EK Janaki Ammal

The 125th birth anniversary of Edavalath Kakkat Janaki Ammal, a pioneering botanist and the first Indian woman to be awarded a PhD in the botanical sciences was observed on 4 November 2022.

Janaki Ammal is known widely for her contributions to science – in the field of genetics, cytology, evolution, and more.
She was recently the inspiration for Savithri Preetha Nair, who wrote the scientist’s biography ‘Chromosome Woman, Nomad Scientist: E K Janaki Ammal, A Life 1897-1984’.
She worked on making several intergeneric and interspecific hybrids involving sugarcane and related grass species.
These works were highly significant, as she is believed to have been responsible for creating sugarcane hybrids that yielded sweeter sugar.
Along with C.D. Darlington, she authored ‘The Chromosome Atlas of Cultivated Plants’ in 1945 which contained her work on many species.
To honour her work, the Royal Horticultural Society named a variety of Magnolia blossoms after her – the Magnolia Kobus Janaki Ammal.

Appointment of Manisha Padhi as India's First Woman Aide-De-Camp

Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi, an Indian Air Force officer, was recently appointed as India's first Woman Aide-De-Camp (ADC) from the Indian Armed Forces.

Key Points

Mizoram Governor's Announcement: Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Mizoram Governor, appointed Padhi and shared the news through a video on social media.
Breaking Gender Norms: Governor stressed Padhi's appointment as a testament to women breaking gender norms and excelling in various domains.
Role Clarification: Defined the role of an Aide-De-Camp as a personal assistant to a high-ranking individual, including a head of state.

Christopher Luxon Assumes Office as New Zealand Prime Minister

On 27^th Nov, former airline executive Christopher Luxon officially took office as New Zealand's Prime Minister, emphasizing a commitment to addressing inflation and lowering interest rates.

Key Points

Transition of Power: Christopher Luxon, the former chief executive of Air New Zealand, was sworn in as the head of a new coalition government, succeeding the Labour Party's Jacinda Ardern.
Immediate Priorities: The new government plans to prioritize restoring law and order and enhancing public services in its initial months in office.
Cost of Living Challenges: The previous Labour government faced challenges in controlling the rising cost of living, attributed in part to global factors such as pandemic-related supply issues and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"Hello Naariyal" FoCT Call Centre to Aid Coconut Farmers

On 13^th Nov, the Coconut Development Board inaugurated the "Hello Naariyal" Friends of Coconut Tree (FoCT) call centre, aimed at assisting coconut farmers in harvesting and plant management practices.

Key Points

Extended Services: While functioning from Kochi, the Hello Naariyal call centre will benefit coconut growers in Kerala and extend its services to traditional coconut-growing states such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka through respective Unit Offices.

FoCT Registration: A total of 1924 Friends of Coconut Tree (FoCT) individuals have registered for the call center, providing services at the Block Grama Panchayat level for various coconut cultivation activities.
Comprehensive Services: FoCTs offer services related to coconut tree climbing, plant protection, harvesting, seed nut procurement, nursery management, and more at the district level.
Objective: The call centre aims to enhance coconut sector activities by connecting FoCT palm climbers with coconut farmers, producer organizations, entrepreneurs, and agriculture officials.

ISAR Honours 2023

Recently, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) for its initiative Sustainability Reporting Standards Board (SRSB) has been awarded the ISAR Honours 2023 by the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) working group on International Standards for Accounting and Reporting (ISAR).

ICAI’s initiative SRSB received the highest score in this year's ISAR HONORS session among 70 initiatives from around the world.
ISAR Honours recognizes policy, institutional and capacity-building initiatives to encourage and assist enterprises to publish data on their contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and facilitate good practices in this area.

Tallest Statue of Dr. B R Ambedkar Unveiled in Maryland, USA

On 14^th October, 2023, the inauguration of the tallest statue of Dr. B R Ambedkar, known as the principal architect of India's Constitution, took place in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C.

Key Points

Historic Unveiling: More than 500 Indian-Americans from various parts of the United States, India, and other countries attended the unveiling of the 19-feet tall "Statue of Equality," marking a historic event.
Statue Origins and Significance: The statue was created by the renowned artist and sculptor, Ram Sutar, known for crafting the "Statue of Unity" of Sardar Patel, located on an island in Narmada, Gujarat.
Named the "Statue of Equality," it symbolizes the issue of inequality, not limited to India but present in various forms worldwide, according to Ram Kumar, president of the Ambedkar International Center (AIC).
The "Statue of Equality" is seen as a step towards unifying the Indian-American diaspora and promoting social justice.

ICAR-IARI Collaborates with IIT Kanpur to Boost Agri-Innovation Incubators and Startups

ICAR-IARI, a prominent agricultural research organization, has recently inked an agreement with IIT Kanpur to extend support to incubators and startups in the agricultural sector.

Key Points

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was officially signed between Pusa Krishi, a part of ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and the Start-up Incubation & Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur.
This collaborative effort aims to nurture agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship.
Virtual Signing; The MoU was signed in a virtual ceremony, with Viswanathan Chinnusamy, Joint Director (Research) at IARI, and Professor Ankush Sharma from the Department of Electrical Engineering at SIIC, IIT Kanpur, representing their respective institutions.
Support for Incubators and Startups: The agreement seeks to provide essential support to incubators and startups, nurturing their growth and success within the agricultural sector.

Claudia Goldin Wins Nobel Economics Prize for Research on Gender Gap

On 9^th October, 2023, Harvard University professor Claudia Goldin has been awarded the Nobel economics prize for her groundbreaking research that has enhanced our understanding of the gender gap within the labour market.

Key Points

Goldin's Research on Gender Gap: Claudia Goldin's research spans two centuries of women's participation in the workforce.
Despite women gaining higher education levels than men, her research revealed that the gender pay gap persists, and women's wages don't continuously catch up to men's.
Goldin's work highlights the importance of understanding the connection between family, home life, and employment in achieving gender equality.
Policy Implications: While Goldin's research doesn't provide specific solutions, it offers policymakers valuable insights into addressing the gender pay gap.
Economist Randi Hjalmarsson, a member of the Nobel committee, emphasizes the complexity of the issue and the need for tailored policies to bridge the gap.
Understanding the underlying reasons for the gender gap is crucial for effective policy formulation.
The Role of Individual Decisions: Goldin's analysis suggests that a woman's role in the job market and her pay are influenced not only by broader societal changes but also by her individual decisions, including educational choices.
Young girls often base their career decisions on their mothers' experiences, contributing to the slow progress in reducing gender gaps.
Impact on Gender Equality: Goldin highlights the connection between women's work choices, family life, and gender equality.
Efforts to promote couple equity and more balanced family roles can contribute to greater gender equality.
Nobel Prize and Gender Disparity: Claudia Goldin's Nobel win is a significant step in addressing the gender disparity among Nobel laureates.
She is only the third woman to receive the Nobel economics prize out of 93 laureates.

Jon Fosse Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature for 2023

On 5^th October, 2023, Norwegian author and dramatist Jon Fosse was honoured with the Nobel Prize in Literature for the year 2023, as announced by the Swedish Academy on Thursday.

Key Points

Recognition for Innovative Works: Jon Fosse received the Nobel Prize in Literature "for his innovative plays and prose, which give voice to the unsayable."
His body of work, primarily written in Norwegian Nynorsk, encompasses plays, novels, poetry collections, essays, children's books, and translations.
Prestigious Literary Award: The Nobel Prize in Literature, considered the world's most prestigious literary accolade, carries a prize of 10 million Swedish krona ($915,000).
This marks the 116th time that the Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded, with 120 Nobel laureates between 1901 and 2023.
Fosse's Versatility: While renowned as one of the world's most frequently performed playwrights, Fosse has gained recognition for his prose, translated into over 40 languages.
The Swedish Academy recommended starting with any of his plays for their readability, and they described his prose as offering moments both in the morning and evening.
Notable Works: Fosse's debut novel, 'Red, Black' (1983), delves into the theme of suicide.
His first play, 'And We Will Never Be Parted,' was produced and published in 1994.
His unique style, known as "Fosse minimalism," simplifies narratives to their essence.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2023 Awarded for Quantum Dots Discovery

On 4^th October, the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was bestowed upon Moungi G. Bawendi, Louis E. Brus, and Alexei I. Ekimov for their groundbreaking discovery and synthesis of quantum dots, as declared by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm.

Key Points

Revolutionary Quantum Dots: Quantum dots, hailed for their unique properties, are now ubiquitous, illuminating television screens and LED lamps, catalyzing chemical reactions, and aiding surgeons in visualizing tumor tissue.
These tiny particles have primarily been employed to generate colored light, but they hold promise for diverse applications in the future, such as flexible electronics, miniature sensors, thinner solar cells, and potentially encrypted quantum communication.
Nanotechnology Pioneers: The 2023 Nobel Prize laureates in chemistry have been pioneers in exploring the nanoworld, and their work with quantum dots has become a vital tool in nanotechnology.
In the early 1980s, Louis Brus and Alexei Ekimov independently succeeded in creating quantum dots, nanoparticles where quantum effects govern their characteristics.
Chemistry laureate Moungi Bawendi revolutionized quantum dot manufacturing methods in 1993, significantly enhancing their quality, a crucial requirement for their current nanotechnology applications.
Enormous Potential: Quantum dots are viewed as a technology that holds immense promise for humanity, with potential applications spanning various fields.
They are expected to contribute significantly to fields like flexible electronics, miniature sensors, thinner solar cells, and secure encrypted quantum communication, marking the beginning of the exploration of these minuscule particles' potential.

Tribal University to be Launched in Telangana

On 1^st Oct, Prime Minister unveiled plans for the Central government to establish a Central Tribal University in Telangana's Mulugu district, with a projected cost of Rs 900 crore.

Key Points

Tribal Goddess Tribute: The university will be named after the tribal goddesses, Samakka and Sarakka.
Empowering Youth: Prime Minister Modi highlighted the significance of the Central Tribal University, stating that it will particularly benefit the youth, especially those belonging to tribal communities.
Institution of Eminence: The Central University of Hyderabad has been designated as an Institution of Eminence and has received special funding support.