Priya Yadav,

Today, man has developed a lot in science and technology. It is now impossible to live without technology. It has made our life simple, easy, and convenient. If we did not progress in science, our life would be as difficult and difficult as before. New inventions have given us a lot of benefits. There are many technologies around us.

Mobile phones, TVs, computers, the internet, ovens, fridges, washing machines, water-removing motors, motorcycles, ships, trains, buses, modes of transport, all have been possible with the help of modern technology. With the help of new types of medicines, medical devices, it has become possible to treat complex people. In this way, we cannot survive without modern technology.

Importance of Science and Technology

Contribution to agriculture
At present, more support is being made in agriculture with the help of science and technology. Today we have good quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and medicines, which have increased the yield of farmers. With the help of new tractor and agricultural equipment, agriculture has become possible in a short time in large fields.

With the help of technology, more production is being started in animal husbandry, poultry, and fisheries. Now the machine cuts the wheat crop. In the fields, paddy is sown with the help of a chopper. The machine removes the carrot, potato, radish crop from the ground. Sorting the crop also makes machines.

Contribution to Education
Science and technology are now being used in the field of education. Now children are taught with smart classes. Live videos, diagrams, and photos are taught. Now with the help of computers and the internet, the students find the answer to any question in a few seconds.

Now you get a tutor, teacher from home internet facility who teaches you to live, online. You don’t even need to go anywhere. You can study any subject on a portal like YouTube.

Contribution to the area of ​​traffic
In today’s time, traffic has become very simple and easy with the help of science and technology. Earlier it used to take us many days to go to someplace. But now the high-speed trains have started which deliver them to far-flung places within a few hours.

Now the “bullet train” has become very popular. Bullet trains run in China, Germany, France, Japan, Taiwan, and other European countries. Its fault exceeds 300 km / h.

With this help, you can reach the place at a greater distance in a very short time. Now there is a plan to run a “bullet train” in India too. This service is expensive. Today, with the help of jet ships, you can go to any part of the world in a few hours. It now takes only 15 hours to go from India to America.
 
Contribution to the field of medicine
Currently, science and technology have made great progress. Previously, the diseases from which thousands of people die every year, today their treatment has become possible. With the help of modern technology, it has become possible to treat diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, AIDS, diabetes, heart disease. Now CT scan, MRI, radiation, chemotherapy, a new type of X-ray machine is being treated. Nowadays, many types of complex surgeries are started with the help of computers and robots. Any color like kidney, eyes, the heart can be transplanted with the help of modern technology. An artificial heart is now being used.

Contribution to the field of sports
In the past, sports did not use any science and technology, but now the time has changed. Nowadays, children play video games on the computer. Now sports like football, swimming, cricket, Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games are broadcast live on TV. Now the score in cricket is shown on the electronic board. Camaro is being used in stumps. Now all the games are played with the help of technology. Every game is video graphed. 3D images are used.

Contribution in postal service
Now postage is sent by airplanes, with the help of which we can send mail to a person sitting far away. Now the trend of online shopping on the Internet has increased a lot. With the help of a computer and the internet sitting at home, we can buy all our favorite books, medicines, ornaments, dot, kajal, cream, oil, soap, etc.

Now the need to go to the market is over. We can also buy our favorite vegetables from the internet. Companies like Flipkart, Amazon offer online shopping.

Contribution of modern technology in everyday life
Today, with the help of Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, anyone can make friends. Making friends is now very easy. With the help of Facebook, many missing people who were separated from their families have been reunited. Modern technology has simplified our lives. Now the temperature can be balanced by running an air conditioner in the summer season.

Summer can be enjoyed in summer and winter in summer. The washing machine itself now cleans our dirty clothes. The oven only cooks our food. The mixer grinds the spices in the kitchen. Now you can read newspapers on mobile. Money can now be paid with ATM card, debit, credit card. Now the need to carry money in the pocket is over.

Contribution to the field of communication
Today, with the help of modern science and technology, man has developed a lot in communication. Many satellites travel around 24 hours in space, giving us all kinds of information. Today, we get weather information first.

Where it will rain, where there will be a storm, where a tsunami will come, we already know with the help of satellite. India has left 108 satellites in space. Now we can call anywhere. Video calls can be done.

Contribution to the field of entertainment
Today, new science and technology are used to make films and TV serials. Now, 3D cinemas have become in the country, in which films with three-dimensional technology are shown. Now at home, we can play different types of games on our TV, computer, mobile phone.

Everywhere we like to go by motor and vehicles. People use elevators instead of stairs. Because of this, human beings have started falling victim to many diseases. Now people are suffering from obesity, diabetes, heart diseases due to comfortable living in cities.

Children are addicted to TV, cinema, social media. They have started stealing from their studies. Today, with the help of science, new weapons, guns have started to be used, whose use kills thousands of people every day.

Humans have made weapons like atomic bombs, hydrogen bombs, missiles that can destroy the whole world. Therefore, we should use modern technology in a positive direction. We should try to make modern technology a boon, not a curse.

The 14th edition of NFDC Film Bazaar Online 2020 which was scheduled to be held on November 20-24, alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2020 has been postponed to 16^th – 21^st January, 2021.

The change in dates has been made in line with the postponement of 51st edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to 16 to 24 January 2021 which was scheduled to be held from 20 to 28 November in Goa. This NFDC Film Bazaar will be held in a hybrid format which will be both offline and online.

The Film Bazaar will be held virtually but it will include all sections usually held in previous editions.

Joint Secretary, M/o Information & Broadcastingand Managing Director, NFDC, Smt T.C.A. Kalyani said that, “NFDC Film Bazaar online 2020 has been postponed to January 16th – 21st, 2021. The market will be held alongside IFFI 2020 which has also been postponed to January keeping in mind the COVID-19 situation.”

“This will be a step up for Film Bazaar as it will be more inclusive and its reach will be global. We are hoping the virtual edition will see more people as the fabric of Film Bazaar is intact”, she added. 

The call for entries is open for Submissions for Co-Production Market, WIP Lab (Fiction only) and Viewing Room (Fiction/Documentary/Animation/Shorts). Feature length fiction films in the rough cut are eligible to apply to both WIP Lab and Viewing Room.

For more details visit: www.filmbazaarindia.com

For queries, write to: info@filmbazaarindia.com

About Film Bazaar

Film Bazaar is the largest South Asian film market. It encourages creative and financial collaboration between the South Asian and International film communities.

Created and organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Film Bazaar has evolved into South Asia’s Global Film Market from its humble beginnings in 2007. Every edition witnesses increased national and international participation. Over the years, films such as Lunch Box, Margarita With A Straw, Chauthi Koot, Qissa, Ship of Theseus, Titli, Court, Anhe Ghode Da Daan, Miss Lovely, Dum Lagake Haisha, Liar’s Dice, Thithi, Bombay Rose, Soni, In the Shadows, The Gold Laden Sheep and the Sacred Mountain, Moothon, Eeb Alley Oo, Amis, Laila aur satt Geet  and many more have been through one or more programmes of the Bazaar.

Over the course of five days, Film Bazaar becomes a converging point for film buyers and sellers from all over the world. The focus is on discovering, supporting and showcasing South Asian content and talent in filmmaking, production and distribution. The Bazaar also facilitates the sales of world cinema in the South Asian region.

Film Bazaar is held every year at the Marriott Resort, Goa, India, between 20th and 24th November. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, NFDC Film Bazaar 2020 will be held online from January 16-21st, 2021

About NFDC

National Film Development Corporation of India is the central agency established to encourage the good cinema movement in the country. The primary goal of the NFDC is to plan, promote and organize an integrated and efficient development of the Indian film industry and foster excellence in cinema. Over the years NFDC has provided a wide range of services essential to the growth of Indian cinema. The NFDC (and its predecessor the Film Finance Corporation) has so far funded / produced over 300 films. These films, in various Indian languages, have been widely acclaimed and have won many national and international awards.

Abraham Lincoln,(February 12, 1809 – 15 April 1865) was the 16th President of the United States of America. He served as president for 5 years, from 4 March 1861 until his assassination by John Wilkes Booth on 15 April 1865. The name in itself speaks volumes. He is considered the greatest president of the United States of America. Historians and Political Scientists consistently rank him as the best American president ever. Above all, the man is renowned for ending slavery in his country. This certainly created a world-wide awareness against the evil of slavery. In the realm of social reform, he is holding a lofty status.Lincoln is known primarily for his leadership during the American Civil War (1861 – 1865) and for signing the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order changing the legal status of slaves to ‘free’.

In Abraham’s youth the family moved frequently, trying to stay one step ahead of financial trouble and illness, before eventually settling down in Coles County, Illinois.  Along the way, Lincoln became known for his physical strength as well as his formidable self-education.  At the age of 21, he left home and canoed to New Salem, Illinois, where he signed on to a local riverboat firm.  After a short stint on the western rivers, a shorter stint as manager of a general store, and service as a militia captain during the Black Hawk Wars, he made his first run for a seat on the Illinois General Assembly, which he lost.  In 1834, he won his second General Assembly election and served four terms as a member of the Whig Party while taking up the practice of law in Springfield.  In 1842, after a two-year engagement marked by one cancelled wedding, Lincoln married a 23-year old woman named Mary Todd. 

Despite becoming a successful lawyer, Lincoln did not have a degree. His total schooling, obtained from travelling teachers, is estimated to total only around 1 year.Though lawyers are often considered untrustworthy, his reputation for honesty and fairness helped ‘Honest Abe’ win local elections.He was the first bearded US President, the first to hold a patent and the first to be in an inaugural photograph

Many surveys of the Presidents of the United States have taken place. Many scholars and experts of the United States took part in such surveys. Most noteworthy, Lincoln is always ranked in the top 3 in such surveys. Furthermore, there has been an organization of Presidential ranking polls since 1948. Abraham Lincoln certainly has the top rating in most of such polls.Probably the most famous survey was by Chicago Tribune in 1982. There was a participation of 49 Historians and Political Scientists in that survey. These experts were to rate all the United States Presidents in five categories. The categories were: leadership, crisis management, political skills, appointments, and character/integrity. As was probably the prediction of most people, Lincoln got top place. Most noteworthy, Lincoln got top place in all the categories. This shows his magnificent historical reputation.Many social reformers view him as a champion of liberty. He has the description of a classic liberal by historians. He is a role model to liberal intellectuals and human rights organizations. Some of his avid supporters even compare his life to Jesus Christ.


After serving a term in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1846, Lincoln returned to his self-proclaimed profession of “prairie lawyer” in Illinois.  He took cases dealing with everything from homicide to navigation rights to slave laws.  An arcane statute dispute brought him to the high chamber on March 7, 1849.   He argued on behalf of Thomas Lewis, a public administrator who had taken over the affairs of a man named Broadwell, who had sold 100 acres of land that he did not own and then died.  The true grit of the case was the question of whether or not the plaintiff, William Lewis (no relation), could still sue for damages regarding the poisoned contract or if the statute of limitations had already passed.  Lincoln claimed that William’s action came too late, and that Thomas could no longer be held liable.  After two days of hearings and five days of deliberations, the justices decided against Lincoln.  Despite this defeat, the prairie lawyer was becoming one of the most respected and feared litigants in Illinois.  

Abraham Lincoln appears on many postage stamps in the United States. His image also appears on two United States currency denominations. His sculpture on Mount Rushmore is certainly a world-class memorial. Furthermore, his other memorials include Ford’s theatre, Peterson House, and Lincoln Memorial.

The United States military greatly honors Lincoln. Many believe him to a symbol of national unity and pride. Two United States navy ships bear his name.

Abraham Lincoln was certainly a legendary American president. Probably everyone believes him to be a global icon of peace. His legacy is a powerful symbol against oppression. Above all, his greatest contribution to mankind is the emancipation of slaves. The forces of evil tried to stop him. However, his legacy became more glorious because of such attempts. Finally, his assassination took place at the hands of evil forces. However, this assassination left him as a national martyr. The name of Abraham Lincoln certainly belongs in the pages of greatness.The Great Emancipator wasn’t quite WWE material, but thanks to his long limbs he was an accomplished wrestler as a young man. Defeated only once in approximately 300 matches, Lincoln reportedly talked a little smack in the ring. According to Carl Sandburg’s biography of Lincoln, Honest Abe once challenged an entire crowd of onlookers after dispatching an opponent: “I’m the big buck of this lick. If any of you want to try it, come on and whet your horns.” There were no takers. Lincoln’s grappling exploits earned him an “Outstanding American” honor in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.On April 14, 1865, Lincoln signed legislation creating the U.S. Secret Service. That evening, he was shot at Ford’s Theatre. Even if the Secret Service had been established earlier, it wouldn’t have saved Lincoln: The original mission of the law enforcement agency was to combat widespread currency counterfeiting. It was not until 1901, after the killing of two other presidents, that the Secret Service was formally assigned to protect the commander-in-chief.

Comparison is a dangerous vice that occurs all too often in our life. And sadly, it seems to be a common stumbling block to hundreds of other young people as well. It’s poisonous influence seeps into a many aspects of our life and our friendships are no exception.

We are blessed to realize that we have some real friends in our lives and love many different types of friends that we have met at every step along the way. We have dear childhood friends, cherished friends from our days in high school, long-distance friendships that formed as a result of summer endeavors and new beloved college pals. And that list is far from exhaustive.

But amidst all the joy that goes along with having such wonderful people in life, it is frighteningly easy for us to compare these relationships to each other.

It looks a little something like this…

“Wow, I had such a good time playing games today with Friend A. But yesterday I had coffee and talked about life’s deepest questions with Friend B. But last week I was in tears laughing with Friend C!”

Our mind starts running at 100 miles per hour, wondering why we don’t talk about Karl Marx’s theory with Friend A, or why Friend C and I never watch thriller movies together, or why Friend B doesn’t make me laugh until my sides hurt.

But this is such an unhealthy approach to our friendships.

Instead of appreciating the elements that make each of our relationships so unique, we focus on what we are supposedly lacking. Our critical mind chooses to pick apart our friendships and become worried when we perceive a flaw anywhere.

By comparing Friendship A with Friendship B, we do each of my friends a serious disservice. We would even go as far as to say that we dishonor them. This ugly habit of comparison causes us to completely disregard the invaluable bonds that drew us to each of those friends in the first place.

Why would we want our friendships to all look the same anyway? How boring!

I sometimes like to think of my friendships as being a tree. Without trying to sound arrogant, I am the metaphorical trunk, and the branches are my friendships. While all the branches look similar because they are attached to the same trunk (me!), they each spread in different directions and have varying shapes and sizes of buds or leaves scattered all over. And in my opinion, if all the branches were the same size, grew in the same direction, and had the same pattern of leaves, it wouldn’t look like a tree at all; at least not a healthy tree.

You may notice that your friendships change from year-to-year — the best friend you had last year may not even be in your inner circle anymore. It happens more often than you may think, and studies have been done that prove the theory that the older you get, the fewer friends you have.

So let’s encourage each other to stop this vicious habit of comparing bonds, relations and friendships.

A popular quote by Theodore Roosevelt is “Comparison is the thief of joy.”  And while the quote is somewhat overused, it is unquestionably true.

So let those branches grow in all kinds of crazy directions! Step back and admire your beautiful, unique tree. And keep the pruning tool of comparison far, far away.

As you can see, friendships evolve over time for all kinds of reasons. The important thing is to focus on the friends you do have and make sure the friendships are reciprocal, so no resentment builds on anyone’s end.

The Ministry of Education is celebrating “ShikshakParv” during 8^thto 25^thSeptember, 2020 by conducting various National Webinars on the newly announced National Education Policy 2020. As part of this initiative, a National Webinar on ‘Credit Mechanism, Mobility and Academic Bank of Credit’’ was organized on 25^thSeptember, 2020 wherein Prof. BhushanPatwardhan, Vice-Chairman, UGC, Prof. R.P. Tiwari, Member UGC & Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Punjab, Prof. SandeepSancheti, Vice-Chancellor, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Prof. (Dr.) S.P. Thyagarajan, Former Vice-Chancellor of Madras University were invited as Speakers. Dr. (Mrs.) PankajMittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities, New Delhi was invited as Speaker and Moderator in the Webinar. Dr. Surender Singh, JS, UGC coordinated the webinar.

The webinar was initiated by Dr. PankajMittalby highlighting the importance of ShikshakParv and the concept behind the Webinar on Credit Mechanism, Mobility and Academic Bank of Credit asenvisaged in the NEP 2020. She mentioned that the NEP 2020 is a much needed, forward looking & innovative, student centric policy where the student is the king having all kinds of freedom like multiple entry and exit options, choice of subjects, choice of duration, choice of earning credits from various higher education institutions and freedom of speed. All these freedoms and choices will come to the students through Academic Credit Bank (ABC).

Prof. SandeepSanchetimentioned that ABC will promote the flexibility, multiple entries and multiple exits, life-long learning and freedom to the students in choosing the subjects and will enable them to design their own degrees as they will be able to choose their own bouquet of courses. He appreciated the concept of examination on demand and explained in detail the building blocks of ABC.

Prof. R.P.Tiwari talked about the role of ABC for creating a life-long learning society and various benefits it will accrue to the students. He emphasized that the main objectives of the ABC are to promote student centric higher education system and enable students to select courses and institutions; allow them to choose a pace for their studies to complete their degrees as per their choice. He also mentioned that ABC will promote access, equity, quality, flexibility, collaboration and transparency to improve the competitiveness and efficiency in India’s higher education system.

Prof. BhushanPatwardhan appreciatedthe attempts made by UGC in line with the NEP recommendations to liberate the Indian higher education from a slew of regulations and regulators. Academic Bank of Credits shall facilitate the integration of the campuses and distributed learning system, by creating student mobility within inter and intra university system. He also emphasized that the ABC may help in seamlessly integrating skills and experiences into a credit based formal system by providing a credit recognition mechanism.

Prof. Thyagarajan during his course referred to the tradition knowledge system of India and felt that 64 Kalas and 14 Vidyas imparted in the ancient time are beingreintroduced in ABC. The ABC will lead to life-long learning by promoting learning and relearning cycles multiple times. He felt that through this concept higher education space will move from rigidity to flexibility, make students knowledge creators instead of users of knowledge and their holistic development and make them job creators rather than job seekers. The integration of skill education with the academic stream will improve the employability and lead to global citizen education.

CEO, NitiAayog and Chairman& CEO, Railway Boardchaired the Pre-bid meeting of CSMT project todayvia digital platform. Member (Infrastructure), Railway Board, GM, Central Railway and GM, Northern Railways also attended.  Redevelopment of railway stations across India is a priority agenda of Ministry of Railways, Government of India. This agenda is being driven with full force by the Government with the participation of private players as a part of PPP. The Pre-bid meeting held today received huge response from the industry and developers&fund houses seemingly are very much interested in this investment opportunity.

The Pre-bid meeting was attended by about 43 prospective bidders, including developers namely Adani Group, Tata Projects Ltd., Eldeco, GMR Group, JKB Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd, SNCF Hubs & Connexions, I Squared Capital, Kalpataru Power Transmission Ltd., Ace Urban developers, GR Infrastructure, Essel Group,Larsen & Toubro; architects namely BDP Singapore, Hafeez Contractor, AECOM; Fund houses namely Anchorage Infrastructure Investment Holdings Ltd., Brookfield and consultancy firms namely JLL, Boston Consultancy Group, KPMG, PwC India, EY and embassies namely British High Commission. Invest India set up by DPIIT which is the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency that helps investors looking for investment opportunities and options in India also attended.

CSMT is a historic and UNESCO World Heritage site located in the heart of Mumbai city. The redevelopment plan encapsulates integration of various modes to make this railway station a multimodal transport hub as per the vision of Hon’ble PM of India. It will include segregation of arrival and departure, divyang friendly station, better level of services for passengers, energy efficient building and restoring the heritage site as per its 1930 levels. The CSMT railway station will function like a city centre rail mall where in addition to a passenger’s transportation needs, his daily needs are also fulfilled, like- Retail, F&B, Entertainment, Souvenir shopping. The aim is that most of his daily needs are catered to by visiting the railway station thus avoiding unnecessary travel within the city.

The infrastructure at the redeveloped station is envisaged in such a manner that it promotes seamless integration from one mode to another mode. Upon redevelopment, it will provide multiple access points to passengers for easy commute and also a direct linkage between suburban railway, harbour line, long distance, Metro rail and commercial development. This will help in reducing the congestion while enjoying the enhanced heritage structure. Efforts would also be made to integrate the last mile connectivity so that passengers can be provided end-to-end solutions.

Request for Qualification (RFQ) for redevelopment of ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharaj Terminus (Mumbai) on PPP has been invited by IRSDC vide NIT published on 20.08.2020. The RFQ document can be accessed on: http://irsdc.enivida.com/. The Applications due date is 22.10.2020.

During the Pre-bid meeting, it was highlighted that at the RFQ stage the applicants would need to fulfil only the financial criteria that is minimum net worth (for developers) or minimum ACI (for funds) and the technical eligibility criteria has been dispensed with.

The CSMT project cost is of Rs. 1642 croreand the cost of Real estate is Rs. 1433 crores. The total real estate BUA is 25 lac sq. ft. at CSMT, WadiBunder and Byculla. The construction period is of 4 years. The selected bidder at the RFP stage shall take up the redevelopment of the Railway station and commercial development of the surrounding railway land on leasehold basis for 60 years for commercial development and upto 99 years for residential development on selected plots, along with operation and maintenance of the station for 60 years on concession basis.

NHSRCL opens Technical bids for 28 Steel bridges and 88 km of viaduct between Vadodara and Ahmedabad for MAHSR corridor.

Demand of 70,000 MT of Steel to boost Steel industries.

National High Speed Rail Corporation opens technical bids for two packages today for Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Corridor (1) Procurement and Fabrication of 28 steel bridges for crossing over railway lines, rivers, highways, road crossings and other structures (P-4) (2) Design and Construction of 88 km (Approx) of viaduct between Vadodara and Ahmedabad in Gujarat including construction of elevated HSR station at Anand/Nadiad.(C-6), 5 Bridges and 25 crossings.

Following bidders participated in the tender process:

Bidders for Procurement and Fabrication of 28 steel bridges (Package P-4):

1)         Tata Projects Ltd.

2)         Afcons Infrastructure Ltd.

3)         Braithwaite & Co. Ltd.Consortium

4)         Bridge & Roof Co. (India) Ltd.

5)         NCC Ltd.

6)         JMC Projects(India) Ltd. &RaheeInfratech Ltd.

7)         ISGEC Heavy Engineering Ltd. – M & B Engineering Ltd. Consortium

8)         Larsen & Toubro – IHI Infrastructure Systems Consortium

Out of these, sr.no. 1 to 7 are Indian companies and Sr. no. 8 is a consortium between Indian and Japanese company.

Bidders for Design and Construction of 88 Kms viaduct and Anand/Nadiad station (Package C-6):

1: Afcons Infrastructure Limited – IRCON International Limited – JMC Projects India Ltd- Consortium

2: NCC Limited – Tata Project Ltd.- J. Kumar Infra Projects Ltd. – HSR Consortium

3: Larsen & Toubro Ltd.

All three bidders are Indian.

It is estimated that about 70,000 MT of Steel will be used for the fabrication of 28 steel bridges. NHSRCL has already sensitized the steel industries to cater such a huge demand for the India’s first High Speed Rail corridor.

With the opening of these bids, the technical bids covering 64% (325 km out of 508 km) of the total MAHSR alignment including five (5) HSR stations (Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch and Anand/Nadiad) out of 12 stations and one Train depot at Surat are under consideration. Earlier this week, NHSRCL has opened the technical bids for 237 km of viaduct between Vapi and Vadodara in Gujarat including 4 elevated HSR stations and one Train depot at Surat where all the three bidders comprising seven (7) leading Indian infrastructure companies had participated.

The Indian Steel and Cement industries and their allied supply chains will get a big boost from these tenders.

The 4^th edition of India – Japan Maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX, which is conducted biennially between the Indian Navy and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will be held in North Arabian Sea from 26 to 28 September 2020. JIMEX series of exercises commenced in January 2012 with special focus on maritime security cooperation. The last edition of JIMEX was conducted in October 2018 off Visakhapatnam, India.

Naval cooperation between India and Japan has increased in scope and complexity over the years. Advanced level of operations and exercises planned during JIMEX-20 are indicative of the continued upswing in Indo-Japanese defence relations and continued efforts by both Governments to work closely for a more secure, open and inclusive global commons, in accordance with international regulations.

JIMEX 20 will showcase high degree of inter-operability and joint operational skills through conduct of a multitude of advanced exercises, across the spectrum of maritime operations. Multi-faceted tactical exercises involving weapon firings, cross deck helicopter operations and complex surface, anti-submarine and air warfare drills will consolidate coordination developed by the two navies.

JIMEX 20 will be spread over three days and is being conducted in a ‘non-contact at-sea-only format’, in view of COVID-19 restrictions.

Indigenously built stealth destroyer Chennai, Teg Class stealth frigate Tarkash and Fleet Tanker Deepak, under the command of Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, will represent the Indian Navy. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force will be represented by JMSDF Ships Kaga, an Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer and Ikazuchi, a Guided Missile Destroyer, led by Rear Admiral Konno Yasushige, Commander Escort Flotilla – 2 (CCF – 2). In addition to ships, P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft, integral helicopters and fighter aircraft will also participate in the exercise.

JIMEX 20 will further enhance the cooperation and mutual confidence between the two navies and fortify the long standing bond of friendship between the two countries.

The short term optical flux stability detected in some of the brightest jets in the universe could provide clues to the processes close to black holes.

Blazars are one of the most luminous and energetic objects in the universe powered by material falling onto a super-massive black hole at the center of the host galaxy – the luminosity being because of their a jet composed of ionized matter traveling at nearly the speed of light towards an observer (the Earth).

Six scientists spanning over three countries— India, Serbia, and the USA studied some of the brightest blazers called TeV (Tera-electron Volt) blazars and found that they stand out as a semblance of stability of brightness among the blazar family in the short duration. While their brightness varies in the long duration, they maintain their brightness levels in short duration.

Blazars are among one of the most favourite astronomical transient objects, and their study could provide clues to the processes happening close to the black hole, not visible through direct imaging.

The scientists, including researchers from Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, took 1741 image frames during 2013 – 2019  by using two (1.04 m and 1.3 m) telescopes, in ARIES, India and two (0.6 m and 1.4 m) telescopes in Serbia. A detailed study of the optical flux and spectral variability of three extreme TeV (Tera-electron Volt, i.e., 10¹² eV) gamma-ray emitting blazars, namely 1ES 0229+200, 1ES 0414+009, 1ES 2344+514 was carried out by this team.

In the study by Dr. Ashwani Pandey and Dr. Alok C. Gupta, published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Journal, a detailed study of the flux, color, and spectral index variations of the three extreme TeV blazars was carried out on diverse timescales — as short as within a day, and as well as on months to years timescales. The study also explained the physical processes responsible for such variations. 

According to the team, in TeV emitting blazars, peak of spectral energy distribution lies in the UV/X-ray range. Thus in optical bands, magnetic fields and electrons energies are less, causing short term optical flux stability or low amplitude variability. Variations on months to years timescales can most likely be explained by the propagation of shocks along with the jet, due to which the electrons at the shock front get accelerated to very high energies. These high energy electrons are then cooled via different emission processes while leaving the shock front. Other possible explanations for months to years timescale variations include a change of the magnetic field and/or change in the Doppler factor caused by either helical motion of the emitting region within the jet or wiggling of jets or helical jets.

In this age of multi-wavelength (MW) time-domain astronomy in which the transient astronomical sources are of great interest due to their rapid change in flux, simultaneous MW observation of a particular transient source on an extended period of time is important for understanding the emission mechanism in different electromagnetic (EM) bands.   

Graphene, the one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms, which is a boon for energy storage, coatings, sensors as well as superconductivity, is difficult to produce while retaining its single layered properties.

A new low-cost method of upscaling production of graphene while preserving its single layered properties, developed by Indian scientists, may reduce the cost of producing this thinnest, strongest and most conductive material in the world.

Researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India through their recent research work have upscaled graphene production while retaining its thin layered properties. This was made possible by a simple, affordable method wherein naphthalene coated nickel foil was heated for a few minutes in an ordinary vacuum by joule heating and was cooled to get twisted layers of graphene. Careful study using electronic diffraction and Raman scattering showed that the 2D single-crystal nature of the atomic lattice of the graphene is retained even in the multilayer stack. The twisted multilayer graphene that results is also highly conducting.

In the research by Nikita Gupta (Ph.D. student, JNCASR) and Prof. G.U. Kulkarni (corresponding author ) published in the ‘Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters’, the scientists have also defined a formula to quantify how much single layer like behaviour exists in such a system. The twisted system has multiple layers, each behaving like a single layer, allows variation in the experimental data within one sample, thus making quantification possible to achieve. The derived formula provides an insight into any twisted hexagonal multilayer system and may be used to tune superconductivity.

The researchers used a combination of two techniques to understand and quantify how much single layer like behaviour exists in the graphene system. Raman spectroscopy—a technique to understand whether a graphene species has single layer like behaviour arising because of no interlayer interaction and electron diffraction–a technique to study the morphology of the given twisted system.

Observing fascinating properties of twisted multilayer graphene such as visible absorption band, efficient corrosion resistance, temperature-dependent transport, influencing the crystalline orientation of source material, helped the JNCASR team to understand the landscape of the given twisted multilayer graphene system. 

Recent publication in the journal ‘Nature’ by James M. Tour, an eminent peer on this research discovery (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-1938-0), confirms the upper limit of relative Raman intensity predicted by this work, experimentally. The present understanding of twisted multilayer graphene will help in understanding any twisted hexagonal system. It gives an upper limit of relative Raman intensity which can exist in a particular multilayer graphene system.

Gold has been a fascinating metal for use in jewelry and well as industrial applications because of its high resistance against conventional oxidizing environments. The unique property of Au is mainly dictated by its atomic arrangement in the crystal structure, technically called face-centered cubic (fcc) lattice.

Scientists have introduced new catalytic properties in gold by altering the most stable fcc lattice, converting it into a new avatar that can trigger gold-based catalysis for industry.

Tuning of crystal structures and shapes of micro-sized noble metals or micro-crystallites have revealed fascinating catalytic, optical, electrical, and magnetic properties that enable developments of environmentally friendly and durable nano-technological applications.

Scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, have stabilized gold in non-cubic lattice, unfurling efficient catalytic properties of the metal.

The team guided by Prof. G.U Kulkarni from JNCASR has stabilized Au in mixed lattices consisting of lower symmetry lattices in the form of micro-crystallites, induced by geometrical constraints. In contrast to conventional bulk fcc gold, these micro-crystallites are more efficient in their catalytic activity. Besides, the crystallites behave nobler than the conventional fcc Au in mercury and aqua regia. Thus, these Au crystallites behave quite differently from our day to day used ones, and the credit goes to the underlying unconventional lattices.

This research published in the journal ACS Nano’wassupported by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India (DST) provided within the framework of the India@Desy collaboration and Nano Mission and the technical support from the EU-Horizon2020 research and innovation program of Nanoscience Foundries and Fine Analysis (NFFA).

In this work, JNCASR team joined by Prof. M.K Sanyal from SINP, Kolkata used scanning X-ray diffraction microscopy (SXDM) technique with nano-beam at DeutschesElektronen-Synchrotron(DESY), PETRA III, Germany, which revealed location of the spatial distribution of the different lattices in the crystallite volume without using any slicing techniques.

The study disclosed many surprises. The central part of the crystallite is rich in lower symmetry lattices while being capped by the fcc rich tips, which explains their unique behavior in aqua regia. Besides, co-presence of compression and expansion to the extent of approximately 5% (compared with conventional fcc Au) in the micrometer-sized crystallite helps the crystallites remain ambient stable for years. Such study of the spatial distribution of the different phases can allow exploration of new properties in a much better way.

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah paid floral tributes to Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya on his birth anniversary today. Shri Amit Shah said, “My humble tributes to the heroic son of Mother India, an epitome of simplicity and the pioneer of progressive politics in the country, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya ji, on his birth anniversary.”

“For the last 6 years, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has been carrying forward the poor welfare policy of ‘Antyodaya’ based on Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya’s vision. Under this policy, Modi Government is providing cooking gas, electricity, toilets, houses and health facilities to 60 crore poor households.”

Shri Amit Shah said, “Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya ji gave birth to a new ideology soon after Independence, at a time when policies were being framed and the nation had begun its journey.  Instead of blindly emulating the West, his thought was deeply rooted in Indian ethos.”

Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, celebrated Foundation Day of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) on the occasion of Antyodaya Diwas today. Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Rural Development, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Panchayati Raj and Food Processing Industries graced the occasion along with Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Union Minister of State for Rural Development.

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar congratulated all the stakeholders of DDU- GKY on the occasion of Antyodaya Diwas for setting a benchmark in implementation of the program. He exhorted rural youth for getting skilled as no degrees can fetch a job if youth is not skilled and that only skill can lead to a better future. He also emphasized on importance of self-employment and designing one’s own future. The Minister expressed his happiness over the fact that under DDU-GKY, 10.51 lakh rural youth have been trained and 6.65 lakh successfully placed so far. He highlighted the importance of skilling in making India a prosperous country.

On this occasion, Shri Tomar inaugurated Agripreneurship Program and released the following during this program:

1. Guidelines regarding Captive Employment under DDU- GKY
2. Guidelines for Promotion of Integrated Farming Cluster (IFC)
3. Compendium of success stories of DDU- GKY placed candidates

An MoU was also signed between MoRD, ICAR (KVK) & RCRC (NGOs Coalition) for capacity building of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)/StartUps and providing incubation support in rural areas.

Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, Union Minister of State for Rural Development congratulated all the stakeholders for organizing this program, ” Kaushal Se Kal Badlenge”. She mentioned that sharing of the story of successful candidates shall be motivational for other rural youths to join this program. She impressed upon the importance of rural development in the context of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat through skilling’. She stressed to all stakeholders regarding the need to bring other interested rural youths under DDU-GKY to become independent and a change agent in the society.

The Union Ministers interacted with some placed candidates and employers from 4 different locations, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Gurugram &Hyderabad. The candidates who got skilled and are now successfully placed today with different employers, shared their unique life experiences.

Secretary (Rural Development) Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha highlighted the achievements of DDU-GKY during the last 6 years of implementation. He also talked about importance of DDU-GKY and integrated farming initiative for rural development across the country. He sincerely hoped that DDU-GKY would achieve greater success in skilling and placing the rural youth in times to come. 

This program was virtually attended by State Skill Missions, State Rural Livelihoods missions, Rural Development Department of States/UTs, Project Implementing Agencies, Employers and rural youths from all over the country.