1 Prime Minister announces names of four astronauts selected for Gaganyaan, the country’s first manned space mission
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Vikram Sarabhai Space Center in Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala and inaugurated three important space sector infrastructure projects worth about Rs 1800 crore . These projects include the PSLV Integrated Facility at Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota , the new ‘ Semi-Cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility ‘ at ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri and the ‘ Trisonic Wind Tunnel ‘ at Vikram Sarabhai Space Center Thiruvananthapuram . Shri Modi also reviewed the preparations for the Gaganyaan mission and announced the names of 4 astronauts selected for this mission. These astronauts are Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla . The Prime Minister presented astronaut wings to these four during his visit to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre . Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first manned space flight programme , for which extensive preparations are going on at various centers of ISRO.
2 Prime Minister Narendra Modi encouraged MSMEs in the Indian automobile industry sector. Launched two important initiatives to promote
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched TVS Open Mobility Platform in Madurai . He also inaugurated the Center of Excellence for Employment and Livelihood on this occasion . Addressing a conference related to the automobile industry, Shri Modi said that manufacturing and innovation are two essential pillars for the development of the economy. He said that the manufacturing industry should have a policy of zero defect, zero effect. Their products should be of global standard and should not cause any harm to the environment. More than 5 thousand MSME units participated in the conference.
3 Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar will be the new Lokpal of the country
Justice Ajay Manikrao Khanwilkar will be the new Lokpal of the country . President Draupadi Murmu has appointed him along with six members. Justice Lingappa Narayana Swamy, Justice Sanjay Yadav and Justice Rituraj Awasthi will be the judicial members of the Lokpal. The other judicial members of Lokpal are Sushil Chandra, Pankaj Kumar and Ajay Tirkey.
4 Government will organize ‘My first vote for the country’ program in higher educational institutions across the country.
The Government will launch the Mera Pehla Vote Nation campaign in higher educational institutions across the country to ensure youth participation in the general elections . The objective of this campaign is to encourage the youth to vote in the larger interest of the nation and to explain the usefulness of the franchise. This campaign will run till March 6 . Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called upon the youth and first-time voters to vote in large numbers.
4 India-specific model developed to accurately determine fetal age in pregnant woman during second and third trimester
Researchers from the Biotechnology Innovation and Research Council – Translational Health Sciences and Technology Institute (BRIC – Translational Health Sciences and Research Institute – THSTI) Faridabad and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, in the second and third trimester of pregnancy. An India-specific model has been developed to accurately determine fetal age in women . Currently, fetal age [gestational age (GA)] is determined using a formula developed for the population of Western countries and its Indian population due to variations in fetal growth after pregnancy. There is a possibility of being wrong when applied in part. The newly developed second and third trimester GA formula, Garbhini-GA2, accurately estimates fetal age for the Indian population, reducing the error by approximately three times. Accurate GA is essential for proper care of pregnant women and determining the exact delivery date.
5 Antibodies that neutralize snake venom
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru have created a synthetic human antibody that is capable of neutralizing the potent neurotoxin secreted/produced by Elapidae snakes such as cobra, king cobra, krait and black mamba . Elapids, a diverse family of venomous snakes, have sharp front teeth that deliver venom and include 300 species in a variety of habitats globally. The Indian Institute of Science team used a previously successful approach to screen for antibodies against HIV and COVID-19 to synthesize a new antibody, marking the first application of this strategy for the treatment of snakebite.
6 BioAsia Summit 2024 begins
The 21st edition of BioAsia, Asia ‘s premier biotechnology and life sciences conference, began on February 27, 2023 in Hyderabad , India. The annual event sees the participation of leading global scientists, researchers, politicians and industry captains who discuss the latest developments and future opportunities. A flagship initiative launched in 2003 by the Government of Telangana , it has become a leading idea exchange platform at the intersection of scientific research and business bringing together diverse stakeholders from pharma giants to startups. The theme of the current year’s summit is “ Transforming Life Sciences with Data and AI ”, which deploys advanced analytics along with machine learning promises to revolutionize drug discovery, health care delivery, etc. through evidence-based interventions. Throws light on the immense potential of.
7 Indian Army builds 46 meter modular bridge
The Indian Army has further improved its bridge building skills by constructing a 46 meter modular bridge . The design system of this bridge, designed by Defense Research and Development Organization-DRDO, was formally handed over at a ceremony at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi . Army Chief General Manoj Pandey was present in this ceremony. According to the Defense Ministry, a total of 41 such bridges will be inducted into the armed forces in the next 4 years. These bridges will help the army to easily cross obstacles like canals and trenches. The modular bridges will replace the man-made medium girder bridges currently in use by the Indian Army.
8 Center extends ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir for five years
Center has extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir for five years . This group was declared illegal for the first time on 28 February 2019 . Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in a post on social media that this decision has been taken under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policy of zero tolerance for terrorism and separatism. He said that the activities of this group are against the security, unity and sovereignty of the country.
9 Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh launches National e-Vidhan Application in Manipur Assembly
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh launched the National e-Vidhan Application in the Manipur Assembly . On this occasion, Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, several ministers and MLAs, the State Chief Secretary, State Director General of Police, Additional Secretary in the Parliamentary Ministry and National e-Vidhan Application Dr. Satya Prakash and other officials were present. With the launch of this application, Manipur Assembly has become a part of digital assemblies. Manipur Assembly is the 13th Assembly to adopt this application .
10 Adani Group unveils domestic ammunition and missile production facility
Indian conglomerate Adani Group unveiled the country’s first domestic ammunition and missile production facility through a joint venture with Israel ‘s Elbit Systems, targeting the self-reliance requirements of the armed forces . Adani Defense and Aerospace ‘s Defense Corridor Manufacturing Complex, spread over 500 acres in Kanpur , Uttar Pradesh, was inaugurated by Army Chief General Manoj Pandey and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath . The 50:50 partnership, named Adani Elbit Advanced Systems, includes an army munitions plant in Uttar Pradesh. The unit will supply 155 mm artillery shells besides other ammunition to the Indian Army which is currently highly dependent on imports. In the first phase, 32 types of ammunition have been identified for manufacturing by Indian industry.
11 Marine amphipod found in Chilka Lake: Parahyale Odion
Researchers at Berhampur University in Odisha discovered a new species of marine amphipod in Chilka Lake . It is named Parhyale Odian after the native language of Odisha, which is Oriya . Amphipods are a diverse group of crustaceans, Malacostracan Crustaceans, which means they have some characteristics in common with crabs, lobsters, and shrimp. Their body is laterally compressed which means they are flattened on both sides of the body and the shape of the body is curved. Whale lice (lice) found on the bodies of whales and dolphins are actually a type of amphipod. Amphipods, which include the Parahyale genus, play an important role in marine ecosystems.
