Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 09 February 2022

::National::

Power Minister Launches Powerthon-2022 for Enabling Advanced Technology in Power Distribution

Union Minister for Power and MNRE Shri R K Singh virtually launched today Powerthon-2022, a hackathon competition under RDSS to find technology driven solutions to solve the complex problems in power distribution and to ensure quality and reliable power supply.
In his keynote address Shri R K Singh, said that this program is much needed in the power sector. We will have a standing body and this innovation will be open and an ongoing scheme. He encouraged technologists to come forward not only with solutions to existing problems but also with other problem statements and ideas for reliable power supply. He said that ideas and concepts will be rewarded with licence and development of prototypes will also be fostered.
Secretary Power Shri Alok Kumar, CMD REC along with other senior officials from Ministry of Power, REC, SINE IIT Bombay were present at the virtual event. DISCOMs and technologists also participated in huge numbers.
REC Limited in collaboration with SINE, IIT Bombay, India’s premier technological institute today announced the launch of the Powerthon-2022, a hackathon competition wherein Technology Solution Providers (TSPs), start-ups, educational institutions, research institute, equipment manufacturers, state power utilities and other state and central power sector entities, shall be briefed on the current challenges/problem statements faced across the power distribution sector and invited to participate and showcase their technology driven solutions to solve the complex problems.
The hackathon will task participants to find innovative solutions based on advanced emerging technologies like AI/ML, Blockchain, IoT, VR/AR etc on nine (09) themes that have been identified after various discussions & consultations with 14 DISCOMs across 9 states and have been categorized across 9 broad aspects for pilot testing:
Demand/Load Forecasting
AT&C (Aggregate Technical & Commercial) Loss Reduction
Energy Theft Detection
Prediction of DT (Distribution Transformer) Failure
Asset Inspection
Vegetation Management
Consumer Experience Enhancement
RE (Renewable Energy) Integration
Power Purchase Optimization
The competition will bring together qualified mentors with TSPs, innovators, and other participants from across the nation to create teams that hack for the future and develop solutions which contribute to creating a much more vibrant and efficient electricity network.
Under the competition, an Expert Group and a Technical Committee is being constituted for overall evaluation of the Proof of concept (POC) and selection of TSP. The TSPs will then be actively mentored and a pilot run shall be conducted by the selected TSP for the thematic area. On the success of the pilot run, scale-up avenues will be pursued under the RDSS scheme.

Printed Study Materials for IBPS, SBI Bank Exam

::International::

Dubai to launch world's first hydrogen-powered flying boat 'The Jet'

A “flying boat” may sound like an oxymoron, but a certain Swiss start-up is ready to prove otherwise.
The Jet ZeroEmission is launching what it claims will be the world’s first hydrogen-powered flying boat next year in Dubai. The startup has partnered with Zenith Marine and DWYN to build the new zero-emissions vessel, which has been fittingly christened the Jet.
With a futuristic, spaceship-like silhouette, the yacht will measure roughly 33 feet from tip to tail and is designed to carry up to 12 passengers and a captain. As its moniker suggests, it can soar like a jet, too.
The Jet’s propulsion is just as forward-thinking. It will be equipped with two hydrogen fuel cells that will power the electric motors for quiet, emissions-free cruising at zippy speeds. According to the Swiss outfit, the Jet will reach around 18 knots during take-off and sit somewhere between 35–40 knots while cruising. It will mainly be dedicated to serving hotels and high-end clients, according to the brand.
It’s worth pointing out that pairing hydrofoils with hydrogen is not exactly a new concept. There has been a spate of designs that combine this bleeding-edge tech. In fact, Emirates Team New Zealand is building a hydrogen-powered foiling chase boat to support the AC75 racing yachts in the 37th America’s Cup.
“We are pleased to make this announcement from Dubai, and be able to manufacture and launch ‘The Jet’, which is going to be the world’s first boat to sail without noise, waves, or emissions,” Thébault said in a statement.

::Economy::

AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launches dedicated storefront for Ayurveda products on Amazon.in

A dedicated storefront for yurveda products on Amazon.in marketplace was launched by Union Minister for YUSH, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, at a virtual event today. This event was also attended by MoS for Ayush Shri Munjpara Mahendrabhai and other dignitaries. The event started with a short video film on Ayurveda and its advantages.
This Ayurveda product storefront will enhance visibility of unique Ayurveda products such as various kinds of juices, skin-care supplements, immunity boosters, oils and more from small businesses and startup brands. It will make shopping easier as product selection has been organized according to focus areas and health benefits such as pain management, immunity boosters, blood purifiers, women’s health, weight management, mental wellness etc.
Speaking at the virtual launch event, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “It is important to scientifically develop Ayurveda, Siddha, Homeopathy medicines for COVID-19, it is equally important to establish a robust marketing network of these products to reach to the masses. I am happy that Amazon through its e-commerce platform has been instrumental in strengthening the supply chain by ensuring the delivery of the products, whether it may be Chyvanprash, Ayush Kadha, or Ayush -64. As a nation, we need to take the necessary steps to encourage small and big companies as well as startups to focus on making Ayush a part of our daily lives which will be a step forward towards fulfilling Prime Minister of India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
The minister further said that Ministry is also promoting the Ayu-Raksha kit, Bala-Raksha kit and Swasthya Raksha kit developed by All India Institute of Ayurveda for protecting the people from COVID. These kits are a combo-pack of 3-4 Ayurveda medicines e.g. Samshamani vati, Anu Taila, Ayush kwath and Chyanprash. He said, these kits can be made available to the public by Amazon through an e-commerce platform.
Shri Sonowal also informed that various initiatives taken by the Ministry of AYUSH has increased the Ayush market size from USD 3 billion in the year 2014 to USD 18 Billion and Ayush manufacturing sector as well as Service sector should take the maximum advantage of various promotional schemes launched by the Government to further scale-up the Ayush market.

ICMR receives royalty of Rs 171.74 cr from sale of COVID vaccine Covaxin from Bharat Biotech

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has received a royalty of Rs 171.74 crore from Bharat Biotech on the sale of Covaxin till 31 January 2022, the government told Parliament.
ICMR spent Rs 35 crore on the research and development of the indigenous vaccine that is being manufactured by Bharat Biotech, an has made a profit of Rs 136 crore on the vaccine. The total budget for the development of health research, of which ICMR is a part, for FY 2022-23 is Rs 3,200 crore.
“ICMR has received royalty of Rs 171.74 crore till 31 January 2022 from Bharat Biotech from sales of Covaxin. ICMR has spent around Rs 35 crore in R&D of Covaxin. Funds with ICMR are utilised for health research activities including emerging research priorities and research capacity building,” Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said in a written reply to a question from Congress’ Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha.
Covaxin was developed as a joint venture between the ICMR and Bharat Biotech. The SARS-CoV-2 virus (original Wuhan strain) was isolated by the National Institute of Virology in Pune in January 2020. It was shared with the manufacturer and a whole virion inactivated vaccine was developed, using the technology used for some of the earliest vaccines known to humankind, such as the polio vaccine.
While much has been made of the indigenous vaccine, the rate of production has been one of the limitations of Covaxin, with just about 14 per cent of vaccines administered in the country being from the Bharat Biotech stable.
India has, so far, administered over 170 crore doses of Covid vaccines of which a little over 25 crore are of Covaxin.
The advanced biosafety requirements for its manufacture have been one of the issues in expansion but there are hopes in the government that numbers will rise this year.

::Science and tech::

NASA Provides Updated International Space Station Transition Plan

The International Space Station is a unique laboratory that is returning enormous scientific, educational, and technological developments to benefit people on Earth and is enabling our ability to travel into deep space. The Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to extend space station operations until 2030 will enable the United States to continue to reap these benefits for the next decade while U.S. industry develops commercial destinations and markets for a thriving space economy.
As NASA looks forward to a decade of results from research and technology development aboard the International Space Station, the agency is taking steps to ensure a successful transition of operations to commercial services. In response to Congressional direction, NASA has now provided an updated International Space Station Transition Report that details the goals for the next decade of station operations leading to a smooth transition to commercial services, the steps being taken to develop both the supply and demand side of the low-Earth orbit commercial economy, and the technical steps and budget required for transition.
“The International Space Station is entering its third and most productive decade as a groundbreaking scientific platform in microgravity,” said Robyn Gatens, director of the International Space Station at NASA Headquarters. “This third decade is one of results, building on our successful global partnership to verify exploration and human research technologies to support deep space exploration, continue to return medical and environmental benefits to humanity, and lay the groundwork for a commercial future in low-Earth orbit. We look forward to maximizing these returns from the space station through 2030 while planning for transition to commercial space destinations that will follow.”
Today, with U.S. commercial crew and cargo transportation systems online, the station is busier than ever. The ISS National Laboratory, responsible for utilizing 50 percent of NASA’s resources aboard the space station, hosts hundreds of experiments from other government agencies, academia, and commercial users to return benefits to people and industry on the ground. Meanwhile, NASA’s research and development activities aboard are advancing the technologies and procedures that will be necessary to send the first woman and first person of color to the Moon and the first humans to Mars.
The extension of operations to 2030 will continue to return these benefits to the United States and to humanity as a whole while preparing for a successful transition of capabilities to one or more commercially-owned and -operated LEO destinations (CLDs). NASA has entered into a contract for commercial modules to be attached to a space station docking port and awarded space act agreements for design of three free-flying commercial space stations. U.S. industry is developing these commercial destinations to begin operations in the late 2020s for both government and private-sector customers, concurrent with space station operations, to ensure these new capabilities can meet the needs of the United States and its partners.
“The private sector is technically and financially capable of developing and operating commercial low-Earth orbit destinations, with NASA’s assistance. We look forward to sharing our lessons learned and operations experience with the private sector to help them develop safe, reliable, and cost-effective destinations in space,” said Phil McAlister, director of commercial space at NASA Headquarters. “The report we have delivered to Congress describes, in detail, our comprehensive plan for ensuring a smooth transition to commercial destinations after retirement of the International Space Station in 2030.”

::Sport::

Africa Cup of Nations: Senegal beat Egypt

Sadio Mane netted the winning spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations, after the final ended goalless following extra time.
The Liverpool forward had earlier seen a seventh-minute penalty saved by Pharaohs keeper Gabaski.
Chelsea's Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde's Olembe Stadium.
Gabaski had made three good saves from Senegal's Bamba Dieng in extra time.And in a match billed as a battle between Liverpool forwards Mane, of Senegal, and Egypt captain Mohamed Salah, it was the former who had the decisive word.
After two previous final defeats, Senegal are Africa Cup of Nations winners at last, while Egypt missed out on a record-extending eighth continental crown that would also have been a first for Salah.