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...

 The Ministry of Commerce & Industry recently released the 6th Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024 report, providing an insightful evaluation of India's logistics performance. In conjunction with this, GatiShakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) introduced a new course on the PM GatiShakti Concept for Efficient Infrastructure Planning and National Development , aiming to further enhance India's logistics framework. Key Highlights of the LEADS 2024 Report About the Report LEADS is an annual assessment published by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry with the goal of enhancing inter-state competitiveness and aiding policymakers in improving logistics performance. Conceived in 2018 on the lines of the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) by the World Bank, LEADS has grown to become a crucial tool for identifying areas for reform and investment in India’s logistics sector. Objective The report evaluates logistics performance across India's States and Union Territorie...

 A recent research report by the State Bank of India (SBI) reveals a significant decline in poverty rates across both rural and urban regions of India. This remarkable reduction is attributed to targeted government interventions, improvements in rural infrastructure, and better consumption patterns among lower-income groups. Key Findings of the SBI Report Decline in Poverty Rates Rural Poverty : The poverty rate in rural areas has decreased substantially, from 25.7% in FY12 to just 4.86% in FY24. Urban Poverty : In urban areas, poverty has fallen from 13.7% in FY12 to an estimated 4.09% in FY24. Impact of Government Interventions The report credits several government initiatives for this positive trend, including: Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) : Ensuring that financial support directly reaches the beneficiaries, improving their livelihoods. Infrastructure Development : Strengthening rural infrastructure, which has played a crucial role in reducing consumption inequality. Farmer-Ce...

 On January 1st, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) commemorated its 67th Foundation Day, honoring the legacy of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, known as the Missile Man of India. The event underscored DRDO’s pivotal role in enhancing India's defense capabilities. Key Facts About DRDO Established : DRDO was founded in 1958 by merging the Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army, the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP), and the Defence Science Organisation (DSO). Structure : Initially comprising 10 laboratories, DRDO now operates 41 laboratories and 5 DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs). Mission : DRDO’s mission is to achieve self-reliance in critical defense technologies and systems while equipping the Indian Armed Forces with state-of-the-art weaponry, as per the requirements of all three services. Philosophy : The guiding principle of DRDO is "Balasya Mulam Vigyanam" (Strength lies in science)...

  A recent Lancet study evaluating global progress on the Global Nutrition Targets (GNTs) from 2012 to 2021 has highlighted the slow progress in addressing maternal and child malnutrition, undernutrition, and overweight. The findings underscore concerns regarding policy design and the need for innovative strategies to address these persistent issues. What are Global Nutrition Targets (GNTs)? In 2012, the World Health Assembly endorsed a Comprehensive Implementation Plan on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, which set six global nutrition targets for 2025: Achieve a 40% reduction in the number of children under 5 who are stunted. Achieve a 50% reduction in anaemia in women of reproductive age. Achieve a 30% reduction in low birth weight. Ensure no increase in childhood overweight. Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months to at least 50%. Reduce and maintain childhood wasting to less than 5%. Key Terms Malnutrition : An imbalance between the nutrie...

↳   Large volumes of water erupted from underground in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, attributed to an artesian well. Experts dismissed its connection to the ancient Saraswati River, suggesting the water’s origins from the prehistoric Tethys Sea. What is an Artesian Well? Definition : An artesian well is a type of well where water rises naturally to the surface under pressure, without the need for pumping. This occurs when water is trapped in a confined aquifer under significant pressure. Key Features : Formation : Forms when a well penetrates a confined aquifer, which is sandwiched between impermeable layers like clay or rock. Pressure Mechanism : The water in the confined aquifer is pressurized by the weight of overlying water. When tapped, the pressure forces water to rise to the surface. Water Flow : Flowing artesian wells: Water rises freely if pressure is sufficient. Non-flowing wells: Requires pumping if the pressure is insufficient. Global Examples : Great Artesian Basin (Australia)...

 Singles' Day, or Double 11, has evolved from a day of self-celebration for single individuals in China to the largest shopping event in the world. Initially, it began in 1993 at Nanjing University, where a group of single students chose November 11 (11/11, representing the singularity of the date) to celebrate their independence and embrace their unmarried status. This small-scale, informal "anti-Valentine's" celebration soon became a cultural phenomenon among young people in China. However, it was Alibaba, the Chinese e-commerce giant, that transformed this quirky day into a global retail event. In 2009, Alibaba launched the first Singles' Day shopping promotions on its platforms, Taobao and Tmall. The event was modest initially, with just 27 merchants involved and a total transaction volume of approximately $7 million. But this was just the beginning. By 2012, the sales from Singles' Day surpassed those of Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined, signaling t...

Every year, India observes National Education Day on November 11th, marking the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Minister of Education in independent India. Azad, a prominent leader, scholar, and freedom fighter, is celebrated for his deep contributions to India's educational landscape and his steadfast commitment to national unity. This day is not just an occasion to honor Azad's legacy, but also to reflect on the state of education in India and how far the nation has come in achieving educational equity and progress. Who Was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad? Born in Mecca in 1888, Maulana Azad grew up with a rich intellectual and spiritual heritage. Fluent in several languages, including Arabic, Persian, English, and Hindi, he was deeply influenced by Islamic teachings and Western philosophy. Azad played a key role in India's independence movement, and after independence, he became the first Minister of Education. Serving from 1947 to 1958, his tenure was ma...