NEWS HEADLINES
17 to 22 March 2023
17th March 23, 2024
1) India's first oil palm processing unit commences operations in
Arunachal
In
a milestone for India's agricultural sector, the country's first integrated Oil
Palm Processing Unit by 3F Oil Palm, one of India's largest oil palm
development companies, started its commercial operations today. The factory
situated at Roing in Lower Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh, carries
forward Mission Palm Oil, representing a pivotal step in India's journey
towards self-reliance in edible oils, catalysed by the National Mission on
Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP).
2) 14th Moghai Ojah Award presented to Dhaneswar Saikia
Dhaneswar
Saikia of Bokakhat, an accomplished dhol player of the State, was conferred the
14th Moghai Ojah Award. The award carrying a cash prize, a seleng chadar,
gamosa, japi, xorai, a citation, and a memento, is annually presented on March
15, the death anniversary of Ojah.
3) Indian team uses repurposed drug to treat oral cancer subtype
A
study by Mumbai-based researchers has successfully identified a novel fusion
transcript in head and neck cancer patients. An FDA-approved deworming drug
called pyrvinium pamoate can be a potential drug to treat such cancer. The
results were published in the journal NPJ Precision Oncology. Fusion transcript
arises when small segments of two chromosomes exchange their positions leading
to structural rearrangement of the chromosomes.
4) Toy-inspired engine creates power from evaporated water
Inspired
by the classic drinking bird toy, scientists in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, China
have developed an engine that converts energy from water evaporation into
electricity to power small electronics. The device produces energy outputs
exceeding 100 volts and can operate for several days using only 100 milliliters
of water as fuel.
5) With Agni V test, India makes the MIRV leap
The
flight test of an Agni V ballistic missile with multiple independently
targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) under 'Mission Divyastra' was successful. It
placed India in a small group of countries with this technology, by which a
single missile can deliver multiple nuclear warheads.
18th March 2024
1) EU and Egypt agree to a €7.4-billion deal on energy, migration
The
EU announced a €7.4 billion financial package focussed on boosting energy trade
and stemming irregular migrant flows to the 27-member bloc. The deal will
include billions in credit over coming years for highly indebted Egypt, and
stepping up energy sales that could help Europe "move further away from
Russian gas.
2) Padmanath Vidyabinod, Bhuparjatak Ramnath Biswas awards
presented
The
Padmanath Vidyabinod Literary Award and the Bhuparjatak (Globe-trotter) Ramnath
Biswas Literary Award, given by the Ramanath Bhattacharya Foundation, Mumbai
were presented to Assamese poet Dilip Phookan and Bengali poet Joy Goswami
respectively. Both the awards carry a cash prize of Rs 75,000, a citation and a
memento, besides a specially designed muga scarf.
3) Sahitya Akademi translation prize
Chhatraman
Subba, a multilingual writer and an assistant teacher from the Gorpal area on
the southern part of Sootea, has been chosen for the prestigious Sahitya
Akademi award for his translation work Kayakalpa. Subba translated the original
Assamese novel, authored by Lakshmi Nandan Bora, into the Nepali language in 2020.
4) Sangita Kalanidhi award for vocalist T.M. Krishna
Carnatic
vocalist and Magsaysay Award winner T.M. Krishna has been selected for the
Sangita Kalanidhi award of the Music Academy for 2024.
5) Marwari Hospitals awarded
The
city-based Marwari Hospitals bagged the award 'the best hospital with a patient
friendly environment' in the city.
19th
March 2024
1) VSSC, ISRO develop multi-purpose app SAKHI to assist Gaganyaan
crew
The
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), the Space Research Or (ISRO) facility at
in Thiruvananthapuram, has developed a multi-purpose app that will help
astronauts on the Gaganyaan space flight mission carry out a range of tasks
such as looking up vital technical information or communicating with one
another. The Space-borne Assistant and Knowledge Hub for Crew Interaction
(SAKHI) will, among other things, monitor the health of the astronauts, help
them stay connected with Earth and even alert them about their dietary
schedules.
2) Women hiring from campus grew 5 pc in FY23: Report
There
has been a 5 percentage points increase in campus hiring of women in 2022-23,
compared to the previous year as companies in India are keen on inclusivity and
diversity in the workplace, a report said. In FY23, 40 per cent of the fresh
talent hired from college campuses were women, up from 35 per cent in the previous
year, Al-powered recruitment automation firm HirePro.
3) Utsav Vidyarambha-24
Following
a notification from the State education department, 'Utsav Vidyarambha-24'
began in all educational institutions from March 15. Utsav Vidyarambha, an
enrolment drive programme is conducted every year with the help of local
community, SMCs, MGs, Student Government etc during first week of academic
session with a view to enhance enrolment in schools and to ensure regular
classes from the very first day of the session.
4) Nvidia unveils flagship Al chip, the B200, aiming to extend
dominance
Artificial-intelligence
semiconductor powerhouse Nvidia unveiled a flagship Al chip, the Blackwell
B200, saying it is up to 30 times speedier than its previous chip. The new chip
has 208 billion transistors, more than double the 80 billion on the company's
previous chip. All of those transistors can access the memory attached to the
chip at nearly the same time, improving productivity.
March 20, 2024
1) Guwahati second most polluted city in world
Guwahati
was the second most polluted city in the world out of 7,812 locations in 2023,
according to a report of the IQAir. Begusarai in India was the most polluted
metropolitan area of 2023, while India was home to the four most polluted
cities in the world, the Swiss organisation said in the 'World Air Quality
Report 2023. Guwahati's annual PM2.5 (particulate matter) average more than
doubled from 51 in 2022 to 105.4 in 2023.
2) ASSOCHAM lauds UNNATI-2024 scheme
UNNATI-2024
is a 10-year initiative (till 2034), bolstered by an outlay of Rs 10,037 crore,
with an additional eight years allotted for committed liabilities aimed at
boosting economic growth and employment opportunities in the Northeast.
"The scheme would certainly revolutionize the industrial landscape of
Northeast, ushering in a new era of progress and opportunity, by focusing on
fostering conducive environment for manufacturing, innovation, services, and
entrepreneurship.
3) Parbati Baruah receives USTM award
On
the occasion of the World Social Work Day on 19 March, the Department of Social
Work of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) conferred the
Social Work Excellence Award on noted animal activist, politician and India's
first female mahout Parbati Baruah. Baruah started taming the wild tuskers at
the age of 14 and received the Padma Shri in the field of Social Work (Animal
Welfare) in 2024.
4) India's per capita fish consumption jumps 81% during 2005-21;
Tripura top fish-consuming State
India's
annual per capita fish consumption increased to 8.89 kg in 2021 from 4.9 kg in
2005, indicating changes in dietary mix driven by higher income and rising
prosperity. Tripura had the highest proportion of fish consumers (99.35 per
cent) among various Indian States, while Haryana had the lowest (20.55 per
cent).
5) Climate finance requirement to cross $10 tn by 2050: CAG
The
annual climate finance requirements are estimated to cross USD 10 trillion by
2050, and failure to meet the funding demands will intensify socioeconomic
consequences related to climate-linked disasters, Comptroller and Auditor
General of India Girish Chandra Murmu.
March 21,
2024
1) CAG signs MoU with IIT Delhi on Artificial Intelligence
The
Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Technology Delhi on artificial
intelligence. The MoU marked a significant milestone in the journey towards
leveraging Al for the advancement of audit practices. As part of the MoU, the
CAG will get access to cutting-edge Al expertise.
2) Ban in the use of certain colouring agents
Karnataka
became the third State in South India to ban the use of certain colouring
agents in cotton candy and gobi manchurian that are found to be harmful. The
Food Safety and Standards Act stipulate a fine of not less than 10 lakh and a
jail term of a minimum of seven years, extending to life imprisonment, against
those using banned chemical substances in food products.
3) Centre notifies fact check unit to screen online content
Ministry
of Electronics and Information Technology notified the Press Information
Bureau's Fact Check Unit as the designated body to flag misinformation about
Central government departments to social media platforms.
Under
the IT Rules, 2021, social media platforms could lose the legal liability
protections they enjoy for content posted by users, if they choose to keep
notified misinformation available online.
4) BEML conducts test-firing of indigenous 1,500 HP engine for
main battle tanks.
The
maiden test-firing of India's first indigenously made 1,500 horsepower (HP)
engine for Main Battle Tanks was successfully conducted at Bharat Earth Movers
Limited (BEML) engine division. The 1,500 HP engine represents a paradigm shift
in military propulsion systems, possessing cutting-edge features such as high
power-to-weight ratio, operability in extreme conditions including high
altitudes, sub-zero temperatures, and desert environments.
March 22,
2024
1) Award to Uttam Teron
Uttam
Teron, founder of Parijat Academy has been chosen for the 6th Gurudev
Kalicharan Brahma Award 2024 for his contribution towards the society.
Instituted by non-profit organisation Gurudev Kalicharan Brahma Trust (GKBT),
the award carries a cash award of Rs 50,000, a citation and a memento.
2) Siksha Setu
Attendance
of teachers, students through app mandatory from April 1 To ensure punctuality
in schools and maintain proper records, the State government has made it
mandatory to track the daily attendance of teachers and students through the
Siksha Setu app from April 1, 2024. The initiative is aimed at streamlining the
attendance process for both teachers and students.
3) Paris Olympics:
Mary
Kom named chef de mission The Indian Olympic Association named Olympic
medallist and multiple-times World champion boxer M.C. Mary Kom as the chef de
mission for the Paris Olympics. Veteran table tennis star A. Sharath Kamal will
be the country's flag-bearer at the opening ceremony of the Games
4) Assam 3rd with 80 medals in NE Games in day 3rd
In
Nagaland, the 3rd edition of the North East Games 2024 kick-started. At the end
of day three, team Nagaland is leading the tally with 84 medals including 39
gold, Manipur in second with 72 medals including 27 gold while Assam is in
third with 80 medals including 22 gold.
5) Mahindra inks pact with Adani Total Energies
Leading
SUV maker Mahindra & Mahindra announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding
(MoU) with Adani Total Energies E-Mobility Limited (ATEL) for expanding the EV
charging infrastructure in the country. The MoU between Mahindra and ATEL, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Total Gas Limited, sets a roadmap for the
creation of an expansive EV charging infrastructure across the country.
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@Target Competitive Exams
ISRO's Pushpak RLV Mission
@Target Competitive Exams
Event Overview:
- The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully
carried out the landing mission of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) named
'Pushpak' from the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Karnataka’s Challakere on
Friday.
Launch Details:
- The launch vehicle, named 'Pushpak,' was carried to an altitude
of about 4.5 km by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter and released after
attaining the predetermined pillbox parameters.
Pushpak RLV Features:
- Designed as an all-rocket, fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit
(SSTO) vehicle.
- Incorporates elements from the X-33 advanced technology
demonstrator, the X-34 testbed technology demonstrator, and the upgraded DC-XA
flight demonstrator.
- Consists of a fuselage (body), a nose cap, double delta wings, and
twin vertical tails.
- Features symmetrically placed active control surfaces called
Elevons and Rudder.
Mission Goals:
- Part of ISRO's efforts at developing essential technologies for
a fully reusable launch vehicle.
- Aims to enable low-cost access to space.
ISRO Chairperson’s
Statement:
- "The Pushpak launch vehicle is India's bold attempt to make
access to space most affordable," said ISRO chairperson S Somanath.
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