PUNJAB

Eco-friendly carry bags at Golden Temple from April

In a first, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is going to introduce eco-friendly compostable carry bags at the Golden Temple to give a fillip to the state government’s campaign to discourage the use of polythene bags.

After holding a discussion with Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) chairperson Kahn Singh Pannu on World Sikh Environment Day on March 14, SGPC chief secretary Roop Singh announced that from April 1, only the bags made from starch granules derived from maize and potato would be used for carrying the ‘karah parshad’ or ‘pinni parshad’ at the Golden Temple.

Though the ‘karah parshad’ is often given in ‘dunas’ (small bowls or plates made of dry leaves), the takeaway ‘parshad’ is carried only in polythene bags. The ‘pinni parshad’ is also offered in polythene bags only.

The SGPC, in collaboration with the Punjab Pollution Control Board, has decided to rope in four firms for supplying the eco-friendly carry bags conforming to the ISO standards. As per an estimate, around 200 quintal carry bags are used annually to carry the ‘karah parshad’. Apart from this, 65 quintal carry bags are used for packing the ‘pinni parshad’.

As an alternative, the new bags will not only be 100 per cent biodegradable, but also 30 per cent stronger than the poly bags. The compostable bags decompose when thrown in garbage or soil, enriching the soil quality.

Interestingly, the machines used to manufacture plastic bags can be used for making the compostable bags also,as only granules used during the process have to be replaced.

These compostable bags will decompose when thrown in garbage or soil, enriching the soil quality. Thirty per cent stronger than the polybags, these are made of eco-friendly starch granules derived from maize and potato. Initially, these granules will be imported.

INTERNATIONAL

World Consumer Rights Day: 15 March

The World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is celebrated every year on March 15 to pay solidarity with the international consumer movement and give more attention to promote basic rights of consumers.

It provides an opportunity to promote the basic rights of all consumers and demand those rights that must be respected and protected.

The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2018 will be ‘Making digital marketplaces fairer’.

Finland tops 2018 global happiness index

The World Happiness Report published ranked 156 countries by happiness levels, based on factors such as life expectancy, social support and corruption.

According to report, Finland is the happiest place to live. Norway and Denmark ranked second and third respectively.

India ranked 133rd in the report. Burundi ranked last in the index.

Angela Merkel elected to fourth term as German chancellor

Angela Merkel was sworn in as Chancellor of Germany after lawmakers voted to re-elect her as leader in a close vote on Wednesday morning.

She will now begin a historic fourth term as Chancellor.

The vote in parliament ended almost six months of political turmoil after the federal election.

Indian film ‘Halkaa’ bags award at Montreal fest

Indian filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda’s “Halkaa” has bagged the Grand Prix de Montreal at the gala.

“Halkaa” was selected among seven international children’s films from different countries in the official competition of the festival.

The film is a take on a slum child’s heroism, aspirations, and dreams.

Stephen Hawking: Visionary physicist dies aged 76

World renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76.

The British scientist was famed for his work with black holes and relativity, and wrote several popular science books including ‘A Brief History of Time’.

At the age of 22 Prof Hawking was given only a few years to live after being diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease.

Stephen William Hawking was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology within the University of Cambridge.

· IATA Partners With Civil Aviation Ministry in India

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) signed a MoU with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the National Aviation University to enhance human resource availability in India’s aviation industry.
Under the agreement, the signatory institutions would also leverage “the existing infrastructure for training in India to expand the reach of vocational training in aviation disciplines”.

NATIONAL

Pune tops in improved quality governance: Survey

Pune has emerged as the top city to show improvement in quality of governance, according to a survey.

The other cities that came in the top five include Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhubaneswar and Surat.

The survey was conducted by Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy.

· Exports in February Up 4.5% To $25.8 Billion

India’s exports grew by 4.5% in February-2018 to 25.8 billion dollars.
It was 24.7 billion dollar during the same period in February-2017.
This announcement was made by the Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia.
During April to February period of the current fiscal, exports recorded a growth of 11% to $273 billion. Imports also rose by 10.4% to $37.8 billion during the last month.

“Innovation Cell” to be set up in HRD Ministry to boost Innovation

An Innovation Cell in the Ministry of Human Resource Development will be created to further strengthen the innovation efforts.

It will be headed by a Scientist and comprise of a senior Ministry official and young professionals who bring to the table new ideas in promoting innovation.

This was stated by Minister for Human Resource Development, Shri Prakash Javadekar after a high level review meeting.

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