1. Person in News
UB Pravin Rao: New Nasscom chief
The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Infosys has been appointed as chairperson of Nasscom for 2020-21 RK Menon has been appointed as the vice-chairperson of Nasscom
Quick Facts: The National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) is a trade association of Indian IT and BPO industry
2. Miscellaneous
World Health Day celebrated on April 7th
World Health Day creates awareness about a key area related to health, which is specified by WHO annually The theme for 2020 was ‘Support Nurses and Midwives’ The first State of the World’s Nursing report was launched this year
Quick Facts: The first World Health Day was celebrated in 1950
3. Government Schemes
NHAI achieves highest ever Construction of National Highways
NHAI accomplished construction of 3,979 km of national highways in the 2019-20 financial year An ambitious highway development programme Bharatmala Pariyojana is being planned This programme will include development of about 65,000 km national highways It has been planned by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Quick Facts: National Highways Authority of India is a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
4. Science and Technology
NASA unveils plan for Artemis ‘base camp’ on the moon beyond 2024
The plan is part of Artemis program to land humans on the moon by 2024 It summarizes the vision NASA has laid out for justifying and accomplishing the 2024 moon landing, as well as the expected effects and results It has been submitted to the US National Space Council
Quick Facts: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was founded by Dwight D. Eisenhower
5. Science and Technology
JNCASR develops versatile coating to stop spread of viruses
The coating has been developed by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore It has shown a proven efficiency in 100% destruction of influenza virus If found to be active against coronavirus, personal protective equipment (PPE) of medical personnel can be coated with it
Quick Facts: JNCASR is an autonomous institute under Department of Science & Technology (DST)
6. National Affairs
GoI launches “Containment Plan for Large Outbreaks”
The plan has been launched by Union Ministry of Health It has six steps including: 1) Isolation of region through section 144 2) Mapping of infection hotspots within region 3) Door to door sreening and checking of quarantine compliance 4) Contact tracing to identify source of new infections 5) Increase quarantine facilities 6) Increase awareness and confidence of citizens, especially in rural areas
Quick Facts: This model is similar to ‘Bhilwara Model’ of containment
7. Miscellaneous
Integrated Command and Control Centres to be used for COVID-19
Smart cities are using the Integrated Command and Control Centres built under Smart City Mission to fight COVID-19 These centres are being called COVID-19 War Rooms They are being used to check compliance of home quarantine by infected individuals.
Quick Facts: Smart cities include Pune, Bengaluru, Surat and Varanasi.
8. Science and Technology
States asked to maintain smooth supply of medical oxygen by Center
Medical Oxygen contains 99.5% of pure oxygen It is included in national list of essential medicines Centre has demanded a smooth supply as Medical Oxygen is in cirtical need in COVID-19 cases.
Quick Facts: Atmospheric air contains 21% of oxygen.
