KERALA
Open data maps of Kerala local bodies created
Open street mapping (OSM) community in Kerala has created geospatial open data maps of all local bodies in the state numbering over 1200.
The maps are useful in presenting spatial or geographic data as interactive maps and infographics that tells stories and reveals patterns.
While institutions like Information Kerala Mission (IKM) and Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre (KSRSEC) had prepared local-body boundary maps up to ward levels, their non-availability on public domain and their unwillingness to share them with other departments had caused much difficulties.
The community had been requesting authorities to release such maps in machine readable format under open data licence since long but this was never done.
INTERNATIONAL
Global Handwashing Day: 15 October
Global Handwashing Day is observed on October 15 each year to raise awareness and highlight the importance of handwashing as an effective means of disease prevention.
This year it marks a critical reminder for the world that this simple, cost-effective practice can save lives.
Handwashing has always been one of the most effective ways of keeping diseases at bay and is also one of the key cornerstones of COVID-19 prevention.
Australia to join Malabar Naval exercise with India, US and Japan
Australia will join the Malabar naval exercise involving India, US and Japan.
The exercise showcases the deep trust between four major Indo-Pacific democracies and their shared will to work together on common security interests.
The Annual Naval Exercise Malabar-2020 is expected to be held in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea later this year.
This year, the exercise has been planned on a ‘non-contact-at sea’ format.
The Malabar series of Naval exercises started in 1992 as a bilateral Indian Navy-US Navy exercise and Japan joined the Naval exercise in 2015.
NATIONAL
Anti-pollution measures under GRAP to come into force in Delhi-NCR region
Anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) came into force in the Delhi-NCR region.
Delhi Government has banned use of electricity generators, except those needed for essential or emergency services, in the national capital.
GRAP includes the measures which will be taken by different government agencies to prevent worsening of Air Quality of Delhi-NCR and prevent PM10 and PM2.5 levels to go beyond the ‘moderate’ national Air Quality Index (AQI) category.
The plan requires action and coordination among 13 different agencies in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan (NCR areas).
India’s first Oscar winner Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya passes away
India’s first Oscar winner Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya died.
Kolhapur-born Athaiya, who was active till just five years ago, began her career as a costume designer in Hindi cinema with Guru Dutt’s 1956 superhit “C.I.D.”. She went on to work in over 100 films.
She jointly won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design with John Mollo, for Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi”. The lavish biopic of Mahatma Gandhi swept the Oscars with eight awards.
In 2012, Athaiya returned her Oscar to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for safe keeping.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launches AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme
Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar launched the AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme.
The scheme is a unique way to assist cooperatives play an important role in creation of healthcare infrastructure in the country.
AYUSHMAN SAHAKAR scheme has been formulated by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
NCDC would extend term loans to prospective cooperatives to the tune of 10 thousand crore in the coming years.
NCDC’s Ayushman Sahakar scheme aims at bringing transformation in the health services primarily in the rural areas.
The scheme also provides working capital and margin money to meet operational requirements of the health facilities. It provides interest subvention of one percent to women majority cooperatives.
Nitin Gadkari lays foundation stone for country’s first-ever multi-modal logistic park in Assam
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari virtually laid the foundation stone for the first-ever multi-modal logistic park of the country in Assam.
The 694 crore rupees park at Bongaigaon district will provide direct connectivity to air, road, rail and waterways to the people of Assam.
It will be developed under the Bharatmala Pariyojana of the Centre.
The fund for the multimodal logistics park would be spent in 3 components – road and railway connectivity as well as building and infrastructure work.
NK Singh launches his autobiography ‘Portraits Of Power’
Veteran Economist and bureaucrat N K (Nand Kishore) Singh has released his autobiography titled “Portraits of Power: Half a Century of Being at Ringside”.
Singh is currently serving as the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission.
The book portrays the life of NK Singh who played an active role in the development of the Indian economy.
The book portrays NK Singhs’s stents from 1964 when he joined the Indian Administrative Service(IAS), serving in higher positions of the Indian Government before entering politics as a member of Rajya Sabha.