1. Person in News
Naveen Patnaik gets PETA award for allocating funds to feed community animals
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik was conferred Hero to Animals Award by PETA His state government sanctioned Rs 54 lakh to feed stray animals during the lockdown He received a framed certificate and a letter of appreciation as part of the honour
2. Government Schemes
NCC cadets start serving during COVID-19 pandemic: Exercise NCC Yogdan
Services of senior division National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets have been requisitioned for fight against the pandemic Ministry of Defence (MoD) has allowed temporary employment of NCC cadets under ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’ The cadets will support state and municipal authorities to boost relief efforts
Quick Facts: The National Cadet Corps is the youth wing of Armed Forces. It is a Tri-Services Organisation.
3. Science and Technology
IIT-R develops low cost ventilator called Prana Vayu
IIT-Roorkee has developed a low-cost portable ventilator in association with AIIMS-Rishikesh It is a closed-loop ventilator which can deliver required amount of air to the patient, with an automated process controlling the pressure and flow rates Prana Vayu also has a feedback mechanism that can control tidal volume and the number of breaths per minute
4. Miscellaneous
Universities to set up mental health helplines: UGC
University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed all universities and colleges to set up mental health helplines These helplines will address psychosocial concerns of students during the lockdown The helplines will be regularly monitored and managed by counsellors and identified faculty members.
Quick Facts: University Grants Commission of India is a statutory body which is headquartered in New Delhi
5. Science and Technology
Home screening kit for COVID-19 launched by Bengaluru start-up
The kit has been launched by Bengaluru-based startup firm Bione Ventures Pvt Ltd. It is a rapid at-home screening kit for COVID-19 that delivers results within minutes The kit collects blood sample through a small prick and tests for Coronavirus through an IgG & IgM-based tool
Quick Facts: IgM and IgG are immunoglobulins and function as antibodies in the body
6. Person in News
Senior diplomat Anurag Srivastava takes charge as new MEA spokesperson
Anurag Srivastava is a 1999-batch Indian Foreign Service officer He was serving as India’s Ambassador to Ethiopia. He has also served at India’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva
7. National Affairs
India observes ‘9pm 9minute’
A large number of people switched off lights at 9 PM for 9 minutes and lit up diyas and candles on 5th April This exercise was done to express solidarity with the nation’s fight against COVID-19.
8. Science and Technology
DRDO Laboratory designs full body disinfection chamber
The full body disinfection chamber called as Personnel Sanitization Enclosure (PSE) This is a portable system equipped with sanitiser and soap dispenser. The foot pedal-controlled PSE has a disinfectant mist of hypo sodium chloride for disinfecting and a mist spray It has been created by Vehicle Research Development Establishment, (VRDE) lab of DRDO
Quick Facts: VRDE is located in Ahmednagar
