NCERT textbooks to be made available in Indian sign language
Today Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre and NCERT will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to convert educational material to Indian sign language. It will benefit deaf students. Educational standardisation of Indian Sign Language as ordered in the new NEP will be ensured.
Government releases guidelines for preparation of midday meals to school children
The midday meal scheme is extremely important for providing nourishment for school going children and amidst the ongoing pandemic they could not operate this scheme. The guidelines state that there will be no wearing of hand ornaments like bangles, watches etc. while cooking the meals. The timings will be staggered to prevent overcrowding. Masks are mandatory and there will be thermal scanning conducted before workers enter the school.
Indefinite use of public places for protests not correct: Supreme Court
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court stated that protesting at public places is not absolute. This was highlighted due to the problems faced by the general public in Shaheen Bagh in Delhi because of the protests going on due to CAA. Advocate Amit Sahni stated that people are allowed to protest but it is subject to restrictions.
Mental healthcare portal launched, operational from Oct 10
With the ongoing pandemic, the issue of mental health is even more prevalent. Mental Health Foundation of India has launched a web portal called MiHOPE. There will be online consultations with AIIMS doctors. They aim at tackling issues with diet, yoga and lifestyle changes.
Three people win Physics Nobel for discoveries on black hole
Roger Penrose was awarded the price for “discovery that black hole formation is a robust prediction of the general theory of relativity.” and Reihnhard Genzel and Andrea Ghez for “discovery of a supermass compact object at the centre of our galaxy.”
Two earthquakes occur in Ladakh. No casualties reported
On Tuesday morning an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale occurred in Ladakh. There were no casualties or property damage.. It only lasted for a few seconds. A few hours later, another tremor measuring 4.4 on the Richter scale was felt. Both earthquakes were at a depth of 10km.
RBI will conduct the next monetary policy from Oct 7-9
The RBI will announce its next policy decision on Friday. The committee consists of three economists Ashima Goyal, Jayanth R Varma and Shashanka Bhide. Room to cut rates further will most likely open up only in the first quarter of the next fiscal. The central bank may continue to ease financial conditions till then.
India will replace coal-powered plants with renewable energy
The power minister, Raj Kumar Singh stated that over the next two years, India plans on replacing coal powered plants with renewable generating capacity. Coal powered plants are over half of India’s power generating capacity. Many of these plants are getting retired and that space will be taken up by renewable power plants.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman terms farm laws as ‘long-waiting reforms’, MSP to continue
While protests go on throughout the country, the Union Finance Minister stated that Minimum Support Prices for crops will be continued. A farmer will be free to sell their produce to whomever they like at suitable prices with profit. She also stated that there is a change in the Essential Commodities Act where damages on products will be less and rates will be fixed.
Apple’s iPhone 12 series to launch on October 13
To launch the much awaited iPhone, Apple will host a virtual event : ‘Hi, Speed’ on October 13, 2020. They have not given out information yet, but it hints at faster 5G connectivity in the new models. The company is probably going to launch four iPhones this year.
