India became the ninth country in the world to have a National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO).
It is accessible only to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of “investigation and monitoring”.
The database is for those convicted for sexual offences 2005 onwards.
It includes name, address, photograph and fingerprint details of the convict.
The database will be maintained by the National Crime Records Bureau, that will also track whether the State police were updating the records on time.
The database will include offenders convicted under charges of rape, gang rape, Protection of Children from Sexual Offenders Act (POCSO) and eve teasing.
Flightless Bird Research Centre
The Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) has set up a flightless bird research centre.
The centre has been setup on the university campus at Pookode in Wayanad district.
The centre envisages to carry out research on adaptation and comparative physiological studies of flightless birds such as the ostrich, rhea, and emu, and artificial incubation of their eggs.
Prahar Missile
Prahar is the surface-to-surface tactical missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
It is a contemporary weapon system capable of carrying multiple types of warheads and neutralizing a wide variety of targets.
ICR-ER
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is about to setup of state-of-the-art Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response (ICR-ER) in Ministry of Home Affairs.
ISRO will render its technical expertise for setting up of proposed ICR-ER whereas the project will be executed under overall supervision of MHA.
The ICR-ER will cater to the requirement of Disaster Management as well as Internal Security.
ICR-ER will address the requirement of receipt of information on near real-time basis, strategic level monitoring, situation awareness, command and control, preparedness and response in the diverse internal security situation and disaster related emergencies.
Resultantly, it will increase the operational effectiveness and will be helpful in rendering timely response / assistance during various emergency situations.
PMJAY
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), a health insurance scheme is about to be launched.
PMJAY will provide insurance up to Rs. 500,000 per family per year for in-patient secondary and tertiary treatment.
It will cover over 100 million vulnerable families, which is about 500 million people, the poorest 40% of India’s population.
A list of 1,350 procedures across 23 specializations, including pre- and post-hospitalisation, diagnostics, and medicines, has been prepared along with their rates for the scheme.
A cadre of frontline health service professionals called Pradhan Mantri Aarogya Mitras (PMAMs) are being trained to facilitate provision of treatment to beneficiaries at hospitals.
NASA Balloon Mission
NASA has launched a balloon mission to improve weather forecasting.
The NASA long-duration balloon mission will observe clouds over the course of five days in the mesosphere.
The images of a thin group of seasonal electric blue clouds on the cusp of our atmosphere captured by a new NASA balloon mission may lead to improved weather forecasting.
Data from these clouds, known as noctilucent clouds or polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs), may help scientists better understand turbulence in the atmosphere, as well as in oceans, lakes and other planetary atmospheres.
IICC
An International Convention and Expo Centre (IICC) is about to be setup at Dwarka, New Delhi.
IICC will reflect India’s economic progress, rich cultural heritage and its consciousness towards protection of the environment.
IICC will give a new identity to India in the sphere of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) which is a multibillion business.
