Lekhak

On 3rd January 2025 , the Prime Minister paid heartfelt tributes to Savitribai Phule on the occasion of her 193rd birth anniversary , commemorating her pioneering role in shaping India's education system, especially for women and marginalized communities. Early Life and Education Born on 3rd January 1831 in Satara, Maharashtra , Savitribai hailed from the marginalized Mali community . Despite the prevailing social norms of the time, she married Jyotirao Phule , a progressive social reformer who became instrumental in her education. Savitribai enrolled in two teacher's training programs—one under Cynthia Farrar , an American missionary, in Ahmednagar , and another at the Normal School in Pune . Revolutionary Contributions Education for Women : In 1848 , Savitribai founded the first school for girls in Pune, a monumental step in promoting education among girls in a society resistant to change. Over time, the Phules established and ran 18 schools , advancing education for wome...

  A remarkable discovery of dinosaur footprints at Dewars Farm Quarry in Oxfordshire, UK , has unveiled a significant window into the Middle Jurassic Period , around 166 million years ago . The site, now famously dubbed the "dinosaur highway," boasts hundreds of fossilized tracks, providing rare insight into the creatures that roamed the Earth during this era. Key Findings from the Site The footprints discovered at Dewars Farm include those of Sauropods and Theropods , indicating a vibrant prehistoric ecosystem. Among the most notable: Sauropods : These massive herbivores, including species like Cetiosaurus , could reach lengths of up to 60 feet . Their tracks highlight their slow-moving nature as they traversed vast landscapes in search of vegetation. Megalosaurus : A 30-foot carnivorous dinosaur , Megalosaurus left behind triple-claw prints , providing valuable evidence of its hunting and locomotion patterns. These footprints provide crucial information about the behav...

Human Metapneumovirus  A recent surge in respiratory illnesses in China has raised concerns, with many attributing the uptick to Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) . However, despite media coverage and growing public concern, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not classified this as a new pandemic or issued any emergency warnings related to HMPV. About HMPV Discovery : HMPV was first identified in 2001 by researchers in the Netherlands as a cause of acute respiratory infections , showing symptoms similar to those of influenza and Covid-19 . Global Presence : HMPV is not confined to China; it is found worldwide and is classified as a common respiratory pathogen . It is part of the Pneumoviridae family , which also includes Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) , measles , and mumps . Currently, there is no vaccine available for HMPV. Symptoms and Transmission Common Symptoms : Cough Fever Sore throat Runny nose Wheezing These symptoms usually resolve within 2-5 days in most cases. ...

On 4th January 2025 , the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) celebrated its 40th Foundation Day , marking four decades of fostering India's scientific and industrial development. About DSIR DSIR was established on 4th January 1985 through a Presidential Notification , operating under the Ministry of Science and Technology . It was created under the 164th Amendment of the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961 . Since its inception, DSIR has focused on promoting indigenous technology development, utilization, and transfer , playing a pivotal role in India's progress toward self-reliance in science and technology. Key Functions and Oversight DSIR oversees several crucial institutions: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) Central Electronics Ltd (CEL) In addition to these, DSIR also supports the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT) under the United Na...

Celebrated on 4th January , World Braille Day marks the birth of Louis Braille , the visionary French inventor of the Braille system, a tactile script that revolutionized access to written information for the blind and visually impaired. Louis Braille's Life and Vision Louis Braille (1809–1852) was born in France , and tragically lost his sight at the tender age of three due to an accident. At the age of ten, Braille earned a scholarship to the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, where he would go on to develop the Braille system, drawing inspiration from an early system called "night writing." The "Night Writing" System In 1815, Charles Barbier de la Serre , a French army captain, created the "night writing" system. This was a form of tactile communication using 12 raised dots , designed for soldiers to communicate covertly in the dark. Braille, noticing its potential, refined this concept and reduced it to 6 raised dots , creating a much mor...

 Recently, the Supreme Court of India delivered a landmark judgment affirming that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has the authority to register cases under central laws, such as the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 , against central government employees in states, even in the absence of state consent. This ruling overturned the decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court , which had quashed two First Information Reports ( FIRs ) filed against central government employees due to the lack of consent from the Telangana state government to prosecute them. Understanding State Consent for CBI State Consent refers to the legal requirement for the CBI to obtain permission from the respective state government before conducting investigations within that state's territorial jurisdiction. This is in line with the federal structure outlined in the Indian Constitution , which divides powers between the central and state governments. Legal Basis for State Consent The Delhi Specia...