TELANGANA
After Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh, neem trees in Telangana hit by ‘dieback’ disease
After causing havoc in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, ‘dieback’, a fungal disease, is now inflicting neem trees in Telangana.
Thousands of trees have been hit badly in Warangal, Hyderabad, Rangareddy, Medchal, Mahbubnagar, Gadwal and other districts. A neem tree begins to dry up and its yield is hit once the fungus infects the tree.
Ironically, neem that has become synonymous with providing good health to other trees, animals and people through its twigs, leaves, flowers, bark, seeds and fruits has been dying due to the rare pest first identified about three decades ago. Neem is a natural pesticide and now it has become a victim of the pest that attacks only neem trees.
In Hyderabad, scores of neem trees in Alkapur township are drying up with the infection killing the branches. Fresh cases of dieback infection were reported from Warangal city causing concern among environment activists. Though the infection was noticed more than two decades ago in Karnataka, it began invading neighbouring Rayalaseema in the last five years. From Rayalaseema, it entered Telangana.
INTERNATIONAL
Dr. Rajiv Nigam To Receive 2022 Joseph A. Cushman Award
Former Chief Scientist at CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dr Rajiv Nigam, has been selected for the 2022 Joseph A. Cushman Award.
Highlights
Dr Nigam, the first Indian to be chosen for the prestigious award, was elected for Excellence in Foraminiferal Research.
He has been chosen for his outstanding lifetime contributions to foraminifera, also known as microfossil research.
Dr Nigam will receive the award at the Cushman Reception during the 2022 Geological Society of America meeting in Denver, Colorado, USA, from 9-12 October 2022.
Dr Rajiv Nigam is the first Indian Citizen who was selected for this lifetime achievement award based on his outstanding research work on foraminifera (microfossil).
NATIONAL
National Unity Day Is Commemorated On 31 October
The National Unity Day is also known as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas was commemorated on 31 October.
Highlights:
♦ Since 2014, India has celebrated Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, or National Unity Day, on October 31 to commemorate the birth anniversary of India’s Iron Man, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
♦ This year celebrates the 146th birthday of the great statesman who was a key figure in India’s war for independence and later during the country’s integration.
♦ Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in Nadiad, Gujarat, on October 31, 1875.
♦ He served as India’s first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
♦ He was instrumental in bringing numerous Indian princely states together to form an Indian federation.
♦ He was instrumental in persuading numerous princely nations to join the Indian Union at the time of independence.
♦ He also put in a lot of effort as a social leader in the fight for India’s freedom.
♦ Vallabhbhai Patel was given the title ‘Sardar’ by the women of Bardoli, which means ‘chief or leader.’
♦ The Statue of Unity at Kevadiya in the Narmada district of Gujarat was built in his honor.
India-ASEAN Start-Up Festival
PM Narendra Modi has proposed an India-ASEAN start-up festival on 28 October.
Highlights:
♦ This announcement was made at the “18th India-ASEAN Summit,” a virtual conference of ASEAN leaders.
♦ On the occasion, the Prime Minister also urged for an early revision of the ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in goods, which India has been requesting for Indian companies to obtain better market access in the ASEAN area.
♦ For India to solve the problem of non-tariff obstacles that Indian firms experience, ASEAN support for a revision of the FTA is critical.
♦ The India-ASEAN start-up festival has been announced as part of India and ASEAN’s friendship year celebrations in 2022.
♦ It was announced, emphasizing the significance of technology and innovation in the post-Cold War economic resurgence.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award Awarded To Rajinikanth
Actor Rajinikanth was awarded the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 67th National Film Awards ceremony.
Highlights:
♦ He was honoured for his contribution as an actor, producer and screenwriter.
♦ He received the prestigious award from Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu for his marvellous contribution to Indian cinema.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award
♦ Instituted in 1969, the award is the highest recognition for an artist in Indian cinema.
♦ The award was chosen by a jury consisting of five members: Asha Bhonsle, director Subhash Ghai, Mohanlal, Shankar Mahadevan and actor Biswajeet Chatterjee.
♦ The Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2019 should’ve been proclaimed last year but was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, as were the National Film Awards for 2019.
Krishi UDAN 2.0 Launched By Civil Aviation Minister
Under the “Krishi Udan 2.0 scheme”, cargo-related support will be built in airports of hilly, tribal, and northeast regions.
♦ Such infrastructure will help in supporting farmers in moving agricultural products.
♦ The scheme has been started to channel the immense potential of Indian agriculture with the logistical help of civil aviation to accomplish the goal of doubling farmers’ income.
♦ It will also help in relieving the wastage of farm produce and enhance its value.
Krishi Udan
♦ The central government launched the Krishi Udan scheme in September 2020.
♦ The airport charges like parking charges & terminal navigation landing charges are dismissed.
♦ Charges are dismissed if the agricultural cargo is more than 50 per cent of the total chargeable weight carried.
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