GSAT-31
India is all set to launch its 40th communication satellite GSAT-31 aboard Ariane-5 (VA 247) from French Guiana. It will be used for high-speed internet, telecommunication services, and broadcasting. Read more
Interim Union Budget 2019
Interim Finance Minister Piyush Goyal has presented the Interim Union Budget of 2019. Highlights of Union Budget 2019
Corruption Perception Index
Transparency International has released the index in India has shown an improvement of three places. It was ranked 81st in 2017, is ranked 78 in 2018.
CAR-T Therapy (Immunotherapy)
CAR-T therapy uses the body’s own cells to fight cancer, it involves removing immune cells and modifying them in a laboratory so they can recognize cancer cells. 11 year old became the first patient to receive this therapy.
Amami/Ryukyu Rabbit
In an attempt to save the living remnant of ancient rabbits that once lived on the Asian mainland, primitive dark furred Amami Rabbit, Japan government started catching it’s hunter Feral cats from Amami Oshima island. Amami rabbits are in IUCN’s endangered list and endemic to Ryukyu archipelago of Japan.
Kranti Mandir
Four museums (Named Kranti Mandir) were inaugurated on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Jayanti in a complex which were related to India’s rich history and culture.
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army
- Yaad-e-Jallian Museum ( Jallianwala Bagh and World War 1)
- Museum on 1857- India’s First War of Independence and
- Drishyakala Museum on Indian Art, spanning three centuries with over 450 works of art.
DIPP renamed as DPIIT
Name of the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) changed to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
DPIIT Responsibilities
- The promotion of internal trade (including retail trade)
- The welfare of traders and their employees
- Matters relating to facilitating Ease of Doing Business
- Matters relating to start-ups.
International Gandhi Prize
The Government of India had announced the International Gandhi Peace Prize for 2018 to Nippon Foundation Chairman Sasakawa Yohei (Japan). The award is to honor the efforts of Sasakawa toward eradicating leprosy in India and elsewhere around the world.
Golden Langur
Assam Environment and Forest Minister announced the success of the Golden Langur Conservation Breeding Program in the State. Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei ) a leaf-eating monkey found in northeastern India and Bhutan is currently endangered.
Joyce Msuya new UNEP head
Tanzanian microbiologist Joyce Msuya has been appointed as acting head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) following the resignation of Erik Solheim.
ACROSS Scheme
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the continuation of ‘Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services’ (ACROSS) during 2017-2020, its aim is to provide reliable weather and climate forecast for the betterment of society.