Published on: October 18, 2024
Snippets : 18 OCTBER 2024
Snippets : 18 OCTBER 2024
- The Maharshi Valmiki Award 2024 was announced, recognizing five individuals for their significant contributions to the upliftment of Scheduled Castes and various other sectors. Each awardee will receive a 20-gram gold medal and ₹5 lakh in cash. The recipients include Kilari Jogayya from Bengaluru Division, known for preserving tribal culture and cattle lineage; Dr. Ratnamma S. from Mysuru Division, an advocate for tribal children’s education and health; Rajashekhar Talawar from Belagavi Division, who works to improve tribal communities’ access to education and healthcare; K. S. Mrutyunjaya from Bengaluru Central, who promotes education and economic development for Scheduled Castes; and Ratnamma B. Sogi from Kalaburagi Division, a theatre artist raising awareness on social issues through rural theatre performances
- The Supreme Court of India has unveiled a redesigned ‘Lady Justice’ statue, marking a symbolic shift from colonial representations. Notably, the traditional blindfold symbolizing impartiality has been removed, with Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasizing that “the law is not blind; it sees everyone equally.” The sword, traditionally held in her left hand, has been replaced with the Constitution, underscoring the importance of constitutional rights over punitive measures. The scales of justice remain intact, representing fairness. This redesign reflects the evolving identity of India’s judiciary, aligning with broader reforms aimed at breaking away from colonial legacies and modernizing the legal system.
- The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) has proposed significant recommendations to the Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) regarding antibiotics and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). One key recommendation is to include all antibiotics in the definition of new drugs under the New Drugs and Clinical Trial (NDCT) Rules, 2019, to enhance regulatory oversight. DTAB also suggested amending labelling requirements to include a blue strip or box on antimicrobial products, aimed at raising awareness about AMR. Furthermore, the Board supported restrictions on the sale of antimicrobials to non-pharmaceutical industries without appropriate licenses, emphasizing that AMR is a global health priority. This recognition aligns with international declarations from organizations like the UNGA, G7, and G20, which highlight the dangers posed by the misuse of antimicrobials. To facilitate responsible use, the DTAB proposed changes to existing drug rules, including amendments to specific forms to explicitly exclude antimicrobials from exemptions allowed for non-pharmaceutical sales. If approved, these recommendations would necessitate comprehensive documentation for the manufacturing and marketing of antibiotics, require regulatory clearance from the central government, and enforce prescription requirements for patients purchasing these medications
- The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955, confirming the 1971 cut-off date for Bangladeshi immigrants in Assam. The court ruled that those who entered Assam from Bangladesh before March 25, 1971, are eligible for citizenship. This section was introduced as part of the 1985 Assam Accord to address the issue of growing migration from Bangladesh. The court emphasized that the Assam Accord was a political solution, while Section 6A provided a legislative solution to balance humanitarian needs and migration impact. The court also clarified that Parliament has the power to lay down conditions under Section 6A, and the presence of different ethnic groups in a state does not infringe on Article 29(1)
- The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has launched a pilot feeding program for stray dogs across eight locations in Bengaluru, coinciding with the ‘Festival of Dogs’ (Kukur Tihar). This initiative aims to promote coexistence and create bite-free neighborhoods, addressing the growing stray dog population of approximately 270,000, which has led to increased dog-bite cases. Pourakarmikas will oversee regular feeding, collaborating with local hotels and caretakers for food supplies. Additionally, NGOs and animal welfare volunteers will conduct awareness sessions in schools, tech parks, residential areas, and apartment complexes. The pilot phase will monitor logistics for a month, followed by stakeholder feedback to refine and scale up the initiative. Community dog feeders and volunteers praise the initiative as a potential model for other cities, emphasizing compassion in addressing urban stray animal issues and citizen responsibility in holding authorities accountable. With around 1,500 organizations interested in partnering, this program may set a precedent for humane stray dog management.
- Karnataka Govt to rename Raichur varsity after Maharshi Valmiki
- Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has written to the Union government’s Law Ministry, naming Justice Sanjiv Khanna, the second-most senior judge of the Supreme Court, as his successor.
- SPARSH Hospitals launched an advanced on-site 3D printing lab at its Infantry Road facility. The lab introduces 3D printing technology that offers solutions under one roof — from scanning to the creation of final customised models.
- Saudi Arabia introduced the Global Harmony initiative aimed at promoting cultural understanding. It seeks to strengthen bonds between the local society and expatriates, including the Indian community.
- Saudi Arabia is launching a digital platform called Musaned to ensure a secure working environment for foreign workers, including those from India. This initiative is part of the country’s Vision 2030 plan, aiming to protect workers’ rights and reduce illegal immigration. The Musaned platform will provide easy access to employment contracts and updates for domestic workers through a dedicated app, and can be linked to contract insurance and health benefits. This development will benefit workers from at least 19 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, promoting a stable working environment for both employees and employers. The platform’s features align with Saudi Arabia’s Labour Law, which governs employer-employee relations, outlining provisions such as employment contracts, working hours, overtime allowance, and medical insurance
- More than 446 butterfly species have been recorded in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park (KNP), making it a habitat with the second highest concentration in the country after the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.
- Researchers recently discovered pockets of living microbes in a 2-billion-year-old rock from the Bushveld Igneous Complex in South Africa, providing insights into early life on Earth and potentially aiding the search for life on Mars.
- Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and Meta join forces for “Scam se Bacho” Campaign to tackle rising online scams
- Researchers have developed a groundbreaking method to deliver tuberculosis (TB) medicines directly to the brain, effectively bypassing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that often limits the efficacy of treatments for Central Nervous System Tuberculosis (CNS-TB), a severe form of TB with high mortality rates. Traditional treatments typically require high doses of oral anti-TB drugs, which struggle to reach effective concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid due to the BBB. To address this challenge, a team at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, led by Rahul Kumar Verma, utilized chitosan, a biocompatible and biodegradable material, to create chitosan nano-aggregates. These nanoparticles, designed for nasal delivery, can effectively carry TB drugs such as isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin (RIF). Employing a nose-to-brain (N2B) delivery system, this innovative approach leverages the olfactory and trigeminal nerve pathways in the nasal cavity, allowing for direct transport of medications into the brain. The mucoadhesive properties of chitosan help the nano-aggregates adhere to the nasal mucosa, prolonging drug release and enhancing therapeutic effectiveness. In laboratory tests, this method significantly reduced bacterial counts in the brains of TB-infected mice compared to untreated subjects, showcasing its potential as a targeted treatment for CNS-TB. Published in the journal Nanoscale, this research not only promises improved outcomes for brain TB patients but also opens avenues for treating other neurological conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases, brain tumors, and epilepsy through efficient drug delivery to the brain.
- Union Minister of State for Science and Technology (Independent Charge) Dr Jitendra Singh unveiled Pavana Chitra, India’s first Airport based self-powered indoor air quality monitoring facility at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport . The off-grid air quality monitor is powered by indigenous indoor solar cells developed by CSIR-NIIST, crafted from locally available materials.
- Miss India 2024 is Nikita Porwal of Madhya Pradesh
