HD-3385
Centre has asked the States to promote heat-resilient and high-yielding varieties of wheat like HD-3385 among farmers.
- HD-3385 is 3rd HD variant wheat variety after HDCSW-18 and HD-3410.
- It has height of just 95 cm and strong stems.
- It is least lodging-prone and most amenable for early sowing.
- IARI has registered HD-3385 with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA).
Justice Gita Mittal Committee
Supreme Court asked the petitioners to trust the Justice Gita Mittal Committee.
- It was constituted by the Supreme Court as a 3-member women committee in context of Manipur.
- Objective – To supervise, intervene and monitor relief and rehabilitation, restoration of homesteads, religious places of worships, better relief work, etc. in Manipur.
Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary (ABWS)
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to conduct a study on the biodiversity of the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi and prepare a management plan.
- Location – North-eastern part of Aravalli range, classified as tropical desert thorny forest.
- Part of the Sariska-Delhi Wildlife Corridor
- Fauna – Sambar, Spotted deer, Hog deer, Nilgai, Black Buck, Indian Boar, leopards, Striped hyenas, and rhesus macaques, among other animals.
- Neeli jheel-manmade lake lies in this sanctuary.
CE20 E13 engine
ISRO has successfully fired and tested the CE20 E13 engine at Propulsion Complex (IPRC) in Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
- CE20 is a critical component of the Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) that powers the upper stage (C25) of the LVM3 (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III) vehicle.
- Developed by – Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Valiamala, Kerala.
- Benefit – It will play a key role in the launch of Gaganyaan mission.
Thirumurai
Tamil Nadu government has appointed women Odhuvars [those who praise Lord Shiva by singing Thirumurai in Saivite temples] in temples.
- Thirumurai is a 12 volume compendium of songs in praise of Lord Shiva from the 6th to the 10th century CE.
- Composed by – Nayanars in Tamil Nadu.
- Tevaram (first 7) – written by Sundarar, Sambandar and Appar
- Female poet Karaikkal Ammaiyar contributed to 11th volume. 12th volume called (Periyarpuranam)