- BioTRIG: It is a new waste management technology based on the pyrolysis system.
It works by sealing the waste inside an oxygen-free chamber and heating it above 400 degrees Celsius. Useful chemicals are produced in the process. In the study, the researchers outlined that three products of pyrolysis — bio-oil, syngas and biochar fertiliser — could help rural Indians live healthier and greener lives.
The syngas and bio-oil facilitate heat and power the pyrolysis system in future cycles and surplus electricity is utilized to power local homes and businesses. The clean-burning bio-oil to replace dirty cooking fuels in homes and using biochar to store carbon, while improving soil fertility. Computer simulations showed that the BioTRIG system could also be effective in real-world applications. It could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from communities by nearly 350 kg of CO2-eq per capita per annum. It could help rural Indians cut indoor air pollution, improve soil health, and generate clean power.
- International Big Cat Alliance: It is an initiative launched by Prime Minister of India in April 2023 in Mysuru commemorating the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger. The objective of the IBCA is to ensure cooperation for the conservation of seven big cats: lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, snow leopard, jaguar, and puma. Five of these cats, apart from jaguar and puma, are found in India. It is open to 97 ‘range’ countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organizations, etc.
It aims for mutual cooperation among countries for mutual benefit in furthering the conservation agenda. It would have a multipronged approach in broad basing and establishing linkages manifold in several areas and help in knowledge sharing, capacity building, networking, advocacy, finance and resources support, research and technical support, education and awareness.
Governance Structure:
- A General Assembly consisting of all member countries.
- A Council of at least seven but not more than 15 member countries elected by the General Assembly for a term of 5 years, and a Secretariat.
- Upon the recommendation of the Council, the General Assembly will appoint the IBCA Secretary General for a specific term.
- It has secured Government of India’s initial support of Rs. 150 crore for five years (2023-24 to 2027-28).
- Vikramaditya Vedic Clock: The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the Vikramaditya Vedic Clock, which is mounted on an 85-foot tower within Jantar Mantar in Ujjain.
It is the world’s first ‘Vedic Clock’, designed to display time according to the ancient Indian traditional Panchang (time calculation system).It has been positioned on an 85-foot tower within Jantar Mantar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.It also provides information on planetary positions, Muhurat, astrological calculations, and predictions.In addition to this, it also indicates Indian Standard Time (IST) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).The clock will calculate time from one sunrise to another. The period between the two sunrises will be divided into 30 parts, whose one hour consists of 48 minutes, according to ISD. The reading will start from 0:00 with the sunrise functions for 30 hours (an hour of 48 minutes).
It has been developed by Lucknow-based Sanstha Arohan, using digital interventions, enabling it to be connected to the internet and provide a wide range of features through a mobile app named after the clock.
Ujjain’s rich heritage in timekeeping dates back centuries, with the city playing a pivotal role in determining India’s time zones and time difference. Ujjain is located at the precise point of interaction with zero meridian and Tropic of Cancer.Before 82.5E longitude was adopted for IST, Ujjain (75.78E) was considered as Bharat’s time meridian.
The Vikrami Panchang and Vikram Samvat calendars are also released from Ujjain, which makes Ujjain the ideal location to have the Vaidik Clock.
