A well-known educationist, paediatrician & the author, Dr Gaurav Nigam has been conferred ‘Innovative Research Excellence Award 2019’ at Asian Leadership Summit (ALS) in Thimphu, Bhutan. Dr. Nigam is the founder of iCare – an organization working in the area of new-age child health care; and Intelligentsia, a research-based play school. Intelligentsia is all about scientific research and delivering early education through STEM approach. He has also authored a book titled ‘Devil Inside My Mind’.

The number of Banking Ombudsman Office in India is 22.

As per data available with Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) the state of Maharashtra leads in the number of startups in India, with 3661 startups.

The Power Minister has formed a dispute resolution committee to resolve unforeseen disputes between renewable energy players and government agencies. It has three members: MF Farooqui (former DOT Secretary/ Heavy Industry Secretary), Anil Swarup (former Coal Secretary/School Education Secretary) and A K Dubey (former Sports Secretary).

UNESCO MGIEP is organising the first World Youth Conference on Kindness in New Delhi from August 20-23 to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The theme of the event is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: Gandhi for the Contemporary World: Celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.’

Northern Italy was chosen as the site of the 2026 Winter Olympics, with hosting to be shared by Milan. Winter Olympic Games 2026 will be organized from 6 to 22 February while the Paralympic Games will be organized from March 6 to 15.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the informal BRICS meeting in Osaka on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit. BRICS is an association of 5 countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

On June 24, 2019, South Korean Ambassador to India Bong-kil Shin launched a collaborative initiative between South Korea and Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) named ‘Jaipur Foot Korea’. An agreement was also signed by the Korean Ambassador with BMVSS to provide assistance in prosthetic limbs sector.Korea will grant financial and technical assistance for research and development collaboration in the med-tech sector in the area of prosthetic limbs, bionic arms, 3-D printing-based Flat foot solution and mobility solutions.

The report on Food & Nutrition Security (FNS) Analysis of India developed by UN (United Nations) World Food Programme in partnership with Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) stated that 31.4% of Indian children under five years will still be stunted by 2022.

On its performance in crime prevention, detection, community policing, Kalu emerged at the No.1 position. The 2018 survey covered of a set of police stations short listed from across the country.

BharaNet is a digital connectivity initiative. It was originally launched under UPA-II government.

The report is a baseline analysis of the country’s progress in achieving the second SDG. India should reduce stunting by at least 2% annually to reach the target of 25% by 2022.

Amitabh Kant was given a two-year extension as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog on June 26, 2019. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the extension of Mr Kant’s tenure for a further period of two years beyond June 30, 2019, i.e. up to June 30, 2021, on the same terms and conditions.

The International Seed Testing Association was founded in 1924 and has more than 100 members worldwide. It is an association of laboratories which are authorised to check on the marketability of seed as defined in various countries’ laws.

Hemant Pandey, a senior DRDO scientist, has developed a herbal drug – Lukoskin – to treat leucoderma, a condition in which white patches develop on the skin. The auto-immune condition, also called ‘vitiligo’, can be life-altering. Vitiligo is neither contagious nor life-threatening. Worldwide, the incidence of leucoderma is 1-2% of the population. In India, its incidence is around 4-5% in some parts of Rajasthan. In Gujarat, it is very high at more than 5-8%. This skin disorder is considered a social stigma in India where people confuse it with leprosy. Recently, the Modi government also conferred Pandey with the prestigious ‘Science Award’ for developing ‘Lukoskin’ to treat the skin condition. Lukoskin is manufactured and marketed by Delhi-based AIMIL Pharma Ltd. It is available as an ointment and oral liquid. A more developed version is likely to hit the market soon.