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IMD to use supercomputer to forecast monsoon with Dynamical Model

The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in the last week of July 2016 announced that India Meteorological Department (IMD) will use supercomputer to forecast India’s annual summer monsoon.
•    The forecast made by a supercomputer will be based on a dynamical monsoon model. It will be operational from 2017.
•    The dynamical model is also known as the Coupled Forecast System.
•    It collates data on local as well as global weather patterns to simulate a forecast for a specific duration.
•    The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, has been using this model on an experimental basis for around 10 years to assist IMD’s annual monsoon forecasts.
•    To operationalise the alternate model, IMD is investing in supercomputers that can function at a speed of 10 petaflops-per second system.
•    The dynamical model has achieved a 60% accuracy at present and IMD aims to take it up to 77%.
•    The dynamical model and faster computing will also improve short range forecasts as the IMD will be able to access sharper resolution images.

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Preparations are in full swing for “RUN FOR RIO” in NEW DELHI

Preparations are in full swing for RUN FOR RIO to be held in New Delhi on Sunday 31st July, 2016 at 7 am onwards. 
•    The objective of the Run is to not only demonstrate to our athletes that the whole country is proud of them and wishes them all the best in the forthcoming Rio Olympics competitions, but also to connect public at large, especially children and youth, with the Olympic spirit and power of sports. 
•    Around 20,000 school children will participate in the event which will commence from Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium(MDCNS), India Gate, to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS),Lodhi Road. 
•    Similar Runs on a smaller scale will be held in the SAI Regional Centres at Sonepat, Kolkata, Bhopal, Gandhinagar and Thiruvananthapuram. 
•    An Olympic Exhibition and a Food Park is also being planned in collaboration of NDMC in New Delhi to coincide with the inauguration of the Games at RIO. 
•    Sponsorship commitments have been received from M/s. Coal India Limited (CIL) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) for this event.

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Constitution of Assets Taking over Committee for bringing the assets of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University

Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Sudarshan Bhagat has said that formation of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Pusa has been completed with the untiring efforts of the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri Radha Mohan Singh in which the youth of India and Bihar are getting education in Agriculture science which will in turn benefit agriculture in Bihar. 
•    Under the process of the formation of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, it was decided to bring the assets of Rajendra Prasad Agriculture University, Pusa under Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University, Pusa for which formation of Assets Taking over Committee was pending. 
•    On 28.7.2016 i.e. yesterday the Government of Bihar has sent the names of two of its representatives. The committee has been formed today and the state government has been informed. Tomorrow i.e. on 30.7.2016 two representatives of Government of India of this committee will leave for Patna, Bihar. 
•    State Government will extend full cooperation to this Committee so that the work of hand over take over is completed on time.

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Shri Rajnath Singh Felicitates Prof. Namvar Singh at ‘First Cultural Dialogue Series’ of IGNCA

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has lauded the contribution of Professor Namvar Singh, noted writer and thinker of Hindi literature, calling him a Beacon who bust the myth of popularity by achieving the kind of fame usually reserved for celebrities, sports stars or politicians, as a litterateur. 
•    He was felicitating Professor Namvar Singh, who turned 90, at the “First Cultural Dialogue Series” organized by IGNCA under Ministry of Culture here today.
•    Addressing on the occasion, Minister of State )(I/C) for Culture and Tourism Dr. Mahesh Sharma said that  Professor Namvar Singh has immensely contributed a lot in enriching the Indian culture. He appreciated the efforts of IGNCA for organizing such a valuable event.
•    The Special issue of ‘Bahuvachan’, a Journal of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Vishvvidyalaya and a book entitled “Namvar Singh – Safar 90 Sal Ka” brought out by IGNCA were released in the programme. Many renowned dignitaries were present on the occasion.

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BRICS-MSME Round Table and Seminar on Services

The 2nd meeting of the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) Round Table and the Seminar on Services was held on 28 July, 2016 at Agra. 
•    The BRICS is a grouping consisting of 5 countries namely Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa. 
•    Mr Dammu Ravi, Joint Secretary, Department of Commerce was the moderator of both the MSME Round Table and the Seminar on Services. 
•    The deliberations were centered around the regulatory framework and institutional structures of MSMEs; the role of MSMEs in innovation, technology transfer and international projects; integration of MSMEs in the global value chains and a possible portal for BRICS MSMEs. 
•    India also provided a brief on the 1st BRICS Trade Fair to be held in October, 2016. 
•    In the 2nd BRICS Seminar on Services, the issues that were discussed were cooperation on the services statistics in the BRICS region and possible areas of cooperation on trade facilitation in services. 
•    The discussions were useful and highlighted the importance of the service sector in the BRICS region.

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Rajya Sabha passes Compensatory and Afforestation Fund Bill, 2016

The Rajya Sabha on 28 July 2016 unanimously passed the Compensatory and Afforestation Fund (CAF) Bill, 2016 that allows States to access nearly 42000 crore rupees and channel into afforestation projects.
•    The Bill was already passed by Lok Sabha on 3 May 2016.
•    The Bill establishes the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of India, and a State Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of each state.
•    These Funds will receive payments for: (a) compensatory afforestation, (b) net present value of forest (NPV), and (c) other project specific payments.  
•    The National Fund will receive 10 percent of these funds, and the State Funds will receive the remaining 90 percent.
•    These Funds will be primarily spent on afforestation to compensate for loss of forest cover, regeneration of forest ecosystem, wildlife protection and infrastructure development.

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Conference on Implementation of National Pension System (NPS) in Central Autonomous Bodies (CABs)

A conference on implementation of National Pension System (NPS) in Central Autonomous Bodies (CABs) was organized by PFRDA on 27th July 2016 at New Delhi. 
•    The prime objective of the conference was to understand and address the concerns of the Central Autonomous Bodies who have not yet registered for NPS. 
•    Shri Hemant Contractor, Chairman, PFRDA in his key note address stressed on the need for a regular and steady source of income for old age income security. 
•    Dr. B. S. Bhandari, Whole Time Member (Economics), PFRDA, while speaking on the occasion highlighted on the introduction of NPS for all Central Government Employees (except armed forces) joining services on or after 01st January 2004 and also informed the participants about the various notifications issued by Government for implementation of NPS in the Central Autonomous Bodies. 
•    Though the scheme is mandatory for all Central Autonomous Bodies having contributory Provident fund, many of the CABs are yet to join NPS. 
•    Currently, NPS has more than 1.30 crore subscribers with total Asset Under Management (AUM) of more than Rs.1.37 lakh crores.

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Kharif Crop Sowing Crosses 799 Lakh Hectare Area

The total sown area as on 29th July, 2016 as per reports received from States, stands at 799.51 lakh hectare as compared to 752.29 lakh hectare at this time last year.
It is reported that rice has been sown/transplanted in 231.92 lakh ha, pulses in 110.35 lakh ha, coarse cereals in 150.76 lakh ha, oilseeds in 159.78 lakh ha, sugarcane in 46.83 lakh hectare and cotton in 92.33 lakh hectare

Crop

Area sown in 2016-17

Area sown in 2015-16

Rice

231.92

225.68

Pulses

110.35

78.25

Coarse Cereals

150.76

144.84

Oilseeds

159.78

147.98

Sugarcane

46.83

45.91

Jute & Mesta

7.54

7.72

Cotton

92.33

101.91

Total

799.51

752.29

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Hydro Engineering College to be set up at Bilaspur

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare signed MoU between Government of Himachal Pradesh, and NTPC & NHPC for setting up a Hydro Engineering College at Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. 
•    Shri Nadda was the Guest of Honour at the signing ceremony in the presence of Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Power, Coal, New and Renewable Energy and Mines in the Government of India, Shri Prem Kumar Dhumal, former CM, Himachal Pradesh, and Shri G S Bali, Minister, HP. Also present at the function were Members of Parliament Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Shri Virendra Kashyap, and Ms. Viplav Thakur. 
•    Hydro power generation particularly in Himalayan region requires a combination of technical skills spanning different fields of engineering – civil, hydrology, mechanical, electrical engineering etc. 
•    The State of Himachal Pradesh possesses more than 20,000 MW Hydropower potential and NTPC and NHPC are engaged in operation and construction of many projects in the State.

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Bezwada Wilson, TM Krishna win Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016

Two Indians including social activist Bezwada Wilson and musician Thodur Madabusi (TM) Krishna on 26 July 2016 won the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award 2016.
•    Bezwada Wilson was recognized for asserting the inalienable right to a life of human dignity. 
•    He is the National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA). 
•    TM Krishna was recognized for ensuring social inclusiveness in culture. He is a Carnatic music vocalist.
•    Conchita Carpio Morales (Philippines): She has been recognized for restoring faith in the rule of law.
•    Dompet Dhuafa (Indonesia): She has been recognized for expanding the transformative impact of zakat. 
•    Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (Japan): The organisation has been recognized for building a world of genuine solidarity. 
•    Vientiane Rescue (Laos): The organisation has been recognized for volunteering to save lives at risk.
•    The Award was established in 1957 and is widely regarded as Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
•    It was established in 1957 in the memory of Philippines’ 3rd President Ramon Magsaysay who had died in air disaster in March 1957. 
•    The awardees receive a certificate, a medallion bearing the likeness of the late President Ramon Magsaysay, and a cash prize.
•    The Award honours those individuals whose lives are characterized by selfless service which impacts the lives of the greater many.

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