Mission Indradhanush gaining ground in Kerala
Mission Indradhanush, an initiative launched by the Union Health Ministry in December last year, as a special drive to vaccinate all unimmunised and partially immunised children and pregnant women by 2020, under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) in the country, seems to have gained much ground in Kerala.
The programme, which focused on interventions to bring over 90 per cent of the children in the nation under the full immunisation cover, is being implemented in 201 high focus districts identified by the Union government. The Ministry estimates that nearly 50 per cent of the target group of children in the country are in these districts.
Floating test range for missile defence system
India is building a unique floating testing range â a huge ship â to overcome the limitations imposed by the land mass for carrying out missile tests of varying ranges for the two-tier ballistic missile defence (BMD) system to protect important cities.
The system seeks to engage and destroy incoming enemy missiles at different altitudes in the endo- and exo-atmospheres.
The first phase of the programme envisages development of interceptors to annihilate incoming missiles with a range of 2,000 km, while the second phase aims to build such weapons to destroy missiles with a longer range.
The system will waylay a ballistic missile and destroy it in mid-air.
GSAT-6 successfully positioned in orbital slot
Communication satellite GSAT-6 has been successfully positioned in its orbital slot, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on 6th September.
“GSAT-6 has been successfully positioned in its orbital slot of 83 Deg E and collocated with INSAT 4A, GSAT 12, GSAT 10 and IRNSS1C today (Sunday) morning, after carrying out four drift arresting manoeuvres,” the ISRO said.
The ISRO had successfully launched GSAT-6, having an indigenous cryogenic engine, on-board GSLV-D6 rocket from the spaceport at Sriharikota on August 27.
Railways, ISRO tie-up for improving safety
The tie-up will facilitate getting images for mapping and communications to introduce Wi-Fi through the satellite system.
Indian Railways will join hands with ISRO to get online satellite images for improving safety and enhancing efficiency.
“We will undertake a massive exercise of GIS [geographical information systems] mapping of the entire rail route and assets including buildings, land, workshops and other facilities in the network using geospatial technology,” said a senior Railway Ministry official involved with GIS mapping project.
GPS and Remote sensing
Geospatial technology involves GPS (global positioning systems), GIS, and RS (remote sensing).
The official said geospatial services will be available from satellite-assisted navigational support through the GPS aided geo-augmented navigation (GAGAN) system of ISRO.
The MoU will facilitate getting images and communications through the satellite system. While the images will help in mapping the area, communications will enable the introduction of Wi-Fi service in trains in a larger way.
The technology will come in handy at the time of accidents when it can be used to ascertain the exact location of trains and the topography.
Besides, it will also help Railways in developing solutions for safety at unmanned level crossings with remote sensing facility.
Geo-fencing capabilities
The satellite images will also be used for geo-fencing of stations for paperless ticketing system.
Geo-fencing is a virtual barrier which uses GPS or radio frequency identification (RFID) to define geographical boundaries.
The technology is also expected to be used for tracking trains for disseminating information about their movement on real time basis which will be a great help to passengers. Currently, train movements are tracked manually.
Gaya to be developed as ‘spiritual capital’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that his government would develop Bodh Gaya as the “spiritual capital” because it served as the civilisational bond between India and the Buddhist world.
Addressing delegates from 90 countries on the concluding day of the International Buddhist Conclave at Bodh Gaya, he called Gautam Buddha India’s “crown jewel,” who was a reformer of the world, giving a new world view and vision for all.
“I recognise how Buddhists all over the world revere Bodh Gaya as a place of pilgrimage. My government would like to develop Bodh Gaya as the spiritual capitalâ¦,” he said.
Mr. Modi said the Indian government would provide all support to people of Buddhist nations visiting Bodh Gaya, which he called “the land of enlightenment.”
There was no problem in practising one’s own religion, but “the potential for conflict arises when radical elements try to force their own ideologies on others,” he said. “The themes of the conference, informed and shaped by the Hindu-Buddhist civilisational and cultural perspectives, promise to deepen the notion of conflict avoidance, philosophy and environmental consciousness in Asia and beyond.”
Earlier, Mr. Modi was received by Bihar Governor Ram Nath Kovind and State Minister Shyam Razak at the Gaya airport. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, however, was not present.
Mr. Modi offered prayers at the Mahabodhi temple.
OROP: Veterans call off fast after PM clears air
In a significant de-escalation of ongoing protests following Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarifying that defence personnel who take voluntary retirement would also get the benefit of one rank, one pension (OROP) scheme, military veterans on 6th September withdrew their hunger strikes.
While the fasts were called off, Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement chairman Major General (retd) Satbir Singh said the 85-day-old peaceful protest would continue till all \"the sticky points\" in implementing OROP were resolved.
The mood was more conciliatory a day after the OROP announcement.
Modi inaugurates Delhi-Faridabad Metro line
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6th September inaugurated the extension of the Badarpur line that will connect the satellite city of Faridabad to the national capital. The launch of the section would allow hassle-free travel for around two lakh daily commuters between the national capital and the industrial hub in Haryana.
The long-awaited 14-km long extension will have nine stations from Sarai to Escorts Mujesar. Two more stations, NCB Colony and Ballabgarh, will be added by 2017, Metro officials said.
PM takes the Metro
Mr. Modi boarded the Metro at the Violet Line’s (line 6) Janpath Station at around 10 a.m. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) chief Mangu Singh.
The Prime Minister also interacted with passengers on the Metro, allowing some of them to take selfies with him.
Later, Mr. Modi will proceed to HUDA Ground at Faridabad’s sector 12, where he will address a public meeting, which will also be attended by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
Bangladesh court lifts ban on movie \'Rana Plaza\'
The Supreme Court in Bangladesh has lifted a ban on the screening of a movie about a garment worker who was rescued from the rubble 17 days after a five-storey factory building collapsed more than two years ago, killing more than 1,000 people.
In response to an appeal by the movie’s producer, a four-member panel of judges led by Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha decided on late Sunday to stay a previous High Court order that banned the release of the movie for six months.
Producer Shamima Akhter argued in the appeal that the movie should be released as the country’s Film Censor Board had earlier approved the screening of the film after cutting some scenes following previous court directives.
G20 launches W20 to empower women
The world’s 20 leading economies have launched a new grouping aimed at boosting the role of women in global economic growth.
The W20, a grouping of female leaders was launched on Sunday in the Turkish capital Ankara, where Finance Ministers and central bank governors from the Group of 20 were meeting for talks on the global economy. The group aims to work toward empowering women and ensuring their participation in economic growth.
Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said women’s participation was paramount to economic growth and said one of the best indicators for the prosperity of a country was the smile on the face of its women.
Anu Kumar, Lokesh set new meet records
Two meet records were registered on a truncated day of the three-day Shriram Properties National Inter-District junior athletic meet at the Port Diamond Jubilee Stadium here on Sunday.
The morning session saw Dehradun-based athlete Anu Kumar (1:25.97), eclipsing Yash Ajay Sukhwani (1:26.93s) record set in the 2013 edition.
In fact, other podium finishers &ndash Sachin Jangara of Hisar (1:26.28) and Pardeep of Barabanki (1:26.68) &ndash too erased Sukhwani’s record.
The evening session witnessed Bangalore-Urban athlete Lokesh leaping to a distance of 6.93 metres in the u-16 boys’ long jump, erasing Mahesh (6.69m) record.
Khyati of Meerat won the u-14 girls’ high jump honours while Ranga Reddy’s D. Bhagyalakshmi clocked 1:45.66s to win the u-14 girls’ 600m event.
The meet lost 90 minutes due to rain. Some of the finals slated for the day were postponed for the final day.
Watson retires from test cricket after new injury
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson on Sunday announced his retirement from test cricket effective immediately after another injury setback cut short his one-day international tour of Britain.
Watson sustained a series-ending calf injury in Saturday’s 64-run one-day win over England at Lord’s.
A disappointing performance in his now-final test against England in Cardiff in July saw him dropped from the Australian side. He said Sunday he won’t attempt to regain a test spot.
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