Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 27 Sep 2023
- 4 min read
Dadasaheb Phalke Award conferred on Waheeda Rehman
- Renowned Indian veteran actor Waheeda Rehman, celebrated for her legendary roles in Indian cinema classics, has been bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for 2021.
- The award will be presented during the 69th National Film Awards ceremony.
- The Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award is India's highest recognition in cinema. The award is presented annually at the National Films Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals.
- The award is named after Dadasaheb Phalke, an Indian filmmaker who directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913).
- She also received accolades such as the National Award for Best Female Actor, Padma Shri, and Padma Bhushan for her unwavering dedication, commitment, and professional excellence.
Read more: Dadasaheb Phalke Award
DNA Nanoball Strategy
- In a remarkable scientific development, the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) nanoball strategy has emerged as a groundbreaking, cost-effective technology for the rapid detection of pathogens in the field.
- Pathogens are microorganisms that can cause disease in their host. They can be viruses, bacteria, protozoans, or fungi.
- The DNA nanoball strategy combines nucleic acids-based diagnostics and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology for rapid pathogen detection.
- LAMP is a process that amplifies circular DNA molecules into long strands that contain multiple copies of DNA. These strands then fold into spherical structures called DNA nanoballs, which can be easily observed by a microscope or an electrical device.
- The design does not need laboratory techniques to support diagnosis. It is a low-cost technology that can be widely deployed and scalable.
Read more: Chitra GeneLAMP-N for Covid-19 Test
India's Digital Public Infrastructure: A Global Model
Union Minister of Electronics & IT, participated in the "South-South Knowledge Sharing Series" organized by the World Bank, focusing on India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and its potential as a model for African nations, particularly in light of the African Union's recent inclusion in the G20 during India's presidency.
- India's commitment to promoting technology for global empowerment aligns with its goal of making the internet an enabler of transformation, resilience, safety, and trust, establishing India as a global case study in the profound impact of technology on people's lives.
Read more: Digital Public Infrastructure
Government Grants Over Rs. 256 Crore in Relief to MSMEs Amid Pandemic
The Indian government has provided significant relief to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by accepting more than 10,000 claims under the Vivad se Vishwas - I scheme, aimed at supporting these businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- The Vivad se Vishwas I – Relief for MSMEs scheme was introduced by the Union Finance Minister during the 2023-24 Budget Speech and was launched through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
- It allowed MSMEs to submit claims for relief, including the refund of 95% of deducted performance security, bid security, and liquidated damages, as well as assistance for MSMEs facing debarment due to contract execution defaults.
Read more: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises
