My tech wiz found the solution for the question 1 -i.e., Allow my non-admin account to unlock the secondary Hard Drive.
Here is what needs to be done:
- In Windows Explorer, right click on the HDD and select the first option "BitLocker Encryption Options"
- When you get the window "Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring", click on the "Unlock Drive"
- Provide you password
- Click on the "Unlock drive" option.
Please note: my boot password and secondary drive password are identical, I however do not think that they have to be identical.