ASSAM

River Brahmaputra to have India’s first floating lab on boat by December

The Brahmaputra river in the northeast will have India’s first floating ‘laboratory on boat’ for scientific research by this year end.
The well-equipped boat laboratory will be used for analysis and research on all components of the entire ecosystem of the river and its surroundings.
The lab will have the capability to study climate change and analyse soil, water, environment, plant and animal life, human health, agriculture and river system. This will be done with in-boat instrumentation, linked to local institutions and national laboratories across the country through ‘cloud’.
Taking inspiration from a similar lab on boat in the river Amazon in South America, the science and technology ministry will set it up as part of its three biotechnology missions in the north-east.
The other two missions include Phyto-Pharma Plants Mission and Frugal Microscopy Mission. The Phyto-Pharma Mission will promote cultivation and conservation of endangered medicinal plants in the north-eastern states while Frugal Microscope Mission will provide foldscope (world’s cheapest microscope costing less than Rs 70) to schools, colleges and scientists for education and research.

INTERNATIONAL

· Two US Lawmakers Introduce Legislation in House of Rep. to Support India’s Permanent Membership to UNSC

In the United States, two influential Democratic lawmakers have introduced a legislation in the House of Representative to support India’s permanent membership to the UN Security Council.
It is Introduced by Congressman Ami Bera and Congressman Frank Pallone, the resolution would put the House officially on record in support of India’s bid. Ami Bera, Vice Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and longest serving Indian-American in Congress stated that securing a permanent spot for India on the UN Security Council would strengthen democracy around the world.

NATIONAL

India International Science Festival 2017

The Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Vijnana Bharati (VIBHA) have come together to organize The India International Science Festival (IISF) every year, since 2015 to encourage scientific temper among the masses and showcasing Indian contribution in the field of S&T over the years.

The previous two editions of IISF held at New Delhi have been a great success.

The 3rd edition of IISF 2017 will be held in Chennai during 13-16 October, 2017 at various venues.

Emphasizing the role of technologies and innovation, India has declared 2010-20 as the ‘Decade of Innovation’.

ADB to increase annual lending to India to $4 billion

The Asian Development Bank said it will increase its annual lending to India to a maximum of $4 billion between 2018 and 2022 to help fasten inclusive economic transformation towards upper middle income status.

The new lending programme, which includes private sector operations, is much higher than the average $2.65 billion a year in loans extended during 2012 and 2016

Srinagar and Raipur Airports awarded as Best Airports

The Airports Authority of India’s Srinagar International Airport, Jammu & Kashmir and Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur, Chhattisgarh have been jointly conferred with the prestigious National Tourism Awards 2015-16.

The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, presented the award for Best Airport under ‘rest of India’ category at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on the occasion of World Tourism Day on 27th September, 2017.

· India Jumps to 14th Rank as Best Country for Expats HSBC Survey

According to the HSBC survey, India placed at global rankings by 12 places to take the 14th spot in terms of best country for expatsto live and work.
The list is part of HSBC’s latest ‘expat explorer survey’ that covered 27,587 expats from 159 countries and territories in March and April 2017.
About 71 percent expats in India reported high levels of confidence in the local economy, while 58 percent exuded optimism on political stability.

· Maharashtra Government Signs MoU with South Korea

The Maharashtra government signed a MoU with South Korea for increased co-operation in infrastructure projects like development of smart cities, roads, airports, and metros on the first day of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ visit to that country.
It helps with implementation strategy, legal systems, policies, technologies and information in infrastructure development. Fadnavis embarked on a three-day tour to South Korea and Singapore.

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