ASSAM

IIT Guwahati team removes micro-plastics from sea water using hollow fiber membrane

Microplastics — plastic pieces smaller than one-fifth of an inch — are now found in almost all oceans and marine animals. What’s worse, sea salt has been found to have considerable amounts of microplastic.

The researchers claimed that while there have been many studies to identify and quantify microplastics in various food products, including salt, there have been fewer attempts at finding ways to remove them.

Hollow fibre membranes are already used extensively in daily life applications such as RO pre-treatment, industrial water or waste water, juice processing, and other biotech applications, including in dialysis membranes used for kidney ailments.

NORTH-EASTERN STATES

Project to promote hygienic practices in schools launched in Sikkim

In the light of post Covid scenario a unique initiative ‘Udbhav’ has been launched to promote hygienic practices at all levels for school going children in Sikkim.

Project ‘Udbhav’ was launched in 10 schools of Sikkim with the association of Education Department of Sikkim and Alkem Foundation and Sulabh School Sanitation Club, New Delhi. The aim of this project is to ensure that all students continue their studies in a safe and healthy environment.

Effort will be on to train students and teachers on implementing physical distancing and school hygiene practices and also to promote hygienic practices at all levels and for all staff of the school system, with an emphasis on handwashing and respiratory etiquette.

The project shall encourage the use of hand sanitizer, emphasize the importance of proper use of cloth masks and accordingly vending machines that can dispense masks, sanitizers and napkins are also being installed in some schools of Sikkim.

INTERNATIONAL

Launch of E-Santa

E-Santa is an electronic market that provides a platform to connect aquaculture farmers and buyers. The term “e-SANTA” was created for the portal, which means an electronic solution for enhancing the aquaculture trade of NaCSA farmers.

e-SANTA is a digital bridge to eliminate market gaps. It will become an alternative marketing tool between farmers and buyers by eliminating middlemen.

By providing a cashless, contactless and paperless electronic trading platform between farmers and exporters, it will revolutionize traditional aquaculture.

Farmers are free to list their own products and quote prices, while exporters are free to list their requirements, and can also choose products according to their own requirements (such as required size, location, harvest date, etc.).

e-SANTA can be a tool to collectively advertise the types of products that buyers, fishermen and fish production organizations are harvesting, so people in India and internationally can know the available products and can become an auction platform in the future.

NATIONAL

Ambedkar Jayanti is on 14th April

Ambedkar Jayanti (also known as Bhim Jayanti) is an annual festival, held on April 14, to commemorate the birth of Dr. Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891. Since 2015, this day has been regarded as a national legal public holiday in India. In 2021, we are commemorating the 130th anniversary of the birth of Babasaheb. After independence, he was the country’s first Minister of Law and Justice.

In 1990, the deceased was awarded Dr. Bhim the highest civilian honor in the country, Bharat Ratna.

Launch of Aahaar Kranti Mission

The Purpose of the mission is to spread information on the need for a balanced and nutritious diet, and to understand the importance of obtaining all local fruits and vegetables.

It is launched by Vijnana Bharati (Vibha) and Global Forum of Indian Scientists and Technologists (GIST) The Motto is Good Diet-good cognition.

It aims to solve the problem of hunger and a large number of diseases. Pravasi Bharatiya Academic and Scientific Sampark (Prabhaas) of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) cooperates with various ministries and agencies of the central and state governments.

It focuses on Training teachers, who, in turn, will pass on the message to the multitudes of students, and through them to their families and finally the society at large. Such a strategy was adopted for the eradication of Polio and it turned out to be a grand success.

The year 2021 declared as International Year of Fruits and Vegetables.

Launch of India Energy Dashboards NITI Aayog

The energy data released/provided by the Central Electricity Bureau, the Coal Control Organization and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are summarized in the dashboard.

NITI Aayog released version 1.0 in 2017.

Features of version 2.0 include: Provides time series data from the 2005-06 fiscal year to the 2019-20 fiscal year. The data can be easily downloaded into a convenient spreadsheet format in a more concise and intuitive way. It also provides annual frequency data. API link data from Saubhagya, UJALA, PRAAPTI and Vidyut PRAVAH have been merged into the portal. A “Feedback and Suggestion” forum has been established for the participation of the energy data user community. There is a semi-automated workflow/issue tracking system for managing regular updates to the IED.

The portal is free and public, and no login credentials are required to access the data.

National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem

Scientists, with help from the National Mission on Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem Programme, capable to disseminate handy scientific facts to the farmers to enable sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in the Leh region.

NMSHE is one of the eight missions beneath the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

It was launched in 2010 however used to be formally authorised with the aid of the government in 2014. It is a multi-pronged, cross-cutting mission across more than a few sectors.

It contributes to the sustainable development of the united states of america via improving the perception of climate change, its in all likelihood influences and adaptation moves required for the Himalayas- a place on which a big percentage of India’s population depends for sustenance.

APSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for APSC Prelims and APSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by APSC Notes are as follows:-

For any doubt, Just leave us a Chat or Fill us a querry