ODISHA

Annual census reported reduced number of dolphins at Gahirmatha marine sanctuary

The January 2020 census reported that the number of dolphins at Odisha’s Gahirmatha marine sanctuary has nearly reduced to half over a year. This has pushed down the state’s overall count. The census was released on 24 February 2020.

The January 2020 census spotted only 62 of the marine mammals at Gahirmatha, which is located within Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.

Odisha’s state’s total dolphin count reduced to 233, down from 259 in 2019.

Dolphin, the sea mammal, was included in Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. It is included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and in Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species.

It has been listed as endangered on the International Union in the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.

INTERNATIONAL

World NGO day: 27 February

World NGO Day is an international day annually observed on 27 February.

The purpose of World NGO Day is to encourage people to be actively involved in NGOs and encourage more synergy between NGOs and both the public and private sectors.

In 2010, 12 members of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum were officially recognized by the nations.

In 2014, the United Nations, European Union leaders and international organizations marked the day for the first time.

NATIONAL

Right To Protein declares February 27 as India’s first ‘Protein Day’

Right To Protein, a national-level public health initiative has launched India’s first ‘Protein Day’ on 27th February.

The day was observed to draw public attention, raise awareness, and educate India on the health benefits of protein.

Globally many countries recognize it as the Protein Day and from this year India will also join this movement.

The key objective through the day’s activities and beyond will be to spread more knowledge about protein and bring about a behavioral change by persuading Indians to eat adequate protein in every meal.

Theme : Protein Mein Kya Hai

India to conduct Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020 summit

The Government of India (GoI) has announced that it is to organize the mega event “Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020” (RAISE 2020). It will be India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit. The event will be held from 11-12 April in New Delhi.

RAISE 2020 will be organized by the Government in partnership with Industry & Academia.

The summit aims to exchange ideas and charter a course to use AI for social empowerment, inclusion, and transformation in key areas like Healthcare, Agriculture, Education and Smart Mobility amongst other sectors of great minds.

IGI Airport ranked highest in duty-free revenue per passenger

Knight Frank India reported that Delhi’s IGI Airport ranked highest in duty-free revenue per passenger at $10-11 per passenger.

The share non-aeronautical revenue of the joint venture airport in New Delhi is at 70%. The global average is 40%.

From this 70%, 34% comes from retail, food and beverage, and duty-free components.

Delhi is the only Indian city to feature in world’s top 10 business metro rails

Noida airport in Jewar will also add significant value and volume to Delhi’s transit retail market.

Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog join hands with NASSCOM to roll out Artificial Intelligence Modules in Indian schools

With an imperative to empower the youngest minds of the country with the latest technologies, NITI Aayog, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in collaboration with the National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) launched an AI based Module rolled out for students in Indian schools.

The AI-Base Module has been introduced with an objective for students to leverage the full potential of AIM’s Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) and further empowers them to innovate and create valuable solutions benefiting societies at large.

The module contains activities, videos and experiments that enable students to work through and learn the various concepts of AI.

Atal Innovation Mission housed at NITI Aayog is the Government of India’s flagship initiative to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

At the school level, AIM is establishing ATLs in all districts across India.

Centre lifts the ban on onion

The government decided to lift the ban on the export of onions as the price of onion has been stabilized. The move will protect the interests of farmers as prices are likely to fall sharply due to a bumper rabi crop. The decision was approved in a meeting of a Group of Ministers (GOM) headed by Home Minister Amit Shah. The lifting of ban on onion is expected to be effective. GOM will also discuss whether to reduce or scrap the Minimum Export Price (MEP) on onion to facilitate outbound shipments.

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