Russia’s humanoid robot Fedor (Final Experimental Demonstration Object Research) has reached International Space Station. It is Russia’s first robot in space. Fedor stands 180 cm tall and weighs 160 kg. It copies human movements. It can be operated manually by ISS astronauts wearing robotic exoskeleton suits to perform high risk tasks. Fedor will help with… Continue reading What is Fedor the robot?
Author: ForumIAS
Habitat rights for Chhattisgarh tribals in Naxal area soon
The Chhattisgarh government is processing habitat rights under Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 for Abujh Marias, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). The Abujh Marias live in Abujhmarh forest area in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights)… Continue reading Habitat rights for Chhattisgarh tribals in Naxal area soon
Russia to select, train 4 of 12 Indians for manned mission
Russia will select and train four Indian astronauts for the Gaganyaan Mission. In June, Roscosmos subsidiary Glavkosmos and ISRO had signed a contract for the selection and training of Indian astronauts for the Gaganyaan Mission. Gaganyaan is India’s first Human Space Flight Programme to be launched by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by 2022. The… Continue reading Russia to select, train 4 of 12 Indians for manned mission
India pledges to restore 50 lakh hectares of degraded land by 2030
India will be hosting the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) from 2-13 September 2019 at Greater Noida, NCR. India is the president of the CoP for next two years under UNCCD At its Curtain Raiser Press Conference, Union Environment Minister has announced that India pledges to restore… Continue reading India pledges to restore 50 lakh hectares of degraded land by 2030
Bengal govt to table Anti-lynching bill
The West Bengal government has decided to table the West Bengal Prevention of Lynching Bill, 2019 in the State Assembly. It proposes three categories of punishment: a) maximum three-year jail and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh if the act leads to the victim “suffering hurt”; b) 10 years and up to Rs… Continue reading Bengal govt to table Anti-lynching bill
World not on track to meet 2020 milestone for malaria control: WHO
According to the report by WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group on Malaria Eradication (SAGme), the world is not on track to meet the target of eliminating malaria. The report also noted that currently, less than one per cent of the global funds for health R&D investment are allocated to develop tools to fight malaria The world… Continue reading World not on track to meet 2020 milestone for malaria control: WHO
Mobile application-“Janaushadhi Sugam”
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers has launched a mobile application called “Janaushadhi Sugam” The app would have user-friendly options like- to locate nearby Janaushadhi Kendra, direction guidance for location of the Janaushadhi Kendra through Google Map, search Janaushadhi generic medicines, analyse product comparison of Generic vs. Branded medicine in form of MRP & overall Savings, etc.… Continue reading Mobile application-“Janaushadhi Sugam”
Social Justice Department, NACO sign MoU to enhance outreach on HIV/AIDS
A Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) was signed between the Department of Social Justice and National AIDS Control Organization(NACO),Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The MoU aims at reducing the incidence of social stigma and discrimination against victims of drug abuse and children and people living with HIV/AIDS. The agreement will also help in (a)developing specific strategies… Continue reading Social Justice Department, NACO sign MoU to enhance outreach on HIV/AIDS
Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy, 2019
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change have extended the timeline to invite comments on Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy (NREP). Resource efficiency means using the Earth’s limited resources in a sustainable manner while minimising impacts on the environment.It allows us to create more with fewer materials. The NREP envisions a future with (a)environmentally sustainable… Continue reading Draft National Resource Efficiency Policy, 2019
Cabinet to consider relaxing FDI norms in single brand retail, digital media
The Union Cabinet is considering proposal to relax foreign direct investment (FDI) norms in several sectors. The sectors include (a)single-brand retail (b)digital media (c)coal mining and (d)contract manufacturing. In the existing FDI policy,100% foreign direct investment is permitted in the manufacturing sector under the automatic route.But the policy does not talk about contract manufacturing. Similarly,the… Continue reading Cabinet to consider relaxing FDI norms in single brand retail, digital media
