Category Archives: Amazing Feats

NATIONAL: HEALTH CARE / CANCER : Group of Oncologists launch Free-of-Cost second opinion Helpline Number for Cancer Patients

The number — 9355520202 — will be operational from 10 am to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday.

A free-of-cost second opinion helpline number for cancer patients has been launched by a group of oncologists under their “Cancer Mukt Bharat Campaign”.

Cancer patients can call on this number to speak to oncologists directly or even do a video call to discuss about their treatment.

It can be accessed by anyone in the country and promises to be a game-changer in the fight against cancer, Dr. Ashish Gupta, who is heading the campaign, said.

“Second opinion is recommended to almost all patients who have been diagnosed with cancer as it is a matter of life and death. It is also important if their condition does not improve despite treatment or if their diagnosis or treatment is in doubt. For cancer treatment, costs may be high and differ from hospital to hospital, so cost is another important reason to get a second opinion,” Gupta said.

The helpline will serve as a valuable resource for individuals faced with the daunting challenge of cancer, offering them the opportunity to consult experienced oncologists without the burden of financial constraints, he said.

The free second opinion helpline will help in ensuring that patients receive the most accurate and up-to-date information about their condition and treatment options, Gupta said.

Sharing the reason behind starting this helpline number, he said there is been a rapid increase in the number of cancer cases in India and there is a dearth of healthcare facilities and healthcare doctors.

In the rapidly evolving field of cancer treatment, where new medicines and innovative therapies are continually emerging, a second opinion becomes invaluable, Gupta said.

“With continuous research, we are witnessing advancements in cancer care that were unimaginable just a few years ago. These breakthroughs translate into better outcomes and improved quality of life for cancer patients. The second opinion helpline ensures that patients can tap into these advancements and receive update on the most effective treatments available,” he said. PTI PLB ANB ANB

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL : DAIRY EXPORTS: In a First, Amul to launch Fresh Milk in US within a week: MD Jayen Mehta

Mehta said fresh milk will be available in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Washington, Dallas and Texas among others.

For the first time, Amul fresh milk will be available outside India, with the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) launching four variants of milk in the US market within a week, to cater to Indian diaspora and Asian population.

“We have been exporting dairy products for many decades. This is the first time we are launching fresh milk outside India,” GCMMF MD Jayen Mehta told PTI.

He said “the GCMMF has tied up with 108-year old cooperative organisation Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) to launch fresh milk in the US market,” The milk collection and processing will be done by MMPA, while GCMMF will do marketing and branding of Amul fresh milk.

“Recipe will be ours. Within one week, Amul Taaza, Amul Gold, Amul Shakti and Amul Slim n Trim will be available in the US market,” he said.

Mehta said fresh milk will be available in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, Washington, Dallas and Texas among others.

GCMMF will target non-resident Indians (NRIs) and the Asian population.

Asked about the selling target, he said GCMMF will focus on branding and marketing for the next 3-4 months.

“We are expecting a good response from customers,” he said.

Mehta said GCMMF would also launch fresh milk products like paneer, curd and butter milk in the near future.

During the 2022-23 fiscal, the turnover of GCMMF stood at around Rs 55,000 crore, up 18.5 per cent from the previous year.

GCMMF is already exporting dairy products in about 50 countries.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: SPACE / MOON LANDING: Chandrayaan 3’s landing site name ‘Shiv Shakti’ gets International Astronomical Union (IAU) recognition

Chandrayaan 3’s moon lander’s landing site was named Shiv Shakti on August 26 by Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 26 had announced that the landing site of Chandrayaan 3’s moon lander would be named Shiv Shakti. Six months later, the internationally recognised body for nomenclature of celestial objects has officially granted it recognition.

International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature on Tuesday approved the name ‘Statio Shiv Shakti’ for the landing site of Chandrayaan’s Vikram lander.

Chandrayaan 3 — India’s moonshot

Chandrayaan 3, India’s third lunar mission, took off from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 14. After about a month, on August 23, the Vikram lander successfully touched down on the moon, along with the Pragyan Rover. This historic achievement positioned India as the first country to land near the lunar South Pole and only the fourth to achieve a controlled lunar landing.

Following 10 days of exploration on the lunar surface, both the lander and rover entered sleep mode. Meanwhile, the propulsion module remains in lunar orbit after separating from the lander.

What is Shiv Shakti point?

On August 26, PM Narendra Modi declared that the landing site of Chandrayaan 3’s moon lander would be named Shiv Shakti .

“In Shiv, there is a resolution for the welfare of humanity, and Shakti gives us strength to fulfil those resolutions,” said Modi, while announcing the name.

The IAU’s Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, where the name was officially published, described it as a compound word from Indian mythology representing the masculine (“Shiva”) and feminine (“Shakti”) duality of nature.

Why are celestial bodies named?

Planetary nomenclature is like naming places on Earth. It helps us identify and talk about specific features on planets and moons. This list, created by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), includes all the names given to different spots on planets, moons, and even some ring systems since 1919. It makes it easier for scientists to locate and describe these places.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / REGIONAL: MEDIA: The Hindu Group wins 06 Awards at WAN-IFRA Digital Media South Asia 2023

The Hindu Made of Chennai, a campaign to celebrate the city, won gold in both ‘best in audience engagement’ and ‘best in native advertising campaign’ categories.  

The Hindu’s projects bagged six of the WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards South Asia 2023 presented at an event recently organised in New Delhi.

The Hindu Made of Chennai, a campaign to celebrate the city, won gold in both ‘best in audience engagement’ and ‘best in native advertising campaign’ categories.

Chennai-A-Maze, an online cryptic crossword challenge, bagged silver in the ‘best in audience engagement’ category. The crossword was rolled out on The Hindu Crossword and website as part of the Made of Chennai campaign for Madras Day (August 22, 2023) for 10 days. The activity was organised along with the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation and was powered by Storytrails, a company that organises story-based walking tours in India.

A ‘Made of Chennai song’ — an audio-visual tribute to the city that was part of the campaign — won a special jury mention in the ‘best use of video’ category. The track reinforced the uniqueness of the coastal city.

The Hindu website won silver in the best news website category. The Hindu’s meta description for news articles using generative artificial intelligence bagged silver under the best use of AI in the newsroom category.

L.V. Navaneeth, Chief Executive Officer of The Hindu Group, said, “With Made of Chennai, we embraced the city’s passion points and crafted engaging activities around them. The resounding success of our campaign underscores our deep understanding of Chennai and its vibrant community. With digital technology, we intend to elevate the user experience on our platforms and foster deep engagement with readers. The Hindu website is reshaping how we deliver top-notch news content, particularly to young audiences. This acknowledgement from WAN-IFRA fuels our drive to elevate the efforts.”

The World Association of News Publishers is the global organisation of the world’s press. Its mission is to protect the rights of journalists and publishers to operate independent media.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: DEFENCE / NAVY: Navy commissions strategically important ‘INS Jatayu’ base in Lakshadweep Islands

INS Jatayu is the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti.

The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned its new base “INS Jatayu” at Minicoy in Lakshadweep islands, enhancing its operational capability and reach in the Indian Ocean region.

INS Jataya is the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti. Minicoy is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, 215 nautical miles southwest of Kochi.

Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar commissioned the new base at a function held in Minicoy. Lakshadweep administrator Praful Patel, Southern Naval Command chief Vice Admiral V Srinivas and Western Naval Command chief Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh were also present.

Jatayu has been commissioned under the command of Commandant Vrat Baghel, according to PTI.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Kumar said the unit was named after Jatayu – the mythical creature in the epic Ramayana who tried to stop the abduction of Sita.

“In the Ramayana, Jatayu was the ‘first responder’, trying to stop the abduction of Sita ji, even to the peril of his own life, exemplifying service before self. So the naming of this unit as Jatayu is an apt recognition of this spirit of providing security surveillance and selfless service,” Kumar was quoted as saying by PTI.

The navy chief added that the information relayed by Jatayu to Lord Ram provided crucial situational awareness.

“Similarly, we expect that this unit will provide situational awareness to the Indian Navy in maintaining good maritime domain awareness of the entire region. INS Baaz to the east in the Andamans and now the INS Jatayu in the west will serve as eyes and ears to the Navy to safeguard our national interest,” he said.

Kumar further added that it was crucial to recognise the requirement for heightened surveillance amidst the prevailing geopolitical developments.

“The Indian Ocean region is witnessing an upsurge in maritime terror, crime, and piracy. The Indian Navy has responded with an assertive posture in the west and north Arabian Sea, undertaking anti-drone, anti-missile, and anti-piracy operations to safeguard merchant traffic in the region,” he said, according to PTI

Patel, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said that the approval for an airstrip at Minicoy is also in its final stages.

He also announced that a 24-hour operational chopper hanger at Kavaratti will start soon and that land has been allotted to set up a radar base in Lakshadweep for the Indian Air Force.

Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep) Captain Lovekesh Thakur told PTI that the Minicoy island is on an important trade route, and having a base with enhanced surveillance capabilities is of great importance to the country.

“Because of the strategic location, specifically Minicoy, it is a place for gathering information on the shipping movement,” Thakur told PTI.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CULTURE / MUSIC: GRAMMYS: ‘I felt extremely proud of my instrument, the bansuri’: Flautist Rakesh Chaurasia on winning two Grammys

“The West likes the sound of this instrument as it gels well with almost any kind of music, be it jazz, rock or even divine music.”

Flautist Rakesh Chaurasia—nephew of legendary flute player Hariprasad Chaurasia — featured with Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain in the album As We Speak, which won two Grammy awards in Best Contemporary Instrumental Album and Best Global Music Performance categories. Chaurasia was in the city recently for the concert Uttar Dakshin held at JNAFAU. CE speaks with him to learn about the Grammy, his musical journey and more

Excerpts from the interview:

What was your initial reaction when you heard your name for Grammy?

Initially, we thought we might get it because big names like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Béla Fleck and Edgar Meyer were part of it. When the nominations were announced, the categories had such good entries that we felt a little nervous about it. But then our names were called out and my reaction was just, wow! Most importantly, I felt that I was taking something for India and felt extremely proud of my instrument, bansuri or the Indian bamboo flute.

The award puts Indian classical music on the global map, especially for the younger generations. How do you view it?

Initially, it was quite difficult to understand the different genres of music and what I could do with my instrument. We had to figure out how to keep everything fluid. The West likes the sound of this instrument as it gels well with almost any kind of music, be it jazz, rock or even divine music. For young people who never thought of playing live classical music in flute, this award is a big encouragement and proves that they can also reach this stage. Provided they work hard and go in the right direction.

Could you tell us about the album that won two grammy awards?

The album is called ‘As We Speak’. Three to four years back, we started touring in the US, Dubai, India and Bangladesh. We started recording some of these performances. What’s special about this album is that it has all live music. It took us two to three days to listen to different versions of these live performancesand select which ones to keep for the album, and got the final 12 songs. Last year, we started to cut the album and then the Grammy happened.

How do you see your journey as a musician?

It was nice and pleasant. From the age of five, I started playing with this instrument, as in, it was my only toy. I took to this instrument because I liked the sound of it. I heard my guru, Hariprasad Chaurasiya ji playing it and practising all day long. I was fascinated when I heard him. I also think it is blessed as it is an instrument of Lord Krishna. It attracts the ears and eyes of the people. I am happy to have been associated with it and the maestros playing it. You get to learn a lot from them. It was challenging also, at the same time. Once you get the confidence, you start enjoying it. You wonder what else you can do from your end to make that piece more beautiful. For a musician, continuous growth is important. One cannot say you have finished your curriculum, and now exams are over. There is always scope for improvisation and for us, the exams’ results are received when people applaud and come to us with appreciation.

You mentioned your guru, Hariprasad Chaurasiya. Could you tell us about your memorable moments with him?

Every second of every day spent with him is memorable for me, be it off stage or on-stage. The behaviour, the way he used to keep himself calm, not getting angry. That is also something to learn because if you are not happy on the day of the performance, it shows in your music. He would be very calm and practice all day long. No wonder, even while watching a film, the flute would be in his hand. He has touched 85 now and has an amazing thought process and power. Whenever we go up to him to learn, he serves us with something new each time.

Carrying forward his legacy—does that feel heavy on your shoulders at times?

Yes, indeed. People have that expectation of listening to something as remarkable as his music, which is all over the world. I don’t think any village or city is left where his music hasn’t reached. In one way, it helps also because people know what they’re going to get. But on other hand, it’s also very intimidating as I have to meet people’s expectations and keep his legacy up to the mark. People might think what else can we do in this field since he has done so much already but there is so much more to explore. We also keep researching on his work. I try to take it in a positive manner.

What comes to mind when you think of Hyderabad?

The first thing that comes to mind is, biryani. The cuisine of Hyderabad. In my earlier days when I went to Charminar, I used to buy a lot of pickles. The city has always been very well known for its pickles. I went to the shop and was surprised to see around 300-400 different kind of them. Then there is Kubani ka meetha, mirchi ka salan, and other amazing things. The next best thing is the audience. The way people appreciate and understand music , is commendable.

How do you see the interest of young generations in classical music?

Nowadays, I see many young people getting attracted to classical music because a lot of things are available on the net. Before coming to the concert or booking a ticket, they do a small research with the artiste’s name and everything is available. They like the sound of the instrument or the chemistry we have on stage with other musicians. What triggers them, we don’t know. But I see lot of young people interested. If your foundation is strong, you can do any kind of music. Legends like Mohammad Rafi sahab, Lata Mangeshkar or Asha Bhonsle ji, they all had a very strong foundation which allowed them to do different things.

Do you also see the same dedication in them as it has been yours towards your music?

It’s a little lacking because of the gadgets. At times, when I see them playing, they tend to get distracted by the notifications on their phones. What happens is that once you get distracted, whatever you have done until then gets wasted. Your mind gets diverted. For music, I think, little dedication and focus is essential.

How do you see the influence of technology and do you think it actually helps music?

In the lockdowns, it really helped. We were doing a lot of virtual concerts. For practice also, we have a lot of apps now, like for tanpura or tabla. These things were not available for musicians earlier. Definitely, it has a very big impact and it’s useful if you use only in the right way.

What advice would you give to somebody who does not have a great background, but wants to learn?

You don’t have to. Music came in our family from Hari ji. My grandfather was a wrestler. If you know god is watching you, you will not be left behind. It is true for any field, not just music.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: GI Tag – Silver Filigree : Odisha, Cuttack’s famed 13th century Chandi Tarakasi (Silver Filigree) gets Geographical Indication (GI) tag

The Odisha State Cooperative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd. (UTKALIKA) had filed an application, seeking GI tag for the famed silver filigree, on July 1, 2021.

Cuttack’s famous ‘Chandi Tarakasi’ or silver filigree has been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, officials said.

The Odisha State Cooperative Handicrafts Corporation Ltd. (UTKALIKA) had filed an application, seeking GI tag for the famed silver filigree, on July 1, 2021.

“It is a matter of honour for Odisha to get the GI tag for Cuttack’s Silver Filigree (#ChandiTarakasi). The centuries-old sophisticated craft practiced in the Silver City of #Cuttack gives a distinct identity to our state for its intricate workmanship. On the occasion, I extend my best wishes to the people of Odisha, especially Cuttack and the district administration,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on X.

The district administration had traced its origins to the 13th century to show historical linkage of the art to the region.

In Odia, ‘Tarakasi’ is a combination of two words — ‘Tara’ (wire) and ‘Kasi’ (design).

During Durga Puja, artisans of Cuttack also create ‘medhas’ (tableaus) with intricate filigree patterns, the officials said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: FIRST / TIME : PM unveils World’s 1st Vedic Clock in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Opens Rs 17K cr projects in MP

Virtually inaugurating the first-of-its-kind Vedic clock, the PM said, “This proves that our government works on vikas (development) and virasat (heritage) simultaneously.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday virtually inaugurated the world’s first Vedic clock installed on an 85-ft high tower at the Jantar Mantar in Madhya Pradesh’s religious city Ujjain.

The clock will display time according to ancient Vedic Hindu panchang (almanac). Besides planetary positions, muhurat, astrological calculations, and predictions, the clock will also display the Indian Standard Time (IST) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and operate on the time system based on one sunrise to another.

Virtually inaugurating the first-of-its-kind Vedic clock, the PM said, “This proves that our government works on vikas (development) and virasat (heritage) simultaneously. The city of Baba Mahakal (Ujjain) was once the centre of time calculation, but its importance was forgotten. Now we’ve established the world’s first Vikramaditya Vedic clock. It will not just render an opportunity to remember our rich heritage, but will also be witness to that Kalchakra (time cycle) which will turn India into a developed nation.”

PM Modi also launched the Cyber Tehsil system for all 55 districts to help in land related issues.

As part of unveiling and laying foundation of development projects across the country ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the PM virtually unveiled and laid foundation stone of 37 development projects worth Rs 17,500 crore in MP at the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Madhya Pradesh’ which was attended by 15 lakh people across 200 locations in the state.

The projects pertained to variegated sectors, including irrigation, power, rail, road, water supply, coal, industry, among others. Addressing virtually the mega event which was attended by MP Governor Mangubhai C Patel, CM Mohan Yadav, his cabinet colleagues and state BJP chief VD Sharma at Bhopal’s Lal Parade Ground, the PM said, “Currently there is just one slogan ‘Abki Baar 400 Paar’ all around.

This isn’t BJP’s slogan, but actually a slogan given by the people of the country. For the first time, the people of the country are popularizing a slogan for the return of their loved and trusted government again.” “We’re not contesting polls just to form our government for the third time, but to form the government the third time to make India the world’s third largest economy.” Reaching out to the youth and first time voters, Modi said, “I assure the youth, that the BJP government will leave no stone unturned for creating opportunities for them.”

‘Vedic Hindu almanac’

The clock will display time according to ancient Vedic Hindu panchang (almanac). Besides planetary positions, muhurat, astrological calculations, and predictions, the clock will also display the Indian Standard Time (IST) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and operate on the time system based on one sunrise to another.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited0

NATIONAL: SEMI-CONDUCTORS: Cabinet approves 03 Semiconductor proposals in Gujarat, Assam

One of the facilities is a fabrication unit — as opposed to a packaging or assembly unit — and will make 50,000 ‘wafer starts’ a day.

The Union Cabinet on February 29 approved three semiconductor proposals amounting to ₹1,25,600 crore in value in Dholera and Sanand in Gujarat, and in Morigaon in Assam. The Dholera and Morigaon facilities will be built by Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd. and Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Pvt. Ltd. The former will be a full-fledged fabrication unit producing 50,000 ‘wafer starts,’ the initial form of silicon chips, per month.

Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation of Taiwan will be the technology partner for the fab unit, while the assembly and testing unit in Morigaon’s technology partners have been kept confidential at their request, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters.

The Dholera units will be used to make “high performance compute chips with 28 nanometre technology,” and also to make chips for power management, which Mr. Vaishnaw said accounted for a large part of semiconductor demand. Both facilities’ output will cater to domestic demand as well as export their produced chips, Mr. Vaishnaw said.

Construction will start within 100 days, he added, hoping that the work is done well before the standard 5 year timeline for such facilities. The chip assembly facility by Micron, announced last year, is on track to have its first chip produced by December 2024, Mr. Vaishnaw said. The facilities announced on Thursday will create 20,000 direct jobs and 60,000 indirect jobs, the IT Ministry estimated in a note.

The facility in Sanand will also be a packaging unit, set up by CG Power with technology from the Renesas Electronics Corporation of Japan and Stars Microelectronics of Thailand.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited0

India-born Economist Geeta Batra Named As First Woman Director of World Bank’s GEF

Geeta Batra, a distinguished India-born economist, has been appointed as the Director of the Independent Evaluation Office of the World Bank’s Global Environment Facility (GEF). This historic appointment makes her the first woman from a developing country to hold this prestigious position. 

Currently serving as the Chief Evaluator & Deputy Director for Evaluation at the GEF’s Independent Evaluation Office (IEO), affiliated with the World Bank, Batra’s nomination for the role received unanimous approval during the 66th GEF Council Meeting in Washington on February 9.

Geeta Batra, aged 57, outlined her top priorities, emphasizing the delivery of sound evaluative evidence on GEF’s results and performance, leadership to keep the GEF IEO at the forefront of environmental evaluation, and the strengthening of IEO teams through skill development. 

Her role will also involve building partnerships with multilateral and bilateral agencies, foundations, and networks, sharing knowledge on effective environmental strategies.

Born in New Delhi, Batra pursued her education in Mumbai and Chennai, completing her Economics degree and an MBA in Finance.

Inspired by her professor, Harkant Mankad, she pursued a Ph.D. in Economics in the United States. After working in various roles, including Senior Manager, Risk, at American Express and serving at the World Bank’s Private Sector Development Department, she joined the GEF’s IEO in 2015.

The GEF has been a significant player in the environmental sector since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, providing substantial grants and co-financing for projects addressing global environmental concerns. Geeta Batra’s appointment signifies a major milestone, reflecting her extensive experience and commitment to environmental evaluation.

With IANS Inputs

source/content: indiatimes.com (headline edited)