SMART 2.0 launched for Ayurveda Teaching Professionals (GS Paper 2, Health)
Why in news?
- 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.
- Its purpose is to promote robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda academic institutions/hospitals across the country through mutual collaboration.
Key Highlights:
- 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.
- 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.
About CCRAS:
- 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.
PM inaugurates Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fibre Connection
(GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- Prime Minister in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, inaugurated Kochi-Lakshadweep islands submarine optical fiber connection (KLI-SOFC) project among various developmental projects worth more than Rs. 1,150 crore covering a wide range of sectors including technology, energy, water resources, healthcare and education.
Details:
- The KLI-SOFC project will lead to an increase in internet speed unlocking new possibilities & opportunities. For the first time since independence, Lakshadweep will be connected through Submarine Optic Fibre Cable.
- The dedicated submarine OFC will ensure a paradigm shift in communication infrastructure in the Lakshadweep islands, enabling faster and more reliable internet services, telemedicine, e-governance, educational initiatives, digital banking, digital currency usage, digital literacy etc.
Background:
- The need for digitally connecting the Lakshadweep Islands through a high capacity submarine cable link with the main land has been felt for some time. Earlier, the only means of communication with the Islands was through Satellite medium, which had limited bandwidth capacity and was not able to meet the growing bandwidth demand.
- In the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Cable (KLI) project submarine cable connectivity from Mainland (Kochi) to eleven Lakshadweep Islands namely, Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Chetlet, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Androth, Kiltan, Bangaram and Bitra has been extended.
- The project is funded by Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecommunication.
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was the Project Executing Agency and the work was awarded to M/s NEC Corporation India Pvt Ltd through Global Open Tendering process.
- Major activities related to the project includes Marine Route Survey, Submarine Cable laying, Civil Construction of CLS stations, Installation, Testing and Commissioning of End Terminals (SLTE).
Highlights of the KLI Project:
- Total link distance: 1,868 kilometres.
- Total cost of project: Rs 1072 crore plus taxes.
Benefit of the KLI Project:
- The project will play a significant role in achieving the objective of ‘Digital India’ and ‘National Broadband Mission’ and for rolling out of various e-governance projects of Government of India in Lakshadweep Islands.
- E-Governance, Tourism, Education, Health, Commerce and Industries will get a boost. It will also help in further improvement in standards of living of the people in Island and will accelerate overall social and economic development in these areas.
- Population of Lakshadweep Islands will be provided high speed wireline broadband connectivity.
- High speed broadband will be provided through FTTH and 5G/4G Mobile network.
- The bandwidth created under this project will be available to all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to strengthen their telecom services in the Lakshadweep Islands.
Dhruva Space declares satellite platform launched with PSLV C58 works
(GS Paper 3, Science and Technology)
Why in news?
- Hyderabad-based spacetech startup Dhruva Space has declared space-qualification of its P-30 satellite platform successful.
- The platform was launched as part of the 'Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads - Technology Demonstrator' (LEAP-TD) mission onboard the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C58) POEM-3 mission on January 1 from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.
Details:
- The LEAP-TD mission utilised a derivative of the P-30 satellite platform integrated with ISRO’s PSLV Orbital Experimental Module 3 (POEM-3), facilitating in-orbit scientific experiments using the spent PS4 stage as an orbital platform.
- The POEM system is equipped with standard interfaces and packages for power generation, telemetry, tele-command, stabilization, orbit keeping, and orbit maneuvering, making it suitable for designing, developing, and validating experimental payloads.
Key Highlights:
- This mission successfully validated the P-30 platform and its various subsystems in orbit, including the On-Board Computer, Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Telemetry, Tracking & Command (TT&C) Module, Beacon in UHF, Attitude Control System with a Reaction Wheel from Comat, and Power Distribution Board.
- Confirmation of the mission's success came through the reception of telemetry and beacon data at the Ground Station of the Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology (IIST) in Trivandrum, as well as data received directly from the POEM platform.
- Hosted payloads are portions of a satellite, such as sensors, instruments, or communication transponders, owned by entities other than the primary satellite operator. These payloads operate independently but share the satellite's power supply, transponders, and sometimes ground systems.
Way Forward:
- The accomplishment of the LEAP Technology Demonstrator marks Dhruva Space's readiness to offer hosted payload services to the global market.
