Vesak Day
India Reaffirms Commitment to Buddha’s Teachings at UN Vesak Day-2025 in Vietnam.
- Celebrates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away, observed on the full moon of May.
- Recognized by the United Nations, celebrated across Theravāda and Mahāyāna Buddhist traditions.
- Rituals: Includes meditation, temple visits, lantern displays, charitable acts, and bathing Buddha statues.
- Regional Variations: Different countries observe Vesak on different full moon days, based on local calendars.
Saola
Recently, a team of International scientists mapped the genome of the Saola
- Also known as – Asian Unicorn
- Discovery: First identified in 1992 in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and Laos, making it one of the rarest mammals.
- Appearance: Resembles an antelope, has long, straight horns, and is dark brown with white facial markings.
- Habitat: Found in dense evergreen forests, prefers remote, wet lowland areas.
- Conservation Status: Critically Endangered, with no successful captive breeding recorded.
- Threats: Habitat destruction and poaching pose major risks to its survival
Alcatraz Island
Recently, the USA President instructed the rebuilding and reopening of the infamous Alcatraz prison, on Alcatraz Island to house ruthless and violent offenders.
- Location: A rocky island in San Francisco Bay, California, USA.
- Historical Use: Served as a military fort (1850s), military prison (1907), and federal prison (1934-1963).
- Current Status: Part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, a popular tourist attraction since 1973
Piezoelectric Effect
Researchers developed a cost-effective, metal-free porous organic catalyst for efficient H2 production.
- A phenomenon where certain materials generate an electric charge when subjected to mechanical stress.
- Discovery: Identified in 1880 by Jacques and Pierre Curie, first observed in quartz.
- Applications: Used in sensors, actuators, energy harvesting devices, ultrasonic applications, and medical imaging.
- Reverse Effect: Applying an electric potential to a piezoelectric material causes mechanical deformation
Multi – Influence Ground Mine
The Indian Navy and DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) successfully tested the indigenously developed MIGM
- An advanced naval mine designed to detect and destroy enemy submarines and ships.
- Detection Mechanism: Uses multiple sensors to track acoustic, magnetic, pressure, and seismic influences.
- Deployment: Can be placed on the seabed or controlled remotely from ships and submarines.
- Modes of Operation: Functions in autonomous mode (self-triggering) or cable control mode (manual activation).
- Developed By: Designed by Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), DRDO, for the Indian Navy