The Paris Agreement, the Climate Action Summit focuses on nine interdependent tracks, which are led by 19 countries in total and are supported by international organizations. The key areas identified are the following:

The Union Minister for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & FamilyWelfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan launched UMMID (Unique Methods of Management and treatment of Inherited Disorders) initiative and inaugurated NIDAN (National Inherited Diseases Administration) Kendras, which is being supported by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), M/o Science and Technology.

Launching the new logo of Steel Ministry “ISPATI IRADA”

The “ISAPTI IRADA” campaign aims to increase the appropriate usage of steel in the country and bring more strength to society.

The brand “Ispati Irada” will be allowed to be used by entities working on this theme. Brand ambassador of Ministry of Steel and ace shuttler P. V. Sindhu

5) Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment Celebrates ‘Sign Language Day’

Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot Distributes Prizes to Winners of ‘2nd Sign Language Competition, 2019’

'Sign Language Day’ was celebrated by the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, M/o Social Justice and Empowerment





United Nations has declared 23rd September as International Sign Language Day. This day was formally accepted by the United Nations Assembly on 19th December 2017. The theme of this year is “Sign Language-Rights for all”. The objective of celebrating the sign language day is enhancing the awareness of sign language and making the reach of sign language to everyone





The award distribution ceremony for the winners of the 2nd Indian Sign Language Competition 2019 was conducted during the program.



Around new 4,000 words are likely to be added to the Indian sign language dictionary in 2020, including words about agriculture for the first time, according to officials of the Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry’s Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), which is carrying out the project





6) Shri Nitin Gadkari and Shri RK Singh inaugurate National Conclave on Energy Efficiency in MSME sector

Shri Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) and Road Transport & Highways and Shri RK Singh, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy (IC) and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship jointly inaugurated the National Conclave on Enhancing Energy Efficiency in MSME sector





The Ministers also released Energy Conservation Guidelines for MSMEs and launched the Knowledge Management Portal “SIDHIEE” under the BEE’s MSME Programme. This portal will host useful information including fifty videos of multimedia tutorials for MSMEs for early adoption of energy-efficient technologies.





An MoU for enhancing energy security in MSMEs was also signed between the Development Commissioner, MSME, and DG, Bureau of Energy Efficiency for developing a long term roadmap for enhancing energy efficiency and security for the MSME Sector through focused intervention. The MoU includes the area of cooperation for comprehensive energy mapping of MSMEs on pan India, development of appropriate schemes and programs to improve the energy security of MSMEs

About BEE

THE BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. It is assisted in developing policies and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity of the Indian economy. BEE coordinates with designated consumers, designated agencies, and other organizations to identify and utilize the existing resources and infrastructure, in performing the functions assigned to it under the energy conservation act.





7) Biofuel planes may fly 10 cr. passengers by 2030

India has committed to fly 10 crore passengers on biofuel­propelled planes by 2030, SpiceJet’s chairman and managing director, Ajay Singh said at UN’s SDG Climate Summit in New York.





Last year, SpiceJet operated its first­ever flight propelled by a blend of jatropha seeds and aviation turbine fuel for a technological demonstration. He emphasized the need for all stakeholders, including refineries, passengers, airports and governments, to work together to turn India's commitment into reality. He said there was a need to not only find new ways to burn fewer fossil fuels, but also to find an alternative to fuel­guzzling planes by pursuing the development of electric aircraft for flying needs of the future.





8) India’s containerized trade growth in Q2 2019 slowed to 1% from 9%

India’s containerized trade growth in Q2 2019 slowed to 1% from 9% over the same period last year, according to Maersk India Trade Report. This was due to a host of international factors such as slowing trade growth, and growing trade tensions, coupled with domestic factors like rural consumer distress, tightening liquidity and a slowdown in key manufacturing sectors, it said. Combined, these triggers impacted India’s economic activity, slowing overall import­export growth, it added. As per the report, west India delivered the highest growth with imports growing at 4% and exports at 11%. North India delivered a 1% growth in imports and a decline of 9% in exports. South India registered 1% import growth and 2% export growth while east India recorded 2% growth in imports and a decline of 1% in exports.





9) Protodontopteryx ruthae world's oldest bird species is discovered in New Zealand

Scientists from the Canterbury Museum(England) have discovered the world's oldest bird species' fossils in Waipara, New Zealand that lived 62 million years ago. It was a sea bird and is named as Protodontopteryx ruthae with its discovery details mentioned in the journal 'Palaeontology'. The bird which was smallest in size of its family, maintained the size of an average seagull while its descendants had wingspans more than five meters. It was first found by paleontologist Leigh Love of the Canterbury museum at the Waipara Greensand fossil site in 2018.









10) Survey of dragonflies hints at the impact of floods

Asian Emerald A survey of dragonflies and damselflies held in the Silent Valley National Park (SVNP) has discovered eight new species but reported an alarming decrease in the odonate population, raising concerns over the ecological impact of the successive floods in the State. The three­day survey, conducted last week jointly by the Silent Valley National Park and the Society for Odonate Studies, showed that several dragonfly species, including the Global Wanderer (Pantala flavescens), were missing from the national park





The aberrant rain pattern and the successive floods in the state could have decimated the population of dragonflies and damselflies in the SVNP.





However, eight new odonate species were found in the survey held in 11 camps across the buffer and core areas of the national park.

Scalloped Spreadwing The new species found in the survey include the Hemicordulia Asiatica (Asian Emerald), which was reported from the Periyar Tiger Reserve in 2017. This rare dragonfly had gone unreported for over 80 years, and this was its second sighting from any protected forest in the State. Macrogomphus wynadiccus (Wayanad Bowtail ), Onychogomphus nilgiriensis (Nilgiri Clawtail), Epithemis Mariae (Rubytailed Hawklet), Palpopleura sexmaculata (Blue­Tailed Yellow Skimmer) and Neurothemis intermedia (Paddy Field Parasol) were the other interesting finds among dragonflies. Agrocnemis splendidissima (Splendid Dartlet), Lestes Dorothea (Scalloped Spreadwing), Onychargia atrocyana (Black Marsh Dart), Phylloneura westermani (Myristica Bambootail), Euphea diaper (Nilgiri Torrent Dart) and Protostica gravely (Pied Reedtail) were some of the decorated findings among damselflies.