Who was C. Subramania Bharati?
11-12-2024
10:30 AM
Overview:
A complete and annotated version of the works of C. Subramania Bharati will be released by Prime Minister in New Delhi.
About C. Subramania Bharati:
- He was a poet, freedom fighter, and social reformer from Tamil Nadu.
- He was known as Mahakavi Bharathiyar, and the laudatory epithet Mahakavi means a great poet.
- He was born in Ettayapuram, South India, in 1882, and died in Madras in 1921.
- He is considered one of India’s greatest poets. His songs on nationalism and freedom of India helped to rally the masses to support the Indian Independence Movement in Tamil Nadu.
- Bharathi joined as Assistant Editor of the Swadesamitran, a Tamil daily, in 1904.
- In 1907, he started editing the Tamil weekly India and the English newspaper Bala Bharatham with M.P.T. Acharya.
- He assisted Aurobindo in the Arya journal and later Karma Yogi in Pondicherry.
- Unfortunately, Bharati was persecuted for his convictions both by the British and by the orthodox elements of his own society, who treated him as an outcast.
- He was exiled from British India in 1908 and went to live in Pondicherry, a French colony in South India.
- He spent ten years in exile there and eventually returned to Madras, where he died.
- Most of his compositions are classifiable as short lyrical outpourings on patriotic, devotional, and mystic themes.
- Bharathi was essentially a lyrical poet. Bharati’s best-known works included Kaṇṇan pattu (1917; Songs to Krishna), Panchali sapatham (1912; Panchali’s Vow), and Kuyil pattu (1912; Kuyil’s Song).
- He also translated Vedic hymns, Patanjali's Yoga Sutra and Bhagavat Gita into Tamil.
Q1: Who was Sri Aurobindo?
Sri Aurobindo (born August 15, 1872, Calcutta [now Kolkata], India—died December 5, 1950, Pondicherry [now Puducherry]) was a yogi, seer, philosopher, poet, and Indian nationalist who propounded a philosophy of divine life on earth through spiritual evolution. Aurobindo is one of the key leaders of the Indian nationalist movement at the beginning of the twentieth century. Most of his writings were published In Bande Mataram and Karmayogin newspapers and in this place and time, he expressed his desire for an independent India.
News: Compiled over decades, Subramania Bharati’s collected works to be released by PM Modi
India Skills Report 2025
11-12-2024
10:14 AM
Overview:
India’s employability among graduates is expected to rise by 7 percent, reaching 54.81 percent in 2025, according to the ‘India Skills Report 2025.’
About India Skills Report 2025:
- It is prepared by the industry body Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) in collaboration with Wheebox (a talent assessment agency) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
- It is based on data from over 6.5 lakh candidates who participated in the Global Employability Test (G.E.T.) across India, alongside insights from over 1,000 corporations across 15 diverse industries.
- Highlights of the Report:
- Nearly 55 percent of Indian graduates are expected to be globally employable in 2025, up from 51.2 percent in 2024 (a seven percent increase).
- It notes that management graduates (78 percent) have highest global employability, followed by engineering students (71.5 percent), MCA students (71 percent) and science graduates (58 percent).
- States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi are emerging as major hubs for employable talent, while cities such as Pune, Bengaluru and Mumbai are leading the way in providing a skilled workforce.
- Gender analysis shows that the employability rate for men is expected to rise to53.5 percent in 2025 from 51.8 percent in 2024.
- Meanwhile, for women, the employability rate is projected to decline to 47.5 percent from 50.9 percent during the same time period.
- In 2025, 50 percent of secondary and tertiary students are expected to receive vocational training, further positioning India as a key player in the global talent market.
- The report further stresses the importance of integrating vocational training with industry needs, particularly in emerging sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, and green energy.
Q1: What is the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII)?
CII is a non-government, not-for-profit, industry led and industry managed organisation, playing a proactive role in India’s development process. Founded over 114 years ago, it is India’s premier business association, with a direct membership of over 7500 organisations from the private as well as public sectors, including SMEs and MNCs, and an indirect membership of over 83,000 companies from around 380 national and regional sectoral associations.
Diamond Battery
11-12-2024
10:30 AM
Overview:
Scientists from the University of Bristol and the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) have created the world's first carbon-14 diamond battery.
About Diamond Battery:
- It uses carbon-14, a radioactive isotope of carbon, which has a half-life of 5,700.
- Carbon-14 was chosen because it emits a short-range radiation, which is quickly absorbed by any solid material.
- The carbon-14 battery sits in a case of diamond which provides it with strength and resilience.
- It is safely held within a diamond – the hardest substance known to humankind.
- It functions similarly to solar panels but instead of using light particles, it captures fast-moving electrons from within the diamond structure.
- Applications
- It can prove particularly helpful in healthcare where it can be used to power pacemakers, hearing aids, and ocular devices. Patients won't need to replace batteries as the diamond battery can last for years.
- The battery could also be used in extreme environments – both in space and on earth – where it is not practical to replace conventional batteries.
- They can also prove to be of great help in space missions without worrying about the power to replace or charge the power source of spacecrafts.
Q1: What is a pacemaker?
It is a small device used to treat some arrhythmias. During anarrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. Pacemakers send electrical pulses to help your heart beat at a normal rate and rhythm.
News:World's first diamond battery can power devices for thousands of years
Geographical Indication Tagged Products
11-12-2024
10:30 AM
Overview:
Recently, during Ashtalakshmi 2024 event many Geographical Indication tagged products were showcased.
About Geographical Indication Tagged Products:
- Adi Kekir Ginger
- It is grown in the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh and cultivated by the Adi tribe.
- This aromatic ginger is renowned for its medicinal properties, aiding in everything from digestive issues to menstrual pain.
- Its distinct aroma and healing qualities have made it a sought-after commodity, both in culinary and medicinal circles.
- The Adi tribe’s deep connection to the land ensures that each harvest is handled with care, keeping alive the age-old practices of organic farming.
- Dalle Khursani
- It is a fiery red pepper grown in Sikkim that has earned fame far beyond the borders of India.
- It is grown in protected organic conditions; this pepper is revered for its pungency, used in local pickles and pastes, and even celebrated for its medicinal properties.
- What makes this chili so special is not just its heat but its role in the local economy, where over 5,000 families rely on it for their livelihoods.
- Naga King Chilli or Raja Mircha
- It is grown in Nagaland and it is one of the hottest chilies in the world.
- It also represents the deep connection the Naga people have to their land and cultural heritage.
- Cultivated with care by around 100 families, this fiery chili thrives in the high-altitude, humid climate of Nagaland, producing fruit that’s packed with both heat and flavor.
- The chili plays an integral part in Naga cuisine, adding spice and depth to traditional dishes.
- Kaji Nimu
- It is a distinctive variety of lemon celebrated for its size, aroma, and sharp tang, reflects the state's rich agricultural heritage.
- Larger and more flavorful than most other lemon varieties, the Kaji Nimu is an essential ingredient in Assamese cuisine and traditional remedies
Q1: What are Geographical Indications (GI tags)?
These are signs used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess distinctive qualities, reputation, or characteristics attributable to that place of origin. GI tags serve as intellectual property rights that identify a product's unique geographical source, providing legal protection and preventing unauthorised use.
Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway
11-12-2024
10:33 AM
Overview:
Recently, iHub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) launched Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway and Node System.
About Bluetooth Low Energy Gateway:
- It is the first-of-its-kind cost-effective system that connects Bluetooth-enabled sensors to cloud platforms.
- It enables seamless data transmission, real-time environmental monitoring, and advanced analytics across diverse sectors such as agriculture, logistics, and environmental resilience.
- Key Features of the BLE Gateway
- Robust Connectivity: Offers 4G, WiFi, and LAN compatibility for flexible networking.
- Long-Range Communication: Supports data transmission up to 1 km in line-of-sight (LOS) scenarios.
- Data Aggregation: Collects and processes data from multiple connected nodes, streamlining analysis and decision-making.
- Weather proof and Compact Design: Providing durability in extreme weather conditions while maintaining a compact and user-friendly form.
- Wireless Connectivity: Eliminates the need for extensive wiring, reducing installation costs and supporting remote deployments.
- Low Power Consumption: Delivers energy-efficient performance for prolonged operation.
- Scalability: Manages over 100+ connected BLE nodes, ideal for large-scale IoT networks.
- Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA): Allows remote firmware updates to keep the system up-to-date with minimal manual intervention.
- Compatibility: Fully supports integration with mobile apps, cloud platforms, and diverse sensors for enhanced flexibility.
- Potential applications
- Agriculture: It supports precision farming by monitoring critical factors such as soil moisture and air quality, enabling better control and sustainable practices.
- Logistics: It ensures optimal environmental conditions for perishable goods in cold storage and transit, mitigating risks of spoilage.
- Smart cities and industrial sites: They can leverage the system for large-scale monitoring networks to enhance operational efficiency and security.
- Real-time data transmission and customizable alerts allow for proactive responses to changes such as temperature spikes or unauthorized movements, reducing potential losses and enhancing resource management.
Q1: What Is a Cloud platform?
A cloud platform is the operating system and hardware of servers in a data center that are configured to provide cloud computing services to customers. A cloud platform enables businesses to rent access to computing resources on demand over the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing, rather than buying, installing, and managing their own data centers, servers, and software required to have these resources available on premises.
What is AgeXtend?
11-12-2024
10:30 AM
Overview:
Researchers at IIIT-Delhi have developed AgeXtend, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform designed to discover molecules that could slow down ageing and promote healthier lives.
About AgeXtend:
- It is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform designed to discover molecules that could slow down ageing and promote healthier lives.
- It was developed by researchers at the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi).
- AgeXtend utilises bioactivity data from existing geroprotectors-substances that slow ageing-to predict new molecules with similar properties.
- Its AI modules evaluate geroprotective potential, assess toxicity, and identify target proteins and mechanisms of action, ensuring both accuracy and safety in the discovery process.
- The researchers tested AgeXtend by excluding well-known compounds like metforminand taurine, molecules already known to extend lifespan, and found that the platform could still predict their benefits.
- AgeXtend also screened more than 1.1 billion compounds and identified promising candidates validated through experiments on yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans (a nematode), and human cell models.
- The research also explored AgeXtend's ability to analyze natural compounds found in the human microbiome, tiny organisms living in our bodies, and their role in controlling cell ageing.
Q1: What is metformin?
Metformin helps to control the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood. It decreases the amount of glucose you absorb from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver. Metformin also increases your body's response to insulin, a natural substance that controls the amount of glucose in the blood.
News: Indian AI screens 1.1 billion molecules, makes anti-ageing breakthrough
Champions of the Earth award
11-12-2024
10:30 AM
Overview:
India’s veteran ecologist, Madhav Gadgil has been named as one of the six ‘Champions of the Earth award’ for 2024.
About Champions of the Earth award:
- It was established in 2005 and awarded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
- It is the UN’s highest environmental honour, recognises trailblazers at the forefront of efforts to protect people and the planet.
- Every year, UNEP honours individuals and organizations working on innovative and sustainable solutions to address the triple planetary crisis of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste. Champions transform our economies, innovate, lead political change, fight environmental injustice, and defend our natural resources.
- Champions of the Earth are celebrated in four categories:
- Policy leadership - Public sector officials leading global or national action for the environment. They shape dialogue, lead commitments and act for the good of the planet.
- Inspiration and action - Leaders taking bold steps to inspire positive change to protect our world. They lead by example, challenge behavior and inspire millions.
- Entrepreneurial vision - Visionaries challenging the status quo to build a cleaner future. They build systems, create new technology and spearhead a groundbreaking vision.
- Science and innovation -Trailblazers pushing the boundaries of technology for profound environmental benefit. They invent possibilities for a more sustainable world.
Q1: What is the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)?
It is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. UNEP uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at the country, regional, and global levels.
News: Ecologist Madhav Gadgil named one of six ‘Champions of the Earth’ by UNEP
Cesses and Surcharges
11-12-2024
10:32 AM
Overview:
Arvind Panagariya, Chairman, 16th Finance Commission, recently termed the grievance of States regarding the Centre’s increasing reliance on cesses and surcharges as a “complicated issue.”
About Cesses and Surcharges:
- Cess and surcharges are levied by the Central government for the purposes of the Union under Article 271 of the Constitution of India.
- A cess is a tax on tax. The Indian government levies it on the tax liability, including surcharge, and it is used for a specific purpose.
- Cesses are named after the identified purpose; the purpose itself must be certain and for the public good.
- Some different types of cesses levied in India are infrastructure cess on motor vehicles, Krishi Kalyan cess on service value, Swachch Bharat cess, education cess, and cess on crude oil, among others.
- On the other hand, a surcharge is charged on the income taxes paid. It is usually paid by taxpayers, whether individuals, associations of persons, or companies, who fall in a particular tax bracket.
- Surcharge is not collected for any specific purpose but can be used for any reason as seen reasonable by the Central government.
- The proceeds collected from a surcharge and a cess levied by the union form part of the Consolidated Fund of India.
- The funds need not be shared with the State governments and are thus at the exclusive disposal of the union government.
- The proceeds of such surcharges and cesses go towards meeting certain specific needs, such as financing of centrally sponsored schemes.
- The benefit of such expenditure also percolates to the states.
Q1: What is the Consolidated Fund of India?
Constituted under Article 267 of the Constitution, the Consolidated Fund of India is one of the most important government accounts. All the income generated through direct taxes, indirect taxes, and other sources of revenue (excluding exceptional items) are part of the Consolidated Fund of India.This fund is used for all the expenditures carried out by the government, barring a few transactions which are funded by the Contingency Fund or the Public Account.
News: Dispute over cesses and surcharges a complicated issue: Arvind Panagariya
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
11-12-2024
10:31 AM
Overview:
The Odisha government is planning to secure a ₹734.86-crore external loan from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to implement Phase II of the Odisha Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) Empowerment and Livelihood Improvement Programme (OPELIP-II).
About International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD):
- IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency.
- It invests in rural people, empowering them to improve their food security, nutrition, and incomes through funding of grants and low-interest loans to several projects.
- Founded in response to a global food crisis, since 1977, IFAD-supported projects have reached hundreds of millions of people around the world.
- IFAD works in areas where poverty and hunger are most prominent.
- It is the only specialized global development organisation exclusively focused on and dedicated to transforming agriculture, rural economies, and food systems.
- IFAD grants support research, innovation, institutional change, and pro-poor technologies.
- IFAD extends two types of grants, depending on the nature of the innovation and the scope of intervention: global or regional grants and country-specific grants.
- IFAD headquarters is located in Rome, Italy.
- It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
Q1: What is the United Nations Development Group (UNDP)?
Established by the Secretary-General in 1997, the UN Development Group (UNDG) was set up to design system-wide guidance to coordinate, harmonize and align UN development activities. The purpose of UNDG was to strengthen the UN development system at the country level, preparing it to meet future challenges and ensuring that operations are conducted in accordance with mandates from UN governing bodies such as the General Assembly. In 2008, UNDG was incorporated as one of three pillars of the UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB).
News: Odisha to secure ₹734.86-cr. loan from IFAD to uplift tribals
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