SAMARTH Programs
The government has launched six SAMARTH-curated training programs on iGOT Karmayogi Platform for State Government officials.
- 6 programs – SAMARTH Blocks, SAMARTH Zila, SAMARTH Rajya, SAMARTH Rajya Sachiva, SAMARTH Policy and SAMARTH Procurement
- Aim – To elevate the skills and competencies of government officials, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of governance.
Smart India Hackathon (SIH)-2023
The 6th edition of the Smart India Hackathon was recently held.
- Aim – To help various government departments, private organizations get solutions for some of their pressing problems through students.
- Jointly organized by – Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Persistent Systems, and i4c.
- New in SIH 2023: Open its door for school-going students of class 8th and above.
Huntington Disease
Research has been conducted to understand how Huntington’s disease progresses at the molecular level.
- An inherited disorder that causes nerve cells (neurons) in parts of the brain to gradually break down and die.
- It attacks areas of brain that help to control voluntary (intentional) movement, as well as other areas.
- Symptoms – Forgetfulness, loss of balance, experiences difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and walking.
Veer Baal Diwas
Veer Baal Diwas, observed annually on December 26th, honors the sacrifices of the Younger Sahibzade.
- Sahibzade – 4 sons of the 10th Sikh Guru (Guru Gobind Singh Ji)
- Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh – martyred in the Battle of Chamkaur in 1704 against Mughal forces.
- Baba Zorawar Singh and Baba Fateh Singh – sealed alive by Wazir Khan in a wall for refusing to embrace Islam.
- Gurudwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib – dedicated to their great martyrdom.
Jumping spiders
A team of researchers has discovered two new species of jumping spiders from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
- Only 3 species belonging to the genus Afraflacilla had been hitherto discovered in the country.
- Widespread from Africa to Australia.
- Consists of dark brown carapace.
- Abdomens are light brown