Roorkee / Dehradun (The Hawk): <a href="https://www.iitr.ac.in/Main/pages/_en_Indian_Institute_of_Technology_Roorkee__en_.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee</a>&nbsp;(IITRoorkee) and Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in Training, Education, Research, and Deployment by creating a collaborative arrangement, whereby the institutions may participate in collaborative teaching, training, research and other agreed activities to develop the relationship between the two institutes.The agreement outlines joint submission of research and development projects under the call of a proposal from different government &amp; non-government funding organizations for promoting rural infrastructures and livelihoods enhancement of rural communities, training, and workshops on Himalayan sustainable development. Both the institutes agreed upon conducting joint training programme on various natural issues viz., recently developed techniques in water resources management and Agriculture Development, Food Security, Agriculture Security, Livelihood Security, Drinking Water Security, Energy Security, Natural Hazards, Climate, among others. The agreement also facilitates the exchange of staff and students for joint research.HESCO&nbsp;derives inspiration from the villages and devises solutions for their problems. It helps them focus on their economic and development needs and encourages them to tap local resources that open up new avenues to self-reliance. For the last 35 years, Dr. Anil Joshi and his team members of HESCO have been applying knowledge of the environmental sciences and simple technologies to bring consistent development to the rural villages of the Himalayas.Dr. Anil Joshi, Founder of HESCO, said,""HESCO is desirous and positive towards having association with IIT Roorkee. The knowledge generated by IIT Roorkee will be communicated by HESCO to empower community organization for socio-economic independence. It will be an exemplary association that will help develop participatory research on various community need technology like agriculture, water and sanitation, and energy for Himalayan rural communities.”&nbsp;Prof. Ajit K Chaturvedi, Director, IIT Roorkee,highlighted,&nbsp;"The proposed collaboration between IIT Roorkee and HESCO will promote better management of water resources and targeted development of agriculture for the sustainable progress of rural communities in the Himalayan region."

 Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITRoorkee) and Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation in Training, Education, Research, and Deployment by creating a collaborative arrangement, whereby the institutions may participate in collaborative teaching, training, research and other agreed activities to develop the relationship between the two institutes.

IIT Roorkee and Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization to jointly facilitate Collaborative Training, Education and Research

New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday underlined the significance of technology transformation, which she said, was the main reason behind ensuring good governance in India. Speaking on the topic "Technology, Finance and Governance: The Multiplier Effect" at the John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, the Finance Minister said, "Good governance in India is being achieved through technology transformation, especially in the last two years." It has also helped in scaling and integration of micro, small and medium enterprises in India, the Finance Minister said. She told the gathering that after overcoming initial hesitation, people in India and especially in rural areas, adopted technology. In India, Sitharaman said, electricity supply is erratic, however, between 2014 and 2019, the (NDA) Government worked on providing electricity in villages and also to each rural household. Once this was achieved, Sitharaman said that the next step was providing optic fibre to all panchayats across the country. Today, she informed 80 per cent of panchayats have optic fibre connectivity. The open source network created by the Government had helped small businesses, Sitharaman informed the select gathering of students and faculty members. She also explained how the open network for digital commerce (ONDC), had helped in transforming trade and commerce and bank account aggregators have changed the dynamics of digital banking and commerce. Digital payment interfaces like UPI are now being accepted in several countries, the Finance Minister said and even tax assessment as well as tax collection is being done online. "These (UPI interfaces) are public goods and are affordable," Sitharaman said, while highlighting the technological transformation in India.&nbsp;
—IANS

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday underlined the significance of technology transformation, which she said, was the main reason behind ensuring good governance in India.

 Technological transformation has led to good governance: FM

Shimla (The Hawk): The Belletristic Shoolini Literary Society at Shoolini University organised a session on film studies. The main speaker of the session was Professor Manju Jaidka, Dean Faculty of Liberal Arts and Ancient Indian Wisdom, Shoolini Univrsity, she delivered an insightful session on film studies.
Dr Purnima Bali began the session with a welcome note and introduction of the speaker, which was followed by Prof Manju Jaidka's captivating presentation. She explained that controversy, passive viewing, and some invisible factors behind the film could all be challenges for film studies. To tackle the challenges, Professor Jaidka informed the audience that they should be familiar with the ongoing discussions of the film and come up with fresh observations. She also addressed the four processes for film studies: summary, evaluation, analysis, and synthesis.
Prof. Jaidka also shared that reading a film requires understanding the story we perceive and how it unfolds on the big screen, as well as recognising the formal elements that comprise film language. Prof. Nasser added that film studies are a mixed study of film history, production, culture, and so on. Dr. Nisha Kapoor questioned why Indian films focused more on actions, violence, and darkness. Dr. Navreet Kaur Sahi inquired about the difference between film and television adaptations. The discussion progressed with insightful observations by Prof. Tejnath Dhar, Dr. Siddarth Dadhwal, and Mr. Neeraj Pizar. Dr. Purnima Bali concluded the session with a vote of thanks and the announcement of the upcoming Belletristic sessions.

The Belletristic Shoolini Literary Society at Shoolini University organised a session on film studies. The main speaker of the session was Professor Manju Jaidka, Dean Faculty of Liberal Arts and Ancient Indian Wisdom, Shoolini Univrsity,  she delivered an insightful session on film studies.

Session On Film Studies Held At Shoolini University

Chandigarh (The Hawk): Chandigarh:School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh commenced its Campus Placement Drive in the month of May and the students have bagged several job offers from media organizations including Advertising, Public Relations, Corporate Communications besides Print and Electronic Media. Dr. Bhavneet Bhatti, Chairperson, School of Communication Studies, informed that five students form the SCS have been placed with the Trident Group under the profile of Corporate Communications with a 12 LPA package. She further informed that Mr. Rajinder Gupta, Chairman, Trident Group visited SCS and interacted with faculty members and students during the Placement Drive.
The successful completion of the placement drive highlighted a rigorous process of 3-round interviews and group discussion. Farheen Sheikh, Raghav, Sakshi Chauhan, Susnato Sengupta, and Simarjot Kaur are meritorious students of the School of Communication Studies who bagged the offer. Five more students have bagged an offer from Fuzion PR PVT Ltd as senior PR executives. Many students have qualified to last round of interviews with companies like JWT, TV 18 to name a few.

Chandigarh:School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh commenced

Placement Drive At The School Of Communication Studies, PU

Vijay Garg 
Students get hooked on computational studies easily as it is versatile and offers numerous opportunities to solve problems across various fields
In today’s digital age, people from every walk of life are familiarising themselves with computing in some form or the other. Much like reading and writing, computing is being adopted as a fundamental tool for finding solutions to everyday problems.&nbsp;
Computing devices gained popularity and burgeoned into widely used tools to solve personal and industrial problems in the 21st century. Efforts are being made globally to adopt digital gadgets in K 12 and Higher education curricula to enable problem-solving via digital tools. In India, the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) also emphasises the same.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Computational study is often confused with computer programming. Computer studies is a thought process, whereas computer programming involves the mastery of programming languages to logically implement solutions.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
According to Jeannette Wing (2000), Computational Thinking is a process that enables us to take a complex problem, understand it and develop possible solutions that a computer, human, or both, can understand.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Hemmendinger (2010) referred to computational studies as a method that teaches students to think like an economist, a physicist, or an artist, to understand how computation can be leveraged to solve their problems. Moreover, it nurtures creativity and curiosity to explore new questions and delve deep into understanding its intricacies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Students get hooked on computational studies easily as it is versatile and offers numerous opportunities to solve problems across various fields, including Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, Economics, Management, and Social Sciences.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Computational studies provide a platform for students to implement solutions that are crafted from computational thinking. This virtual environment is safer, faster, and more cost-effective than traditional laboratory experiments. Students immerse themselves in this exciting field of study and enjoy tackling new challenges as it offers them the opportunity to experience contemporary technologies.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Several universities have introduced Computational Thinking concepts to students from different branches of study such as Data Science, Psychology, Economics, Management, and Design. Students are encouraged to identify complex problems from a domain of their interest. The concepts absorbed in Computational Thinking are applied to understand the problem and develop possible solutions in a way that a computer, a human, or both, can understand its implementation. Moreover, students are introduced to an open-source environment to build digital products using tools such as 3D models, Augmented Reality, Chat Bots, Web page development software, Face tracking software, Image tracking software, and IoT tools to implement solutions. Some interesting problems solved by students include supply chain optimi-sation, searching for a bus in the stand and employing Vitruvian Man golden ratio to design a logo, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Computational thinking is an essential skill for students to develop as it promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, logical reasoning, creativity, and innovation. It also supports technology and data literacy, prepares students for the future workforce, supports scientific discovery creates an urge to reach out for social good and enhances learning across domains. Moreover, it is a fun and engaging way for students to learn!
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;—The Hawk Features

Students get hooked on computational studies easily as it is versatile and offers numerous opportunities 

Why Computer Studies Is Gaining Popularity

Varanasi (UP): Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is all set to start a postgraduate specialised course in 'Kashi Studies' from the next academic session.  The course will include the ancient city's history, festivals, fairs, culture, religious significance, way of living, ghats, temples, political and social journey and Kashi's importance in India's freedom struggle.
Prof Kaushal Kishore Mishra, former dean of the faculty of social sciences, said, “In its recently held meeting, the Academic Council of BHU passed six new courses, including one on 'Kashi Studies'. These are self-finance courses of the department of history.”  He further said, “It is the inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's love for Varanasi that has taken the shape of a PG course in BHU.”
Mishra has played an important role in framing the courses.  The other new courses approved by the academic council include Malviya Studies, Diaspora and Global Studies, History of Science and Science Policy, Asian Studies, and Archival Studies and Management.  "We have prepared a full course on Kashi Studies under the history department. Under the course, students will study everything about Kashi in detail. People particularly in foreign countries want to know about Kashi due to its increasing importance at the global level and its transformation and development as a hub of religious tourism,” said Prof Mishra.  He added that the students opting for the course will have history as their subject and ‘Kashi Studies’ as a specialisation course.
—IANS

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is all set to start a postgraduate specialised course in 'Kashi Studies' from the next academic session.

BHU to start specialised course in ‘Kashi Studies’

Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is all set to start a postgraduate specialised course in 'Kashi Studies' from the next academic session.


Tokyo [Japan]: Predation is a driving force in the evolution of anti-predator defences, and death faking, or immobility in reaction to dangers, is a widespread defensive strategy shared by many animal species. While this behaviour can improve an individual's chances of survival by diminishing a predator's interest, it also has drawbacks, such as less possibilities for eating and reproduction. Okayama University in Japan has explored how pheromones, crucial chemical cues that impact feeding and reproduction, can influence death-feigning behaviour in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum.
These findings were published in the Journal of Ethnology.  “Male beetles release an aggregation pheromone called 4,8-dimethyldecanal (DMD), which attracts both males and females, aiding in successful foraging and mating. However, it remained unclear whether this pheromone could affect the duration of death feigning in these beetles,” said Professor Takahisa Miyatake from the Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Japan, who led the study. Prof. Miyatake collaborated with colleagues Motoya Ishikawa and Kentarou Matsumura from the same department on this study.  The team used a population of T. castaneum that had undergone artificial selection for death-feigning duration for more than 40 generations. The study encompassed two distinct experimental schedules. In the first, beetles were initially exposed to the pheromone, following which their death-feigning duration was measured.
In the second schedule, beetles were first evaluated for their death-feigning duration without the presence of the pheromone, and subsequently, the duration was measured with the pheromone introduced. In both scenarios, the researchers meticulously compared the death-feigning durations between the treatments. The team found that T. castaneum beetles exposed to the DMD pheromone exhibited significantly shorter durations of death feigning compared to their counterparts that were not exposed to the pheromone. This discovery suggests that the mere presence of the aggregation pheromone played a pivotal role in shaping the behaviour of these beetles, causing them to curtail their protracted death feigning. Interestingly, while previous research has primarily focused on the triggers for initiating death feigning, little has been known so far about what cues awaken individuals from this state. The study suggests that aggregation pheromones, like DMD, may serve as one of these awakening factors. This adaptive response allows individuals to save precious time and increase their chances of survival when predators lose interest. Furthermore, the study brought to light the potential sex-related differences in death-feigning behaviour. Previous studies have already indicated that both male and female adult red flour beetles exhibit a strong attraction to DMD, with males even intensifying DMD release upon sensing it. Remarkably, during this investigation, researchers noted that males tended to have a longer duration of death feigning when compared to females. This observation raises intriguing questions about how the sexes allocate their time and energy, particularly in the context of dispersal and reproductive activities. "Our study suggests that T. castaneum possesses the capacity to adapt its death-feigning duration when it detects the presence of an aggregation pheromone. This represents a remarkable example of behavioural plasticity in response to external chemical cues, as shown by previous studies. This may offer valuable insights into the intricate world of animal instincts, potentially paving the way for further exploration in the future," concluded Prof. Miyatake.
—ANI

Predation is a driving force in the evolution of anti-predator defences, and death faking, or immobility in reaction to dangers

Pheromones impact fake behaviour in beetles: Study

Itanagar: Scientists have discovered a new species of 'music frog' in Arunachal Pradesh.
The speciality of this new species of frog (Nidirana noadihing) is that both the male and female are vocal, they said.  'This newly discovered frog has a unique call pattern consisting of two-three notes. Initially, we heard the call from a marsh near the Noa-Dihing river, which is quite similar to wild duck species, which we never heard before,' the scientists said in an article published in the November 15 edition of the journal Zootaxa.  Scientists Bitupan Boruah, V Deepak and Abhijit Das said they conducted field surveys in Changlang and Lohit districts of the northeastern state between August and September last year during which they discovered the frog, which grows up to 6cm and is characterised by a pale cream-coloured line on the mid-body.  Nestled within vegetation in shallow pools of water, the scientists found male frogs with 'robust' bodies calling loudly. Other specimens were heard from nearby marshy areas, the edges of a newly constructed pond and the side of a nearby road, they said in the article.  The scientists said that they have collected five of the Noa-Dihing Music Frogs — three males and two females.  The new species was named after the Noa-Dihing River, which is near where the specimens were discovered and collected.  The frog has a 'robust' body, with males measuring between approximately 1.8 inches and 2.3 inches long and females measuring between about 2.4 inches and 2.6 inches long, they said.  The frogs have a 'rounded' snout and 'smooth' skin with bony protrusions on their backs. The amphibians have a 'pale cream' line bordered with dark brown running down the centre of their bodies. Their light brown limbs are adorned with dark stripes.  According to the scientists, the new species confirmed for the first time that the Nidirana genus has been found in India. Nidirana species are known in Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.  The amphibians have 'irregular shaped and sized spots' on their eyelids and they have dark stripes around their moderately large eyes. Their pupils are gold-rimmed. Their irises are dark brown and have a golden spackle.  The frogs' throat, forelimbs, thighs and lower legs are light brown and pinkish, according to the study. Their groin and the outside of their thighs are pale yellow with irregular dark olive patches, and their cream-coloured chest and belly have a golden tinge.  Nidirana are known to inhabit swamps, ponds and paddy fields, and they often construct nests to lay their eggs, the study said.  Noa-Dihing Music Frogs are distinguished from other species by their size, their oval toe tips, the tubercles on their backs and their unique call, researchers said.  The discovery of a new species validates the presence of the genus Nidirana from India and emphasises the importance of exploring specialized habitats such as marshlands, which are often overlooked, the scientists observed.
—PTI

Scientists have discovered a new species of 'music frog' in Arunachal Pradesh.

Scientists discover new species of 'music frog' in Arunachal

Bengaluru: The Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment payload onboard India's Aditya-L1 satellite has commenced its operations and is performing normally, ISRO said on Saturday.
ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C57) on September 2 had successfully launched the Aditya-L1 spacecraft, from the second launch pad of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.  Aditya-L1 is the first Indian space-based observatory to study the Sun from a halo orbit around first Sun-earth Lagrangian point (L1), which is located roughly 1.5 million km from Earth.  In a statement, ISRO said Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX) comprises two cutting-edge instruments "the Solar Wind Ion Spectrometer (SWIS) and SupraThermal and Energetic Particle Spectrometer (STEPS). The STEPS instrument was operational on September 10, 2023. The SWIS instrument was activated on November 2, 2023, and has exhibited optimal performance."  "SWIS, utilising two sensor units with a remarkable 360° field of view each, operates in planes perpendicular to one another," the statement read.  According to ISRO, the instrument has successfully measured solar wind ions, primarily protons and alpha particles.  A sample energy histogram acquired from one of the sensors over two days in November 2023 illustrates variations in proton and alpha particle (doubly ionized helium, He2+) counts, the agency said.
"These variations were recorded with nominal integration time, providing a comprehensive snapshot of solar wind behaviour," ISRO said.  The directional capabilities of SWIS enable precise measurements of solar wind protons and alphas, contributing significantly to addressing longstanding questions about solar wind properties, underlying processes, and their impact on Earth, the space agency explained.  "The change in the proton and alpha particle number ratio, as observed by SWIS, holds the potential to provide indirect information about the arrival of Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point L1," ISRO said.  Enhanced alpha-to-proton ratio is often regarded as one of the sensitive markers of the passage of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) at the L1 and hence considered crucial for space weather studies.
—PTI

The Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment payload onboard India's Aditya-L1 satellite has commenced its operations and is performing normally

Solar wind particle experiment payload onboard Aditya-L1 starts operations: ISRO

Dec 30 (The Hawk): There is no doubt that medical science has made a lot of progress. The number of discoveries that have been made in this field have hardly been made in any other field. The findings of medical science have mostly been proven correct. Whether it is new drugs to save life-threatening diseases or surgery with robot technology, medical science has touched the heights. Every year lakhs of kids try their luck to become a doctor by giving NEET entrance test. There is no doubt that Medical education is a very expensive education. If it is called the most expensive education in India, then there is no mistake. Costing crores of rupees to become a doctor has become a trivial matter. First MBBS and after that post graduation studies cost lakhs of rupees. One thing is as clear as glass that a poor man cannot make his children doctors, same is the case with middle class families. Even if their children are very bright, now the money crunch shatters their dream. The medical Education has remained only for the children of rich people. A doctor's child definitely thinks of becoming a doctor and his doctor parents also encourage him to go into his field. The salary and allowances of senior doctors in our country are much higher than that of junior doctors. It is natural that the children of senior doctors are able to complete this education financially. Earlier, senior doctors used to run their own private clinics or hospitals along with government jobs due to which their economic status was quite high was correct to an extent. But the Punjab government has enforced that a government doctor cannot run a private clinic or hospital while on duty. The result of which was that many doctors resigned from their government jobs and gave priority to running their own private clinics or hospitals. The largest government medical university in Punjab is Baba Farid University, Faridkot, along with Guru Gobind Singh Medical College, where medical students are admitted. Neither are college studentsDuring the conversation, it was learned that one has to face many hardships to become a doctor. After explaining in detail, it was learned that many children who are studying medicine become mentally ill. They lose heart, as a result they try to keep themselves calm by taking drugs. This is very worrying. That student believed that MBBS. The fee is the highest in Punjab, while the health system of Punjab is underdeveloped, in such a situation, the government can reduce the fees and maximize Children should be motivated for medicine. He said that professors put pressure on children. If ragging is happening in the college, then the college management is unaware of it or has become careless on purpose. This should also be considered. If seen, government hospitals are running on the heads of junior doctors. Along with 24-hour rigorous duty, they also do rigorous post-graduation studies. Governments are not unaware of this. A good doctor can become only if he gets a comfortable environment or some kind of training There will be no pressure on S. If this continues, in the near future children and parents will be seen avoiding medical studies. A student who has become a doctor by spending close to crores of money will somehow work to add to his hard-spent money. Then people like us address doctors as robbers. In 2018, the fee was directly reduced from four lakh to nine lakh. If we take the cost of the hostel, then the cost reaches about fifteen lakh. The reason behind all these is less availability of seats.During a study, it has been found that 25 children taking coaching at Kota have committed suicide in 2023 as compared to last ten years. Which is very high compared to other years. The direct reason for which has come to light is the pressure of studies and heavy expenses incurred during studies. Another study shows that 13 thousand students committed suicide in 2021. The reason for this was the pressure of studies. If the government wants to improve the welfare system of the state, doctors should be recruited, that too by paying good salaries. Doctors who do not pay their debts Can perform without any other greed.  —Vijay Garg Retired Principal Educational Columnist Malout.

There is no doubt that medical science has made a lot of progress. The number of discoveries that have been made in this field

A doctor becomes a doctor after going through countless trials and tribulations 

Sriharikota (AP): ISRO is set to welcome the new year with the launch of its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite that would offer insights into celestial objects like black holes, onboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket on Monday.
The launch comes after the success of its Gaganyaan Test Vehicle D1 mission in October. The PSLV-C58 rocket, in its 60th mission, would carry primary payload XPoSat and 10 other satellites to be deployed in low earth orbits. The 25-hour countdown commenced on Sunday for the lift-off scheduled at 9.10 am from the first launch pad at this spaceport, located about 135 kms east of Chennai, on January 1.  “The countdown commenced for PSLV-C58 at 8.10 am today,” ISRO sources said. The X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is aimed to investigate the polarisation of intense X-ray sources in space.
According to ISRO, it is the first dedicated scientific satellite from ISRO to carry out research in space-based polarisation measurements of X-ray emission from celestial sources. Besides ISRO, the US-based National Aeronautics Space Agency (NASA) conducted a similar study -- the Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer mission in December 2021 on the remnants of supernova explosions, the particle streams emitted by black holes and other cosmic events.  While space-based X-ray astronomy has been established in India focusing on imaging, and time domain studies, Monday's mission marks a major value-addition to the scientific fraternity, the space agency said.  The objective of the PSLV-C58 mission includes measuring polarisation of X-rays in the energy band 8-30 keV emanating from about 50 potential cosmic sources, to carry out long term spectral and temporal studies of cosmic x-ray sources.  The X-Ray polarisation serves as a crucial diagnostic tool for examining the radiation mechanism and geometry of celestial sources. The primary payload of XPoSat is POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-Rays) which is designed to measure polarimetry parameters by Raman Research Institute and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing) built by the U R Rao Satellite Centre, Bengaluru. The Mission life is about 5 years.  The space-based study of X-Ray polarisation is gaining utmost importance internationally, and in this context, the XPoSat mission would play a significant role, ISRO added.  XPoSat is anticipated to bring substantial benefits to the Astronomy community globally. Apart from its capability of timing and spectroscopy-based observations, the insights derived from X-ray polarisation measurements on celestial objects like black holes, neutron stars, and active galactic nuclei, hold the potential to significantly improve the understanding of their physics.  The mission is poised to play a pivotal role in building expertise in X-Ray polarimetry in India, providing a foundation for future advancements and fostering a collaborative network within the astronomy community.  The 44.4-meter-tall PSLV rocket would first deploy the primary satellite into a 650 km Low Earth Orbit around 21 minutes after lift-off and later the scientists would bring the satellite to a lower altitude of about 350 km by restarting the fourth stage of the vehicle, for conducting the PSLV Orbital Experimental Module-3 (POEM-3) experiment.  It may be recalled that the space agency conducted a similar scientific experiment using POEM-2 in the PSLV-C55 mission in April 2023. The rocket that will fly is the PSLV-DL variant which has a lift-off mass of 260 tonnes.  The fourth stage is configured as a 3-axis stabilized Orbital platform for conducting experiments. The payloads are Radiation Shielding Experiment Module by TakeMe2Space, Women Engineered Satellite by LBS Institute of Technology for Women, BeliefSat (an amateur radio satellite) built by K J Somaiya Institute of Technology, Green Impulse Transmitter by Inspecity Space Labs Pvt Ltd, LEATTD -- Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Technologies Technology Demonstrator by Dhruva Space Pvt Ltd, RUDRA 0.3HPGP and ARKA 200 developed by Bellatrix Aerospace Pvt Ltd, Dust Experiment (DEX) built by PRL, ISRO and Fuel Cell Power System and Si based High Energy cell built by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
—PTI

ISRO is set to welcome the new year with the launch of its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite that would offer insights into celestial objects

ISRO to usher in 2024 with launch of dedicated scientific satellite to study black holes

New Delhi (The Hawk): The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) has launched 'SMART 2.0' (Scope for Mainstreaming Ayurveda Research among Teaching professionals) program to promote robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda academic institutions/hospitals across the country through mutual collaboration. According to Prof (Vd) Rabinarayan Acharya, DG, CCRAS, the study aims at safety, tolerability and adherence to Ayurveda formulations in the priority research areas of Bal Kasa, Malnutrition, Insufficient lactation, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding, Osteoporosis in post-menopausal women and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) II. CCRAS is an apex organization for the formulation, co-ordination, development and promotion of research on scientific lines in Ayurveda, functioning under the Ministry of Ayush. The objective of ‘SMART 2.0’ is to generate a tangible evidence to demonstrate efficacy and safety of Ayurveda interventions using interdisciplinary research methods and translating it into public health care. Under the ‘SMART 1.0’, around 10 diseases were covered with the active participation of teaching professionals from 38 colleges. Ayurveda academic institutions interested to take-up collaborative research activities may submit 'Expression of Interest’ in the prescribed format available on the CCRAS website http://ccras.nic.in/sites/default/files/Notices/02012024_SMART.pdf . The information or a query may be sent across to the email of ccrassmart2.0[at]gmail[dot]com with a copy to president.boa@ncismindia.org on or before 10th January.

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) along with National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) 

‘SMART 2.0’ Launched For Ayurveda Teaching Professionals

Nelson Mandela once commented, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Over the past few years, there has been a notable shift in the landscape of education, emphasizing its pivotal role in shaping individuals physically, intellectually, and morally. Education is seen as a liberating force, breaking the chains of darkness and bigotry. Recently, there has been a concerted effort to integrate real-life experiments of democracy, environmental awareness, globalization, and governance into the framework of the new education system.  The intellectual establishment plays a crucial role in providing theoretical rationale and strategies for educational advancements. It is imperative to explore how innovations in higher education can drive positive changes, instil confidence among the masses, and disseminate the latest global research and developments in education. This discourse aims to delve into the multifaceted aspects of the evolving higher education system, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and growth.  The strength of any higher education system lies in creating internal dynamism to ensure inclusive growth. Even a well-designed system is influenced by the individuals who make a difference. Human and financial relations are intricate matters that require constant monitoring by competent authorities. In India, universities are encouraged to improve their performance by transitioning towards a more merit-based, peer-reviewed research approach, aligning with the goal of establishing a highly efficient and inclusive educational apparatus.  The New Education Policy (NEP) has provided a framework to analyze and address multidimensional issues in the education sector, offering opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. These guidelines aim to meet the key demands of higher education while maintaining a synergy between various stakeholders. The constant monitoring of the education sector by authorities is crucial for growth, especially in changing circumstances.  Acknowledging the gravity of challenges faced by higher education, it is essential to address concerns related to competition, comparison, and personal greed, which may lead to manipulation and shortcuts. The right to freedom of expression in democratic societies has been debated extensively, and recent developments in the academic world present new challenges and competition.  The efforts by the University Grants Commission (UGC) have introduced fair practices and policies consistent with present circumstances. Reforms in the examination system are aimed at ensuring that only talent prevails, fostering an environment that supports academic excellence.  The NEP's emphasis on exploring domestic underpinnings, gender sensitization, and addressing the concerns of marginalized communities through Special Education Zones is commendable. Provisions such as Multidisciplinary Education and Research Universities (MERUs), the National Research Foundation, the National Educational Technology Forum, and the Indian Institutes of Translation and Interpretation create an environment for students to excel globally. These initiatives also highlight the importance of social responsibility.  The NEP encourages a new approach that provides a clear path for students interested in Security Studies, offering opportunities to learn new techniques. The provisions under NEP ensure the collaborative creation of ideas, providing insights into even the most complex issues.  At various educational levels, the NEP's approach involves mentors fully engaging in new techniques and developing challenging strategies to meet the needs of all students. To enhance students' standards, there is an imperative need for self-academic orientation and excellence, fostering problem-solving and inquiry-based learning activities. Introducing a new syllabus can provide a deeper insight into strategic and security-related affairs, offering a roadmap for foolproof encountering strategies. This approach addresses issues such as the rise of terrorism, its causes, and the funding nexus between organised crime and terrorism.  The NEP's vision is to make India competitive in the field of Strategic education, attracting aspiring academicians and students. By providing multidisciplinary fervour, students will have wider exposure and opportunities for comparative studies, enriching analytical and theoretical rationale for crisis management in India.  As India faces myriad security challenges, there is an urgent need to address these issues on the international stage. The NEP's input will undoubtedly make each discipline richer in content and varied in ideas, providing a holistic educational experience. Even science students will be exposed to the nuances of international, national, socio-political, and economic issues through multidisciplinary practices. The ingenious display of this government's approach demonstrates a pure genius that promises to reshape the educational landscape. 
—Vijay GarG Retired Principal Educational columnist malout&nbsp;

Discover the transformative impact of the New Education Policy (NEP) on higher education—innovations, reforms, and inclusivity strategies reshaping academic excellence

NEP is fostering inclusivity and merit-based research to address security challenges and encouraging multidisciplinary practices

Haridwar (The Hawk): Faculty of Management Studies, Gurukul Kangri Sam Vishwavidyalaya organized a two-day national seminar on National Education Policy 2020: Towards Management Holistic Education sponsored by ICSSR in the auditorium of the Faculty. Seminar Director Professor VK Singh said that a total of 292 registrations were received in the seminar including foreign countries. 58 participants presented their research papers in the seminar. A panel of experts from diverse fields addressed the students on the NEP 2020. The welcome program was presided over by Professor Omnath Vimli of Delhi University and Professor SC Bagdi was the note speaker of the program. Shedding light on the Indian knowledge tradition, Shri Somdev Shatanshu, Vice chancellor of Gurukul Kangri University expressed said that Swami Shradhanand had already incorporated the holistic approach to education introducing the Vedic values in education when he started the university. NEP 2020 also talks about the holistic development of the individual. The program was conducted by Dr. Indu Gautam and Dr. Anil Dangwal. On this occasion, Prof. Surekha Rana, Prof. Bindu Arora, Dr. Poonam Painuli, Dr. Ashima Garg, Dr. Rajul Bhardwaj, Dr. Mithilesh Pandey, Dr. Ratnesh Shukla, Dr. Kapil Pandey and Dr. Harshit Chaudhary and others were present. Research scholars Shreya Arora, Subhash Arora, Shubham Saxena, Yogita Rajput, Nilakshi, Krishna Gupta, Komal Nagar, Mayank Chauhan, Tushar Dhiman, Tanya Tyagi, Ruby Kaushik, Shikha Goyal, Yamini Rani, Shivangi Thakur played the main role in the cultural program, registration work, technical work, film work, report work, food arrangements, stage arrangements. Nagendra Rana, Praveen Kumar, Sanjay Lad, Deepanshu Singh, Pravesh, Manoj, Sunil and Raja from the faculty were involved in the arrangements of the program.

Gurukul Kangri for a seminar on NEP 2020, featuring 292 participants, expert panels, and a focus on holistic education.

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