Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Science & Defence
1. ISRO conducts successful test launch of scramjet engine
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has successfully conducted the Scramjet engine test from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh).
The scramjet engine was test launched on board of RH 560 sounding rocket.
The ATV along with the scramjet engines weighed 3,277 kg at lift-off.
During the test, ATV was able to fly at six times the speed of sound speeds.
Now, India became the fourth nation in the world to successfully flight-test a scramjet engine after USA, Russia and China.
2. NASA ends year-long Mars simulation on Hawaii
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has ended its year-long Mars simulation on Hawaii.
Since 29th August 2015, Six people team lived in close quarters in a dome, without fresh air, fresh food or privacy.
The team consisted of a French astrobiologist, a German physicist and four Americans - a pilot, an architect, a journalist and a soil scientist.
The researchers are looking forward to getting in the ocean and eating fresh produce and other foods that were not available in the dome.
National Affairs
3. West Bengal passes a resolution to rename the state
The West Bengal Assembly has passed a resolution for renaming the state as 'Bangla' (Bengali) and 'Bengal' (English).
Earlier, in 2011 the state government had sent a proposal to the Centre for renaming West Bengal as "Paschim Bango", but that never got the green signal.
4. Himachal Health Minister launches ambulance mobile app
Health Minister of Himachal Pradesh Kaul Singh Thakur has launched a mobile application called '108 HP'.
It will facilitate efficient access to ambulances for medical emergencies.
He flagged off five new ambulances under 108- National Ambulance Service from the historic Ridge Maidan.
5. India's first textile university to come up at Surat
Gujarat government is planning to set up India's first textile university on over 250-acre land at Surat (Gujarat).
The state government will fund about Rs 800-900 crore for the university.
It is expected to get operational in the next one and a half years.
6. Mehbooba Mufti launches Ujala Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti has launched the central government's Ujala Scheme in the state with the distribution of LED bulbs among people in Jammu.
According to CM Mufti, it is an essential commodity and everyone has the equal right to energy.
The scheme will be implemented in the state by Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (JKPDD) in collaboration with Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
7. Union Government inaugurates IIT in Dharwad
The Union Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javdekar has launched Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dharwad in Karnataka.
The institute has already started functioning from this academic year from a temporary structure.
Two thousand students with Science and Maths background have been invited to the inaugural function.
Earlier, both the houses (in 3rd August report) had passed the Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill which states that Jammu, Tirupati, Palakkad, Goa, Dharward and Bhilai are set to get IITs.
Honours & Awards
8. Lalita Babar, chessplayer Gagare to get SJAM awards
Indian long-distance runner Lalita Babar and Grand Master Shardul Gagare have been chosen for the Sports Journalists Association of Mumbai’s (SJAM) Golden Jubilee Annual Awards 2016.
Former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan would be the chief guest and present the trophies and certificates on September 3.
Obituaries
9. Eminent Odisha painter, writer Dinanath Pathy passes away
Eminent painter, writer and art historian Dinanath Pathy (74-year) passed away due to cardiac arrest in Bhubaneswar.
Pathy was the former secretary of Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi and Bhubaneswarm and regarded as the pioneer of the art movement in Odisha.
He was also the founder principal of the BK College of Art and Crafts in Bhubaneswar.
He published over 60 books on classical, traditional, tribal, folk, rural and contemporary art of Odisha in Odia, English and German languages.
Sports
10. Western Railway wins all India railway athletic championship
Western Railway has won the overall team championship, in the 82nd All India Railway athletic Championship (AIRAC) at Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu.
Central railway stood second and Southern Railway third in the overall team category.
In men’s category best athlete award has been given to Jasdeep Singh (Northern Railway) and best women athlete award to Dutee Chand (Northern Railway).
11. Nico Rosberg wins 2016 Belgian Grand Prix
German Formula One driver for Mercedes Nico Rosberg has won the Belgian Grand Prix 2016 of Formula One.
It was his overall 10th championship title of F1 in his career and the sixth win in the 2016 season.
Belgian Grand Prix was the thirteenth race of the 2016 season of Formula One in which total 11 teams had participated.
12. Sania Mirza wins Connecticut Open doubles title
India’s top tennis stars Sania Mirza and her partner Monica Niculescu (Romania) has won the Connecticut Open doubles title.
The Indo- Romanian pair defeated Kateryna Bondarenko (Ukraine) and Chuang Chia Jung (Taiwan) in a straight set in final by 7-5, 6-4.
As for Sania Mirza,this was the 39th title of her career and the seventh for her this year.
Connecticut Open tournament played on outdoor hard court, held annually at the Cullman-Heyman Tennis Center in New Haven, Connecticut, United States.
