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Current Affairs (16th July, 2024)
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SYNCHN 2024
Why in the News?
- Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) under the Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC) hosted SYNCHN 2024.
- SYNCHN: Synergy in science built through elements of collaboration for high quality data & expertise in NCR Biotech Cluster.
- The event aimed to strengthen academia-industry collaborations in the NCR Biotech Cluster, focusing on advancing biomanufacturing and bio-innovation.
Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council (BRIC)
- About: It is an apex autonomous society under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology.
- Mission: It was formed by subsuming 14 Autonomous Institutions (AIs) under it.
This has been done to provide centralized and unified biotech governance across the country. - Objectives
- Advance cutting-edge efforts in biotechnology by the establishment of multi-disciplinary research programs across institutional boundaries.
- Consolidate current achievements to move beyond mere enhancement of numerical metrices to expand the scale and scope of research endeavors, taking on complex, challenging questions and finding affordable, relevant solutions while expanding the frontiers and footprint of knowledge.
- Initiate immersion-based Ph.D programs in partnership with the Regional Centre of Biotechnology (RCB, Faridabad) to create interdisciplinary education and research programs that compete with the best in the world and accelerate innovation in biotechnology and contemporary areas of academic, clinical, and industrial significance.
- Global networking through the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB, New Delhi) to catalyze global multi-organizational interactions.
Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI)
- Formed: 2009
- Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
- About
- It is an autonomous institution under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
- It is a part of the interdisciplinary Biotech Science Cluster in Faridabad and recognized as an R&D institute by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi.
- It is known for its cutting-edge research in a wide range of areas including medical biotechnology, infectious diseases, child health and policy research.
- The institute has been at the forefront of the COVID-19 research in India.
World Heritage Young Professionals (WHYPF) Forum 2024
Why in the News?
- India inaugurated World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024.
- India is also hosting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee meeting for the first time.
About
- The WHYPF is part of the World Heritage Education Programme. It serves as a dynamic platform for intercultural learning and exchange.
- The World Heritage Young Professional Forum meeting is being organised by the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology which is a part of the Archaeological Survey of India.
- The theme of the World Heritage Young Professionals Forum is World Heritage in the 21st Century: Building Capacities and Exploring Opportunities for Youth.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)
- Established: 16 November 1945
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Director General: Audry Azoulay
- About: It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) and seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture.
- Objectives
- Attaining quality education for all and lifelong learning.
- Mobilizing science knowledge and policy for sustainable development.
- Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges.
- Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace.
- Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication.
- Focuses on global priority areas - “Africa” and “Gender Equality”.
Archaeological Survey of India
- It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham.
- Alexander Cunningham was the first Director-General of ASI and known as the Father of Indian Archaeology.
- It falls under the Ministry of Culture and is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
- It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
- Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.
Saushrutam 2024
Why in the News?
- The All-India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) organised 2nd National Seminar SAUSHRUTAM Shalya Sangoshti 2024.
- The event honored Sushruta who is known as the father of surgery.
Sushruta
- He is thought to have been born in the 7th century BC in eastern India and is considered a son of Sage Vishvamitra.
- He was an ancient Indian surgeon and is the author of ‘Sushruta Samhita’.
- Contribution in Surgery
- He induced anesthesia using intoxicants like wine and henbane for a successful surgery.
- He specialized in rhinoplasty (plastic surgery) and ophthalmology (cataract ejection).
Note: India was the first place where rhinoplasty (developed by Sushruta) was invented and used, and even modern science agrees with this.
- He has described surgery under eight heads
- Chedya (excision)
- Lekhya (scarification)
- Vedhya (puncturing)
- Esya (exploration)
- Ahrya (extraction)
- Vsraya (evacuation)
- Sivya (suturing)
- Contribution to Anatomy
- He was one of the first to investigate human anatomy.
- The study of anatomy is covered in the ten chapters of Sushruta Samhita's Sarirasthana.
- Other Contributions
- Aside from trauma involving general surgery, he detailed the treatment of 12 different types of fractures and six different types of dislocations.
- He discussed the principles oftraction, manipulation, apposition, stabilisation and postoperative physiotherapy.
- He also recommended methods for stimulating hair growth and removing unwanted hair.
International Sand Sculpture Championship
Why in the News?
- Sudarsan Pattnaik won the Golden Sand Master award at an International Sand Sculpture Championship in Russia.
About
- The championship was held between July 4-12 in 2024.
- The theme of the Championship history, mythology, and fairy tales. A total of 21 master sand sculptors from across the world participated in this championship, with Pattnaik being the sole participant from India.
- The event was organised at iconic Peter and Paul Fortress.
- He created a sand sculpture of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and his great devotee Balaram Das.
Sudarsan Pattnaik
- About: He is an Indian sand artist from Puri, Odisha.
- Achievement and Awards
- He was awarded Padma Shri by Government of India, the Fourth Highest Civilian Award in India, in 2014 for his contribution in Sand Arts.
- People’s Choice Award at Sand Sculpting World Cup 2014 at Atlantic City, US.
- First Indian to win the Italian Sand Art Award, 2019, at the International Scorrano Sand Nativity event held in Lecce, Italy.
Fleet Awards Function 2024
Why in the News?
- INS Delhi has been adjudged the Best Ship of the Eastern Fleet at the annual Fleet Awards Function 2024 held in Visakhapatnam.
- The event acknowledges and celebrates the operational achievements of the Eastern Fleet during the pase year.
Indian Navy Ship (INS) Delhi
- About
- It was built at the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai and commissioned on 15 November 1997.
- It is India’s first indigenously built guided missile Destroyer.
- It is the lead ship of her class of guided-missile destroyers of the Indian Navy.