GUJARAT
Wildlife disease research centre to be set up in Gujarat
Under "Project Lion", the government of India has decided to set up a National Wildlife
Disease Diagnostic Research and Referral Centre in Gujarat.
This is the first major announcements made under the Project Lion.
The proposal is part of the document for Project Lion drafted in consultation with
government of Gujarat and Wildlife Institute of India.
According to the statement of the minister, the Project Lion envisages actions aimed at
averting risk of extinction of Asiatic Lion and ensuring their population for generations to
come by sustaining the scientific conservation management of Asiatic Lions. The project also
aims to ensure that local communities are the main stakeholders and are benefitted by lion
conservation.
INTERNATIONAL
Ghana becomes 1st country to receive Coronavirus vaccines through Covax vaccine-
sharing initiative
The western African country Ghana has become the first country to receive Coronavirus
vaccines through the Covax vaccine-sharing initiative.
Around six lakhs doses of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University and
produced by the Serum Institute of India arrived in Ghana's Capital Accra.
Covax is aiming to deliver about two billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines globally by the end
of the year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) led COVAX programme aims to deliver tools to fight
the coronavirus pandemic to 92 low and medium-income nations.
NATIONAL
PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Second Edition of ‘Maritime India Summit’ in March
2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the virtual Maritime India Summit (MIS)
2021, from March 2 to 4, 2021.
The ‘Maritime India Summit 2021’ is the flagship initiative of the Union Ministry of State for
Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India.
FICCI is the industry partner for the summit.
The theme of the event is “Exploring the potential business opportunities in Indian Maritime
sector and making Aatmanirbhar Bharat”.
Around one lakh delegates and 40 partner countries are expected to participate in the
event.
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates the world's largest stadium at Motera in
Ahmedabad
President Ram Nath Kovind formally inaugurated the world's largest Sardar Vallabhbhai
Patel Cricket Stadium at Motera in Ahmedabad Gujarat.
The President Kovind is expected to watch the third cricket test match between India and
England for some time with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah soon after the inauguration
ceremony.
Sardar Patel Cricket Stadium at Motera in Ahmedabad is all set to make history by hosting
the day-night pink ball test match between India and England.
The newly built world’s largest Motera Cricket Stadium is equipped with all modern
technologies and facilities necessary for present day cricket.
National Technology Awards 2020 – Innovative Indigenous Technologies
A total of 12 companies have been selected for the 2020 National Technology Awards to
successfully commercialize innovative indigenous technologies. Highlights:
They were selected into three categories: indigenous technologies, MSME, and start-ups. ♦
Every year, in order to strengthen its responsibilities, the Technology Development Board
(TDB) seeks prestigious National Awards for commercialization of technologies in these
three categories.
After a comprehensive review by well-known technicians and a strict two-level evaluation
procedure, the winners were selected from a total of 128 applications.
Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries – MSME
Union Minister for MSME & Road Transport & Highways hosted the unveiling ceremony of
50 artisan-based Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI)
clusters, which are located in 18 states. Highlights:
In the 50 clusters opened, at least 42,000 artisans have been supported, including
traditional muslin, khadi, coconut coir, handcraft, handlooms, wood crafts, leather, pottery,
carpet weaving, bamboo, agricultural processing,Tea and other traditional fields.
The Ministry of MSME, Govt. of India has provided about 850 million rupees for the
development of these 50 clusters.
The Ministry of MSME is implementing the Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional
Industries (SFURTI) to organize traditional industries and craftsmen into clusters to make
them competitive and increase revenue.
Labour Bureau All India Surveys
The Labour Bureau organized trainings of trainers for five All-India Surveys. Highlights:
The Chandigarh Labor Bureau organized five trainings for survey trainers across India. These
surveys covered employment generated by domestic workers, migrant workers,
professionals, employment generated by the transportation sector, and employment
surveys based on quarterly institutions across India.
The back-to-back training course is part of a three-day comprehensive training course that
will be provided to officers/officials of the Labour Bureau, officials of the seven regional
offices of the Labour Bureau, and officials of various states.
These trainings are the predecessors of training, and these trainings will eventually be
delivered to field officers who will eventually conduct surveys across the country. About the
Labour Bureau:
Labour Bureau is an affiliated office of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, and has been
at the forefront in meeting the data needs of various stakeholders in the labor and
employment field since 1920.
Skill Development Centre (SDC) for Fire Safety Training
Raksha Mantri established DRDO Skill Development Centre for Fire Safety Training. About
the SDC:
The Skill Development Center (SDC) of the National Defense Research and Development
Organization (DRDO) for fire safety training is located in Pilkhuwa, Uttar Pradesh.
The facility was created by the DRDO laboratory Center for Fire, Explosive and Environment
Safety (CFEES) located in Delhi to develop trained human resources, fire safety technology
and products to save precious human lives and valuable assets.
SDC is the first case in India. It uses the most advanced technology and establishes a
simulation system to verify firepower on a realistic scale to meet challenges and enhance
the skills of Defence Fire Service Personnel and combatants from the Armed Forces.
