Headlines At a Glance – 18th Jan 2020
ISRO’s communication satellite GSAT-30 launched
India’s “high power” communication satellite GSAT-30, aimed at providing high- quality television, telecommunications and broadcasting services, was successfully launched onboard Arianne 5 rocket from French Guiana in the early hours of Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said. Blasting off from the Arianne Launch Complex in Kourou, a French territory located in northeastern coast of South America at 2:35 am IST, European launch provider Arianespace’s Arianne 5 vehicle injected GSAT-30 into the orbit in a flawless flight lasting about 38 minutes and 25 seconds.
SOURCE: Economic Times
Aadhaar required for getting benefits under scheme for civilian victims of terror, communal violence
The Centre has made Aadhaar mandatory for civilian victims of terror, Naxal and communal violence who want to claim financial assistance. Government officials said Aadhaar will simplify the procedure of availing benefit of such schemes. In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said an eligible beneficiary desirous of receiving the benefit under the ‘Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims/Family of Victims of Terrorist/Communal/LWE Violence and Cross Border Firing and Mine/IED Blasts on Indian Territory’ is required to furnish proof of possession of Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication.
SOURCE: The New Indian Express
NPCI (National Payment Corporation of India) launches blockchain-based Vajra platform for secure online transactions
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched the Vajra Platform to make payments fast and secure. Based on blockchain technology, the primary highlights of the Vajra Platform is that it automates clearing and settlement of payments, drastically reducing the need for manual reconciliation. While making the announcement, NPCI said that the Vajra Platform uses distributed ledger technology (DLT). It uses the permission model to ensure that only approved parties are a part of the network. Payment companies can apply to be a part of the network. Payment companies can apply to be a part of the network. Once approved, they can deploy the platform using an Application Programming Interface (API) that will be provided by NPCI.
SOURCE: Business Insider
Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani flags off the inaugural run of the Ahemdabad-Mumbai Tejas Express from Ahemdabad
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Friday flagged off the inaugural run of the Ahemdabad-Mumbai Tejas Express from Ahemdabad Railway Station on Friday. The flag-off ceremony was held by the Chief Minister in the presence of Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. The commercial run of Tejas Express will begin from January 19. Announcing the launch of Tejas Express, Rupani, in a tweet, said that it is an important step towards fast and safe rail travel. During the commercial runs, the fully air-conditioned train will have two executive class chair cars with 56 seats each and eight chair cars with 78 seat each. The train will have a total carrying capacity of 736 passengers.
SOURCE: The Hindu
Travellers from China to be screened for novel corona virus (nCoV) at Indian airports
Following reports of 41 confirmed cases of novel corona virus (nCoV), including one death in Wuhan, China, earlier this month, India has stepped up surveillance and preventive measures to keep any outbreak in the country at bay. Corona virus is a large family of viruses, which cause illnesses ranging from common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). They also circulate in animals including camels, cats and bats. Rarely, animal corona viruses can also evolve and infect people, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. The union health ministry has instructed screening of international travelers, those arriving from China, at designated airports–Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata–via thermal scanners. The ministry has also reached out to the ministry of external affairs, and immigration officers to ensure the said airports have been sensitized.
SOURCE: Economic Times
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