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1. Recently, NCERT included a chapter titled "Veer Abdul Hameed" and a poem "National War Memorial" in the Class VI curriculum. The chapter honors Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hameed, a war hero from the 1965 India-Pakistan War who posthumously received the Param Veer Chakra for his bravery. It aims to inspire patriotism in students. The poem focuses on respect for soldiers who sacrificed their lives, highlighting the National War Memorial inaugurated on February 25, 2019, at India Gate, New Delhi. These changes align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023, promoting holistic education and responsible citizenship.
2. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted "breakthrough device" status to Neuralink's Blindsight, an innovative vision-restoring implant aimed at helping individuals who have lost their sight due to optic nerve damage or were born blind. This designation is intended to expedite the development and review of medical devices for severe conditions. Initially, users may experience low-resolution vision, reminiscent of early video game graphics, but future advancements could enhance this to surpass natural sight. The device may also allow perception of wavelengths beyond the visible spectrum, like infrared and ultraviolet. Additionally, Neuralink is developing technology for paralyzed individuals to control digital devices with their thoughts, reflecting its broader mission to create brain chip interfaces for various disabilities.
3. In 2024, the United Nations will host four major sessions to address critical global threats, including climate change, biodiversity loss, desertification, and plastic pollution. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Cali, Colombia, will assess progress on the 2022 Montreal commitment to protect 30% of land and marine areas by 2030. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, aims to finalize climate finance agreements. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will focus on restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land and managing droughts. Lastly, the Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations in South Korea will work towards establishing a global treaty to combat plastic waste across various environments.
4. The recent surge in ammonium nitrate (AN) imports from Russia has sparked concerns for India's domestic fertilizer industry, which struggles to compete with cheaper foreign alternatives. Indian fertilizer companies are investing over ₹4,000 crore to enhance AN production, crucial for mining coal, iron ore, and limestone. Ammonium nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is a highly soluble white crystalline solid with multiple applications, including as a fertilizer due to its high nitrogen content, in explosives (mixed with fuel oil as ANFO), in instant cold packs, and in safety matches. India is the world's second-largest urea consumer and nitrogenous fertilizer producer, receiving substantial subsidies and relying entirely on imports for potash from countries like Belarus and Russia.
5. The Union Cabinet has recently approved the Biotechnology Research Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development (Bio-RIDE) scheme, aimed at positioning India as a global leader in biotechnology. The initiative seeks to transform India into a USD 300 billion bioeconomy by 2030, aligning with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. With a proposed budget of ₹9,197 crore for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, Bio-RIDE focuses on several key components: it supports biotechnology R&D through grants for innovations in areas like synthetic biology and biopharmaceuticals; nurtures startups with funding and mentorship; and promotes sustainable biomanufacturing practices. Additionally, it emphasizes a circular bioeconomy in line with the Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) initiative, aiming to develop eco-friendly solutions for healthcare, agriculture, and climate change.