Indo-Thai meet on stellar variability & star formation held by ARIES

Indo-Thai meet on stellar variability & star formation held by ARIES

The ID Staff: Pune: Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), organized a one-day Indo-Thai workshop on ‘Investigating the Stellar Variability and Star Formation’ to strengthen ongoing collaboration. It also aims to expand the Indo-Thai cooperation from stellar sources to other areas of astronomy and astrophysics such as extra-galactic astronomy and instrumentation.

The workshop deliberated on various topics such as stellar variability, star formation, stellar abundance, transient events, and instrumentation with 14 talks by the scientists and students of both the countries. About 60 participants from the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT), Nanjing University China, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Kumaun University, Nainital, and ARIES, attended this international conference.

In his welcome address Dr Santosh Joshi, the convener of the workshop, stressed the importance of Indo-Thai collaboration in science and technology and invited the astronomers from India and Thailand for cooperation in space science and instrumentation. Joshi also presented a glimpse of the ongoing and planned activities under the Indo-Thai collaboration. 

The guest speaker, Prof Ram Sagar, the former Director of ARIES, summarized the importance of bilateral program supported by the funding agencies of both the countries. The Chief Guest of the event, Prof HC Chandola, head department of Physics, Kumaun University inaugurated the function and spoke about the history of ARIES and the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) and similarity of the Indian and Thai cultures that brings the researchers of both the countries closer. The summary of the workshop and concluding remarks was given by Dr David Mkrtichian, senior researcher of NARIT, Thailand. 

To set up the cooperation in the fields of Science and Technology, DST and Ministry of Science & Technology of the Kingdom of Thailand sanctioned two joint bilateral programmes for joint research in the area of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Indian astronomers from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore and ARIES, Nainital in coordination with Thai astronomers from NARIT, Thailand are simulating the research in the area of the space and atmospheric science using the observational facilities available in both the countries. 

The workshop also discussed how collaborations and joint ventures help in exchanging the knowledge of the investigators involved in the projects and gives the opportunity to train the young researchers as well. Source:https://indusdictum.com/

Read More........→July 04, 2020

Coronavirus: Masks & sanitizers now under Essential Commodities Act, jail term for prices above MRP

New Delhi: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced yesterday it has taken cognizance that due to the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and concern of the logistics for COVID-19 management, particularly during the last couple of weeks, masks (2-ply & 3-ply surgical masks, N95 masks) and hand sanitizers have been noted to be either not available with most of the vendors in the market or are available with great difficulty at exorbitant prices. In view of this, the Government has notified an Order under the Essential Commodities Act to declare these items as Essential Commodities up to 30 June 2020 by amending the Schedule of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The Govt has also issued an advisory under the Legal Metrology Act.

Under the Essential Commodities Act, after discussions with manufacturers, States can ask them to enhance their production capacity of these items to make the supply chain smooth, while under the Legal Metrology Act the States can ensure sale of both the items at MRP.

On these two items, the States may now notify the Central order in their official Gazette, also issue their own orders under the Essential Commodities Act to that effect, and take necessary actions as per the situation prevailing in the respective States.

Under the EC Act, powers of the Central Government have already been delegated to the States by way of orders during 1972 to 1978. The States & UTs therefore may take action against the offenders under the EC Act and the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities (PBMMSEC) Act, 1980.

An offender under the EC Act may be punished with an imprisonment upto 7 years or fine or both, and under the PBMMSEC Act he can be detained for a maximum of 6 months.

The Ministry said the decision is expected to empower the Government and States & UTs to regulate production, quality, and distribution of masks and hand sanitizers, and to smoothen the sale and availability of these items and carry out operations against orders speculators and those involved in overpricing or blackmarketing.

The Ministry added that it will enhance the availability of both items to the general people at reasonable prices or under MRP. The States are also advised to give publicity of State Helplines for registering complaints by the consumers of the above two items.

Consumers can also register their complaints in this matter with the National Consumer Helpline No. 1800 11 4000, or via online complaints on the Consumer Helpline Portal, via the Consumer Affairs Department’s Website, or email to dsadmin-ca@nic.in, dirwm-ca@nic.in, and secy.doca@gov.in. Source: https://indusdictum.com

Read More........→July 04, 2020