ISRO Launches Robotics Challenge For Aspirants Interested In Space Missions With Cash Prize Of Rs 5 Lakh
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched a robotic challenge program “ISRO RoboticsChallenge-U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) 2024 (IRoC-U 2024)” with a tagline of “Let’s build a space robot” to build robots to compete in an extra-terrestrial-inspired arena
- The program will help the student community to design and realise a ‘Wheeled/Legged Rover’encompassing the development of complete hardware and software.
- The registrations for the challenge will start on November 20 and will conclude on December 15, 2023.
- The winning team will be awarded the cash prize of Rs 5 lakhs.
- The solutions provided by the students will be incorporated into ISRO’s future interplanetary robotics missions.
India and Italy Sign Two Agreements to Boost Youth Mobility & Cultural Exchange
Dr. S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) has signed two agreements with the ItalianDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani to boost youth mobility & cultural exchange during his two-day visit to Italy on 2nd-3rd November 2023.
Key Points:
- He addressed the Joint Committees of External and Defence Affairs, and EU Affairs in the Italian Senate about deepening partnership.
- He held a discussion with the Italian Defence Minister Guido about deepening strategic cooperation including industrial collaboration in defence manufacturing and areas of counterterrorism, cyber security and the maritime domain.
- He appreciated Italy for joining the key India-led global initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance(ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure(CDRI), Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), Global Bio-Fuels Alliance and India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
About Italy:
President – Sergio Mattarella
Capital – Rome
Currency – Euro
T-Hub unveils T-Bridge and T-Scale on Its 8th Foundation Day
- As a part of its 8th Foundation Day (16th November 2023), Telangana government led incubator, Technology Hub (THub) unveiled two flagship initiatives: T-Bridge and TScale, aimed at further propelling the growth and success of Indian startups.
- T-Bridge: It is the International Wing of T-Hub, designed to facilitate global market access for startups and enable them to expand their reach beyond India’s borders.
- T-Scale: It is a collaborative program with Factoryal Business Incubator Private Limited that will guide 25 promising startups through a 12-month journey to Series-A funding readiness
- T-Hub, which was incorporated in 2015, is a premier innovation hub and ecosystem enabler which is headquartered in Hyderabad, Telangana
Deepti Babuta becomes the First Woman to Bag Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature
- Punjabi-author Deepti Babuta won the Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature 2023 for her Short stories collection titled “Bhukh Eon Sah Laindi Hai (‘Hunger Breathes Like This’). She become the first woman to win The Dhahan Prize
- The award carries a cash prize of CAD 25,000.
- The awards were presented during the 10th annual Dhahan Prize for Punjabi Literature ceremonies, held on 16th November 2023, at Northview Golf and Country Club in Surrey, Canada
- The other 2 finalists Jameel Ahmad Paul and Balijit were awarded CAD 10,000.
- The Dhahan Prize is the largest international literary award for fiction books in the Punjabi language. It was conceptualised in 2013 by the Canada-India Education Society (CIES) and the University of British Columbia (UBC).Note: Deepti Babuta has also received the Dalbir Chetan Yadghari award for the same book.
Renowned Art historian and Padma Awardee B. N. Goswamy Passed Away
The renowned art historian and Padma Awardee Brijinder Nath Goswamy passed away in Chandigarh at the age of 90. He was born on 15th August 1933 in Sargodha(now in Punjab province of Pakistan)
Key Points:
- He was the recipient of the Padma ShriAward (1998) and the Padma BhushanAward (2008) in the field of literature and Education
- He was also awarded with Punjab Gaurav Samman (2018) for his contribution to the arts
- He has been recognised with prestigious fellowships, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship (1969), the John D. Rockefeller Fellowship, the Rietberg Award for Outstanding Research in Art History, the Mellon Senior Fellowship, and the Tagore National Fellowship.
National Naturopathy Day 2023- November 18
National Naturopathy Day is annually observed across India on 18 November, to promote positive mental and physical health through a drugless medicine system called ‘Naturopathy‘.18 November 2023 marks the observance of the 6th National Naturopathy Day.The annual observance of the day is led by the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Government of India.The 2023 theme of National Naturopathy Day is, “Naturopathy for Holistic Health.”
About Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH)
Union Minister– Sarbananda Sonowal (Rajya Sabha- Assam)
Minister of State– Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai (Constituency- Surendranagar, Gujarat)
Ladakh achieves 4th GI Tag with its Seabuckthorn
Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), a thorny shrub or small tree in the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag under “Agriculture” goods category. This becomes the 4th GI product of Ladakh.The GI tag was granted by the GI Registry, operating under the Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI).With this, the Department of Industries & Commerce, Leh, UT Ladakh is the registered proprietor of the G.l. “Ladakh Seabuckthorn” in respect of Seabuckthorn falling in Class – 31.
Key Points:
- Sea buckthorn, a actinorhizal plant of the family Elaegnaceae has the unique characteristics to grow in marginally fertile soil of cold desert. It is also known as Sandthorn, Sea berry, Golden Bush, and Leh berry.
- It is naturally distributed over 11,500 hectares in Ladakh region
- The withstand extreme temperature from -43°C to +40°C and is considered drought resistant.
- It produces small orange or yellow colored berries which is rich in vitamins especially vitamin C.It is used to make juice, tea and traditional medicines, among others. It is an ecologically and economically transHimalayan Ladakh plant with immense health and medicinal benefits