1. Ist Human case of Avian Flu reported in United Kingdom
What is Avian Flu ?
1.Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among birds.
2.The highly pathogenic H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl (such as chickens) and can be transmitted from birds to people.
3.The H7N9 strain does not appear to sicken birds, but it has been recently infecting people.
4.Human-to-human transmission of bird flu is very rare.
2. Second Phase of Passport Seva Program
What is Passport Seva Program ?
1.To augment and improve the delivery of passport services to Indian citizens, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launched the Passport Seva Project (PSP) in May 2010.
2.The project has been implemented in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode with Tata Consultancy Services, selected through a public competitive procurement process.
3.Passport Seva implements simple, efficient and transparent procedures for providing passport and related services.
3. Union Jal Shakti Minister Announces 3rd National Water Awards
Purpose of Water Award ?
1.National Water Awards (NWA) were instituted to recognize and encourage exemplary work and efforts made by States, Districts, individuals, organizations, etc across the country in attaining the government’s vision of a ‘Jal Samridh Bharat’
Who got the award ?
To encourage and recognize individuals and organizations doing exemplary work in the field of water resources management, the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti is giving 57 awards to States, Organizations, Individuals etc. in 11 different categories – Best State, Best District, Best Village Panchayat, Best Urban Local Body, Best Media etc .
In the Best State category, Uttar Pradesh has been awarded first prize, followed by Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.
4. What is Artificial Sun ?
1 Artificial Sun mimics the energy-generation process of the Sun.
2.The Sun in our galaxy produces energy through a nuclear fusion reaction.
3.During this process, part of the mass of the hydrogen atoms becomes energy.
4.Fusion is a nuclear technology that can produce very high levels of energy without generating large quantities of nuclear waste .
5.Recently, China successfully tested its “artificial sun”, a nuclear fusion reactor that could generate energy for many years to come if it can be made more sustainable.
5. What is Aquamation ?
1.Aquamation is a method of final disposition that is available for both our human and pet loved ones.
2.The scientific name for this water-based process is alkaline hydrolysis.
3.Alkaline hydrolysis —is a gentle, environmentally friendly alternative to fire cremation.
4.It is a quiet, water-based process that reduces the remains to dust/ash, and is returned to the family.
5.The body of Nobel Peace Prize winning Anglican archbishop and anti-apartheid campaigner Desmond Tutu underwent aquamation, a green alternative to traditional cremation methods.
6. PRADHAN MANTRI FORMALISATION OF MICRO FOOD PROCESSING ENTERPRISES SCHEME
1.It aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing .
The scheme is launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan .
2.It provided Increased access to credit by existing micro food processing entrepreneurs, FPOs, Self Help Groups and Co operatives.
3.The project under the PM FME scheme shall be eligible for loan upto 90% of the estimated/actual project cost on submission of viable projects be eligible beneficiaries.