ISRO’s latest Earth Observation Satellite ‘EOS-08’ launched by the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)-D3 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Shriharikota.
The primary objectives of the EOS-08 mission include designing and developing a microsatellite, creating payload instruments compatible with the microsatellite bus,
and incorporating new technologies required for future operational satellites.
Built on the Microsat/IMS-1 bus, EOS-08 carries three payloads: Electro Optical Infrared Payload (EOIR), Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry payload (GNSS-R), and SiC UV Dosimeter. The EOIR payload is designed to capture images in the Mid-Wave IR (MIR) and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) bands,
both during the day and night, for applications such as satellite-based surveillance, disaster monitoring, environmental monitoring, fire detection, volcanic activity observation, and industrial and power plant disaster monitoring.
The GNSS-R payload demonstrates the capability of using GNSS-R-based remote sensing for applications such as ocean surface wind analysis,
soil moisture assessment, cryosphere studies over the Himalayan region, flood detection, and inland waterbody detection. Meanwhile, the SiC UV Dosimeter monitors UV irradiance at the viewport of the Crew Module in the Gaganyaan Mission and serves as a high-dose alarm sensor for gamma radiation.
The spacecraft mission configuration is set to operate in a Circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 475 km with an inclination of 37.4°, and has a mission life of 1 year. The satellite has a mass of approximately 175.5 kg and generates power of around 420 W. It interfaces with the SSLV-D3 launch vehicle.
EOS-08 marks a significant advancement in satellite mainframe systems such as an Integrated Avionics system, known as the Communication, Baseband, Storage, and Positioning (CBSP) Package, which combines multiple functions into a single, efficient unit.
The Union Government on Thursday launched the AI-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) that will help farmers to connect with agriculture scientists and experts on controlling pests using their phones. Launching the programme, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said NPSS aims to reduce the dependence of farmers on pesticide retailers,
and inculcate a scientific approach among them towards pest management. NPSS will analyse the latest data on pests using AI tools to help farmers and experts in pest control and management. The Ministry said NPSS will help about 14 crore farmers in the country. The Centre envisages connecting scientists with the fields using the platform.
Farmers can take photos of the infested crops or the insect using the NPSS platform and these will reach scientists and experts. This system cures the diseases at the proper time using technology. It will help in accurate diagnosis and accurate treatment. This will build confidence among farmers and production will also increase. It will save the soil too.
RBL Bank announces a special "Vijay Fixed Deposits" edition to commemorate India's 78th year of independence. For deposits below Rs 3 crore, the "Vijay Fixed Deposits" feature a special 500-day tenor.
This limited-period offer pays tribute to the courage and sacrifices of our brave soldiers while providing exceptional financial benefits," RBL Bank said.
The special fixed deposit plan offers competitive interest rates with 8.85% p.a. for super senior citizens, 8.60% p.a. for senior citizens, and 8.1% p.a. for regular customers, all tailored to guarantee your money grows safely. With just two simple steps, you may book the Vijay Fixed Deposit and secure a deposit from the comfort of your home using the RBL Bank MoBank app,
Or you can visit the nearest RBL Bank branch for personalised guidance.
RBL Bank offers the highest interest rate of 8.10% on FDs maturing in 500 days. On the same FD tenure, the senior citizen will earn 0.50% extra i.e., 8.60%, and super senior citizens (80 years and above) are eligible for an additional interest rate of 0.75% i,e., 8.85%.
Renowned DRDO missile scientist Ram Narain Agarwal, widely celebrated as the Father of Agni Missiles, passed away in Hyderabad. Agarwal was a pioneering figure in India's defense research and development, significantly contributing to the country’s long-range ballistic missile program. Agarwal’s work was instrumental in shaping India’s missile capabilities.
As the first Programme Director of the Agni missiles, he played a pivotal role in the development of these strategic weapons. His leadership and vision earned him the moniker "Agni Man". He played a pivotal role in launching the Agni missile programme as Project Director in 1983. Under his leadership, the Technology demonstrator missile was successfully tested in May 1989.
In 1995, he was appointed Programme Director for the weaponization and deployment of Agni 2. By 1999, Dr Agarwal and his team had developed a new version with road-mobile launch capability and an enhanced strike distance compared to Agni-1. He also contributed significantly to the development of the Agni-3 missile weapon system.
Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Paatil unveiled version 2.0 of the 'FloodWatch India' mobile application, aimed at providing a more comprehensive and detailed overview of flood conditions across the country.
The upgraded app, developed by the Central Water Commission (CWC), builds on its first version launched last year.
The initial version offered flood forecasts from 200 monitoring stations.
In a statement, the Jal Shakti Ministry said that version 2.0 significantly expands this scope, integrating real-time data from 592 flood monitoring stations across the country. This expansion aims to provide users with a more extensive and detailed flood condition overview.
Additionally, Version 2.0 introduces real-time information on the storage positions of 150 major reservoirs, offering insights into potential flood scenarios in downstream areas. Users can check flood conditions at the nearest monitoring station directly from the home page.
The ‘FloodWatch India’ app is accessible on Android and iOS devices.
President Smt. Droupadi Murmu has authorized 103 Gallantry awards for Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel as part of the Independence Day 2024 celebrations. The awards include:
Four Kirti Chakras (three posthumous)
Eighteen Shaurya Chakras (four posthumous)
One Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Sixty-three Sena Medals (Gallantry) (two posthumous)
Eleven Nao Sena Medals(Gallantry)
Six Vayu Sena Medals(Gallantry)
Additionally, 39 Mention-in-Despatches have been approved, including a posthumous award to Army Dog Kent, recognizing their significant contributions in various military operations such as Operation Rakshak, Operation Snow Leopard,Operation Sahayata, Operation Hifazat, Operation Orchid, and Operation Katchal.
For the 78th Independence Day, a total of 1,037 police personnel will receive Police Medals. The Central Government announced the following breakdown of these awards:
1 President’s Medal for Gallantry
213 Police Medals for Gallantry
94 President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service
729 Police Medals for Meritorious Service
KIRTI CHAKRA: COLONEL MANPREET SINGH, SENA MEDAL, THE SIKH LIGHT INFANTRY/19TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES (POSTHUMOUS) - ARMY
MAJOR MALLA RAMA GOPAL NAIDU, THE MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY/ 56TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES - ARMY
RIFLEMAN RAVI KUMAR, THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR LIGHT INFANTRY/ 63RD BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES (POSTHUMOUS) - ARMY
DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE HIMAYUN MUZZAMMIL BHAT, JAMMU AND KASHMIR POLICE, C/O 19TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES (POSTHUMOUS) - ARMY.
Of the 213 Police Medals for Gallantry, 208 are awarded to police personnel, including 31 from Jammu and Kashmir, 17 from Uttar Pradesh, and 17 from Maharashtra.
Notable among the recipients is Telangana Police Head Constable Chaduvu Yadaiah, who will receive the President’s Medal for Gallantry for apprehending chain snatchers despite being injured in 2022.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra has become Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister after parliament confirmed her nomination by the ruling coalition of her Pheu Thai party.
Paetongtarn succeeds Srettha Thavisin who was removed from his post by a constitutional court ruling.
The 37-year-old, known by her nickname Ung Ing, is the youngest child of billionaire tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra and is the third member of the family after her father and aunt to hold the nation’s top job. Pheu Thai and its partners hold 314 seats in parliament, and Paetongtarn needed the approval of more than half of the current 493 lawmakers to become prime minister.
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) incorporated Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) as a wholly-owned subsidiary, hiving it off into a new entity known as NPCI-BHIM Services Ltd (NBSL).
Former banker Lalitha Nataraj will head the new subsidiary as its chief executive officer (CEO). Nataraj has previously worked with IDFC FIRST Bank and ICICI Bank.
Rahul Handa will be NBSL’s chief business officer (CBO). At BHIM too, Handa worked in the capacity of a CBO. In his previous role, he was the executive vice president of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). With the new subsidiary, the retail payments regulator may be looking to expand the presence of BHIM in the UPI market.
This development aims to meet the growing demand for digital transactions and evolving market expectations while keeping pace with innovation and rapidly shifting customer preferences. NBBL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NPCI. The same year, NPCI appointed former PayU and Airtel Payments Bank executive Noopur Chaturvedi as the CEO of NBBL.
India is observing the 'Partition Horrors Remembrance Day' - August 14 - to pay tribute to those who lost their lives and were displaced during the country's partition in 1947.
To remind current and future generations of the deep scars left by the Partition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in 2021 that August 14 would be observed this day annually.
The Independence Day of India, which is celebrated religiously throughout the Country on the 15th of August every year, holds tremendous ground in the list of national days since it reminds every Indian about the dawn of a new beginning, the beginning of an era of deliverance from the clutches of British colonialism of more than 200 years.
On the country's 78th Independence Day, PM Modi said it is a day to pay tribute to the countless people who made sacrifices and struggled for the country's freedom.
The theme of this year's Independence Day is "Viksit Bharat@ 2047", underscoring the government's goal of making India a developed country by 2047, which would mark 100 years of Independence.
An exhibition organized by the Central Bureau of Communication, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, marking the "Partition Horrors Remembrance Day" was inaugurated at Lalit Kala Academy (LKA), New Delhi. The exhibition will be held from August 14, 2024, to August 17, 2024, at LKA (Ground Floor Gallery), Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.
This exhibition seeks to bring to light the personal stories, the immense pain, and the lasting impact of the partition of 1947 on countless lives. This exhibition aims to honor the memories of those who suffered and to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities and human cost of this historic event.
It showcases historical photographs, videos & interactive displays, providing insights into the theme. This exhibition is not only a reflection on the past but also an opportunity for future generations, specifically the students and youth, to engage in meaningful conversations about how we can build a future grounded in empathy, reconciliation, and unity.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹1,27,20,000/- (Rupees One Crore Twenty-Seven Lakh and Twenty Thousand only) on Bank of Maharashtra (the bank) for non-compliance with certain directions issued by RBI on ‘Loan System for Delivery of Bank Credit’, ‘Cyber Security Framework in Banks’ and ‘Know Your Customer’.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹4.90 lakh (Rupees Four Lakh Ninety Thousand only) on Hinduja Leyland Finance Limited (the company) for non-compliance with certain provisions of the Reserve Bank of India (Know Your Customer (KYC)) Directions, 2016.
This penalty has been imposed in exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 58G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of section 58B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹10.00 lakh (Rupees Ten Lakh only),
On Poonawalla Fincorp Limited, Pune, Maharashtra (the company) for non-compliance with certain provisions of the ‘Non-Banking Financial Company - Systemically Important Non-Deposit taking Company and Deposit taking Company (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016’ issued by RBI, relating to ‘Fair Practices Code for NBFCs’.
This penalty has been imposed in the exercise of powers conferred on RBI under the provisions of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 58 G read with clause (aa) of sub-section (5) of section 58 B of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) tightened norms for Non Banking Financial Company-Peer to Peer Lending Platforms (NBFC-P2P Lending Platform) to improve transparency and compliance.
As per the revised master direction issued by the RBI, a P2P platform should not promote peer-to-peer lending as an investment product with features like tenure-linked assured,
minimum returns, liquidity options, etc.
NBFC-P2P Lending Platform should not cross-sell any insurance product also, which is like credit enhancement or credit guarantee, it said.
No loan should be disbursed unless the lenders and the borrowers have been matched/mapped as per the board-approved policy framed, it added.
The RBI issued guidelines for P2P lending in 2017. Such a platform acts as an intermediary providing an online marketplace/platform to the participants involved in peer-to-peer lending.
However, it has been observed that some of these platforms have adopted certain practices, which were violative of the provisions of Master Direction 2017.
Fintech firm Navi announced a partnership with Karnataka Bank to roll out a credit line on UPI products for customers on the platform.
At present, the Sachin Bansal-founded fintech company has introduced the offering to a closed group of select users. It plans to launch it to a wider user base based on feedback.
The announcement comes as credit transactions on India's flagship payments platform, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), are reaching Rs 10,000 crore each month, out of which about Rs 100 to 200 crore come from the credit line on UPI products. The adoption of a credit line on UPI makes Navi one of the early players to roll out the offering.
Deutsche Bank has selected Manik Chhabra as head of Global Corporate Coverage for India and Sri Lanka.
Chhabra most recently served as India's head for mid corporates at Citibank and holds over 22 years of experience in senior leadership positions across sales and product management.
Within the role Chhabra will report to Chintan Shah, head of corporate coverage, and head of cash management sales APAC as well as Kaushik Shaparia, CEO of emerging Asia and chief country officer of India.
Chhabra will also become a member of the Deutsche Bank India Branch Management Board.
