1. An inter-ministerial panel sanctioned 5,645 electric buses in 65 cities
The Centre has been taking initiatives to popularise environment-friendly electric vehicles. Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Monday said an inter-ministerial panel has sanctioned 5,645 electric buses for operations in 65 cities, a move seen towards environment-friendly mobility. Last week, the GST Council headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman decided to cut the tax rates on e-vehicles from 12 per cent to 5 per cent with effect from August 1. “The inter-ministerial committee for EVs today sanctioned 5,645 electric buses for intracity operations in 65 cities and for intercity operations to 8 state transport undertakings. This will give huge impetus to automobile sector, clean up our cities & drive Make in India,” Kant said in a tweet.
2. Centre aims to achieve 100% digitization of waqf properties in 100 days
Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi examined center government set a target to achieve “100% Digitization of Waqf properties across the country in its 1st 100 days. The conference is held at the National Conference of State and Union Territories Waqf Boards organized by the Central Wakf Council, held in New Delhi. The award was around 8 ”mutawalli” under the “Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqiati Scheme” for better management of waqf properties. Geographic Information System (GIS)/ Global Positioning System(GPS) mapping is being used on a war footing with the help of IIT Roorkee and the Aligarh Muslim University to achieve the target. Aim: To improve the infrastructural and financial conditions of waqf boards can be used for the welfare of the Muslim community, and encroachment of such properties be prevented.
3. DOM led by MoES to commence by October 31, 2019
Union government has approved the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) of the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) which will begin by October 31, 2019. It is a 5 year mission with the estimated cost of Rs 8000 crore which will explore the deepest recesses of the ocean. The mission will explore for the metals and minerals and for this project, India has been allotted a site of 75,000 sq. km. in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the United Nations International Sea Bed Authority for exploitation of polymetallic nodules (PMN).
4. India signs MoU with Myanmar on defense co-operation in New Delhi
India and Myanmar on Monday signed a defence co-operation agreement after the two sides held talks on a range of issues including reviewing joint exercises and training provided to Myanmar Defence Services in India, strengthening maritime security through joint surveillance and developing new infrastructure. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Of Myanmar, is currently on an official visit to India from 25 July to 2 August. On Monday, he held talks with Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik.
5. Defence minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Mozambique
In his first overseas trip as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on Sunday arrived in Mozambique on a three-day visit during which three bilateral agreements will be signed to boost military cooperation. India is willing to forge a strong bilateral relationship with Mozambique by increasing regular engagement and cooperation in multiple spheres, Singh said in a tweet after his arrival in the southern African country. He also visited the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces military headquarters in the evening.
6. Singapore tops Asia in Dell Global Women Entrepreneur Cities Index 2019, Bengaluru top Indian city
According to the latest “Women Entrepreneur Cities Index 2019”, sponsored by Dell and conducted by London-based global information provider, IHS Markit, Singapore tops in Asian city ranked at 21st position, while Indian cities Bengaluru(Karnataka) and Delhi were ranked 43rd (7th in Asia) and 50th (10th in Asia) respectively. 5 pillars basis: The ranking measures a city’s ability to attract and support high potential women entrepreneurs. And it is constructed using five “pillars” include market, talent, capital (all 3 under operating Environment), culture and technology(under Enabling Environment). Top of the chart: San Francisco Bay Area has topped the list with 63.7 points followed by New York(62.9 points) and London(3rd ).
7. WHEF launches its Nepal Chapter in Kathmandu
Hindu Economic Forum (HEF) has launched its Nepal Chapter. Nepal's Minister of State for Health and Population Dr. Surendra Kumar Yadav inaugurated the Chapter in Kathmandu last evening. Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha and Former Union Minister Dr. CP Thakur also graced the event. On this occasion Founder of World Hindu Economic Forum, Swami Vigyananand said economic empowerment is very necessary to get due respect and recognition in the modern world.
8. India & China review situation in the borders areas ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit
India and China on Monday reviewed the situation in the border areas and progress made in effective implementation of confidence building measures to improve the relations between their troops on the ground ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India later this year to hold second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides held the 14th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs in Beijing on Monday, a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.
9. India’s renewable energy cost is lowest in Asia Pacific region -Wood Mackenzie
Large Asia-Pacific economies such as India and China are paying a heavy price by excluding women from the workforce. If concrete steps are taken to address gender inequality at work and in society, the tangible gains can include as much as 18% higher gross domestic product for India by 2025, compared with what it would be in the normal course of things. These are the findings of a McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) report that studied the economic cost of gender inequality and related issues in depth, titled ‘The Power of Parity: Advancing Women’s Equality In Asia Pacific’.
10. Reliance Jio is India’s largest telecom company
Within three years of starting its commercial operations, Reliance Jio has become the country's largest telecom operator with a subscriber base of 331.3 million, surpassing Vodafone Idea which on Friday reported a decline in its user base to 320 million by June 2019. According to the financial results reported by Reliance IndustriesNSE -0.10 % last week, its subsidiary Reliance Jio had a user base of 331.3 million by June 2019. Mukesh Ambani-led firm Jio had pipped Bharti Airtel in May to become the second largest mobile operator with 322.9 million users and 27.80 per cent market, according to Trai data. Airtel had 320.38 users or 27.6 per cent market share.
11. Rs.1500 crore deal signed by India and Russia to acquire Russia’s R-27
The Russian missiles with an extended range would give an added capability to the Sukhois to take on enemy aircraft at long ranges, they said. The missiles have been acquired under 10-I projects which mandate the three services to maintain critical weapon systems and spares for a specified minimum period, which is known as War Wastage Reserve (WWR). The R-27 missile is a medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile developed by Russia for its MiG and Sukhoi series of fighter jets.
12. Scientists from IIT Hyderabad developed an eco-friendly solar cell using kumkum dye- DSSC
Scientists at IIT Hyderabad have developed low-cost, environment-friendly solar cells by employing an off-the-shelf dye used to make kumkum or vermilion in India. The dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) is based on New Fuchsin (NF) dye with aqueous electrolyte and platinum-free counter electrodes, according to the research published in the Solar Energy journal. The most familiar solar cells today are made up of silicon and can be seen in the various overhead panels and other places, noted Professor Sai Santosh Kumar Raavi from Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad.
The Centre has been taking initiatives to popularise environment-friendly electric vehicles. Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Monday said an inter-ministerial panel has sanctioned 5,645 electric buses for operations in 65 cities, a move seen towards environment-friendly mobility. Last week, the GST Council headed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman decided to cut the tax rates on e-vehicles from 12 per cent to 5 per cent with effect from August 1. “The inter-ministerial committee for EVs today sanctioned 5,645 electric buses for intracity operations in 65 cities and for intercity operations to 8 state transport undertakings. This will give huge impetus to automobile sector, clean up our cities & drive Make in India,” Kant said in a tweet.
2. Centre aims to achieve 100% digitization of waqf properties in 100 days
Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi examined center government set a target to achieve “100% Digitization of Waqf properties across the country in its 1st 100 days. The conference is held at the National Conference of State and Union Territories Waqf Boards organized by the Central Wakf Council, held in New Delhi. The award was around 8 ”mutawalli” under the “Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqiati Scheme” for better management of waqf properties. Geographic Information System (GIS)/ Global Positioning System(GPS) mapping is being used on a war footing with the help of IIT Roorkee and the Aligarh Muslim University to achieve the target. Aim: To improve the infrastructural and financial conditions of waqf boards can be used for the welfare of the Muslim community, and encroachment of such properties be prevented.
3. DOM led by MoES to commence by October 31, 2019
Union government has approved the Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) of the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) which will begin by October 31, 2019. It is a 5 year mission with the estimated cost of Rs 8000 crore which will explore the deepest recesses of the ocean. The mission will explore for the metals and minerals and for this project, India has been allotted a site of 75,000 sq. km. in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the United Nations International Sea Bed Authority for exploitation of polymetallic nodules (PMN).
4. India signs MoU with Myanmar on defense co-operation in New Delhi
India and Myanmar on Monday signed a defence co-operation agreement after the two sides held talks on a range of issues including reviewing joint exercises and training provided to Myanmar Defence Services in India, strengthening maritime security through joint surveillance and developing new infrastructure. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Of Myanmar, is currently on an official visit to India from 25 July to 2 August. On Monday, he held talks with Minister of State for Defence Shripad Yesso Naik.
5. Defence minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Mozambique
In his first overseas trip as Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh on Sunday arrived in Mozambique on a three-day visit during which three bilateral agreements will be signed to boost military cooperation. India is willing to forge a strong bilateral relationship with Mozambique by increasing regular engagement and cooperation in multiple spheres, Singh said in a tweet after his arrival in the southern African country. He also visited the Mozambique Defence Armed Forces military headquarters in the evening.
6. Singapore tops Asia in Dell Global Women Entrepreneur Cities Index 2019, Bengaluru top Indian city
According to the latest “Women Entrepreneur Cities Index 2019”, sponsored by Dell and conducted by London-based global information provider, IHS Markit, Singapore tops in Asian city ranked at 21st position, while Indian cities Bengaluru(Karnataka) and Delhi were ranked 43rd (7th in Asia) and 50th (10th in Asia) respectively. 5 pillars basis: The ranking measures a city’s ability to attract and support high potential women entrepreneurs. And it is constructed using five “pillars” include market, talent, capital (all 3 under operating Environment), culture and technology(under Enabling Environment). Top of the chart: San Francisco Bay Area has topped the list with 63.7 points followed by New York(62.9 points) and London(3rd ).
7. WHEF launches its Nepal Chapter in Kathmandu
Hindu Economic Forum (HEF) has launched its Nepal Chapter. Nepal's Minister of State for Health and Population Dr. Surendra Kumar Yadav inaugurated the Chapter in Kathmandu last evening. Member of Parliament from Rajya Sabha and Former Union Minister Dr. CP Thakur also graced the event. On this occasion Founder of World Hindu Economic Forum, Swami Vigyananand said economic empowerment is very necessary to get due respect and recognition in the modern world.
8. India & China review situation in the borders areas ahead of Xi Jinping’s visit
India and China on Monday reviewed the situation in the border areas and progress made in effective implementation of confidence building measures to improve the relations between their troops on the ground ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India later this year to hold second informal summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides held the 14th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination (WMCC) on India-China Border Affairs in Beijing on Monday, a press release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs said.
9. India’s renewable energy cost is lowest in Asia Pacific region -Wood Mackenzie
Large Asia-Pacific economies such as India and China are paying a heavy price by excluding women from the workforce. If concrete steps are taken to address gender inequality at work and in society, the tangible gains can include as much as 18% higher gross domestic product for India by 2025, compared with what it would be in the normal course of things. These are the findings of a McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) report that studied the economic cost of gender inequality and related issues in depth, titled ‘The Power of Parity: Advancing Women’s Equality In Asia Pacific’.
10. Reliance Jio is India’s largest telecom company
Within three years of starting its commercial operations, Reliance Jio has become the country's largest telecom operator with a subscriber base of 331.3 million, surpassing Vodafone Idea which on Friday reported a decline in its user base to 320 million by June 2019. According to the financial results reported by Reliance IndustriesNSE -0.10 % last week, its subsidiary Reliance Jio had a user base of 331.3 million by June 2019. Mukesh Ambani-led firm Jio had pipped Bharti Airtel in May to become the second largest mobile operator with 322.9 million users and 27.80 per cent market, according to Trai data. Airtel had 320.38 users or 27.6 per cent market share.
11. Rs.1500 crore deal signed by India and Russia to acquire Russia’s R-27
The Russian missiles with an extended range would give an added capability to the Sukhois to take on enemy aircraft at long ranges, they said. The missiles have been acquired under 10-I projects which mandate the three services to maintain critical weapon systems and spares for a specified minimum period, which is known as War Wastage Reserve (WWR). The R-27 missile is a medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile developed by Russia for its MiG and Sukhoi series of fighter jets.
12. Scientists from IIT Hyderabad developed an eco-friendly solar cell using kumkum dye- DSSC
Scientists at IIT Hyderabad have developed low-cost, environment-friendly solar cells by employing an off-the-shelf dye used to make kumkum or vermilion in India. The dye-sensitised solar cell (DSSC) is based on New Fuchsin (NF) dye with aqueous electrolyte and platinum-free counter electrodes, according to the research published in the Solar Energy journal. The most familiar solar cells today are made up of silicon and can be seen in the various overhead panels and other places, noted Professor Sai Santosh Kumar Raavi from Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad.
