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Indian-origin lawyer to chair panel on human rights in S Sudan
South African Indian-origin lawyer and long-time human rights activist Yasmin Sooka has been appointed to chair a UN commission to monitor the human rights situation in South Sudan and make recommendations for their improvement.
Other two members of the committee are Kenneth R. Scott (US) and Godfrey M. Musila (Kenya).
The Commissioners will provide guidance to the government of South Sudan on transitional justice, accountability and reconciliation issues and will engage with international and regional mechanisms to promote accountability for human rights violations and abuses.
The UN resolved to establish the Commission following calls for investigation into alleged atrocities by both government and rebel forces before an independent South Sudan was carved out of the larger Sudan in 2011.
South Sudan :
South Sudan became an independent state on 9 July 2011, following a referendum that passed with 98.83% of the vote. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city.
South Sudan has suffered internal conflict since its independence. It has the highest score on the Failed States Index.
>Login To Save for Revision- Scientists develop new bio-ink for 3D bio-printing with stem cells
The Scientists from the University of Bristol, England have developed a new stem cell-containing bio-ink that allows 3D printing of complex living tissues that may be used for surgical implants. The study in this regard was published in the journal Advanced Healthcare Materials.
How 3D bio-printing with stem cells was done ?
The new bio ink containing stem cells allows scientists to 3D print of living tissue which is also known as bio-printing.
The new bio-ink contains two different polymer components: a natural polymer extracted from seaweed and a sacrificial synthetic polymer used in the medical industry.
The special bio-ink formulation was extruded from a retrofitted benchtop 3D printer, as a liquid that transformed to a gel at 37 degrees Celsius, which allowed construction of complex living 3D architecture.
The synthetic polymer causes the bio-ink to change from liquid to solid when the temperature is raised and the seaweed polymer provides structural support when the cell nutrients are introduced.
Comment : The new technique is expected to pave the way for the production of complex tissues to replace diseased or damaged areas of the body such as knees and hips and eventually the creation of vital organs.
What is stem cell ?
- Stem cells are undifferentiated biological cells that can differentiate into specialized cells and can divideto produce more stem cells. They are found in multicellular organisms.
- In adult organisms, stem cells and progenitor cells act as a repair system for the body, replenishing adult tissues.The stem cells have potential to change the face of curing human diseases and alleviate suffering.
>Login To Save for Revision- Indian bags UN honour for corporate sustainability initiative
Zubaida Bai, an Indian social entrepreneur, has been named among 10 "champions and pioneers" by UN chief Ban Ki-moon under the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative that calls on companies to align with universal principles of human rights, environment and anti-corruption.
She is the founder of 'ayzh', a for-profit social venture providing health and livelihood solutions to impoverished women worldwide.
She was named among the 10 '2016 Global Compact SDG Pioneers', an initiative launched by UN to search for "entrepreneurs" who can play a pivotal role.
UN Global Compact (UNGC)
- The United Nations Global Compact is a United Nations initiative to encourage businesses worldwide to adopt sustainable and socially responsible policies, and to report on their implementation.
- It supports companies to do business responsibly by aligning their operations and strategies with the ten principles of labour, environment, human rights and anti-corruption.
>Login To Save for Revision- Sprinter Dutee Chand qualifies for 2016 Rio Olympics
Dutee Chand became the first Indian sprinter to qualify for 2016 Rio Olympics by setting a national record in the 100 metres (11.30 seconds) at XXVI International Meeting in Kazakhstan.
She became the 99th Indian to qualify for the Rio Games, starting on August 5 to 21. In the 26th International Meeting G.Kosanov Memorial, Kazakhstan’s Viktoriya Zyabkinawon won the race with personal best performance of 11.15s.
Dutee Chand is the first Indian woman to qualify for the coveted 100m event since the International Olympics Committee introduced a qualifying mark in the segment.
Legendary athlete PT Usha had qualified for the same event in 1980 Moscow Olympics.
>Login To Save for Revision- Su-30 flies with BrahMos missile for first time
On June 25, 2016 the frontline fighter aircraft Su-30 MKI flew with an 2,500 kg integrated BrahMos supersonic cruise missile that has a range of over 290 kms, making IAF the only air force in the world in possession of such a system.
It is the first time in the world that such a heavyweight (2,500 kg) supersonic cruise missile has been integrated on a fighter aircraft.
The aircraft was in the air for 45 minutes and was flown by Wing Commander Prashant Nair and Wg Cdr MS Raju, both flight test crew of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment.
The maiden flight will be followed by a series of test flights and complete evaluation and certification of BrahMos missile on Su30 MKI aircraft. Around 40 Su-30 MKI aircraft are expected to be modified.
With successful integration of BrahMos on Su-30 MKI aircraft has become a lethal weapon delivery platform for IAF. With this IAF also moved few steps closer towards actual test firing when a 2.5 tonnes supersonic BrahMos air-to-ground missile from the Su-30 MKI.
About BrahMos missile
BrahMos is supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land.It is a joint venture between the Russian Federation's NPO Mashinostroeyenia and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Missile’s name has been derived from the names of two rivers, India’s Brahmaputra River and Russia’s Moskva River.
What makes it a lethal weapon ?
- It has top supersonic speed of Mach 2.8 and is capable of carrying a warhead of 300 kilogram.
- It is two-stage missile, the first one being solid and the second one ramjet liquid propellant.
- It can strike a target at maximum range of 290 km.
>Login To Save for Revision- Paytm to help SMEs get products from China
Many Indian sellers don’t have capability to fly to China to check quality, variety and buy good but now Ecommerce platform Paytm is working with sellers in India to help them source products from China and other countries at cheaper rates as well as help them with logistics and payments.
The company has already started sourcing products under the fashion accessory category and further plans to expand in mobile accessories and home decor products.
Paytm will also offer these sellers support of bonded warehouses in India and consolidation centres at the source country.
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Jul 11, 2016 Tathagata Roy sworn-in as acting Governor of Arunachal Pradesh
Tripura Governor Tathagata Roy has been sworn in as acting Governor of Arunachal Pradesh.
He has been given the additional charge of Governor of Arunachal Pradesh during the leave of absence of incumbent Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa.
Roy was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court, Justice Ajit Singh as per the provisions of Article 159 of Constitution of India. He is the 18th Governor to be sworn in as Governor of this Himalayan State.
About Tathagata Roy :
Tathagata Roy born on 14 September 1945 in Kolkata, West Bengal is politician, engineer and author. He studied Civil Engineering in Bengal Engineering College Sibpur and joined Indian Railways Service of Engineers.
He took voluntary retirement in 1990 and Jadavpur University as professor and founder head of the Department of Construction Engineering. He was attracted towards Hindutva and became a Swayamsevak in 1986. After leaving government service he joined the BJP in 1990.
He has authored two books :
- The Life and Times of Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.
- My People, Uprooted: A Saga of the Hindus of Eastern Bengal.
Constitutional provisions of Governor :
- Article 153: There shall be a Governor for each State. The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 provides that nothing in this article shall prevent the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more States.
- Article 156: The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. The Governor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office. Governor is appointed by President and hold office during the pleasure of President.
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Jul 05, 2016 Sudarshan Sen appointed Executive Director of RBI
Sudarshan Sen has been as Executive Director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in place of N S Vishwanathan, who has been elevated as Deputy Governor at the central bank.
Sen has a long association with bank supervision and regulation. Earlier, he was in charge of the Department of Banking Regulation.
He also served as the Regional Director of Ahmedabad office of the Reserve Bank of India.
Sen holds an MBA in International Banking and Finance from the University of Birmingham, UK.
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Jul 05, 2016 MV Dhekane takes over as Director of IISU
Noted scientist M V Dhekane has assumed the office of Director of ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He is the seventh director of IISU that functions under the aegis of the Department of Space.
About M V Dhekane
M V Dhekane who is a B-Tech graduate in electrical engineering and M-tech (Systems and Control) from Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, joined Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in 1983.
He has wide experience and expertise in the launch vehicle control and guidance design, onboard software development and mission design and analysis.
He had also held various significant positions in ISRO such as Deputy Director, Control, Guidance & Simulation Entity, VSSC, Chief Controller, VSSC and Associate Director (R&D), VSSC.
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- Scientists develop new bio-ink for 3D bio-printing with stem cells
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