Current Affairs : August 11, 2011

China launches communications satellite for Pak

China launches a Communications Satellite for Pakistan in the coming days

The satellite, PAKSAT-1R, carried by a Long March-3B carrier rocket

PAKSAT-1R, which is a part of Pakistan’s Space Programme-2040

China launched PAKSAT-1R for Pakistan’s SUPARCO (Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission) on August 11

from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, in Sichuan Province, China.

The satellite has a design life sof 15 years and will provide TV broadcasting, Internet and data communication services across

South and Central Asia, Eastern Europe, East Africa and the Far East.

China and Pakistan share a long history of space technology cooperation. Pakistan’s first low-orbit satellite, BADR-A, was

launched by China in 1990 with Long March 2E rocket.

Nose as Brain Damaging Herpes Virus Entry: Research

Researchers have claimed that the human nose acts as a

gateway to several types of viruses linked to brain

disorders. According to the researchers, the nose can be a portal

to herpes virus-6(HHV-6), which is a member of herpes

viruses family.

The virus is responsible for brain disorders, such as multiple

sclerosis, encephalitis and epilepsy.

As per

Neurovirology expert from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and

Stroke, Dr. Steven Jacobson who conducted the research, the virus also causes

roseola, a disease common among infants, which leads to high fever and skin

rashes.

Until now, it has been a mystery as to how the virus enters the brain given our

intelligence which is largely protected by the so-called blood-brain barrier that

filters out many germs and drugs.

Lok Sabha pay homage to freedom fighter Khudiram

Bose

The Lok Sabha paid tribute to freedom fighter

Khudiram Bose (1889-1908) who gave his life on this

day in 1908 to liberate the nation from colonialism

and imperialism.

Members joined the Chairman Ms. Meira Kumar paying tribute to the great

son of the soil who will always be an inspiration to the country’s citizens.

The House also paid tribute to all freedom fighters to others who sacrificed

their lives in the struggle for freedom of the nation

Govt asks National Space Commission to regularly review functioning of

ISRO, Antrix

Government calls on the Space Commission to periodically review the functioning

of ISRO’s commercial arm Antrix and

Several steps to improve the functioning and effectiveness of the Space

Commission have been put in

This was done against the backdrop of the controversial agreement Antrix-Devas

In order to facilitate co-ordination between the DoS and Antrix, a co-ordination

management committee headed by Secretary, DoS has been set up

INSAT Coordination Committee has also been reconstituted

Space Commission, the apex policy making for issues related to space, has also

been requested to conduct appropriate peer review periodically in relation to

governance and systemic reforms

The Antrix Board was reconstituted with the appointment of full time Chairmancum-

Managing Director

VS Hegde, ISRO’s scientific secretary, has been appointed as CMD Antrix

Corporation, with effect from July 7, 2011

The Space Commission had recommended a structural revamp of Antrix against

the backdrop of its controversial deal with Devas Multimedia to lease out bulk

transponders on two satellites to the private firm

Government assure LS on Caste based census

Government assured the Lok Sabha today that the caste based census will go

ahead and problems in implementing this decision will be resolved

The Cabinet has already approved a resolution to this effect

Coinage Bill 2011 passed by Lok Sabha

The Parliament passed the Coinage Bill 2011 with the Rajya Sabha considering

the Bill

The Bill was passed by Lok Sabha previously

Objective: Bill aims to consolidate the laws relating to coinage and the mints,

the protection of coinage and to provide for the prohibition of melting or

destruction of coins and prohibit the making or the possession thereof for issue

and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto be taken into

consideration

Simultaneous amendment will be brought into the Indian penal code to match the

different levels of punishment for coin melting and counterfeiting

Committee set up by BCAS to study security of the Aero City Project

A committee has been set up by BCAS (Bureau of Civil Aviation Security) to

examine the security aspects related to the Aero City Project coming up near

IGI Airport in Delhi

Actions to be taken following the recommendations of the committee

SBI, Subsidiary Banks Laws Amendment Bill 2009 passed by Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha passed the State Bank of India, Subsidiary Banks Laws

Amendment Bill, 2009

The Bill further amends the State Bank of Hyderabad Act, 1956 and the

State Bank of India Subsidiary Banks Act, 1959

Bill seeks to improve the performance of the subsidiary banks of the State Bank

and they will continue to have their functional autonomy