China successfully launches Gaofen-4 satellite
China
has successfully launched its most sophisticated observation satellite
Gaofen-4. It was launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the
Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the south western province of
Sichuan. It was the 222th space flight of the Long March rocket series
and China’s 19th space mission in year 2015. Gaofen-4 is China’s first
geosynchronous orbit high-definition optical imaging satellite and
world’s most sophisticated HD geosynchronous orbit remote sensing
satellite. It is located at the orbit 36,000 km away from the earth and
moves synchronously with the earth.
Gujarati litterateur selected for 2015 Jnanpith Award
Eminent
Gujarati litterateur Raghuveer Chaudhary has been selected for the 51st
Jnanpith award. Mr. Chaudhary is the fourth Gujarati litterateur to bag
this prestigious award. He is novelist, poet and critic. He has
authored more than 80 books and some of his notable novels include
Amrita, Venu Vatsala, Purvarang and Laagni Samjyaa Vinaa Chuuta Padvanu.
He has received numerous accolades including Sahitya Acadmi Award for
his novel Trilogy Uparvaas in 1977.
Government sets up Infra Investment Fund
The
Rs. 40,000 crore National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) has
been set up by the government. It’s chief executive will be finalised
by January end. Several sovereign funds and pension funds from Russia,
Singapore, Uk and UAE are willing to participate in the fund and
cooperate with it at various levels. While the government will invest
Rs. 20,000 crore in NIIF from the Budget, another Rs. 20,000 crore is
expected to come from private investors. Market regulator SEBI has
approved the setting up of the NIIF. It has been registered with SEBI as
Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) on December 28, 2015. The
NIIF would invest in greenfield, brownfield and stalled projects.
Russia inks deal with HAL to manufacture 200 Kamov helicopters
Russia’s
Rostech State Corporation has signed one billion US dollar deal with
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture 200 Kamov 226T light
helicopters. These helicopters will be manufactured under make in India
initiative and shall replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak
helicopters. This is the first Russian-Indian high-tech project
implemented by the Indian government within the framework of the ‘Make
in India’ programme with the help of Russia. Under this manufacturing
deal Rostech State Corporation will organize in India the production of
Russian Ka-226T and its modifications in around 200 units. It will also
carry out maintenance, operation and repair of helicopters.
WHO declares Guinea Ebola free
World
Health Organization (WHO) has declared Guinea Ebola-free after no new
cases were reported. Now the country enters into 90-day period of
heightened surveillance of WHO. In Guinea, the deadly disease had killed
more than 2,500 people and had completely shattered country’s economy
and country’s health and education sectors. WHO can declare a country
Ebola free after no new cases are reported from human-to-human
transmission over two incubation periods of virus i.e. 21 days. Earlier,
WHO had declared Liberia Ebola-free in September 2015 and was followed
by Sierra Leone in November 2015.