Current Affairs Today 17th ad 18th May 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 17th and 18th May 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. World Hypertension Day (WHD) is observed on 17 May every year.
2. The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is observed every year on 17 May since 1969, to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
3. The International Museum Day is celebrated on 18 May to raise awareness about the fact that “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.”
4. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development(NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 1,500 crores for Punjab to ensure continuous credit flow to farmers, through state cooperative banks, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. In continuation to PM Modi’s announcement of Rs 20 lakh crore boost to the economy, and the announcement made by her on May 13, 2020, May 14, 2020 and May 15, 2020 the Finance Minister of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has made the announcement of the fourth tranche of economic support the Indian Economy’s fight against COVID-19.
6. In continuation to PM Modi’s announcement of Rs 20 lakh crore boost to the economy, and the announcement made by her on May 13, 2020, May 14, 2020. May 15, 2020 and May 16, 2020 the Finance Minister of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has made the announcement of the fifth tranche (which is the last one) of economic support the Indian Economy’s fight against COVID-19.
7. Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the guidelines to the National Directives for COVID-19 management.
8. Severe Cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ over southeast bay and adjoining southwest bay has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm as it moved northwards.
9. In Madhya Pradesh, in a first of its kind of initiative, Charan Paduka (चरण पादुका) campaign has been started for the migrant labourers passing through the state.
10. The Andhra Pradesh (AP) state government has formed a 5-member high-powered committee led by Neerabh Kumar Prasad (special chief secretary of environment, forests, science and technology) to probe into the causes behind the leakage of styrene gas from the LG Polymers India Ltd located at RR Venkatapuram in Visakhapatnam.
11. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally swore in his new government on 17 May for the fifth time.
12. The pair of Indian-origin siblings, Reuben and the Hinduja brothers, shares the second spot in the Britain’s annual rich list, with a fortune of 16 billion pounds each.
13. National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) has partnered with fintech start-up DotPe to build its own tech platform.
14. Godrej East Africa Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods) firm Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), has acquired the balance 25% stake in Kenya-based Canon Chemicals Ltd for an undisclosed sum.
15. The book titled as “Wuhan Diary: Dispatches from a Quarantined City” authored by Chinese literary writer Fang Fang is a compilation of online diary entries and social media posts that document 60 days of lockdown during COVID-19, captures the challenges of daily life and the changing moods and emotions of being quarantined without reliable information & is a remarkable record of the extraordinary time.
16. Union HRD (Human Resource Development) Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank e-Launched print as well as e-editions of the set of 7 titles on “Psycho-Social Impact of pandemic & lockdown and how to Cope With” under the corona studies series published by National Book Trust (NBT), India.
17. India’s space agency Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has directed the startups to develop tools and machines for its maiden human space flight Gaganyaan-1 mission.
18. Scientists of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) (Indian School of Mines ISM) Dhanbad and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology(IICB) teamed up to find a solution to understand Parkinson’s disease which is a common neurodegenerative disease with no cure.
19. Noted Marathi dramatist, litterateur, theatre personality and National Award-winning director, Ratnakar Matkari passed away in Mumbai, Sunday late night.
20. Former Australian rugby league captain, Arthur Summons, has passed away.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

World Hypertension Day is observed on 17 May

• World Hypertension Day (WHD) is observed on 17 May every year.
• The day aims to promote public awareness of hypertension.
• It also encourages all the people across the world to prevent and control this silent killer.

Theme:

• The theme of 2020 World Hypertension Day is “Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer.”
• It focuses to create awareness about raising high blood pressure (BP) in all the populations around the world.

History:

• The observation of World Hypertension Day was initiated by the World Hypertension League (WHL). The day was first inaugurated in May 2005. WHL is an affiliated section of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH). The day aims to spread awareness about hypertension disease, early detection, prevention, and control. The main risk factor to develop cardiovascular disease is high blood pressure.

Extra Shots:

Hypertension:

• Hypertension or high blood pressure is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure, if left untreated, can cause health conditions, such as heart disease and stroke.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day observed on 17 May

• The World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is observed every year on 17 May since 1969, to commemorate the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

Theme:

• The theme of 2020 is “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”
• The ITU was founded on 17 May 1865, when the first International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris.

Purpose:

• The main objective of the day is to raise global awareness of the changes brought about by the Internet and new technologies in societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.

International Museum Day observed on 18 May

• The International Museum Day is celebrated on 18 May to raise awareness about the fact that “Museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.”
• It is coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

Theme:

• Theme of International Museum Day 2020: “Museums for Equality: Diversity and Inclusion”.

BANKING AND FINANCE

NABARD sanctioned Rs 1,500 crores for Punjab to ensure continuous credit flow to farmers

• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development(NABARD) has sanctioned Rs 1,500 crores for Punjab to ensure continuous credit flow to farmers, through state cooperative banks, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Out of the total amount Rs 1,000 crores is sanctioned to Punjab State Cooperative Bank and Rs 500 crores to Punjab Gramin Bank.

Highlights:

• The Amount given is part of NABARD’s Rs 25,000 crores nationwide special liquidity facility(SLF), which has been made available to state cooperative banks, regional rural banks, and microfinance institutions (MFIs), to ensure flow of credit to farmers for agricultural operations during COVID-19 pandemic
• Till now NABARD has disbursed Rs 1,000 crores to Punjab State Cooperative Bank and Rs 100 crores to Punjab Gramin Bank to support agricultural and other activities of farmers
• The support given by NABARD is a frontline liquidity support to these banks to ensure credit flow to farmers for carrying out agricultural operations for kharif crops smoothly during this difficult situation.

Extra Shots:

NABARD:  National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development is an Apex Development Financial Institution in India.

• Founded: 12 July 1982
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Agency executive: Harsh Kumar Bhanwala (Chairperson)
• Purpose: Development assistance; Poverty Reduction
• Formation: July 12, 1982; 37 years ago
• Subsidiaries: Nabcons, NABVENTURES Ltd., Nabkisan Finance Ltd., NABSAMRUDDHI Finance Limited

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

FM announces 4th tranche of economic support under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan

• In continuation to PM Modi’s announcement of Rs 20 lakh crore boost to the economy, and the announcement made by her on May 13, 2020, May 14, 2020 and May 15, 2020 the Finance Minister of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has made the announcement of the fourth tranche of economic support the Indian Economy’s fight against COVID-19.
• These are the announcements made on May 16, 2020.
• The announcement focusses on reforming 8 sectors which are coal, minerals, defence production, airports and airspace management, MRO, power distribution of companies in UTs, space and atomic energy.
• Only the most important points have been covered in this post. The points which are important from exam point of view have been highlighted in red.

Highlights:

Coal:

• Commercial mining of coal on a revenue-sharing basis is being introduced. Government will introduce competition, transparency and private sector participation through revenue sharing mechanism instead of the current fixed rupee per tonne. Coal Bed Methane will also be auctioned.

Mineral

• To enhance private investments in the mineral sector, a seamless composite exploration -cum-mining – cum production regime will be introduced. 500 mining blocks will be offered through an open and transparent auction process immediately.

Make in India for  Defence Production

• Foreign Direct Investment limit in defence manufacturing under automatic route is being raised from 49% to 74% to boost indigenous defence production.

Airports and airspace

• 6 airports will be put up for bidding by the Airports Authority of India for operation and maintenance on PPP mode.

Maintenance

• Repairs and Operations (MRO)- Tax regime for MRO ecosystem has been rationalised. Convergence between defence sector and the civil MROs will be established to create economies of scale

Power Sector

• Power distribution companies in Union Territories will be privatised.

Social Infrastructure Projects

• Boosting private sector investment in social infrastructure projects through revamped viability gap funding scheme of Rs 8,100 crore. The govt will enhance the quantum of viability gap funding up to 30 per cent each of total project cost as VGF by Centre and state

Space & Atomic Energy

• Private sector will be allowed to use ISRO facilities and other relevant assets to improve their capacities. India to establish a research reactor in PPP mode for production of medical isotopes.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Finance is an important ministry within the Government of India concerned with the economy of India, serving as the Indian Treasury Department. Founded: 29 October 1946

• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Jurisdiction: India
• Officeholders: P. Radhakrishnan (Minister of State), Shiv Pratap Shukla (Minister of State), Nirmala Sitharaman (Minister)

FM announces 5th tranche (last) of economic support under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan

• In continuation to PM Modi’s announcement of Rs 20 lakh crore boost to the economy, and the announcement made by her on May 13, 2020, May 14, 2020. May 15, 2020 and May 16, 2020 the Finance Minister of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman has made the announcement of the fifth tranche (which is the last one) of economic support the Indian Economy’s fight against COVID-19.
• These are the announcements made on May 17, 2020.
• The 5th tranche is focussed on Government Reforms and Enablers for providing employment, support to businesses, Ease of Doing Business, and State Governments as well sectors such as Education and Health. Seven measures have been announced under this.

Highlights:

1. Allocation for MGNREGS increased by Rs 40,000 Crore to provide employment boost– Will help generate nearly 300 crore person-days in total.
2. Health Reforms & Initiatives- Public Expenditure on Health will be increased by investing in grass-root health institutions. National Institutional Platform for One health by ICMR will encourage research. And the implementation of National Digital Health Blueprint under the National Digital Health Mission.
3. Technology Driven Education with Equity post-COVID-

PM eVIDYA

A programme for multi-mode access to digital/online education to be launched immediately; consisting of:

• DIKSHA for school education in states/UTs: e-content and QR coded Energized Textbooks for all grades (one nation, one digital platform)
• One earmarked TV channel per class from 1 to 12 (one class, one channel)
• Extensive use of Radio, Community radio and Podcasts
• Special e-content for visually and hearing impaired.
• Top 100 universities will be permitted to automatically start online courses by 30th May, 2020.

Manodarpan

• An initiative for psychosocial support of students, teachers and families for mental health and emotional wellbeing to be launched immediately.
• National Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission for ensuring that every child attains Learning levels and outcomes in grade 5 by 2025 will be launched by December 2020.

4. Further enhancement of Ease of Doing Business through IBC related measures-

• Minimum threshold to initiate insolvency proceedings raised to Rs. 1 crore (from Rs. 1 lakh, which largely insulates MSMEs).
• Suspension of fresh initiation of insolvency proceedings up to one year, depending upon the pandemic situation.

5. Decriminalisation of Companies Act defaults- The Amendments will de-clog the criminal courts and NCLT. 7 compoundable offences altogether dropped and 5 to be dealt with under alternative framework.
6. Ease of Doing Business for Corporates- Direct listing of securities by Indian public companies in permissible foreign jurisdictions. Power to create additional/ specialized benches for NCLAT. Lower penalties for all defaults for Small Companies, One-person Companies, Producer Companies & Start Ups.
7. Public Sector Enterprise Policy for a New, Self-reliant India- There is a need for a new coherent policy—where all sectors are open to the private sector while public sector enterprises(PSEs) will play an important role in defined areas

The support to State Government from Central Government

• States net borrowing ceiling for 2020-21 is Rs. 6.41 lakh crores, based on 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
• Centre has decided to increase borrowing limits of States from 3% to 5% for 2020-21 only. This will give States extra resources of Rs. 4.28 lakh crores.
• Part of the borrowing will be linked to specific reforms (including recommendations of the Finance Commission). Reform linkage will be in four areas: universalisation of ‘One Nation One Ration card’, Ease of Doing Business, Power distribution and Urban Local Body revenues.
• A specific scheme will be notified by the Department of Expenditure on the following pattern:
• Unconditional increase of 0.50%
• 1% in 4 tranches of 0.25%, with each tranche linked to clearly specified, measurable and feasible reform actions
• Further 0.50% if milestones are achieved in at least three out of four reform areas

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

MHA issues guidelines to specify National Directives for COVID-19 management

• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the guidelines to the National Directives for COVID-19 management.
• The guidelines will apply to public places and workplaces.
• The guidelines should be followed by all persons in public places and in transport.

Highlights:

• Under the guidelines issued by MHA, all the people should wear face covers is compulsory, spitting will be punishable with fine, and social distancing should be followed in public places and in transport.
• In Marriage related gatherings, people shall not have more than 50 guests.
• For the last rites and funerals, the maximum number of persons allowed should be 20.
• The guidelines prohibit, the consumption of liquor, paan, gutkha, and tobacco in public places.
• The work from home practice should be followed to the extent possible, and a staggering of work hours should be adopted.
• At all entry, exit points, and common areas, provisions for thermal scanning, hand wash, and sanitizers should be provided.
• In all the workplaces, social distancing should be ensured through measures like the adequate distance between workers, and adequate gaps between shifts.

Extra Shots:

The Ministry of Home Affairs or Home Ministry is a ministry of the Government of India. As the interior ministry of India, it is mainly responsible for the maintenance of internal security and domestic policy. The Home Ministry is headed by Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah.

• Ministry executive: Ajay Kumar Bhalla, IAS, Home Secretary
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Founded: 15 August 1947
• Jurisdiction: India
• Officeholders: Rajnath Singh (Minister), Amit Shah (Minister),

Cyclonic Amphan (Um-Pun) intensifies into a very severe cyclonic storm

• Severe Cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’ over southeast bay and adjoining southwest bay has intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm as it moved northwards.
• It is likely to intensify further and move in a north-northwesterly direction before turning towards Bangladesh. It may cross Bangladesh coast between Khulna-Chattogram
• The Very severe cyclonic storm now lies over the west central bay and adjoining Southwest bay.
• The Met department in its bulletin in the morning said that the storm is about 1150 km south-southwest of Chattogram port, 1090 km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1070 km south-southwest of Mongla port and 1050 km north-northwest of Payra port.
• Maximum sustained speed within 74 km of the storm centre is 110 kilometres per hour (kmph) rising to 130 kmph in gusts. Sea will remain very high near the cyclone centre.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Madhya Pradesh launches Charan Paduka initiative for migrant labourers

• In Madhya Pradesh, in a first of its kind of initiative, Charan Paduka (चरण पादुका) campaign has been started for the migrant labourers passing through the state.
• Under this campaign, the migrant labourers going barefoot are being providing shoes and slippers to reduce their pain.
• The most notable thing is that this campaign is being conducted by the police at most places.
• The Charan Paduka campaign started from the Rau Police Station of Indore. Police station in-charge Dinesh Verma said that this initiative is getting full support of public.

Extra Shots:

Madhya Pradesh:

• Capital: Bhopal
• Chief Minister: Kamal Nath
• Governor: Lalji Tandon
• National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP

AP govt forms 5-member panel headed by Neerabh Kumar Prasad to probe Vizag gas leak

• The Andhra Pradesh (AP) state government has formed a 5-member high-powered committee led by Neerabh Kumar Prasad (special chief secretary of environment, forests, science and technology) to probe into the causes behind the leakage of styrene gas from the LG Polymers India Ltd located at RR Venkatapuram in Visakhapatnam.
• The panel required to submit its final report within one month.
• The gas leak had claimed 12 lives and left more than 200 people ill after they inhaled the styrene gas.
• Other members of the panel includes Karikal Valaven, Special Chief Secretary (Industries), Vinay Chand (Visakhapatnam district collector), RK Meena (Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police) as members and Vivek Yadav (Member Secretary, AP Pollution Control Board) as member convenor.

Extra Shots:

Styrene:

• It is a flammable liquid used in the manufacture of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber and latex.According to ‘Tox Town’, a website run by the US National Library of Medicine, styrene is also found in vehicles and cigarette smoke and natural foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Extra Shots:

Andhra Pradesh:

• Capital: Amravati
• Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
• Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
• Literacy rate: 67.4%
• National Park: Sri Venkateswara National Park, Sri Venkateswara National Park, Papikonda National Park

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

PM of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu sworn-in for the 5th time

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finally swore in his new government on 17 May for the fifth time.
• The ceremony of the swearing-in of Israel’s new government, the Knesset, was held in accordance with coronavirus social distancing directives.
• Netanyahu will be in power until 13 November 2021. This ended the 18-month political crisis in the country.
• Benny Gantz will serve in the specially created role of alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister.

Extra Shots:

Israel (Capital/Currency): Jerusalem/ New shekel

• President: Reuven Rivlin
• Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
• Official languages: Hebrew

US to donate Ventilators to India

• The United States recently announced that it will donate ventilators to India.
• The announcement is seen as a reciprocal gesture of India’s lift on the export ban of the anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine.

Extra Shots:

USA (Capital/Currency): Washington, D.C./ United States Dollar

• President: Donald Trump
• Official languages: English

RANKS AND INDICES

Indian-origin Hinduja-Reuben Brothers Shares Second Spot in Annual UK  Rich List 2020

• The pair of Indian-origin siblings, Reuben and the Hinduja brothers, shares the second spot in the Britain’s annual rich list, with a fortune of 16 billion pounds each.

Highlights:

• ‘The Sunday Times Rich List 2020’ has been topped by British inventor-entrepreneur James Dyson tops with 16.2 billion pounds.
• Srichand and Gopichand Hinduja, the Hinduja Group of companies owner in UK, lost 6 billion pounds to slip to second position from the top slot in 2019.
• Mumbai-born David and Simon Reuben lost 2.66 billion pounds over the past year, but their second position in the tally remains unchanged from 2019.
• The Rich List estimates the 1,000 richest people in the UK, based on identifiable wealth including land, property, other assets such as art, and shares in companies. It does not include the amount contained in people’s bank accounts.

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

NRAI tie-up with DotPe to build tech platform

• National Restaurants Association of India (NRAI) has partnered with fintech start-up DotPe to build its own tech platform.
• This platform enables them with online payments for digital ordering, bill settlements, and contactless dining. DotPe will provide us with a tech solution.
• NRAI is the apex body of the Food and Beverage Industry in India. This partnership would directly take on existing food-tech aggregators, Zomato and Swiggy. NRAI represents over five lakh restaurant businesses.
• It is also looking for different delivery and logistics companies.
• It is also exploring synergies with social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram to provide and ordering facilities and visibility for restaurant partners who could potentially be its members.

Godrej consumer products announced acquisition of  balance 25% stake in Kenya’s Canon Chemicals

• Godrej East Africa Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods) firm Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL), has acquired the balance 25% stake in Kenya-based Canon Chemicals Ltd for an undisclosed sum.

Highlights:

• Following the deal, Canon Chemicals would now be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company & will help GCPL in further building its presence in the Sub Saharan Africa market.
• Earlier on February 04, 2016,the Godrej group has acquired 75 % stake in Canon for an undisclosed sum.
• In the past few years, GCPL has been acquiring brands, specially in the African continent with the aim to expand its presence.
• Its revenue from Africa (including Strength of Nature) market was at Rs 484.03 crore in the last quarter, January-March 2020.

Extra Shots:

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd (GCPL):

• Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
• Managing Director: Vivek Gambhir

Canon Chemicals Ltd: It manufactures & distributes products in the personal and home categories. Its major brand is Valon, a petroleum jelly.

• Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

A Book titled “Wuhan Diary: Dispatches from a Quarantined City” authored by Fang Fang

• The book titled as “Wuhan Diary: Dispatches from a Quarantined City” authored by Chinese literary writer Fang Fang is a compilation of online diary entries and social media posts that document 60 days of lockdown during COVID-19, captures the challenges of daily life and the changing moods and emotions of being quarantined without reliable information & is a remarkable record of the extraordinary time.
• The book was released in India in an ebook format on May 15, 2020, published by HarperNonFiction, the audio will follow on May 26.
• It is translated by Michael Berry, the book documents the author’s voice against social injustice, abuse of power that impeded the response to the epidemic.
• The book will be translated into 15 languages.

Union HRD Minister e-Launches seven titles on “Psycho-Social Impact of Pandemic & Lockdown and How to Cope With”

• Union HRD (Human Resource Development) Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank e-Launched print as well as e-editions of the set of 7 titles on “Psycho-Social Impact of pandemic & lockdown and how to Cope With” under the corona studies series published by National Book Trust (NBT), India.
• These books will serve as guides to mental well-being of people at large.
• The launching ceremony was followed by an e-interactive session with researchers/ authors of NBT Study Group.

Extra Shots:

NBT:

• Founded : 1957
• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• President: Govind prasad sharma
• Publication: NBT Newsletter
• Parent organisation: Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India
• Location: New Delhi, India
• Abbreviation: NBT

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

SRO directs startups to build local tech for Gaganyaan mission

• India’s space agency Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has directed the startups to develop tools and machines for its maiden human space flight Gaganyaan-1 mission.
• ISRO focuses to potentially help them build products and solutions that they can exploit commercially.
• The move is expected to open up opportunities for new types of companies to come up in India

Highlights:

• Amid lockdown, ISRO has identified a set of 17 technologies that to develop locally at lower costs for use in its Gaganyaan missions.
• ISRO has opened up its facilities to companies like Larson & Toubro and HAL to build its polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV).
• The startups will develop food and medicines for astronauts, better tools to access machines in a spacecraft, green engines, life support systems including a spacesuit, anti-radiation and thermal protection technologies for spacecraft which will bring the astronauts back to earth safely, and inflatable habitats that are required for the mission.
• ISRO will share its intellectual property for the technologies, except for those that are very strategic, to any private entity that develops them.

Extra Shots:

ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organisation is the space agency of the Government of India

• Headquarters: Bengaluru
• Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
• Founded: 15 August 1969
• Parent organisation: Department of Space
• Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan
• Subsidiary: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

A novel tool to help gain deeper insights into Parkinson’s disease

• Scientists of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) (Indian School of Mines ISM) Dhanbad and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR)-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology(IICB) teamed up to find a solution to understand Parkinson’s disease which is a common neurodegenerative disease with no cure.

Highlights:

• The Scientists from IIT (ISM) and CSIR-IICB, Biology, Kolkata teamed to find a solution to this disease. The Research team of IIT (ISM) led by Dr.UmakantaTripathy ,a physicist studies the nonlinear behaviour of biomaterials using Z-scan technique, a machine that he built in his institute.
• Krishnananda Chattopadhyay of CSIR-IICB, a biophysicist working to understand ASyn aggregation and its implications in Parkinson’s disease.
• Z-scan method is a technique helped in monitoring both the early and late stage of aggregation of ASyn.
• They found that the protein possesses nonlinearity starting from its monomeric state to the fibrillar structure.
• Z-scan method is a technique helped in monitoring both the early and late stage of aggregation of ASyn.
• They found that the protein possesses nonlinearity starting from its monomeric state to the fibrillar structure.
• The team includes SumantaGhosh, Sakshi, Bikash Chandra Swain and RitobritaChakraborty. They submitted the research paper of their works to ACS Chemical Neuroscience.
• The team planned to extend the method to detect structures or conformation by systematic.

Extra Shots:

Parkinson’s disease:

• The aggregation of proteinforms called alpha synuclein(ASyn) is believed to be the major reason in the pathology of this disease. The aggregation is abundant in the substantianigra portion in the midbrain of the Parkinson’s patients.

OBITUARIES

Noted Marathi writer Ratnakar Matkari passes away

• Noted Marathi dramatist, litterateur, theatre personality and National Award-winning director, Ratnakar Matkari passed away in Mumbai, Sunday late night.
• He was 81.

Ratnakar Matkari

• A versatile writer, Mr. Ratnakar Matkari has the honour of being decorated by both Sangeet Natak Akademi and Sahitya Akademi for his wide range of works. His film ‘Investment’ bagged the National Award in Regional Category section. His first play ‘Vedi Manasa’, written at the age of 17 years was broadcast for the first time on Mumbai Akashwani. His works are equally popular among the old and the young.

Australian Rugby League Great, Arthur Summons, Passes Away at 84

• Former Australian rugby league captain, Arthur Summons, has passed away.
• He was 84.
• The former Kangaroos captain and coach is portrayed on the National Rugby League Trophy (NRL) along with rival captain Norm Provan.
• The NRL trophy was renamed the Provan-Summons Trophy on the 50th anniversary of the match in 2013.
• The trophy is awarded each year to Australia’s rugby league premiers.

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