TAMILNADU

TNAU launches high-yielding sunflower variety

For many farmers who are looking to make a quick buck in the short term in between their cotton, sugarcane or vegetable cultivation, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University has come up with its latest hybrid variety of sunflower.

The hybrid variety of seeds were released in 2019. They can be grown in rainfed areas and are moderately disease resistant. TNAU scientists said demand for sunflower oil is high due to its nutritional benefits. Currently, India imports most of its sunflower oil from Ukraine, Russia and Argentina.

The latest variety of sunflower COH3 has 42% oil content, and can provide a yield of 716 kg per hectare. “The 90-day duration of this variety requires some irrigation, but it can grow in rainfed areas like Namakkal, Erode, Karur, Virudhunagar and Coimbatore

INTERNATIONAL

AI based Survey of African Elephants

An international research team led by Oxford University has developed a new method of investigating African elephants using satellite imagery and artificial intelligence.

This method uses satellite orbits capable of capturing images of more than five thousand square kilometers in space. Then, the captured image is processed through a deep learning model, which will detect the elephant and eliminate other objects.

The international team used a customized data set to cover thousands of elephants in South Africa.

This method eliminates the risk of double counting. In addition, it can conduct repeated investigations in a short period of time.

This method can identify calves separately.

The number of elephants in India is 27,312. The Indian elephant is one of the three subspecies of the Asian elephant.

NATIONAL

Prasar Bharati’s Digital Channels record 100% growth in 2020.

The digital channels of Prasar Bharati have recorded 100% growth in 2020.

Pakistan has the second-highest audience of Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR).

Prasar Bharati’s mobile app, ‘NewsOnAir,’ has added 2.5 million users and registered 300 million views in 2020.

UJALA and SLNP completes six years of Illuminating India

Govt of India’s UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) and SLNP (Street Light National Programme) completes six years of Illuminating India efficiently. Both plans were first implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a PSU joint venture under the Ministry of Electricity of the Government of India.

UJALA:
The plan was launched in 2015. The goal is to replace 770 million incandescent lamps with LED bulbs and eliminate the high cost of LEDs, which have previously been used in energy-saving systems. Implement this program to establish phased LED distribution. The purpose is to promote efficient lighting and increase awareness of using efficient equipment to reduce electricity bills and protect the environment. This is the largest home lighting project in the world.

SLNP:
The National Street Lamp National Plan is a government initiative aimed at improving energy efficiency in the country.

DRDOs Advanced Biodigester Mk-II Technology

DRDO and MAHA-METRO signed a memorandum of understanding to implement Advanced Biodigester Mk-II technology in the metro rail network.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by the joint venture company MAHA-METRO (Maharashtra Metro Corporation) between DRDO and GOI and Govt. Maharashtra.

According to the memorandum of understanding, DRDO will provide technical support for the implementation of its advanced bio-digester Mk-II technology to deal with human waste (night soil) in the subway network.

DRDO’s biodigester is a native, green and cost-effective technology, and its rare feature is that it has one of the largest number of DRDO licenses.

Indian Railways has installed about 2.4 million bio-digesters in its passenger car fleet.

Government Launched A Virtual Hackathon Toycathon

The government has launched the virtual toy hackathon “Toycathon 2021”. This is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the All India Technical Education Commission.

Aim: Conceptualize innovative toys according to the Indian value system, which will instill positive behavior and good value in children and to promote India to become a global toy manufacturing center (Atmanirbhar Abhiyan).

♦ Based on: Indian culture and ethos, local folklore and heroes, and Indian value system.

♦ Theme: Nine themes, including fitness and sports and rediscovering traditional Indian toys.

Freight Business Development Portal by Railways

The Ministry of Railways has launched a dedicated portal website to promote and develop the railway freight business-the freight business development portal.

Due to the coronavirus crisis, passenger train services have been suspended, and the railway sector relies heavily on freight revenue to make money.

The Dedicated Railway Freight Corridor of India Limited (DFCCIL) is a government enterprise under the administration of the Ministry of Railways. It is currently constructing a 3,342 km east-west freight corridor to be used exclusively for trains.

This is the first dedicated freight portal website that will ensure that all operations are customer-centric, reduce logistics providers’ costs, provide online tracking facilities for suppliers, and simplify the cargo transportation process.

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