World Organ Donation Day celebrates on 13th August
World Organ Donation Day is observed globally on the 13th of August. This day is observed to spread awareness about the importance of donating organs. It also plays a pivotal role in debunking various misconceptions about donating organs. Donating organs of the deceased like kidneys, heart, pancreas, eyes, lungs, etc can help save the lives of those who are facing chronic illnesses. However, it is important to ensure those who donate their organs do not suffer from HIV, cancer, or any heart disease.
World Organ Donation Day 2022: Theme
This year’s theme for World Organ Donation Day 2022 is “let’s pledge to donate organs and save lives”. The Day is celebrated to raise awareness of the need for donating organs and to thank donors for their life-saving contributions.
World Organ Donation Day 2022: Significance
Due to a lack of awareness, there are many false myths and fears about organ donation in the mind of potential donors. Medical science has improved by leaps and bounds over the years. In today’s era, great research has been carried out in the field of organ donation. The aim of this day is to sensitise people about organ donation so that they pledge to donate organs after death.
World Organ Donation Day: History
The first successful organ transplant took place in 1954 in the United States. It was done by Dr Joseph Murray who was also awarded Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1990 for successfully carrying out a kidney transplant between twin brothers Ronald and Richard Herrick.
SPARK: New Virtual Space Museum Launched By ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has launched a digital platform called the ‘SPARK’ space museum for showcasing several ISRO missions with an interactive interface. The digital platform known as the ‘SPARK’ space museum was launched by the Chairman of ISRO, S Somnath. This idea by ISRO is a new initiative while celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav marking 75 years of Independence.
Key points
This digital space museum ‘SPARK’ has an interactive interface through which users can interact with the site easily.
The platform hosts several documents, images, and videos related to ISRO’s launch of vehicles, satellites, and scientific missions.
The secretary of the Department of Spaces S Somnath and major Directors of various ISRO centers appreciate this initiative.
The Directors suggest coming with more non-sensitive digital content on this platform.
People can also access a beta version of this application through the official website of ISRO.
About ISRO
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is the national space agency of India and it is operated under the Department of Space (DOS) which is directly overseen by the Prime Minister of India. ISRO performs tasks related to space-based applications and activities, space exploration, and the development of related technologies. ISRO is one of the six government space agencies in the world which possess full launch capabilities, deploy cryogenic engines, launch extra-terrestrial missions and operate large fleets of artificial satellites.
Rishabh Pant: State Brand Ambassador of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand government has appointed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant as the ‘State Brand Ambassador’. Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated Rishabh Pant and praised him as one of the best cricketers and idols of youth. Rishabh Pant’s most recent game was seen in India’s T20 series against New Zealand in which the Indian cricket team claimed the title of the series with a 3-0 victory.
About Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant was born on 4th October 1997. He is an Indian cricketer and plays the role of wicket-keeper and batter in the Indian cricket team. He was the vice-captain of the U-19 Indian cricket team for the Under-19 Cricket World Cup 2016. He made his Twenty20 International debut in January 2017, his Test Debut in August 2018, and his One Day International debut in October 2018. Pant was named the ICC men’s emerging cricketer of the year in 2018 at ICC Awards.
In June 2022, Rishabh Pant was named as the captain of the Indian cricket team for the T20 series against South Africa after the designated captain KL Rahul was ruled out of the series due to injury. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Rishabh Pant was purchased by Delhi Daredevils on 2016. In March 2021, he was named the captain of the Delhi Capitals in IPL.
The Govt Tabled In Lok-Sabha: The Electricity Amendment Bill,2022
A Bill to amend the Electricity Act to allow non-discriminatory open access to distribution networks of power suppliers was introduced in Lok Sabha on Monday amid protests by the Opposition, which claimed that it seeks to take away certain rights of state governments. Introducing the Bill, power minister RK Singh urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to refer it to a parliamentary standing committee for wider consultations to address Opposition concerns.
What Is In The Bill:
The Bill is aimed at allowing privatisation of electricity on the lines of communication. As per the Central Govt, if the Bill is passed in both the Houses, customers will have the option to choose the supplier of electricity just like one can choose for telephone, mobile and internet services. The Bill seeks to amend section 42 of the Electricity Act to facilitate non-discriminatory open access to the distribution network of a distribution licensee.
Further, the bill seeks to amend section 14 of the Act to facilitate the use of distribution networks by all licensees under provisions of non-discriminatory open access with the objective of enabling competition, enhancing efficiency of distribution licensees for improving services and ensuring sustainability of the power sector. The bill also provides for inserting a new section 60A in the Act so as to enable management of power purchase and cross-subsidy in case of multiple distribution licensees in the same area of supply.
The bill also seeks to amend section 62 of the Act so as to make provisions regarding graded revision in tariff over a year and for mandatory fixing of the maximum ceiling as well as minimum tariff by the Appropriate (electricity regulatory) Commission. The draft law also provides for amending section 166 of the Act so as to strengthen the functions to be discharged by the Forum of Regulators. The bill will also amend section 152 of the Act so as to facilitate de-criminalisation of offence as it would be mandatory to accept compounding.
IAF to Participate in Military Drills ‘Udarashakti’ with Malaysia
Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent left for Malaysia to participate in a four-day bilateral exercise ‘Udarashakti’ with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF). The exercise will give an opportunity to the IAF contingent members to share and learn best practices with some of the best professionals from the RMAF, while also discussing mutual combat capabilities.
The exercise will witness various aerial combat drills between the two Air Forces, the IAF said, adding that it would fortify the long-standing bond of friendship and enhance the avenues of defence cooperation between the two Air Forces, thereby augmenting security in the region. From the Indian Air Force Su-30, MKI and C-17 aircraft will be participating while the RMAF will be flying Su-30 MKM aircraft.
Tamara Walcott lifts 737.5 kg to break powerlifting Guinness World Record
Tamara Walcott, a female powerlifter from Maryland in the United States broke according to sources in the investigating agency for the heaviest cumulative lift for bench/squat and press in competition (female) after lifting a total of 737.5 kg across three compound lifts – the squat, the bench press, and the deadlift. She was honoured at the 2022 World Raw Powerlifting Federation American Pro in Manassas, Virginia last month. GWR compared the weight she lifted with a female adult giraffe that weighs about 680.3 kg.
Walcott started powerlifting four years ago when she realized that she cannot invest time in baseball or basketball. Initially, she was aiming for weight loss and general fitness, and not setting new world records.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to receive France’s highest civilian award
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, set to be conferred with France’s highest civilian award Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur. The French government is honouring him for his writings and speeches and the French Ambassador here Emmanuel Lenain has written to Tharoor informing him about the award. In 2010, Tharoor had received a similar honour from the Spanish government, when the King of Spain had bestowed upon him the Encomienda de la Real Order Espanola de Carlos III.
About Shashi Tharoor:
Shashi Tharoor is a two-term Lok Sabha MP representing the Thiruvananthapuram constituency and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs.
He has previously served as Minister of State for Human Resource Development and Minister of State for External Affairs in the erstwhile UPA government.
Tharoor is also a former diplomat with a 23-year-long career in the United Nations. He is also a celebrated author with several fiction and non-fiction books under his belt.