Tag Archives: Bharat Records

NATIONAL: TELECOMMUNICATION / INTERNET: INDIA’s FIRST: Reliance Jio Launches Jio SpaceFiber- India’s First Satellite-based GigaFiber Internet Service

At the India Mobile Congress 2023 New Delhi, Reliance Jio demonstrated India’s first satellite-based GigaFiber service called Jio SpaceFiber in the presence of PM Narendra Modi. The new Jio SpaceFiber service aims to provide high speed broadband services to previously inaccessible geographies within India.

The service will be available across the length and breadth of the country at highly affordable prices. Right now, the Jio SpaceFiber is now available across four of the remotest locations in India– Gir Gujarat, Korba Chattisgarh, Nabrangpur Odissa and ONGC-Jorhat Assam.

“Jio has enabled millions of homes and businesses in India to experience broadband internet for the first time. With JioSpaceFiber, we expand our reach to cover the millions yet to be connected. JioSpaceFiber will allow everyone, everywhere, to fully participate in the new digital society with gigabit access to online government, education, health, and entertainment services,” said Akash Ambani, Chairman Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited.

Jio already delivers high speed broadband fixed line and wireless services to over 450 million Indian consumers. To accelerate digital inclusivity for every household in India, Jio has added JioSpaceFiber to its premier lineup of broadband services, JioFiber and JioAirFiber. With Jio, consumers and businesses have unprecedented access to reliable, low latency and high-speed internet and entertainment services, regardless of location. The satellite network will also support additional capacity for mobile backhaul, further enhancing the availability and scale of Jio True5G in the remotest parts of the country.

Jio is partnering with SES to access the world’s latest in medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite technology, the only MEO constellation capable of delivering truly unique Gigabit, fiber-like services from space. With Jio having access to a combination of SES’s O3b and new O3b mPOWER satellites, it is the only company that offers game-changing technology, providing scalable and affordable broadband across all of India with a level of guaranteed reliability and service flexibility that is a first in the industry.

Network18 and TV18 – the companies that operate news18.com – are controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.

source/content: news18.com (headline edited)

WORLD RECORD: ARTS & CRAFTS / FILM (movie) RECORD: This 1932 Hindi Bollywood Film ‘Indrasabha’ holds World Record for most Songs, had 72 of them, it’s not Hum Aapke Hain Koun, DDLJ, Taal, Devdas

This Bollywood film from before Independence, holds the world record for most songs with 72 musical numbers.

Song and dance is an integral part of Indian cinema. While the West has a separate genre called musicals, most Indian films are by default musicals. Whether it’s a thriller, murder mystery, romantic comedy, or family drama, songs find a place in most Indian films. Yet, some films go the extra mile when it comes to including songs with the sheer number setting records. In fact, it is an Indian film that holds the world record for including most songs with a jaw-dropping 72 musical numbers in its run. And its not one of the usual suspects.

Bollywood film with 72 songs

While Hum Aapke Hain Koun created a flutter with 14 songs back in 1994, there have been a few before it as well that included over a dozen songs. Even Hollywood musicals like Chicago and Moulin Rouge had as many songs. Yet, none of them compare with the 1932 Hindi film Indrasabha, based on the play Inder Sabha. The 3 and a half-hour film was conceptualised and shot almost entirely in verse, comprising of 72 songs in total with most characters, big or small, receiving their own entry song. The mythological drama was one of the first Indian talkies, released just a year after Alam Ara.

Indrasabha’s 72 songs

Indrasabha was an adaptation of a 19th century Urdu play called Inder Sabha, written by Agha Hasan Amanat. The play was first brought to screen in 1925 but as a silent film. When Alam Ara brought the talkie revolution in India, Madan Theatre decided to bring back the film but with sound. The 1932 release utilised almost all of the plays 31 ghazals, 9 thumris, 4 holis, 15 songs, and seven other musical numbers. The film added a few of its own as well, giving it 72 songs in total. The feat earned Indrasabha a place in several record books.

source/content: dnaindia.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SCIENTISTS AWARDED: U.S. President Joe Biden Honours 2 Indian-American Scientists Ashok Gadgil and Subra Suresh with National Medal of Technology & Innovation and National Medal of Science respectively for Remarkable Medical Discoveries

Two Indian American scientists were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation by US President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday.

The two Indian-Americans — Ashok Gadgil and Subra Suresh — were awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation and the National Medal of Science, respectively.

President Biden also honoured leading American scientists, technologists, and innovators at the award ceremony.

The scientists, who were honoured at the event, made discoveries enabling lifesaving medical treatments, helping fight the opioid epidemic, improving food security, advancing accessibility, and much more.

“Today, President Biden is awarding the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation to a number of Americans who have made exemplary achievements in science, technology, and innovation to strengthen our nation’s well-being, ” the White House said in a statement.

The National Medal of Science is the nation’s highest scientific honour, established by the US Congress in 1959 and administered by the US National Science Foundation. “It is bestowed by the President of the United States on individuals deserving of special recognition for their outstanding contributions in biology, computer sciences, education sciences, engineering, geosciences, mathematical and physical sciences, and social, behavioural, and economic sciences, in service to the Natio,” the statement added.

“Those who earn these awards embody the promise of America by pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” it added.

Further, according to the official statement, these trailblazers harnessed the power of science and technology to tackle challenging problems and deliver innovative solutions for Americans and communities worldwide.

The accomplishments made by the awardees have advanced American leadership in science, technology, and innovation and their work inspires the next generation of American minds, it added.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: INDIAN AIR FORCE (IAF): Air Marshal Sadhna Saxena Nair, Her Husband Become 1st Couple In IAF To Get 3-Star Rank In IAF

Air Marshal Sadhna Saxena Nair took over as the Director-General Hospital Services (Armed Forces) on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal on Monday. With the promotion, Sadhna Saxena along with her husband achieved a rare feat by becoming the first and only Air Marshal couple in the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Air Marshal Sadhna was previously the Principal Medical Officer at the Training Command of the IAF located at Bengaluru. She is only the second woman officer who has served throughout in the IAF to be promoted to the rank of Air Marshal; the first woman officer to achieve this was Air Marshal Padma Bandopadhyay (Retd).

Air Marshal Saxena’s husband Air Marshal K P Nair, a fighter pilot, retired as the IAF director-general of inspection and flight safety in 2015. Air Marshal Sadhna is from a military background. Her father and brother were also doctors in the IAF. Her son is also a fighter pilot in the Air Force.

Air Marshal Sadhna has trained abroad in CBRN Warfare and in Military Medical Ethics. She was the first and only woman Principal Medical Officer of Western Air Command and Training Command.

She is the recipient of the Vishisht Seva Medal by the Hon’ble President of India and has received CAS and AOC-in-C Commendations as well.

She graduated from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune and was commissioned into the IAF in Dec 1985. She holds a Post Graduate degree in Family Medicine and has undergone a two-year training Program in Medical Informatics at AIIMS, New Delhi.

In 2020, the Kanitkars became the first couple to have reached the rank of three-star officers in the armed forces after Lt-Gen Madhuri Kanitkar, a doctor in the Indian Army, joined her husband Lt-Gen Rajeev Kanitkar. As per The Times Of India Report, Lt Gen Rajeev Kanitkar served in the armoured corps officer and retired as quartermaster general in 2017.

source/content: timesnownews.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: LEGAL / LAW: Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud Receives Harvard Law School’s “Award for Global Leadership”

Referring to the legal aid clinics, DY Chandrachud stated that law students should be involved in clinical legal models, where they are actively involved in real-time cases in local areas.

Chief Justice Of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud was on Saturday felicitated with the “Award for Global Leadership” by the Harvard Law School.

The Chief Justice was announced as the recipient of the award in January this year in an online ceremony.

The CJI, who was present at the Harvard Law School with David Wilkins, Professor at Harvard Law School and Faculty Director, spoke about the initiatives taken by the Supreme Court during his first year of tenure, which included the use of technology in court processes, the launch of handbook on combating gender stereotypes and others.

He also emphasised the importance of interdisciplinary studies, adding that issues of medical science or technology are connected to the workings of law.

Referring to the legal aid clinics, he stated that law students should be involved in clinical legal models, where they are actively involved in real-time cases in local areas.

Asked whether the legal profession can be democratized, he referred to the new law clerks’ scheme implemented in his tenure, which provides equal access to all to apply for a clerkship at the Supreme Court. He also shared his concern about the mental health of lawyers.

He suggested that apart from senior lawyers and judges, the law schools should also develop a mechanism to train the students in handling stress and mental health.

The CJI, who had obtained an LLM degree and a Doctorate in Juridical Sciences (SJD) from the Harvard Law School, also interacted with the students and faculty members of various departments.

The felicitation comes at a time when the Harvard Law School is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its Graduate Law Program.

source/content: ndtv.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / REGIONAL: SPORTS / TENNIS: Asian Games Gold Medalist Rutuja Bhosale eyes Olympics berth

I’ve set my sights on the Paris Olympics. Unlike in other sports, winning at the Asian Games doesn’t guarantee a tennis player an Olympic quota, Rutuja said.

 Riding on the success of the Hangzhou Asian Games, Indian tennis star Rutuja Bhosale is now aiming to secure a 2024 Paris Olympics quota and break into top-200 to ensure more Grand Slam presence in her career.

“I have trained my eyes on the Paris Olympics. In tennis, one cannot book an Olympic quota despite winning at the Asian Games like other sports. I have to better my ranking and make my way up from 320 to top-200 to ensure a berth as well as secure entry in Grand Slams,” Rutuja commented after being felicitated by Punit Balan Group (PBG) Chairman Punit Balan in the presence of Janhavi Dhariwal Balan, former captain of Maharashtra Ranji cricket team and Rutuja’s husband Swapnil Gugale and her mother upon her arrival in India.

Bhosale has made significant progress in her world ranking resulting in a career-high ranking of 313 in singles. She has also clinched seven ITF titles in the last two years including six in the doubles category.
“It was a proud moment for me and Rohan (Bopanna) to represent India and win an Asian Games gold medal in mixed doubles after 13 long years. I am thankful for all the help and support that has gone into making us stand at the podium,” Rutuja added.

On the other hand, the financial assistance made her more relaxed and helped her to focus on her game rather than worrying about a shortage of funds and various other challenges.

“Rutuja is a role model for many young aspiring athletes in the country. PBG as a group is committed to supporting talented sportspersons like Rutuja and provide them with the necessary financial help. I am certain Rutuja will continue with her hard work and quest for competing at the Olympic and ensure Grand Slam appearances,” Punit Balan said on the occasion.

source/content: telanganatoday.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL / REGIONAL: First Indian Diplomat Indra Mani Pandey named Secretary General of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical & Economic Cooperation) becoming the First Indian Diplomat to hold the position

Indra Mani Pandey, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1990 batch, is currently the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva.

Indra Mani Pandey will be the first Indian official to hold the post of secretary general of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

Pandey, an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1990 batch, is currently the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva.

A statement from the external affairs ministry on Friday said he will be the next secretary general of BIMSTEC.

“This is the first time that an Indian will hold the position of the secretary general of BIMSTEC,” the statement said.

Pandey will take up the assignment shortly.

BIMSTEC is a regional organisation established in June 1997. Its secretariat was established in the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka to provide an institutionalised framework for deepening and enhancing cooperation.

“India has attached a high importance to BIMSTEC with a view to expanding regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region. Having an Indian diplomat, with long experience in multilateral diplomacy, as secretary general of BIMSTEC will contribute to India’s endeavours in strengthening the grouping,” a person familiar with the matter said.]

Cooperation within BIMSTEC initially focused on six sectors – trade, technology, energy, transport, tourism and fisheries – and this was expanded in 2008 to incorporate agriculture, public health, poverty alleviation, counter-terrorism, environment, culture, people-to-people contacts, and climate change.

The member states of BIMSTEC are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: MEDICAL RESEARCH : The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) completes Clinical Trials of World’s First Injectable Male Contraceptive; study claims it’s safe

The findings of the phase-III clinical trial, which involved 303 candidates aged 25-40 years, were published in the international open-access Andrology journal last month.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has completed the clinical trials of the world’s first injectable male contraceptive which showed that it is safe and highly efficacious without any serious side effects.

The findings of the phase-III clinical trial, which involved 303 candidates aged 25-40 years, were published in the international open-access Andrology journal last month.

The open-labeled and non-randomized, multi-centre hospital-based phase-III clinical trials were carried out at five different centres (New Delhi, Udhampur, Ludhiana, Jaipur and Kharagpur) and coordinated by the ICMR, New Delhi.

Permission to conduct phase-III clinical trial was granted by the Drugs Controller General India (DCGI) and approved by the institutional ethical committees of the respective centres.

As part of the study, 303 healthy, sexually active and married men and their healthy and sexually active wives who came to the family planning clinic and department of urology or surgery for vasectomy or No Scalpel Vasectomy (NSV) were identified.

The men were injected with 60 mg of Reversible Inhibition of Sperm under Guidance (RISUG).

“The overall efficacy of RISUG with respect to achieving azoospermia was 97.3 per cent and based on pregnancy prevention was 99.02 per cent without any serious side effect,” the study stated.

“In the history of contraceptive development, RISUG presents the highest effectiveness compared to all other contraceptives both male and female as they were at the threshold of induction into a mass contraception program,” it said.

According to the study, with an ever-increasing world population, there is an urgent need to develop modern methods of male contraception for population control.

Even though vasectomy is quite effective as a contraceptive measure, some major limitations of this method call for the development of improved techniques.

An ideal male contraceptive approach should have minimally invasive drug delivery system with a one-time injection, long-term effectiveness with negligible side-effects and the option of reversal.

“To achieve these goals, a novel male contraceptive approach of Reversible Inhibition of Sperm under Guidance (RISUG) has been developed, which has the potential to become for mass use as once injectable and reversible male contraceptive method. Significant features of this method include localized injection and no detectable interaction with other body parts unlike the hormonal injectable contraceptives,” the study said.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SPACE INFORMATION / I.T. : Union Minister launches Web Portal ‘Apna Chandrayaan’ on ‘Mission Chandrayaan-3’ for School Children

Developed by NCERT under the aegis of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), the Ministry of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan also released 10 special modules on Chandrayaan-3.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday launched a web portal ‘Apna Chandrayaan’ having activity-based support material, including colouring books, online quizzes, and jigsaw puzzles for school students on Mission Chandrayaan-3.

Developed by NCERT under the aegis of the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), the Ministry of Education, Pradhan also released 10 special modules on Chandrayaan-3.

This offers a comprehensive overview of its various facets, including scientific, technological, and social aspects, as well as the emotional journey and team spirit of the scientists involved.

On the lines of the Mission Chandrayaan-3 module, the ministry plans to come up with more such modules on 14 different topics, including women empowerment, COVID-19 vaccination, India’s G20 Presidency, etc.

“Success of Chandrayaan 3 is one of the most significant achievements of the 21st century that has inspired the children of the country the most,” he said.

He suggested the development of the app of the web portal to make it more accessible in facilitating self-learning among students.

“Chandrayaan 3 has ignited confidence among students and inspired them to understand technology, which will help in developing scientific temperament among them,” Pradhan said.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has requested Dr. Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, Chairman, of ISRO, and Secretary of the Department of Space, to take Chandrayaan 3 stories to the children of the country.

He also urged him to make science fun for the students.

“India will be the Viswa Guru sharing knowledge for the global good,” he said.

He suggested to the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to bring out social stories that will make education accessible, affordable, and qualitative, and help in bringing gender parity.

At the occasion, Dr Somanath said India completed the Chandrayaan 3 Mission by using indigenous technologies and requested students to watch the launch of Gaganyaan on October 21.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: AGRICULTURE / VEGETABLES : ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR) helps Grow Multiple Vegetables in One Plant

 Imagine planting one plant and getting multiple vegetables from it for your kitchen needs.

Scientists at ICAR-Indian Institute of Vegetable Research (IIVR), Varanasi are now working on a new single plant that will yield three vegetables simultaneously- brinjal, tomato and chilli.

The new plant is yet to be named.

The scientists had earlier developed ‘Pomato’ that yields potatoes and tomatoes on a single plant and ‘Brimato’ that yields brinjal and tomatoes together.

Using the grafting technique, the scientists at ICAR-IIVR, first developed ‘Pomato’.

Under the guidance of IIVR director Dr T.K. Behera, Dr Anant Bahadur, principal scientist (vegetable) and head division of crop production at ICAR-IIVR, Varanasi is now working on developing this unique single plant to yield three veggies.

“The grafting of chilli and tomato plants has been done on the brinjal rootstock and the plant is growing well. We are quite hopeful that it will start yielding chilli, brinjal and tomatoes by the end of January 2024,” said Dr Bahadur.

He said that he would analyse the feasibility of its cultivation.

Speaking about ‘Pomato’, Dr Bahadur said, “Potato tubers were germinated. Then grafting of tomato plants was done on the germinated potato tubers. As per the need, the plant was irrigated from time to time. It grew well and bore tomatoes above ground and potatoes below the ground.”

‘Pomato’, as a single plate, yielded around three kg of tomatoes and around 1.25 kg of potatoes, he added.

Thereafter, in 2019, Dr Anant Bahadur with his team grafted both the brinjal and tomato hybrids on the Brinjal root stock tolerant to waterlogging and salinity.

In 2019, his team succeeded in getting the desired result. He said the ‘Brimato’ is capable of surviving in waterlogged conditions for four days, whereas a normal plant wilts and gets destroyed in such conditions within 24 hours.

In October, the plant was transplanted, and brinjals and tomatoes were harvested till March.

A single plant yields around 3 kg of tomatoes and 2.5 kgs of brinjals, said Dr Bahadur.

Dr Bahadur said, “The special plant, ‘Brimato’, yields tomatoes and brinjals. It can be grown in kitchen gardens, backyards and also in small fields.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)