Daily News

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In a first,ISRO makes breakthrough demonstration of free-space Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) over 300 m

Demonstration used indigenously developed ‘NAVIC’ receiver for time synchronisation between transmitter & receiver modules,& gimbal mechanism systems instead of bulky large-aperture telescopes for optical alignment.QKD technology underpins Quantum Communication technology.

Demonstration is a step towards ISRO’s goal of demonstrating Satellite Based Quantum Communication.

Did you Know

Demonstration was done at Space Applications Centre,Ahmedabad.

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World Tuberculosis Day | March 24

Each year,World Tuberculosis (TB) Day on March 24 is commemorated to raise public awareness about the devastating health,social and economic consequences of TB,and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic.

The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr.Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB.

Did you Know

The theme of World TB Day 2021 - ‘The Clock is Ticking’

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International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims | 24 March

The day honours the memory of victims of heinous and systematic abuses.

This annual observance pays tribute to the memory of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on 24 March 1980. Monsignor Romero was actively engaged in denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable individuals in El Salvador.

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Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) Launches Certified E-Tendering Portal “PRANIT”

PRANIT will lead to less paperwork and ease of operation,making the tendering process more transparent.It has been certified by Standardisation,Testing and Quality Certification Directorate (STQC),Ministry of Electronics and Information.

POWERGRID is now the only organization in India to have an eProcurement solution on SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SRM).

Did you Know

POWERGRID headquartered in Gurugram is a central Maharatna PSU under Ministry of Power.

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India, Kuwait announce joint commission to boost ties in energy

India and Kuwait announced the creation of a joint commission to further institutionalise their relations in areas ranging from energy to defence and to forge a framework for cooperation in the future.

Joint Commission will be co-chaired by the foreign ministers of the two sides.Joint Commission Meeting will be held regularly to review all bilateral matters.

Did you Know

Kuwait:
Capital:Kuwait City;
Currency:Kuwaiti dinar

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India,Japan agree for greater cooperation in patent verification

India and Japan have agreed to recognize each other’s offices to act mutually as competent International Searching and International Preliminary Examining Authority (ISA/IPEA) for any international patent application filed with them.

This memorandum of cooperation on industrial property was arrived at during the 4th review meeting between DPIIT and Japan Patent Office.

Did you Know

Function of offices acting mutually as competent ISA/IPEA will commence from 1 July 2021.

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Cabinet apprised of Memorandum of Cooperation(MoC) signed between India,Japan in water sector

MoC is aimed at achieving water security, improved irrigation facility and sustainability in water resources development.

It was signed between Department of Water Resources,River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation,Ministry of Jal Shakti and Water and Disaster Management Bureau,Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan in the field of water resources.

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Centre approves MoU between UPSC and Afghanistan’s public service commission

The MoU will strengthen the relationship between Independent Administrative Reforms and Civil Services Commission(IARCSC), Afghanistan & UPSC.

The salient features of the MoU include exchange of experience on modern approach to public service recruitment and selection, particularly the functions of the UPSC and the IARCSC.

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Russia Launches Soyuz Rocket Into Space Carrying 38 Satellites From 18 Countries

The Soyuz-2.1 rocket with the Fregat upper stage and 38 satellites from 18 countries lifted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome.

In a first,Tanzania has manufactured its own satellite dubbed Challenge-1 that took off with Russia’s Soyuz rocket along with other satellites for countries including South Korea, Japan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy, and Brazil.

Did you Know

Russia’s State Corporation for Space Activities is ROSCOSMOS.

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Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank Inaugurated Shaheed Bhagat Singh Smarak In New Delhi

Delhi University now has a Shaheed Bhagat Singh Smarak,which was inaugurated on the 90 years of martyrdom of Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Rajguru.

The minister announced that the existing collection of books and freedom fighters at the smarak will be converted into ‘Shahid Smriti Pustakalaya’.

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Acclaimed Polish poet Adam Zagajewski dies at the age 75

Zagajewski was a leading figure in Poland's New Wave or Generation '68, literary movement of the late 1960s that called for a simple language to relate directly to reality.

He wrote a poem 'Try to Praise the Mutilated World' that came to symbolise the world’s sense of shock and loss after the September 11 attacks in the US.

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Bharat Gas Resources (BGRL) To Merge With BPCL.

The merger will streamline the corporate structure and consolidate the assets and liabilities of BGRL within BPCL.It will also help in availing easier financial support for the business of BGRL.

BGRL is a 100% subsidiary of BPCL and its main business is gas sourcing and retailing.It was incorporated in June 2018.

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Nikhat Zareen, Gaurav Solanki win bronze at Bosphorus Boxing Tournament in Turkey.

Asian Championship bronze medallist Zareen, who defeated world champions Paltceva Ekaterina of Russia and Nazym Kyzaibay of Kazakhstan in her last two bouts,suffered a 0-5 loss to 2019 Worlds silver medallist Busenaz Cakiroglu of Turkey in the semi-final.

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Solanki lost 0-5 to Argentina’s Nirco Cuello.

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State-Owned Power Grid To Buy JP Power's 74% Stake In Transmission JV, Signs Share Purchase Agreement

Power Grid, a Maharatna PSE under Ministry of Power,has signed a share purchase agreement with Jaiprakash Power Ventures Limited (JPVL) to acquire 74% stake in Jaypee Powergrid Limited-JV (JPL), in which the state-owned PSU holds 26% equity.

JPL will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Grid following this acquisition.

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The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)enters into partnership with Denmark to support Jal Jeevan Mission in UP.

The Jal Shakti Ministry entered a partnership with the UNOPS and the government of Denmark to help bring tap water connections to 11 water-scarce districts in Uttar Pradesh’s water-starved Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions under the Jal Jeevan mission.

The project has a million dollar budget for 2021, but is likely to be scaled up in the following years.

Did you Know

UNOPS:
HQ:Denmark;
Executive Director:Grete Faremo.

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Indian Railways launches massive drive against smoking and carriage of inflammable material.

Indian Railways have launched massive drive against smoking and carriage of inflammable material through Railways in the view of incidents of fire resulting in loss of property and danger to life in various Zonal Railways.

The drive has been launched from March 22 with legal action from 31st of this month. It may be continued till 30th April.

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Himachal Pradesh CM launches various e-services for Lahaul-Spiti district.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur virtually launched e-Office, e-Heli Service, e-Aagman and e-Lahaul for Lahaul-Spiti district from Shimla.

Lahaul-Spiti would become the first district of the State in effective adopting of e-office in the State.

These initiatives were the best examples of optimum use of Information Technology for good governance.

Did you Know

Himachal Pradesh Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya

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Mission Sagar IV INS Jalashwa Arrives at Port Ehoala (Madagascar)

As part of Mission Sagar - IV,Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa arrived at Port Ehoala, Madagascar on 22 March 2021.This is the second visit of an Indian Navy ship to Madagascar.

The ship will deliver a consignment of 1,000 Metric Tonne of rice and 100,000 Hydroxychloroquine tablets in response to an appeal made by Madagascar for assistance to deal with natural calamities.

Did you Know

Madagascar:
Capital: Antananarivo;
Currency: Malagasy ariary

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Adani Ports to acquire additional 58.1% stake in Gangavaram Port for ₹3,604 crore

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) will acquire the 58.1% stake held by D.V.S. Raju and family in Gangavaram Port Limited (GPL) for ₹3,604 crore. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals.

With this acquisition, APSEZ will have 89.6% stake in GPL, which has its port operations in Andhra Pradesh.

Did you Know

APSEZ:
CEO: Karan Adani;
HQ:Ahmedabad,Gujarat.

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India ranks 40th on International Intellectual Property Index

India ranked 40th in 2020,scoring 38.4out of 100 on a set of 50 intellectual property-related indicators.

The Index evaluates Intellectual Property rights in 53 global economies from patent and copyright policies to commercialisation of IP assets and ratification of international treaties.

Did you Know

Index is released annually by the US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Centre.