SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AFFAIRS OCTOBER 2013

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AFFAIRS OCTOBER 2013

• The first unit of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) was synchronized on 22nd October, and is now generating 160 MW electricity. On this occasion Narayansami, Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office said the power will be further raised to 500 MWe, 750 MWe and 1000 MWe in stages. For this at every stage various tests have been conducted and the technical parameters have also been verified. Based on the results of the tests at each of the stages and with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) clearences, subsequent stages are reached. With the addition of KKNPP Unit-1 of 1000 MWe capacity, the Nuclear Power contribution in the country will increase from 4780 MWe to 5780 MWe. KKNPP Unit-1 is the 20th Nuclear Power Station of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), connected to power grid in the country.
  
• The India-France Technology Summit, organized by Department of Science and Technology, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and French Embassy on 23rd October, witnessed 11 Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) between India and France in the field of Science and Technology and Education.
  
• The MOUs were signed in the presence of Mr S Jaipal Reddy, Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences.
  • Signature of MOU between Department of Science and Technology and Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA), on Joint Targeted Program in Information and Communication Science and Technology.
  • Signature MOU between Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and CNRSfor establishing an International Associated Laboratory in the area of Systems Immunology and Genetics of Infectious Diseases, LIA SIGID.
  • MOU between SGRI and CEFIPRA for Habitat in hot and humid climate.
  • Signature Letter of Intent to launch “The EADS-CEFIPRA Aerospace Program” between European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) and The Indo French Centre for the Promotion of Advanced Research.
  • Signature of MOU to set up an International Associated Laboratory on Transcriptomics and Metabolomics for Liver Diseases between the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research, INSERM and the Institute of Liver and Bilary Sciences, ILBS.
  • Signature of MOU for International Joint Laboratory on Neuosciences, LIA PROTECT between IISc and INSERM.
  • Statement of intent between Safran-Morpho (SMPL) and Gujarat Forensic Sciences University for Training, Research and Development (GFSU), to explore the possibility of establishing cooperation through the program.
  • MOU “ASTech-Systematic India Hub between ASTech Cluster, Systematic Cluster, Paris Region CCI, India Desk and IFCCI.
  • MOU for an institutional partnership between Sciences Po Paris and Ashoka University, covering undergraduate and postgraduate student exchange program and faculty exchange.
  • MOU for a partnership awarding a double Master’s Degree between DTU, India and N+I Engineering Network, France.
  • MOU for a partnership for Last Semester of Bachelor or Master as an international experience in France/India between BITS Pilani and N+I Engineering Network, France.
  
  
• Union Minister for Mines, Dinsha Patel dedicated a deep sea exploration ship ‘RV Samudra Ratnakar’ to the nation at Kandla Port on 12th October.RV Samudra Ratnakar, the research vessel is a state-of-the-art acquisition of GSI, designed to meet the fast-growing challenges of the modern geo-scientific oceanographic researches. The ship is equipped with high-end technologically advanced instruments needed for geological, geophysical and geochemical explorations in the offshore areas. The vessel is a unique multitasking and multi-disciplinary ship with modern on-board laboratories, designed to carry out sea-bed mapping, mineral exploration etc. in the deep waters and also research activities. The Ship has been built by M/s. Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Ulsan, South Korea, one of the largest ship building yards in the world.
  
• RV Samudra Ratnakar is an all-weather ship fitted with Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS), Heading and Motion sensors and Dynamic Positioning System to keep it stationary during coring operations. With the induction of this multi-disciplinary research vessel, Marine and Coastal Survey Division of GSI is poised to --explore the deep ocean and unravel the hitherto- unknown complexities besides searching for deep-sea mineral resources both within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India and International Waters. Its endurance capacity and on-board facilities will enable GSI to carryout Multichannel Seismic Survey, Gravity Survey, Magnetic Survey, Deep Sea Imaging, Sub-bottom Profiling, Deep Coring and Dredging in any part of the world. R.V. Samudra Ratnakar has the capability to explore and identify the favorable zone of accumulation of Gas Hydrates, which are known to be the future source of hydro-carbon energy.
  
• The Indian Navy on 15 October 2013 inducted into service its largest offshore patrol vessel (OPV), INS Sunayna, at the Southern Naval Command. The ship was designed and built by the public sector Goa Shipyard. The ship is equipped with the most advanced communication, navigation and electronic warfare equipment besides a 76-mm SRGM (Super Rapid Gun Mount), and close-in weapon system (CIWS). INS Sunayna will strengthen the Indian Navy capability to safeguard the maritime interests. The vessel is expected to fill the vital gap in the Southern Naval Command’s patrol capability. The vessel also has the ability to embark an advanced light helicopter (ALH) or a Chetak search and rescue helicopter. Two more vessels of this class will be delivered to the Navy between this year-end and mid-2014.
  
• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 3rd October, has approved the implementation of a scheme for setting up of 750 MW of Grid-connected Solar PV Power Projects under Batch-1 of Phase-11 (2013-17) of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support from the National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF). The total VGF requirement for implementation of the scheme is estimated as Rs. 1,875 crore at the rate of Rs.2.5 crore/ MW The actual requirement will, however, depend on the bid prices. This VGF support is estimated to leverage private investment to the tune of Rs. 5000 crore in setting up of the projects.
  
• The VGF scheme will facilitate setting up of the 750 MW grid connected solar power projects, in mainly the private sector on Build, Own and Operate (BOO) basis at various locations, which will help supplement grid power generation in the country. These projects will also lead to an associated development of their surrounding areas with positive impact on the socio-economic conditions of the local population. The JNNSM was launched by the Government in January 2010. The main objective of this Mission is to create a policy and regulatory environment for large scale diffusion of solar energy technologies across the country as quickly as possible. It has laid down, a long-term goal of adding 20,000 MW of grid-connected solar power by 2022, to be achieved in three phases (Phase-l up to 2012-13, Phase-ll from 2013 to 2017 and Phase-Ill from 2017 to 2022).
  
• The Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad launched the indigenously produced Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccine JENVAC, in New Delhi on 4th October. The vaccine has been jointly developed by scientists of NIV, ICMR and Bharat Biotech Ltd. Azad said that JENVAC is a completely indigenous vaccine and an outstanding example of public private partnership (PPP), and a remarkable milestone in the emergence of our country as an innovative and self-sufficient technology hub. Speaking at the occasion, the Health Minister termed the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) as a serious public health challenge for India.
  
  Of the more than 100 viruses and other agents that can cause this syndrome, about a dozen odd are reported from India. Beginning with first report in 1955 from Vellore in Tamil Nadu JE virus has spread to over 171 districts in 19 states. The Health Minister stated that so far a vaccine imported from China was being used. But its availability was an issue for comprehensive and quick augmentation of the national programme, he stated. The launch of JENVAC, manufactured by Bharat Biotech is a welcome much needed and historic occasion, he mentioned. He said that it is not only the first fully indigenous vaccine, but it is also based on an Indian strain. Therefore, it is expected to improve the efficacy besides availability and affordability.