Maharashtra govt launches e-crop survey initiative

President Ram Nath Kovind has approved 144 Gallantry awards to Armed Forces, police and paramilitary personnel on the eve of Independence Day. These include one Ashok Chakra, one Kirti Chakra, 15 Shaurya Chakras, four Bar to Sena Medals (Gallantry), 116 Sena Medals (Gallantry), five Nao Sena Medals (Gallantry) and two Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry). ASI of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Babu Ram has been posthumously honoured with Ashok Chakra while Altaf Hussain Bhat who was serving as a Constable in Jammu and Kashmir police has been posthumously honoured with the Kirti Chakra.Of the 15 Shaurya Chakra awardees, three have been given the honour posthumously.The President has also approved 28 Mention-in-Despatches to the Army personnel for their significant contributions in different military operations which include three posthumous for ‘Operation Rakshak’. Besides, President also approved four awards for conspicuous gallantry and  meritorious service to ICG personnel including one Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry), and three Tatrakshak Medal (Meritorious Service).

-Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray launched the e-crop survey initiative which will become effective in Maharashtra from August 15. The project, which was initially introduced as a pilot in two districts, is jointly implemented by the departments of revenue and agriculture along with the Tata Trust.Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the concept will be a role model for the country, and the e-crop survey app is yet another initiative to reduce the hardships of the farmers as it would provide them crop-related information without hassles.The CM said his government had already introduced a digitized 7/12 document, which is an extract from the ‘Land Register’ that the farmers can now access on their mobile phones. Earlier, farmers had difficulty accessing their 7/12 document. CM said that now we need to change with the times and adopt modern technology to ease the hardships of people.

-More than 53 crore 61 lakh COVID vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive. Health Ministry said, more than 63 lakh 80 thousand vaccine doses were administered during the last 24 hours. It said, the Recovery Rate in the country stands at 97.45 per cent. More than 35 thousand patients recovered during the last 24 hours. Till now, more than three crore 13 lakh people have recovered from COVID-19.

-In Archery, India on Saturday won gold medals in the compound cadet women's and men's and mixed team events in the ongoing World Youth Championships in Wroclaw.The women defeated Turkey 228-216 in the final to win a gold medal while the cadet men's team followed getting the better of USA in the final. The Indian team comprised of Parneet Kaur, Priya Gurjar, and Ridhi Varshini and they brought out a dominant performance to throw opponents Turkey off their mark.India's cadet men's team of Kushal Dalal, Sahil Chaudhary and Nitin Apar upset the top seeds USA, beating them 233-231 in a thrilling final.

-The government of Bangladesh will sign an MoU for the co-production of the COVID 19 vaccine with China on Monday. Health Minister Zahid Maleque, Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen and the Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming are scheduled to attend the MoU signing ceremony in Dhaka.Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen has said that the MoU will be signed between the Chinese company Sinopharm and the local company Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd. He said Incepta will bring in the material in bulk from China and undertake the bottling, labeling and finishing of the vaccine locally which will make the price relatively cheap, reports the UNB.Earlier, a consignment of 1 million doses of the Sinovac COVID vaccine gifted by China arrived in Bangladesh on Friday. This was the fourth consignment of the Sinovac vaccine from China received by Bangladesh. Bangladesh has fully vaccinated over 5.22 million people with both doses of the COVID 19 vaccine while more than 15.31 million people have received one dose of the vaccine till Thursday, 12 August.