[Newsbits] 1-8.10.2024: VSHORADS, National Agriculture Code (NAC) & more

The Assam government has launched the ‘Nijut Moina’ scheme to combat child marriage and promote girls’ education. Under this initiative, girls from Class 11 to postgraduate levels receive monthly financial support ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500. The scheme, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, requires girls to attend school regularly and delay marriage until after completing their post-graduation. With an investment of Rs 1,500 crore, it aims to benefit 1 million girls, further reducing child marriage and encouraging higher education, contributing to long-term social change and better health outcomes.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched two key initiatives, ADITI 2.0 and DISC 12, at DefConnect 4.0 in Delhi to enhance India’s defence technology ecosystem. ADITI 2.0 focuses on 19 advanced technology challenges, while DISC 12 introduces 41 new challenges, including innovations in UAVs and medical technologies for the Armed Forces. These initiatives, supported by the iDEX program, provide significant funding to start-ups and MSMEs to develop future-ready defence solutions. The government emphasizes private sector involvement and aims to shift from replicating existing technologies to fostering innovation, pushing India towards global leadership in defence technology.

The National Anubhav Awards Scheme, 2025, is part of the ongoing Anubhav platform, introduced by Prime Minister Modi in 2015. It allows retiring and retired government employees to share their work experiences, which can be valuable for future employees. The 2025 awards have been expanded to include employees from Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) and Public Sector Banks. Employees and pensioners can submit write-ups by March 31, 2025, with five Anubhav Awards and ten Jury Certificates available. The submission timeline has been extended to three years post-retirement, and a new assessment system ensures fair evaluations.

Chilean scientists have developed a reversible neutering vaccine for dogs, offering a non-surgical alternative to traditional spaying and neutering. Created by veterinarian Leonardo Saenz, the vaccine temporarily halts reproductive hormones, providing an easier method to control reproduction. Traditional neutering has health benefits, such as reducing cancer risks and improving behavior, but concerns about long-term side effects, including obesity and certain cancers, have emerged. This new vaccine could revolutionize dog neutering practices, offering pet owners more choices as further research assesses its effectiveness and safety compared to surgery.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for discovering microRNA (miRNA), which plays a crucial role in gene regulation. This groundbreaking research revealed how miRNAs control gene activity, enabling cells with the same DNA to perform different functions. Ambros discovered the first miRNA, lin-4, in C. elegans, while Ruvkun identified the second, let-7. Their findings revolutionized our understanding of how cells develop and adapt, and their work is key to understanding diseases like cancer, where gene regulation often malfunctions.

The Banjara Virasat ‘Nagara’ Museum, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Pohradevi, Maharashtra, celebrates the cultural heritage of the Banjara community. This four-story museum features 13 galleries showcasing Banjara history, leaders, arts, and traditions. Located in Pohradevi, a spiritual hub for Banjaras and home to the tomb of Sant Sewalal Maharaj, the museum blends cultural education with tourism. The museum is part of broader efforts led by Minister Sanjay Rathod to protect Banjara heritage and attract visitors to this culturally significant region.

Odisha’s forest survey revealed rare sightings of melanistic leopards, commonly known as black panthers, in three forests. These leopards, a genetic variant of regular leopards with a black coat, benefit from enhanced camouflage in dense forests. Odisha’s leopard population now stands at 696, an increase from previous estimates, though still below the 2018 National Tiger Conservation Authority’s count. The survey employed reliable methods like camera traps and tracking signs, resulting in a lower error margin than earlier estimations. Despite the rise in leopard numbers, poaching remains a significant threat, necessitating focused conservation efforts.

The Negro River, part of the Amazon system, hit its lowest recorded level on October 4, 2024, at just 12.66 meters, far below its usual 21 meters. Experts, including Andre Martinelli, predict the river’s levels will continue to drop due to a lack of rainfall, worsening an already severe drought. This drought, the worst in over 122 years, highlights a broader environmental crisis affecting the Amazon Basin. The drought disrupts local livelihoods, particularly in Manaus, where transportation and access to water are compromised. The Negro River, vital for indigenous communities and biodiversity, faces mounting pressures from climate change.

The National Agriculture Code (NAC), developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), aims to create standardized guidelines for improving agricultural practices across India. The NAC will cover areas such as crop selection, land preparation, irrigation, and sustainable farming methods, promoting efficiency and safety. This initiative addresses gaps in agricultural regulation, helping farmers adopt modern technologies like IoT and sustainable practices. Expected to be finalized by 2025, the NAC will be tested on Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF), providing hands-on learning to promote the adoption of these new standards.

The Union Cabinet, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the consolidation of existing agricultural schemes into two main umbrella programs: Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) and Krishonnati Yojana (KY). With a combined budget of ₹1,01,321.61 crore, the schemes focus on promoting sustainable agriculture, ensuring food security, and increasing farmers’ income. Key initiatives include the National Mission for Edible Oil-Oil Palm (NMEO-OP), Clean Plant Program, and Digital Agriculture. The restructuring simplifies agricultural management, avoids duplication, and encourages state-specific strategic agricultural planning.

On October 3, 2024, the WHO approved the Alinity m MPXV assay, the first Mpox test to receive Emergency Use Listing (EUL) approval. This real-time PCR test detects the virus’s DNA in skin lesions, allowing for faster and more accurate diagnosis of Mpox, a viral infection that has seen rising cases globally, especially in Africa and India. With limited testing capacity in some regions, this approval aims to expand access to testing, enabling better management of outbreaks and faster containment of the virus.

The MIDORI Prize 2024 was awarded to Vera Voronova from Kazakhstan and Ysabel Agustina Calderón Carlos from Peru for their outstanding contributions to conservation and sustainability. Voronova focuses on ecosystem restoration and engaging rural communities in Central Asia, while Calderón Carlos promotes pollinator protection and Indigenous women’s livelihoods through sustainable beekeeping in Peru. The award ceremony will be held on October 29, 2024, during COP 16 in Cali, Colombia. The MIDORI Prize, established in 2010, continues to highlight global biodiversity conservation efforts and align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2024, held in New Delhi, focuses on “Resource Geopolitics and Security in the Indo-Pacific.” This annual event, initiated by India in 2018, brings together experts to discuss maritime security and resource competition in the region. Key topics include the geopolitical impact of marine resources like oil, gas, and rare minerals, and how countries can cooperate to manage these resources sustainably. The dialogue promotes regional stability and supports India’s Act East policy, fostering collaboration with countries such as Japan, Australia, and the U.S. for enhanced maritime security.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA) in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, on Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. With a budget of Rs. 79,156 crores, this initiative focuses on improving the living conditions of 5 crore tribal people across 63,843 villages in 30 states and Union Territories. DAJGUA aims to provide critical infrastructure, permanent housing, skill development, healthcare access, and education to tribal communities. The program also promotes tourism, market access, and healthcare innovations, uplifting tribal areas and ensuring sustainable progress across India.

Taiwan has introduced the Global Elite Card to attract high-earning foreign professionals in response to a projected labor shortage of 350,000 workers by 2028. The card offers permanent residency after just one year, faster than the previous Gold Card’s three-year requirement. Targeted at individuals with an annual income over TWD 6 million (around ₹1.57 crore), it includes benefits like family residency and luxury travel perks. Taiwan is also developing a Digital Nomad Visa for freelancers and remote workers, allowing stays of up to six months, with potential for permanent residency. Taiwan aims to attract 200,000 professionals and 100,000 remote workers through these programs.

Kerala inaugurated India’s first supercapacitor manufacturing facility at Keltron Component Complex Limited (KCCL) in Kannur, marking a major advancement in the state’s electronics sector. The ₹42 crore facility, supported by ISRO, will produce 2,000 supercapacitors daily, essential for industries like electric vehicles, defense, and aerospace. Kerala plans further investment of ₹1,000 crore to boost its electronics manufacturing capabilities. Keltron, a government-run pioneer in electronics, leads this initiative. The facility is expected to generate ₹22 crore annually, positioning Kerala as a leader in high-tech industries.

IIT Madras researchers, led by Professor Arunn Narasimhan and Dr. Lingam Gopal, have developed a new method using mild laser-induced convection to treat retinal conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal tears. This technique accelerates medication delivery to the retina, reducing the time from 12 hours (via natural diffusion) to just 12 minutes. The method, tested on a human eye model, does not harm eye tissues and offers a safer, more effective treatment option. This groundbreaking research, published in the Wiley Heat Transfer Journal, promises improved retinal care for millions in India.

Taiwan received its first shipment of U.S.-made Harpoon missile systems at Kaohsiung Port on September 27. This shipment is part of a 2020 defense deal between Taiwan and the U.S., aimed at bolstering Taiwan’s defenses amid regional tensions, particularly with China. The deal includes 400 missiles, 100 launch trucks, and radar systems, with full delivery expected by 2028. Harpoon missiles, designed in the 1970s, offer radar-guided precision to destroy ships, enhancing Taiwan’s military preparedness. The delivery strengthens Taiwan’s defense capabilities but may escalate tensions with China and the broader region.

The Ayush Medical Value Travel Summit 2024, led by renowned Ayurvedic expert Vaidya Devendra Triguna, aims to position India as a global hub for holistic healthcare. With the theme “Global Synergy in Ayush: Transforming Health and Wellness through Medical Value Travel,” the summit promotes traditional Indian medicine, including Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Organized by the Ministry of Ayush and the Ministry of Tourism, the event focuses on attracting international medical tourists seeking holistic wellness treatments. Vaidya Triguna’s efforts in spreading Ayurveda globally have significantly contributed to India’s rising influence in alternative healthcare.

KAZIND-2024, the 8th edition of the joint military exercise between India and Kazakhstan, began on 30th September 2024 in Auli, Uttarakhand, and will run until 13th October. This annual exercise, initiated in 2016, aims to enhance counter-terrorism coordination and interoperability between the two nations’ armies. Tactical drills, including joint command posts, combat free falls, and drone operations, are key components. The exercise strengthens defence cooperation and cultural ties while focusing on strategic interests in Central Asia. It also emphasizes peacekeeping, disaster relief, and the use of advanced military technology.

India has launched the ‘Cruise Bharat Mission’ to boost cruise tourism, aiming to double passenger traffic by 2029. Inaugurated by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Mumbai, this mission includes a three-phase plan to improve cruise infrastructure, promote India as a cruise destination, and develop cruise tourism. It aims to increase sea cruise passengers from 0.5 million to 1 million and river cruise passengers to 1.5 million. With five key pillars—sustainability, technology, promotion, policies, and research—the mission will create 400,000 jobs and enhance India’s Blue Economy by transforming it into a global maritime tourism hub.

On October 2, 2024, an annular solar eclipse will occur, visible in parts of South America as a “ring of fire” with the Moon covering the Sun’s center. Partial views will be seen in North America and the Pacific Ocean, but not in India. Solar eclipses happen when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, and there are four types: total, annular, partial, and hybrid. These events occur two to five times a year, during a new moon, when the Moon’s orbit aligns perfectly with Earth and the Sun at certain points.