29 December 2015 Current Affairs
China successfully launches Gaofen-4 satellite
China has successfully launched its most sophisticated observation satellite Gaofen-4. It was launched aboard a Long March-3B carrier rocket from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the south western province of Sichuan. It was the 222th space flight of the Long March rocket series and China’s 19th space mission in year 2015. Gaofen-4 is China’s first geosynchronous orbit high-definition optical imaging satellite and world’s most sophisticated HD geosynchronous orbit remote sensing satellite. It is located at the orbit 36,000 km away from the earth and moves synchronously with the earth.
Gujarati litterateur selected for 2015 Jnanpith Award
Eminent Gujarati litterateur Raghuveer Chaudhary has been selected for the 51st Jnanpith award. Mr. Chaudhary is the fourth Gujarati litterateur to bag this prestigious award. He is novelist, poet and critic. He has authored more than 80 books and some of his notable novels include Amrita, Venu Vatsala, Purvarang and Laagni Samjyaa Vinaa Chuuta Padvanu. He has received numerous accolades including Sahitya Acadmi Award for his novel Trilogy Uparvaas in 1977.
Government sets up Infra Investment Fund
The Rs. 40,000 crore National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) has been set up by the government. It’s chief executive will be finalised by January end. Several sovereign funds and pension funds from Russia, Singapore, Uk and UAE are willing to participate in the fund and cooperate with it at various levels. While the government will invest Rs. 20,000 crore in NIIF from the Budget, another Rs. 20,000 crore is expected to come from private investors. Market regulator SEBI has approved the setting up of the NIIF. It has been registered with SEBI as Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) on December 28, 2015. The NIIF would invest in greenfield, brownfield and stalled projects.
Russia inks deal with HAL to manufacture 200 Kamov helicopters
Russia’s Rostech State Corporation has signed one billion US dollar deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture 200 Kamov 226T light helicopters. These helicopters will be manufactured under make in India initiative and shall replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters. This is the first Russian-Indian high-tech project implemented by the Indian government within the framework of the ‘Make in India’ programme with the help of Russia. Under this manufacturing deal Rostech State Corporation will organize in India the production of Russian Ka-226T and its modifications in around 200 units. It will also carry out maintenance, operation and repair of helicopters.
WHO declares Guinea Ebola free
World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Guinea Ebola-free after no new cases were reported. Now the country enters into 90-day period of heightened surveillance of WHO. In Guinea, the deadly disease had killed more than 2,500 people and had completely shattered country’s economy and country’s health and education sectors. WHO can declare a country Ebola free after no new cases are reported from human-to-human transmission over two incubation periods of virus i.e. 21 days. Earlier, WHO had declared Liberia Ebola-free in September 2015 and was followed by Sierra Leone in November 2015.