ODISHA
Process starts to auction 14 mineral blocks in Odisha
The state government has decided to resume the auction of mineral blocks stalled due to the pandemic. Though 14 blocks of iron ore, manganese, limestone, dolomite and graphite for up for auction, two of the blocks are likely to be reserved for the state PSUs.
These blocks include Garamurarh, Behera-Bhanjipali, Pipalmunda, Naringpanga, Uskalvagu, Pureibahal, Chandiposhi, Jhumka Parthiriposi, Dholtapahad, Netrabandhapahad (west), Gandhalpada, Kasia, Unchabali and Kalimati.
Though the state government had successfully auctioned more than 20 mining blocks during January-February, the Covid-19 pandemic has stalled the auction process because of restrictions on travelling and holding physical meetings (pre-bid conferences), which are held before auction process.
Expediting auction of mineral blocks is also significant for the state government as the sector contributes in a major way (around 25 per cent of total collection) to state’s overall revenue collection.
INTERNATIONAL
IND-INDO CORPAT Between Both The Navies
The 35th edition of the India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT). IND-INDO CORPAT is being carried out between the navies of India and Indonesia.
In order to strengthen maritime ties, the two navies have been implementing CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line since 2002, with the purpose of ensuring the safety and security of shipping and international trade in the region. CORPAT establishes understanding and interoperability between navies and promotes measures to prevent and stop Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy.
NATIONAL
Govt approves inclusion of four indigenous sports in Khelo India Youth Games 2021
The Sports Ministry has approved the inclusion of four indigenous Games to be a part of Khelo India Youth Games 2021, scheduled to take place in Haryana.
The games include Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta and Mallakhamba.
In the 2021 Khelo India Youth Games these four disciplines, along with Yogasana, will get their much deserved attention among sports enthusiasts and youth of the country.
The four selected games represent different parts of the country.
Kalaripayattu has its origin from Kerala and has practitioners all over the world.
Mallakhamba has been well-known across India and Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have been the hotspots of this sport.
Gatka originates from Punjab and this traditional fighting style of the Nihang Sikh Warriors is used both as self-defense as well as a sport.
Thang-Ta, a Manipur martial art has passed into oblivion in the recent decades, but the sport will get national recognition again with the help of the Khelo India Youth Games 2021.
ISRO Launched CMS – 01 Satellite
The Indian Space Research Organization – ISRO launched a communications satellite CMS-01 on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C50) of its Satish Dhawan Space Center in Andhra Pradesh.Previously, in November 2020, ISRO launched India’s Earth observation satellite, EOS-01 and nine other customer satellites.
CMS-01 is a Communications satellite designed to provide services in extended C-Band Frequency Spectrum.
C-band is the name of a portion of the Electromagnetic Spectrum in the microwave range in the frequency range of 4.0 to 8.0 gigahertz (GHz).
Its coverage will include the Indian mainland as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Lakshadweep islands
The lifetime of the satellite is expected to exceed more than 7 years.
The satellite is precisely injected into its predefinedSub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Finally, after a series of operations, it will be placed in a designated slot in the Geosynchronous orbit.
Indian Railways Authority issued a Draft National Rail Plan
The Indian Railways Authority issued a Draft National Rail Plan to address the deficiencies in capacity restrictions and increase its modal share.
The Indian Railways has proposed a Draft National Rail plan to address the deficiencies in capacity restrictions and increase its modal share in the country’s total freight ecosystem.
This is a long-term strategic plan that will become a common platform for all infrastructure, business and financial plans of the railway in the future. The plan will be finalized by January 2021.
Centre splurged Rs 713.20 core on ads in 2019-2020: RTI
The government of India spent a total of Rs713.20 crore on advertisements, with maximum share to the electronic media, during the financial year 2019-2020.
This included advertisements worth Rs.317.05 crore released to the electronic, Rs 295.05 crore to the print and Rs 101.10 crore to the outdoor media.
Amway announces Rs 150 cr investment in India, to strengthen digital capabilities
Amway India, one of the country’s leading FMCG direct selling companies has embarked on a digital transformation journey.
Aligned with some of the biggest global trends, Amway’s multi-year growth strategy includes unleashing entrepreneurship through social commerce – a next- generation trend that will reshape the future of commerce. Digital is the most heavily invested function at Amway and as part of its digital transformation journey, the company has announced an investment of INR 150 crore in India to boost manufacturing automation, home delivery and to strengthen its digital capabilities. With this investment, Amway India aims to improve its reach and offer an unparalleled user experience to its direct sellers and their consumers.
In line with the Government of India’s ‘Digital India’ initiative, Amway has been strategically investing in building its digital capabilities and strengthening its online presence to enhance distributors’ productivity, improve customer engagement and product accessibility.
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