. Through upcycling, discarded items are transformed into new products with greater value and functionality. Through these MoUs, GeM will work with various stakeholders in the ecosystem of upcycling, especially underserved vendor groups, to provide them direct market connectivity without intermediaries by making public procurement possible through #VocalforlocalGeM outlet stores Could. These stores will promote upcycled products made from textile waste and scrap.
9 Earth Sciences Secretary co-chairs the first ‘Blue Talks’ meeting on ocean health and governance
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) organized the first ‘ Blue Talks ‘ meeting in New Delhi today . The meeting was co-participated by the Embassy of France and the Embassy of Costa Rica in India . Over 50 participants from government, academia and research institutions witnessed this high-level discussion in person on matters related to ‘ Ocean Health and Governance ‘. The meeting was co-chaired by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) along with Mr. Thierry Matthau, Ambassador of France to India and Ms. Sofia Salas Monge , Chargé d’Affaires of Costa Rica . This meeting is a precursor to the upcoming High-level Event on Ocean Action (HLEOA) program ‘Immersed in Change’ to be held in San José, Costa Rica on June 7-8, 2024 . In a broader perspective, ‘HLEOA’ is a precursor event to gather recommendations and perspectives for the upcoming United Nations Oceans Conference (UNCO3).
10 Construction of cadet training ships
The laying ceremony of the first Cadet Training Ship (Yard-18003) was organized at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli on 29 February 2024 . The ceremony was presided over by R Admiral Ravi Kumar Dhingra, Flag Officer Commanding Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Area . The event was attended by R Admiral GK Harish, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Head of Shipbuilding Business of L&T and other senior officers of the Indian Navy and M/s L&T. Earlier on March 7, 2023, the contract for indigenous design and construction of three cadet training ships was signed between the Ministry of Defense and M/s L&T. These cadet training ships will be used to impart at sea training to officer cadets after basic training ashore. Apart from this, these ships will also provide training facilities to cadets of friendly countries.
11 Torpedo cum Missile Barge Boat, LSAM 18 (Yard 128) with Ammunition Facility commissioned at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd., Thane
Fourth barge boat built under 11 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ The launch was done on 28 February 2024. Commander, Directorate of Shipbuilding, Shirish Dubey presided over the launching ceremony of the new ship. The requisite contract for the purpose of construction of 11
12 ‘JK Youth Conclave 2024’ inaugurated at Jammu Convention Center
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the ‘ JK Youth Conclave 2024′ at the Convention Centre, Jammu and launched the second edition of ‘ Inspire GenZ ‘ and ‘ Beats of J&K ‘, an initiative of the Department of Information and Public Relations . All these programs are ready to enrich the youth with new information and fill them with new energy. In these, a glimpse of the diverse talents and abilities of the youth of the state will be seen.
13 ‘10000 Genomes’ project completed
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has announced the successful completion of the ‘10,000 Genomes Project ‘ – an effort to sequence thousands of individual genomes from India. This landmark project aims to enable precision medical and genetic epidemiological studies tailored to the Indian population . While India sequenced its first complete human genome in 2006 , there was a need to create a large genomic database specifically representing India’s population diversity. The ‘10,000 Genomes Project’ was conceptualized in 2020 under the National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2015–20 . Genome sequencing started in 2021 and is now completed as per the DBT deadline. In total, 10,010 genomes were sequenced from individuals belonging to 1014 Indian sub-populations and tribes across all 28 states and 9 union territories. The project is being implemented in a hub-and-spoke model led by three core institutes – CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi, IISER Regional Center for Genomic Technologies (RCGT) in Bhopal, and Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar. Was implemented using.
14 Reliance and Disney form joint venture
On 29 February 2024, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) , Viacom18 Media Private Limited and The Walt Disney Company signed an agreement to create one of India’s largest TV and streaming firms. The joint venture has merged Viacom18 with Disney’s Star India to target rapid growth in the country’s digital entertainment sector. As per the binding agreement, TV18 Broadcast Ltd , the subsidiary of RIL which holds majority stake in Viacom18 , will bring on board Disney as a strategic investor. This will be achieved through the merger of Viacom18 with Disney’s Indian media hub – Star India Pvt. Ltd.
15 RBI cautions about potential fraud risk from cyber attack vector “juice jacking”
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently cautioned mobile phone users about the risk of possible fraud from the cyber attack vector “ juice jacking ” on charging their devices through USB ports available in public places . With increasing reports of such ports being compromised by hackers to steal sensitive user data, the RBI advisory aims to spread awareness among people to take necessary precautions to protect their finances and privacy.
16 Namibia’s John Nicole Lofty-Eaton scored the fastest century
Namibia ‘s John Nicole Lofty-Eaton achieved the feat of scoring the fastest century in T20 International . John Nicole Lofty-Eaton completed his century in 33 balls in the match played against Nepal . Earlier, Nepal ‘s Kushal Malla had made the record of scoring a century in 34 balls , which has now been broken. Jan Nicole Lofty-Eaton played an inning of 101 runs in 36 balls, in which she hit 11 fours and 8 sixes.
