Indian scientists have developed a new class of synthetic peptides that can not only block the entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus into cells but also clump the virus particles together, reducing their ability to infect the living cell.

This novel mechanism provides an alternative to make viruses like SARS-CoV-2 inactive, promising a new class of peptides as antivirals. Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science in collaboration with researchers from the CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology have exploited this approach to design these peptides. 

Burn and Plastic Surgery Department of AIIMS, Delhi in collaboration with Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI), will organize 'APSI Sushruta Film Festival' (ASFF 2022) to observe 12th National Plastic Surgery Day on 15th of this month.

Department Head of Burn and Plastic Surgery Dr. Professor Maneesh Singhal said that this film festival is on the theme of Changing lives with Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He highlighted that the film festival is envisioned to promote the best works done by plastic surgeons across the country.

Professor Singhal said that the best films based on plastic surgery will be shown during the festival. He said, the festival will help in changing the public perception of plastic surgery and its various domains.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will release India Rankings 2022 under National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) on the 15th of this month. The Education Ministry said the annual exercise outlines a methodology to rank Higher Education Institutions across the country in various categories and subject domains.

The parameters broadly cover teaching, learning and resources, research and professional practice, graduation outcome, outreach and inclusivity, and perception. In last year ranking, the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras had topped in the overall category in National Institutional Ranking Framework. Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru got the second spot and the Indian Institute of Bombay was at third place.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala will launch Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, AHIDF projects and felicitate 75 entrepreneurs at the AHIDF conclave being organized in New Delhi on Thursday. Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan and Dr. L. Murugan will address the event. As part of the celebrations of 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav', the Ministry is organizing AHIDF conclave.

The purpose of this conclave is to provide a platform for Knowledge Sharing, launch of AHIDF operational guidelines 2.0, revamped AHIDF online portal, Credit Guarantee Online Portal, inauguration of five major plants setup with the support of AHIDF scheme, facilitation of Entrepreneurs or lenders and Networking between all stakeholders and upcoming entrepreneurs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the First I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) Leaders’ Virtual Summit on Thursday along with Prime Minister of Israel Yair Lapid, President of the UAE Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and President of the USA Joseph R. Biden.

The Leaders will discuss the possible joint projects within the framework of I2U2 as well as the other common areas of mutual interest to strengthen the economic partnership in trade and investment in the respective regions and beyond. These projects can serve as a model for economic cooperation and offer opportunities for businesspersons and workers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday unveiled the national emblem that has been placed atop the new Parliament building in a special ceremony also attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Housing Minister Hardeep Puri.

The ceremony, however, triggered a political row with opposition parties accusing the Prime Minister of making it a personal event and questioning the Constitutional propriety of the PM unveiling the emblem atop the Parliament building. Hitting back, the BJP said the allegations of the opposition parties are politically motivated.

Dr. Enamul Haque was conferred with Padma Shri for the year 2020 for his work on Bengal’s Iconography and terracotta art.

Eminent archeologist, historian and former Director General of the Bangladesh National Museum Dr. Enamul Haque passed away in Dhaka on Sunday. He was 85. Dr. Enamul Haque was conferred with Padma Shri for the year 2020 for his work on Bengal’s Iconography and terracotta art.

Dr. Enamul Haque was instrumental in setting up the Bangladesh National Museum. He was appointed its Director in 1973 and served as its Director General between 1983-91. Dr. Haque is credited with finding and protecting several invaluable sculptures from various archaeological sites in Bangladesh.

Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra today unveiled new logo of country's Public Service Broadcaster, Prasar Bharati.

In the new logo, map of India signify the service of trust, security and perfection to the nation. Its dark moderate blue colour represents both sky and sea which is associated with open space, freedom, intuition, imagination, inspiration and sensitivity. Blue also represents meanings of depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity, wisdom, confidence, stability, faith and intelligence.

The blue colour also pays tribute to the Indian ethos and traditions associated with religious figures, mythological characters found in the Indian miniature paintings.

Mr. Parameswaran Iyer today took charge as the new Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog. A 1981-batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, Mr. Iyer has worked with both the public and private sectors. He was Secretary in the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation in New Delhi from 2016 to 2020. Mr. Iyer spearheaded the implementation of the country's flagship Swachh Bharat Mission, which successfully delivered access to safe sanitation to 550 million people.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Iyer said, he is honoured and humbled to have been given the incredible opportunity to serve the country again as CEO of NITI Aayog. He said, he is deeply grateful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for another chance to work under his leadership towards a transformed India. 

Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare and Minority Affairs Smriti Irani today inaugurated the Sealdah Metro Station of the East-West corridor, which will help people living in Kolkata’s suburbs to reach the IT hub of Sector-5 without hassle.

She inaugurated the station virtually from Howrah Maidan, the terminal station of the 16.6-km corridor on the other side of river Hooghly. Trains were so far running between Sector-5 and Phoolbagan. Commercial services till Sealdah will begin on Thursday, taking the total operational length of the corridor to nine kilometres.

The Minister said the 2.33-km extension up to Sealdah will help around 35,000 passengers in their daily commute. Local TMC MP Sudip Bandopadhyay and MLA Paresh Pal boycotted the programme, alleging that Indian Railways insulted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by inviting her at the last minute for the inauguration of the station, located in central Kolkata.