Current Affairs Today 10th & 11th May 2020| Current Affairs News

CURRENT AFFAIRS: DAYS

World Migratory Bird Day

• World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on twice a year, on the Second Saturday in May and in October, WMBD aims to reach out to a broader audience and amplify its message for bird conservation.
• It was first celebrated in
• The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) — two intergovernmental wildlife treaties administered by UN Environment — organize the campaign in cooperation with Environment for the Americas (EFTA).
• This year it falls on 9th May . This is a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness of migratory birds and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.
• This year the theme of World Migratory Bird Day is “Birds Connect Our World”.

International Mother’s Day 

• The International Mother’s Day date varies every year and falls on the second Sunday of May. This year, the day will be celebrated on May 10.
• It is the annual celebration of the mother of the family and her relentless contribution to the well-being of her children.

National Technology Day 

• National Technology Day is observed on May 11, every year, across the country.
• This day marks the anniversary of Pokhran nuclear tests of 1998 and India’s technological advancements in space.
• The aim to celebrate National Technology Day is to highlight the achievements of our scientists and engineers in the field of science and technology.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: NATIONAL

India launches Mission Sagar to assist island nations in Eastern Indian Ocean

• India launched Mission Sagar as part of the government’s outreach initiative towards five Island nations in the Indian Ocean amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
• Indian Naval Ship Kesari has departed for Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros, to provide Food Items, COVID related Medicines including HCQ Tablets and Special Ayurvedic Medicines with Medical Assistance Teams embarked.
• Also, as part of Mission Sagar, Indian Naval Ship Kesari would enter the Port of Male in the Republic of Maldives, to provide them 600 tons of food provisions. India and Maldives are close maritime neighbours with strong and extremely cordial defence and diplomatic relations.
• The deployment is in consonance with the Prime Ministers’ vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’ promulgated in March 2015.
• SAGAR highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with her neighbouring countries and further strengthens the existing bond.
• The operation is being progressed in close coordination with the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, and other agencies of the Government of India.

Centre sets up six-member panel to review production sharing contracts

• The ministry of petroleum and natural gas has set up a six-member expert committee to review the existing production sharing contracts (PSCs) owing to the fall in crude oil prices and the Covid-19 lockdown.
• Because of lower oil and gas price environment, there is a need to find ways of attracting investment in exploration and production of oil and gas.
• The committee’s scope includes suggesting methodology for increased production and activities and changes required in the existing policies. The panel has members from ONGC, OIl India, directorate general of hydrocarbons (DGH), ministry of petroleum, and former DGH officials, with expertise in the operational aspects of hydrocarbon industry.
• The Covid-19 pandemic has curtailed activities and downsized the global energy demand, resulting in excess supply and low prices. However, this lower price regime is denting the profits of domestic producers.
• Based on industry estimates, domestic producers save the country more than Rs 1.7 trillion annually with their production and consequent reduced imports.

 About ministry of petroleum and natural gas:

• Dharmendra Pradhan – MOS independent charge
• Constituency: Bihar

Government Hikes 2020-21 Market Borrowing Limit To Rs 12 Lakh Crore Amid COVID-19

• The government increased its market borrowing estimate by staggering Rs 4.2 lakh crore to Rs 12 lakh crore for the current financial year to deal with the expected shortfall in revenue due to the impact of COVID-19 crisis on the economy.
• The government resorts to market borrowing to make up for the mismatch between its revenue and expenditure.
• The estimated gross market borrowing in the financial year 2020-21 will be Rs 12 lakh crore in place of Rs 7.80 lakh crore as per BE 2020-21. The above revision in borrowings has been necessitated on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Finance Ministry stated in a statement.
• The government has also increased the weekly borrowing target to Rs 30,000 crore from Rs 21,000 crore fixed on March 31.
• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget for 2020-21 had pegged gross borrowing in the new financial year at Rs 7.8 lakh crore, higher than Rs 7.1 lakh crore estimated for 2019-20.
• With the increase in the borrowing estimate, the government would have to revise upwards its fiscal deficit target from 3.5 per cent pegged for the current fiscal.

About market borrowing:

• Borrowing, which can be short term or long term, involves the sale of government securities. Treasury bills are issued into the money markets to help raise short term cash, and last only 90 days, whereupon they are repaid.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: INTERNATIONAL

UN Agencies Release Commemorative Stamp On 40th Anniversary Of Smallpox Eradication

• The WHO and the UN’s postal agency have released a commemorative postage stamp on the 40th anniversary of the eradication of smallpox, with the head of the global health body expressing gratitude to a top Indian-origin UN official Mr Atul Khare.
• The commemorative stamp was designed and developed by Sergio Baradat, United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) in collaboration with WHO.
• In May 1980, the 33rd World Health Assembly issued its official declaration that “the world and all its peoples have won freedom from smallpox.”
• When WHO’s smallpox eradication campaign was launched in 1967, one of the ways countries raised awareness about smallpox was through postage stamps.
• The stamp recognises the global solidarity in fighting smallpox and honours millions of people working together, from world leaders and international organisations to rural doctors and community health workers, to eradicate smallpox.

About WHO

• Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland.
• Director-general– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

About United Nations Postal Administration

• Headquarters– Newyork, US.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: STATES

Tamil Nadu forms panel under ex-RBI Gov Rangarajan to advise measures to bring economy back on track

• The Tamil Nadu government decided to set up high-level committee of economists and experts headed by R Rangarajan, former Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor and ex-chairman of Prime Minister’s economic advisory council, to advise the state government on the medium-term policy response in the wake serious economic and fiscal challenges triggered by the covid-19 pandemic.
• The committee will include industry veterans like Venu Srinivasan, chairman, TVS motor company, N Srinivasan, vice-chairman & MD, India cements and A Vellayan, former chairman of Murugappa group. Indian bank MD & CEO, Padmaja Chunduru, P N Vasudevan, MD & CEO, Equitas Small Finance Bank, M Govinda Rao, member 14th finance commission, and K R Shanmugam, director, Madras School of Economics are the other prominent members of the committee, among others.
• The terms of reference of the panel include: access the overall immediate and medium-term impact of the covid-19 pandemic on different sectors of Tamil Nadu’s economy, including the impact of lockdown, additional costs and implications due to social distancing and other precautionary measures. It will access the opportunities and threats in short and medium terms.
• The panel will formulate measures required to help the important sectors of the economy to overcome the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. It will identify the specific reform measures to be taken the state government to support and promote the growth of important sectors of the economy.

About TN

• Capital- Chennai
• CM-Edappadi K Palanisamy
• Governor- Banwarilal Prohit

Bengaluru launches Pranavayu programme to create awareness on need to self examine respiratory health

• There are 21 containment zones in the city where Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is mandated to carry out quarantine and surveillance activities along with identifying persons prone to the deadly corona virus infection. In this regard, the city corporation has launched Pranavayu programme to create awareness on the need to self examine the respiratory health for Bengaloreans.
• Pranavayu programme launched by the City Corporation in Bengaluru has been creating awareness through advertisements in media about the need to carry out self examination for early detection of any ailment that could aggravate the situation if contracted with the viral infection.
• Several deaths due to COVID-19 are reported due to Severe Acute Respiratory illness or SARI. Pranavayu awareness programme is an attempt to help people with low oxygen level in their blood to get themselves checked early before their ailments become fatal.

About Karnataka :

• Chief minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
• Capital: Bengaluru
• Governor: Vajubhai Vala

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

GSK Sells $3.35 Billion Stake In Hindustan Unilever

• British pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline PLC is selling its 5.7% stake in Hindustan Unilever Ltd. for about 254.8 billion Indian rupees (US$3.35 billion).
• The stakewas part of the payment for a portfolio sold by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Ltd. to Unilever.
• GSK expects net proceeds from the sale of GSK Consumer Healthcare to be £2.9 billion, up from its initial estimate of £2.4 billion following the appreciation of Hindustan Unilever’s share price since the merger closed in April.
• On 1 April 2020, GSK announced the completion of the disinvestment of its popular healthcare drink brand Horlicks and other healthcare products from Unilever in India. It sold 5.69 % stake in HUL, which they got via an amalgamation deal for about ₹25,400 crore.
• HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) Pvt. Ltd., J.P. Morgan India Pvt. Ltd. and Morgan Stanley India Co. Pvt. Ltd. are acting as joint placement agents for the placing.

About GlaxoSmithKline plc

• Headquarters– Brentford, United Kingdom
• Chief executive Officer– Emma Walmsley

About Hindustan Unilever Limited

• Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Chairman & Managing Director– Sanjiv Mehta

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPS AND PORTALS

Mahindra Launches Digital Car Buying Platform ‘Own-Online’ To Boost Sales Amid Covid-19 Crisis

• Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has launched an integrated online platform that will provide end-to-end sales experience for prospective buyers amid the coronavirus pandemic. Under the new initiative Own-Online, a customer can finance, insure, exchange, accessories and own a company vehicle, in four simple steps, from the comfort of their homes.
• Under the initiative, the customers can personalise their vehicles, instantly generate an exchange, get finance and insurance quotations and make booking payment, making the car ownership journey end-to-end and online in the true sense.
• Besides, the company is also taking additional precautions across the customer interaction processes such as test drives, document collection and vehicle delivery to ensure high hygiene standards are maintained.

About Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M)

• Headquarters -Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• CEO- Anand Mahindra

CURRENT AFFAIRS: APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATION

Narinder Batra’s Term As FIH President Extended To May 2021

• Narinder Batra will remain President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) until May 2021.
• The Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has decided to postpone the 47th FIH Congress, initially planned on 28 October-1 November 2020 in New Delhi, to May 2021, in India’s capital city. The exact date will be confirmed soon.

About FIH

• Headquarters- Lausanne, Switzerland
• President : Narinder Batra

Google Cloud appoints Anil Bhansali as VP Engineering in India

• Google Cloud stated it has appointed former Microsoft executive Anil Bhansali as Vice President of Engineering in India.
• He will coordinate all software development support efforts for Google Cloud in the country, according to a company statement.
• He is joining Google Cloud from Microsoft where he was Corporate Vice President of their Azure cloud division and site leader for their research and development team in India, it added.
• During his 28-year career in Microsoft, he led engineering efforts across the company’s Office, Search, and Windows divisions.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: AWARDS AND HONOURS

Union Minister Giriraj Singh presents awards to the winners of “Startup India-Animal Husbandry Grand Challenge”

• Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Giriraj Singh, was the chief guest at the Awards Ceremony for the winners of “Startup India-Animal Husbandry Grand Challenge”. MoS (Fisheries & AHD) Shri Sanjeev Kumar Balyan and Secretary (AHD) Shri Atul Chaturvedi were present on the occasion.
• The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, in partnership with Startup India, had launched the ‘Animal Husbandry Startup Grand Challenge’, to scout for innovative and commercially viable solutions to address the problems faced by the Animal Husbandry and Dairy sector.
• The challenge was launched by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 11th September last year at a national animal disease control programme in Mathura.
• The challenge was open for application to all startups with unique solutions for six problem statements that were identified as below:
• Value added products: introduce value added dairy products viz. cheese, smoothies, flavoured milk, custard, yoghurt, and other ethnic Indian products using innovative techniques for smaller domestic as well as export markets.
• Single use plastic alternatives: using environment-friendly alternatives to replace single-use polythene in dairy sector.
• Eliminate milk adulteration: tackling milk adulteration in the dairy sector
• Breed improvement and animal nutrition: use of innovative technologies for quick genetic gain among Indian breeds of cattle and buffalos, and new varieties of green fodder and enriched animal feed.
• E-commerce solutions: encouraging innovations to provide modern digital infrastructure and advisory services across the country
• Product traceability: using technologies to track the journey of dairy products from farm to fork
• Value added products: 1. (Winner) Krushak Mitra Agro Services Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai & 2. (Runner Up) Studio Carbon, Ahmedabad
• Eliminate milk adulteration: 1. White Gold Technologies LLP, Mumbai & 2. Micro Life Innovations, Chennai
• Breed improvement: 1. Adis Technologies, Belagavi, Karnataka & 2. CisGEN Biotech Discoveries Pvt. Ltd., Chennai
• Animal nutrition: 1. Krimanshi Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Jodhpur & 2. Cornext Agri Products Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad
• E-commerce solutions: 1. MoooFarm, Gurugram, Haryana & 2. AKM Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Cuttack
• Product traceability: 1. EmerTech Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Mumbai & 2. NebulARC Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Delhi
• Single use plastic alternatives: None found suitable.
• The 12 Startups mentioned above (2 per problem statement) will be given cash grants worth Rs. 1,02,00,000. Two winners under each problem awarded with cash grants worth
• INR10Lakh(Winner)
  INR7 Lakh (Runner-up)

Constituency

• Giriraj Singh– Begusarai, Bihar

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SUMMITS AND CONFERENCE

Digital Conference on RE-START Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology And Research Translations

• The Technology Development Board (TDB) a statutory body of the Department of Science & Technology (DST) along with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) will organise a high-level digital conference on ‘Rebooting the Economy through Science, Technology and Research Translations  (RESTART)’ on May 11, 2020, to celebrate the National Technology Day.
• Union Minister for Science & Technology, Health and Family Welfare and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan would be the Chief Guest for the occasion.
• The conference will bring together Scientists, Technocrats, Government officials, Diplomats, WHO officials and dignitaries from national and international Industry, Research Institutions and Academic Institutions on a single platform to share their insights on the role played by S & T in the global healthcare crisis and find solutions that not only address the current pandemic but will also help us in facing the challenges ahead.
• The conference will have technical sessions on ‘Medicines & Medical Technologies’; ‘Advanced Materials – New Technology Horizons’;‘Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for Sustainable Future and Global Innovation’& Technology Alliance for Global Economic Leadership.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: BOOKS AND AUTHORS

Prince Harry-Meghan Markle’s biography ‘Finding Freedom’ to be published in August

• The first biopic on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s life, titled ‘Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Making of A Modern Royal Family’ has been topping the pre-order charts. The book would be published on August 11, 2020.
• ‘Finding Freedom’ is a biopic, written by royal reporters Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand. The book promises to dismantle the rumours revolving around Harry, the Duke of Sussex and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. It promises to bring the true story of Harry and Meghan forward.
• Finding Freedom is an honest, up-close, and disarming portrait of a confident, influential, and forward-thinking couple who are unafraid to break with tradition, determined to create a new path away from the spotlight, and dedicated to building a humanitarian legacy that will make a profound difference in the world.

Vadhan’s new book “Fear of God” deals with corruption vigilantism law

• The story of “Fear of God” weaves law, corruption, vigilantism and courtroom drama to follow the three central characters who are looking to achieve the same thing but through different means.
• It is written by  Vadhan, whose real name is Bommadevara Sai Chandravadhan.
• This is Vadhan’s third novel after “Agniputr: When Agni First Spoke” and “Shatru”.
• “Fear of God”, published by TreeShade Books, has recently closed its screen adaptation deal. Vadhan says his book is about right and wrong, a topic loved universally. It deals with religion, corruption, nationalism, patriotism and the army.

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

National Institute of Virology develops country’s 1st indigenous antibody-based testing kit COVID KAVACH ELISA

• National Institute of Virology, Pune, has developed first indigenous antibody-based ELISA test kit – COaVID KAVACH for diagnosis of novel Corona Virus. This test is expected to change the dynamics of COVID-19 testing in the country.
• The kit has displayed high sensitivity and accuracy in the validation tests at different sites. It can test around 90 samples in approximately two and half hours.
• Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan stated that ELISA based testing can easily be operated even at district level. He informed that the technology has been transferred to pharmaceutical manufacturing companies for mass-scale production.

DRDO lab develops automated UV systems to sanitise electronic gadgets, papers & currency notes

• Hyderabad based Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab has developed automated Ultraviolet systems to sanitise electronic gadgets, papers and currency notes
• Defence Ministry stated, the device – Defence Research Ultraviolet Sanitiser (DRUVS) has been designed to sanitise mobile phones, iPads, laptops, currency notes, cheque leafs, challans, passbooks, paper and envelopes. Bundles of currency notes can be sanitised using DRUVS.
• The DRUVS is having contactless operation which is very important to contain the spread of virus. It provides 360 degree exposure of Ultra Violet to the objects placed inside the cabinet. Once the sanitisation is done, the system goes in sleep mode hence the operator need not wait or stand near the device.

About DRDO:

• Minister responsible : Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence
• Dr G. Satheesh Reddy, Chairman, DRDO
• Headquarters : New Delhi

CSIR approves project to develop ‘hmAbs’ that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in patients

• Council of Scientific and Industrial Reseach, CSIR is leading the fight against COVID-19 using multi-pronged approach and multiple models of engagement.
• CSIR labs themselves are developing technologies and products and are working with industry and PSU partners for deployment while CSIR is also supporting new ideas and projects from other academic and industries through its flagship New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative, NMITLI programme
• Given the importance of deploying multiple strategies against COVID-19, CSIR through NMITLI programme has approved a project towards development of human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs) that can neutralize.

About Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR):

• Established: 26 September 1942
• President: Prime Minister of India
• Head Quarters : New Delhi
• Director General: Shekhar C. Mande

ICMR, Bharat Biotech tie up for Indian COVID-19 vaccine

• The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) announced a research collaboration with Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL) to develop a COVID-19 vaccine.
• The ICMR stated in a statement that it had transferred the virus strain isolated at the National Institute of Virology, Pune (an ICMR institute) to BBIL.
• Work on vaccine development has been initiated between the two partners. ICMR-NIV will provide continuous support to BBIL for vaccine development.
• ICMR and BBIL will seek fast-track approvals to expedite vaccine development, subsequent animal studies and clinical evaluation of the candidate vaccine, which will be fully indigenous to India,  the ICMR statement stated.

About ICMR:

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Secretary & Director General: Dr. Balram Bhargava
• Founded: 1911

CURRENT AFFAIRS: SPORTS

SAI forms 6-member panel to prepare SOP for phased resumption of training

• The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has formed a six-member committee to prepare a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for a phased resumption of training across sporting disciplines at all the centres once the coronavirus-forced national lockdown is lifted.
• The six-member panel will be headed by SAI secretary Rohit Bharadwaj and will have CEO Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) Rajesh Rajagopalan, Executive Director (Operations) SS Roy, SS Sarla, Col BK Nayak and Assistant Director TOPS Sachin K as members.
• The panel will draft a SOP, describing protocols and preventive measures to be observed by all stakeholders, including trainees, coaches, technical and non-technical support staff, NSFs, administrators, mess and hostel staff and visitors, once training resumes.
• The SOP will include in detail the guidelines to be followed on entry norms, sanitisation guidelines, precautions to be taken in common areas, and by athletes while travelling to and from the centre.
• The recommendations of the committees are being made in consultation with respective National Sporting Federations and other stakeholders, and will be sent to the Sports Ministry for final approval.

About Sports Authority of India (SAI):

• Headquarters: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium , Delhi.
• Sandip Pradhan – Sports Secretary-cum-Director General

CURRENT AFFAIRS: OBITUARY

Eminent historian Hari Shankar Vasudevan passes away

• Eminent historian Hari Shankar Vasudevan passed away due to novel coronavirus. He was 68.
• He was considered one the foremost names in Russian and Central Asian history.

Grammy winning-singer Betty Wright dies at 66

• Iconic soul and R&B singer Betty Wright has died after a battle with cancer. She was 66.
• Wright, whose real name was Bessie Regina Norris, was born in 1953.
• She started singing as part of her siblings’ musical group called the ‘Echoes of Joy’, but she rose to fame in the 1970s.
• Her first album ‘My First Time Around’ wasn’t released until two years later featuring the hit “Girls Can’t Do What the Guys Do.” At the age of 23, she went on to win her first Grammy Award for Best Song, “Where is the Love?”

DAILY CA 9th MAY

• Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurates 80 km long road curtailing Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage time
• India Post partners ICMR for delivery of COVID-19 testing kits to 200 labs in country
• China’s new space capsule lands safely to end 1st uncrewed test flight
• World Bank approves USD 400 mn loan to help Afghanistan deal with COVID-19 crisis
• SBI General Insurance Launches Arogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy A Standard Health Insurance Policy
• FM Nirmala Sitaraman launches (INR-USD) F and O contracts on BSE’s India INX & NSE’s NSE-IFSC at GIFT
• Indian economy may contract 0.4% in FY21 on coronavirus pandemic: Nomura
• Vista Equity Partners to invest Rs 11,367 crore in Jio platforms for 2.32% stake
• Tata Consumer Products ties up with Domino’s, Zomato to deliver essential goods
• Yogi Adityanath launches ‘Pravasi Raahat Mitra’ App for migrant workers
• TRIFED & Art of Living Foundation collaboration to provide Free Ration Kits to Needy Tribes India Artisans
• World Rugby launches women coaching Rugby Toolkit
• Ministry of Defence inks Rs 1,200 cr contract to boost electronics sector
• Former Greek health minister, cardiologist Kremastinos passes away

DAILY CA 10th  & 11th  MAY

• World Migratory Bird Day- 9th may
• International Mother’s Day– 10th may
• National Technology Day-11th may
• India launches Mission Sagar to assist island nations in Eastern Indian Ocean
• Centre sets up six-member panel to review production sharing contracts
• Government Hikes 2020-21 Market Borrowing Limit To Rs 12 Lakh Crore Amid COVID-19
• UN Agencies Release Commemorative Stamp On 40th Anniversary Of Smallpox Eradication
• Tamil Nadu forms panel under ex-RBI Gov Rangarajan to advise measures to bring economy back on track
• Bengaluru launches Pranavayu programme to create awareness on need to self examine respiratory health
• GSK Sells $3.35 Billion Stake In Hindustan Unilever
• Mahindra Launches Digital Car Buying Platform ‘Own-Online’ To Boost Sales Amid Covid-19 Crisis
• Narinder Batra’s Term As FIH President Extended To May 2021
• Google Cloud appoints Anil Bhansali as VP Engineering in India
• Union Minister Giriraj Singh presents awards to the winners of “Startup India-Animal Husbandry Grand Challenge”
• Digital Conference on RE-START Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology And Research Translations
• Prince Harry-Meghan Markle’s biography ‘Finding Freedom’ to be published in August
• Vadhan’s new book “Fear of God” deals with corruption vigilantism law
• National Institute of Virology develops country’s 1st indigenous antibody-based testing kit COVID KAVACH ELISA
• DRDO lab develops automated UV systems to sanitise electronic gadgets, papers & currency notes
• CSIR approves project to develop ‘hmAbs’ that can neutralize SARS-CoV-2 in patients
• ICMR, Bharat Biotech tie up for Indian COVID-19 vaccine
• SAI forms 6-member panel to prepare SOP for phased resumption of training
• Eminent historian Hari Shankar Vasudevan passes away
• Grammy winning-singer Betty Wright dies at 66