Union Minister for Culture launches the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

1.NASA will launch astronauts from US soil for the first time in nearly a decade, with help from SpaceX

NASA and SpaceX are targeting May 27 for the launch of Demo-2, the first launch of NASA astronauts from the U.S. since 2011 and the first crewed launch for Elon Musk’s space company.As its name implies, Demo-2 will be the second time SpaceX launches its Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station. But, unlike Demo-1 last year, this time two astronauts will be on board.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will be strapped into a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule that is sitting on top of a Falcon 9 rocket.

The Demo-2 mission will represent a major milestone for Musk’s SpaceX in its goal to begin regularly flying people to space. The company has been launching spacecraft, satellites and cargo since its founding in 2002 but never humans.

2.Air India announces opening of bookings for select Domestic flights for travel from 4th May; International Flights to start from 1st June

Air India has announced that it has opened bookings for select Domestic flights for travel from 4th of May and for International Flights from 1st of June this year.Air India has said that in the light of the ongoing global health concerns, it has currently stopped accepting bookings on all domestic flights for travel till 3rd of May and on all international flights for travel till 31st of May.

This means the national carrier’s domestic and international flights will remain suspended during this period.

3.Postal employees to get Rs 10 lakh compensation in case they succumb to COVID-19

All postal employees, including Gramin Dak Sevaks, will get Rs 10 lakh compensation in case they succumb to COVID-19.The postal services come under essential services and apart from regular services, the post offices are also delivering food packets, rations and essential medicines, among others, across the country by liasioning with local administration and police.

The above guidelines have been implemented immediately and continues for the entire period till the crises of COVID-19 is over.

COVID-19 के मामले में डाक कर्मचारियों को 10 लाख रुपये का मुआवजा मिलना

4.CSIR-CFTRI’s protein-enriched biscuits reach COVID-19 patients

The Mysuru-based CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CRTRI) has made available high-protein biscuits to the COVID-19 patients undergoing treatment in the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi.CFTRI supplied 500 kg of high-protein biscuits and 500 kg of high-protein rusks to the Dietetics department of AIIMS to supply to the patients.

The biscuits contain 14% of protein while usual biscuits contain around 8-9% protein. 

A 100-g packet of biscuits clearly pack a punch with its energy quotient of 400 kcal and its nutritional value: carbohydrate (63.2 g), protein (14 g), fat (17.1 g) and minerals (1.2 g).

The biscuits are being manufactured in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, by Seven Seas Private Limited based on the formulation developed by CSIR-CFTRI.

5.Union Minister for Culture launches the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH)

Union Minister for Culture Prahlad Singh Patel launched the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of India in New DelhI.India houses a repository of unique Intangible Cultural Heritage(ICH) traditions, 13 of which have also been recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The National ICH List is an attempt to recognize the diversity of Indian culture embedded in its intangible heritage.

This initiative is also a part of the Vision 2024 of the Ministry of Culture.

6.CSIR-NAL develop Personal Protective Coverall Suit to Combat COVID-19

CSIR constituent Lab in Bengaluru, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), along with MAF Clothing Pvt. Ltd, Bengaluru has developed and certified the overall protective coverall suit.The polyproplylene spun laminated multi-layered non-woven fabric based coverall can be used to ensure the safety of Doctors, Nurses, Paramedical staff and Health Care workers working round the clock on COVID-19 mitigation.

The Coveralls have gone through stringent testing at SITRA, Coimbatore and have been qualified for use.

CSIR-NAL and MAF have plans to augment the production capacity to about 30,000 units per day within four weeks’ time.

7.Odisha to re-telecast videos of online EDUSAT classes for Class X Students

In Odisha, the government has decided to re-telecast the recorded videos of online EDUSAT classes for Class X students on Doordarshan in view of lockdown situation due to the COVID-19.The recorded videos of online EDUSAT classes are available with Odisha Space Applications Centre (ORSAC).

A total of 34 videos will be telecast on Doordarshan Odia channel till 12 May.

The subjects that will be taught include Mathematics, science, social science, English and Geography.

8.Punjab develops Chatbot with Facebook to answer queries on COVID-19

A Chatbot has been developed by the Punjab government in collaboration with Facebook to keep the people of the state updated about information regarding the COVID-19.This Chatbot is based on an advanced artificial intelligence language system to give an immediate reply to frequently raised queries regarding COVID-19.

This Chatbot is available on the Facebook page of Punjab government.

The state government has also launched a special helpline for citizens to connect with a network of senior doctors over teleconference and get medical advice on coronavirus and other related concerns.

9.BCCI Creates ‘Team Mask Force’

Featuring India’s most revered cricketers such as Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, the BCCI has created a new video to promote wearing masks in public places and help the country battle the COVID-19 pandemic.The ‘Team Mask Force’ has been created to spread awareness about wearing masks in public places.

The video has messages from BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, Smriti Mandhana, Rohit Sharma, Harbhajan Singh, Harmanpreet Kaur, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Mithali Raj, all of them speaking about the importance of wearing masks and following the directives of the government in this fight.

10.Tribal leader and former Odisha minister Saharai Oram dies

Veteran tribal leader and former Odisha Minister Saharai Oram died following a prolonged illness.Saharai Oram was a long associate of Biju babu and had contributed immensely for the development and welfare of tribal people.

Oram was first elected to the Odisha Assembly from Champua constituency in 1971 as an Utkal Congress candidate.

In 1977, he was elected from the same constituency as a Janata Party candidate, in 1980 as Janata-S candidate, 1990 as Janata Dal candidate and in 2000 as an Independent.

Popular for his versatility, Oram not only worked for the welfare of the poor, orphans and destitute but also contributed towards promoting tribal and folk culture.