current affairs from january to june 2013 sandt

7/27/2019 Current Affairs From January to June 2013 SandT

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2013 Current Affairs Special -Science & Technology

JanuaryInternet turns 30

The Internet, a revolutionary communications system that has transformed the lives of

billions of people across the world, turned 30 on 1st January 2013. The computer network

officially began its technological revolution when it fully substituted previous networking

systems on January 1st 1983. Known as "flag day", it was the first time the US

Department of Defence (DoD)-commissioned ARPANET network fully switched to use

of the Internet protocol suite (IPS) communications system. Using data "packet-

switching", the new method of linking computers paved the way for the arrival of the

World Wide Web.

Based on designs by Welsh scientist Donald

Davies, the ARPANET network began as a military

project in the late 1960s. It was developed at

prestigious American universities and research

laboratories, such as the University of California Los

Angeles (UCLA) and the Stanford Research Institute.

Starting in 1973, work on the powerful and flexible IPS

and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) technology which would change mass

communications got under way. The new systems were designed to replace the more

vulnerable Network Control Program (NCP) used previously, making sure the network was

not exposed to a single point of failure. By January 1 1983, the substitution of the older

system for the new Internet protocol had been completed and the Internet was born.

Siachen Glacier shrinking due to increasing temperatures

The researchers claimed that the Siachen Glacier reduced to 5.9 km in its longitudinal

extent from the time period of 1989 to 2009, due toincreasing temperatures. The researchers also believed

that presence of humans on Siachen would affect other

neighbouring glaciers such as Milan, Janapa, Miyar

and Gangotri which are a source to Chenab, Sutlej

and Ganges rivers. Hindukush, Karakoram and

Himalayas actually form the largest mountain chain on this planet. They are also keepers

of the third-largest ice reserves only after Polar Regions.

British computer scientist Tim

Berners-Lee was then able

to use it to host the system of

inter linked hypertext

documents he invented in

1989, known as the World

Wide Web.

Siachen is largest mountain

glacier of the world, which

is 70 km in length and 5-10

km in width. The satellite

pictures revealed that the

glacier was shrinking.


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Indias Mars exploration mission by October

Indias tryst with Mars will begin in October to explore the red planets atmosphere and

search for life-sustaining elements, said J.N. Goswami, In-charge of the exploration

mission on 4th January. Speaking on the sidelines of the Indian Science Congress in

Kolkata, Mr. Goswami said the mission is yet to get an official name. The Rs.470-crore

mission will demonstrate Indias capability to launch a spacecraft on a 55 million km

journey from earth and look for life-sustaining elements from 500 km over the Martian

surface. The mission has a very specific science objective as we want to study the

atmosphere of Mars. The Mars mission will allow India to join the elite club of five top

nations comprising the US, Russia, Europe, China and Japan which have launched similar

missions. As the fourth planet from the Sun and smallest celestial object in the solar

system, Mars is terrestrial with breath-taking valleys, deserts, craters and volcanoes in a

thin atmosphere. Named after the Roman god of war, the red planet has many similarities

with Earth like the rotation period and seasonal cycles.

World largest solar telescope in Ladakh

India is expected to start building the world's largest solar telescope on the icy heights

ofLadakh to study the sun's atmosphere and understand the formation of sunspots and

their decay process. The Rs. 300-crore project is expected to come up at either Hanle or

Merak, which is very near to the Ladakh's Pangong lake along the Line of Actual Control

with China. Currently, the world's largest solar telescope is the McMath-Pierce SolarTelescope with an aperture size of 1.6 metres in Kitt Peak National Observatory at Arizona

in the US "Fabrication of the National Large Solar Telescope is expected to begin in late

2013". Bangalore-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics is the nodal agency for the project,

which also has participation from Indian Space Research Organisation, Aryabhatta

Research Institute of Observational Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental

Research, IUCAA, IISc and IISER.

ICGS-Rajkamal was commissioned in Chennai

Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Rajkamal, the fourth in the series of eight Inshore

Patrol Vessels (IPVs) designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and

Engineers, Kolkata, was commissioned at Chennai by the Minister of State for Defence

Shri Jitendra Singh on 8th January. The 50 meter indigenous IPV displaces 300 tones and

can achieve a maximum speed of 34 knots, with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles at an

economical speed of 16 knots. Equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced

communication and navigational equipment, it makes an ideal platform for undertaking

multifarious close-coast missions such as surveillance, interdiction, Search and Rescue, and

medical evacuation. The special features of the ship include an Integrated Bridge


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Management System (IBMS),Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS) and an

integrated gun mount with indigenous Fire Control system (FCS). ICGS Rajkamal,

literally meaning "Royal Lotus", will be based at Chennai.

National Immunization Day, 2013 inaugurated

President of India on 13th January inaugurated the National Immunization Day, 2013 by

giving polio drops to children at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Speaking on the historic occasion,

Ghulam Nabi Azad said that he was extremely happy to inform that day is a momentous

day for the whole country as India had completed two years without any case of wild polio

virus. On 25th February 2012, the World Health Organization removed India from the list of

polio endemic countries, which was a historical achievement since there was a perception

among many experts that India would be the last country to eradicate polio. This was more

so because, until 2009, India accounted for half of the total polio cases in the world. To

mitigate the risk, we need to continue to protect every child up to the age of 5 years with

the polio vaccine, till polio is eradicated globally. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria still

continue to be polio endemic countries in the world.

Weather Services of IMD on Mobile is inaugurated

Union Minister for science and Technology and Earth Sciences S. Jaipal Reddy has

inaugurated the Weather Services of IMD on Mobile at a glittering function organised

to mark the 138th Foundation Day of India Metrological Department (IMD) in New

Delhi on 15th January. Mr. Reddy while commending the commend the progress made by

the IMD in different fields of atmospheric science said the increased needs of the society for

timely, authentic and directly usable information on weather and climate have thrown up

new challenges before us.

Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences said IMD has taken a new

initiative in the development of an application called Indian-Weather for smart phones

and TABS based on android. This application is freely downloadable through goggle play

available on the home screen of android based smart phones and tabs.

Space Weather Conditions Reading Center in Kolkata

A centre of excellence specialising in reading space weather conditions to help air traffic on

polar routes would come up in Kolkata by the middle of this year (2013), the first of its kind

in the country. Besides air traffic on polar routes, the centre would help in the functioning

of GPS networks and mobile satellites placed in space. Scientists said coronal mass

ejections (CME) and solar flares were two kinds of storms originating from the sun that

exposed flights to immense amounts of radiation over Polar Regions. Several commercial

flights from south Asia, Europe and North America flew over the Polar Regions to cut short


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time and distance. The centre, approved by the Union HRD ministry, would come up at the

Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) campus. The ministry

has sanctioned Rs. 4 crore for it.

MoEF Organised GREEN HAAT

The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) in its endeavor to promote Forest based

Non Timber Handicrafts, Herbal / Health / a Cosmetic Medicinal and Food items

(Forest/Argo/Biodiversity food) is organising 15 Days program: GREEN HAAT with

primary objective of connecting nature with our lives. The event would be organized in

New Delhi from 16th January 2013. It will continue till 31st January 2013. Green Haat is an

initiative of Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF), Govt. of India to raise awareness on

the rich forest and bio diverse heritage of the country among the growing urban population

often living far off from the forests. The first Green Haat was organized on the eve of

World Environment Day 2011 where India played as a Global Host.

ESA released photos of river ran 3.5 Billion years ago

The European Space Agency released surprising pictures of the remains of huge river

which ran across the Red Planet, Mars at some point of time, on 17th January 2013. The

images which were captured by the ESAs Mars Express showed Reull Vallis, the river-like

structure, which is believed to have formed when water ran from the surface of Mars in

distant past. The Reull Vallis, cut a steep-sided channel through Promethei Terra

Highlands and then ran towards the floor of huge Hellas basin. The structure which

surprised the astronomers stretches for around 900 miles or 1,500 km across the Martian

surface and also shows various tributaries. Such images were useful because they provided

the scientists and astronomers a glimpse into the past of the Red Planet.

All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology held in Mumbai

The 54th All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology began in Mumbai on 17

January. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare was the Chief

Guest at the inaugural programme. Addressing the function, Mr. Azad said Maternal and

Child Health has received utmost priority from the Health Ministry. There has been a

significant decline in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and

Total Fertility Rate 9000005579 (TFR) in India. The current MMR as per the latest

Sample Registration Survey is 212 per 100,000 births and the IMR is 44 per 1,000

births. However, the current pace of decline needs to be further accelerated to achieve the

commitments on the millennium development goals. About 28 million pregnancies occur

along with an estimated 56,000 maternal deaths in India every year. It may be mentionedthat the All India Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AICOG) is the important


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annual event on the academic calendar of the Federation of Obstetrics and

Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) involved with womens health.

India will go alone in Chandrayaan-2

India has decided to go it alone in its second lunar mission, the Chandrayaan-2, which

was originally proposed as an Indo-Russian venture. This was disclosed on 21st January by

S.V.S.Murty of the Planetary Exploration Group of the Physical Research Laboratory

(PRL), an institution under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Dr. Murty

was speaking on Indias Lunar and Mars missions at the ongoing workshop on exoplanets at

the laboratory located in Ahmedabad. According to an agreement signed on November 12,

2007 between ISRO and Roskosmos, the Russian Federal Space Agency, ISRO had the

primary responsibility to provide both the orbiter and the rover, while Roskosmos was to

design and build the lander for this combined orbiter-rover-lander mission. Chandrayaan-

2 will be launched by a GSLV powered by an indigenous cryogenic engine.

Anti-Radiation Missile developed by DRDO

A new state-of-the art, anti-radiation missile that can target enemy radars and

communication facilities is being developed by the Defence Research and Development

Organisation (DRDO). At present there is no such missile in Indias arsenal, while some

advanced countries, including the US, Israel and Russia, have such a weapon, top DRDO

sources told the media. The government recently gave the go-ahead for the project, and

the design work has already begun at one of the key DRDO laboratories.

INS Saryu was commissioned on 22nd January

The Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV)INS Saryu was formally commissioned into

the Indian Navy on 22nd January. The commissioning was done by Air Marshal P.K. Roy,

Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar command, at the Goa Shipyard Limited

(GSL) in Vasco. The first in the series of four new classes ofNOPVs designed and built by

the GSL for the Indian Navy, the state-of-the-art ship will be based at Andaman and will

be tasked with protecting India's strategic maritime interests and assets in the region. The

105m INS Saryu is powered by twin SEMT Pielstick diesel engines and is equipped with the

latest navigation, communication and radar equipment. Its weapons systems include a

76mm super rapid gun mount and two 30mm close-in weapon system guns as well as six

chaff launchers.

TMT Telescope is likely to start in 2014

Construction of the worlds largest optical telescope by a five-nation consortium

including India is expected to start next year with Indian scientists making a significant


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contribution in developing its key components. The Thirty Metre Telescope

(TMT), dubbed as the worlds most advanced ground-based observatory, will be built at

the summit of Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii at a cost of US $ 1.2 billion. The TMT

Governing Board ended its two-day meeting in New Delhi on 22nd January, where it

reviewed the status of the project and the contributions to be made by partner nations

India, China, Japan, Canada and the US.

China successfully carried out interceptor missile test

China on 27th January 2013 successfully performed the second interceptor missile test.

The test was said to be of the defensive nature without targeting any other country. This is

for the second time that China announced testing such a missile. Likewise, the anti-missile

interception test was conducted successfully on 11 January 2010 earlier.

India test- nuclear-capable ballistic missile

India on 27th January made a major stride towards completing its nuclear triad capability by

successfully test firing a nuclear-capable medium range K-5 ballistic missile, with a strike

range of around 1,500 km, from an underwater platform in Bay of Bengal. Completion of

the nuclear triad will give India the ability to fire nuclear-tipped missiles from land, air and

sea. This is the first missile in the underwater category to have been fully developed by

India and can be launched from a submarine. The missile, which is also known as BO5, has

been developed by DRDO's Hyderabad-based Defence Research and Development

Laboratory(DRDL).

Iran sends a monkey into Space successfully

Iran on 28th January 2013 announced that it had successfully sent into space a monkey.

While declaring the sending of a monkey into space, Iran also declared that it was yet

another step towards the space flight goal of Tehran. The rocket called Pishgam (meaning

Pioneer) reached at a height of 120 km.

28th Congress of APAO inaugurated at Hyderabad

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 28th Congress of the Asia Pacific

Academy of Ophthalmology at Hyderabad on 17 January. Speaking on the occasion,

the President said as stated in the Vision 2020 document ofWHO, the problem of blindness

can only be combated through increased political commitment, professional commitment,

provision of high quality eye care, increasing public awareness and support of non-

governmental organizations and private sector.


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The 10th Bio Asia Summit

Bio Asia 2013, Asia's biggest technology and bio-

business platform, which commenced on January 28th,

concluded in Hyderabad on 30th anuary. The

valedictory ceremony was attended by eminent

personalities. Union Minister of State for Commerce

and Industry Ms. D Purandeswari has released the

special report by Bio Asia- Grant Thornton on the

key trends and alliances in the Biologics and Biosimilars markets. The Minister also released

Bio Asia-ISB's report on Intellectual Property Regime and Life sciences.

RSC and CSIR sign MoU

In pursuit of common aims and to raise awareness of the importance of Cheminformatics to

accelerate the discovery of novel therapies for neglected diseases like TB and Malaria, the

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) affiliated Open Source Drug

Discovery Initiative (OSDDI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in CSIR headquarters, New Delhi. The MoU,

spanning over three years, aims to address the objective of finding novel, faster-acting and

more effective regimens for TB and Malaria by advancing the discipline of Cheminformatics.

Open Source Drug Discovery (OSDD) is an initiative

funded and led by the CSIR. OSDD is an India consortium

works with global partnerships with a vision to provide

affordable healthcare to the developing world by solving the

complex problems associated with discovering novel therapies

for diseases like Tuberculosis, Malaria and Leishmaniasis.

Dornier 228 Handed over to Seychelles

The Defense Minister AK Antony handed over a Dornier Surveillance Aircraft to the

Foreign Minister of Seychelles Mr. Jean Paul Adam at a function in New Delhi on 31st

January. The maritime surveillance aircraft will be used to guard the extensive coastline of

the island nation in the Indian Ocean. The Dornier 228 manufactured by the defense

public sector undertaking, the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) will also be supported

by the HAL team for maintenance on site to enable the new user to get the requisite

expertise. The DO-228 is a highly reliable, multi-purpose, fuel efficient, rugged, light weight

twin turbo prop aircraft with a retractable tricycle landing gear.

Bio Asia Grant Thornton

Report covers the recent

developments in the Biosi-

milars opportunities particu-larly partnerships & regula-

tory dynamics in key global

markets.

The Royal Society ofChemistry is the

largest organisation in

Europe for advancing

the chemical sciences.


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NASA launched TDR Satellite

NASA on 31st January 2013 launched a new communication satellite to stay in touch with

its space station astronauts and relay more Hubble telescope images. An unmanned Atlas V

rocket blasted into the starry night sky carrying the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite

(TDRS) from Cape Canaveral. This is the 11th TDRS satellite to be launched by NASA.

The space agency uses the orbiting network to communicate with astronauts living on the

International Space Station. The first TDRS spacecraft flew in 1983.

February

C-DAC unveils Indias fastest Supercomputer

Precise weather forecasting, faster tapping of natural resources in the sea and designing of

customised drugs for individuals will now be possible using Param Yuva II, India's fastest

supercomputer. Developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing

(C-DAC), Param Yuva II was inaugurated by J Satyanarayana, Secretary, Department

of Electronics and Information Technology, in Pune on 8th February. The supercomputer has

been upgraded to 524 teraflops, about 10 times faster than the present facility. With an

investment of Rs. 16 crore, it was developed in a record three months. For instance, if it

takes about 18 to 20 years to discover a new drug now from designing to testing

Param Yuva II will help reduce this time to 15 years.

Largest prime number discovered

The largest prime number has been discovered and it's 17,425,170 digits long. The new

prime number crushes the last one discovered in 2008, which was a paltry 12,978,189

digits long. The discovery was made by mathematician Curtis Cooper from the University of

Central Missouri. To find it, Cooper used a vast network of volunteer computers known as

the "Great Internet Mersenne Prime Search" with a combined total of more than 360,000

processors.

DRDO permitted to develop AWACS for IAF

The Union Cabinet of India on 6 February 2013 gave approval to Defence Research and

Development Organisation (DRDO) for developing an indigenous Airborne Early

Warning and Control System (AWACS) for IAF. AWACS allows IAF to keep a close

watch on the enemy territory. The approval was granted in the meeting of Cabinet

Committee on Security. At present, India has a fleet of three AWACS aircraft.


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Rudra is designed indigenously

at the Rotary Wing Research

and Design Center (RWR &

DC) to meet the mission

specifications and tested

extensively over varied terrains

and firing ranges in India.

First complete Bionic Man of the World unveiled

First bionic man of the world called Rex was unveiled on 7th February 2013 at London's

Science Museum. The bionic man was created using US $ 1 million worthy limbs as well

as organs. Prosthetic legs and ankle came from MIT, synthetic blood from Sheffield

University, spleens, pancreas and artificial kidneys from University College London,

retinas from Oxford University and artificial lungs came from Swansea. Rex has a human

face with brown eyes and a height of 6.5 feet. It was designed jointly with assistance from

18 universities and companies.

Rudra, first armoured helicopter handed over to Army

An Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-IV army version 'Rudra' was handed over by Dr. R.K.

Tyagi, Chairman, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to Lt. Gen. Narendra Singh,

Deputy Chief of Army Staff (P&S), Indian Army during AERO India 2013 at Yelahanka Air

Base, Bangalore on 8th February.

Rudra is the Mk IV variant of the Advanced Light

Helicopter (ALH) designed and manufactured by

HAL. This helicopter is fitted with Day and Night

Targeting systems and can carry a mix of weapons

(70 rockets, anti-tank missiles, air to air missiles and

20 mm turret gun), providing the required capability

to search and destroy any targets.

CCEA approved merger of NLCP and NWCA

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on 7th February, approved the

proposal for the merger of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National

Wetlands Conservation Programme (NWCP) into a new scheme called the 'National

Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems' (NPCA). The merged scheme shall be

operational during the XII Plan Period at an estimated cost of Rs. 900 crore on 70:30 cost

sharing between the Central Government and respective State Governments (90:10 for

North-East States).

For conservation of lakes and wetlands, the Ministry of Environment and Forests is

presently, implementing two separate Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS), namely the

NWCP and the NLCP. To avoid overlap, promote better synergies and to ensure

conservation and management works, an integrated scheme, NPCA is proposed, with the

objective of conserving aquatic ecosystems (lakes and wetlands), through implementation

of sustainable conservation plans and governed with application of uniform policy andguidelines. The principal objectives of the new scheme will be holistic conservation and

restoration of lakes and wetlands for achieving desired water quality enhancement, besides


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improvement in biodiversity and the ecosystem, through an integrated and multidisciplinary

approach with a common regulatory framework.

Pakistan test fired Hatf IX

Pakistan on 11th February 2013 successfully test fired short-range surface-to-surface

missile Hatf IX (NASR). The test fire took place with consecutive launches of two missiles

from multi-tube launcher. NASR has 60 km range with the capability of in-flight

manoeuvring. It also has the capability of carrying nuclear warheads. NASR is designed

specifically to defeat Anti-Tactical Missile Defence Systems of all kinds.

Kerala became first state to install roof-top solar power systems

Kerala has become the first state in the country to launch an ambitious programme to

generate over 10 MW of solar power through over 10,000 roof-top solar power systems of 1KW each to be installed at individual houses. The unique programme was formally launched

by Dr Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy at Tiruvanthapuram

on 11 February. This is the biggest program sanctioned to Kerala so far with an overall

expenditure of over Rs. 175 crore and budgetary support of over Rs. 80 crore from the

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

'Rajratan was commissioned in Kolkata

Indian Coast Guard Ship Rajratan, the fifth of a series of eight Inshore Patrol

Vessels (IPVs) was commissioned by Director General Indian Coast Guard, Vice

Admiral MP Muralidharan in Kolkata on 11th February. Indigenously built by Garden Reach

Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, the 50m long IPV displaces 300 tonnes and can

achieve a maximum speed of 34 knots, with an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles at an

economical speed of 16 knots. Equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced

communication and navigational equipment, it makes an ideal platform for undertaking

multifarious close-coast missions such as surveillance, interdiction, Search and Rescue, and

medical evacuation. The special features of the ship include an Integrated Bridge

Management System (IBMS), Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS) and an

integrated gun mount with indigenous Fire Control system (FCS).

SAAN Conference held in New Delhi

A daylong Conference ofSouth Asian Autism Network (SAAN) will be held at New Delhi

on 11th February 2013. Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, National Advisory Council will

inaugurate the conference. Representatives from India, Bangladesh, Thailand and WHO,

SEARO will participate in the daylong conference. It may be mentioned that Autism is a


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developmental disorder which is characterized by communication difficulties, social,

behavioral challenges as well as repetitive behaviours.

The WHO perspective about health, especially mental health, shows an escalation in

the disease burden for autism from 10% to 14% over the period 1990 to 2011. It is

expected to rise to 15% by 2020. After the adoption of Dhaka Declaration on 25 July 2011,

the South Asian Autism Network (SAAN) was born to combat the devastating autism public

health crises.

AYUSH collaborated with WHO-SEARO

The Department ofAYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, in

collaboration with WHO-SEARO, New Delhi, will organize International Conference on

Traditional Medicine in New Delhi on 12-14 February 2013. The conference will be

participated by Health Ministers of the SEARO region, experts from WHO SEAR (South

East Asia Region), WPR(Western Pacific Region) and other countries. The objective is

to promote the role of traditional medicine and complementary medicine (TM & CM) in

healthcare provision in general and primary health care in particular, evaluate the

integration ofTM & CM into National Health Systems and promotion of their use in Primary

Healthcare, share research methodologies for studies on safety, efficacy and quality ofTM

& CM for PHC.

NASA Satellite data found freshwater losses in Middle East

A new study using data from a pair of gravity-measuring NASA satellites found on 12th

February 2013 that large parts of the arid Middle East region lost freshwater reserves

rapidly during the past decade. Scientists at the University of California at Irvine found

that during a seven-year period beginning in 2003, parts of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran

along the Tigris and Euphrates river basins lost 117 million acre feet (144 cubic kilometers)

of its total stored freshwater. That is almost the amount of water in the Dead Sea. The

researchers attribute about 60 percent of the loss to pumping of groundwater from

underground reservoirs.

NACO provides preventive, care support to port workers

As a part of its efforts to mainstream issues relating to HIV/AIDS, the Department of

AIDS Control, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed the first MoU with the Ministry

of Shipping on 15th February. It was signed by Lov Verma, Secretary, Department ofAIDS

Control, and Pradeep K. Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Shipping. According to the MoU,

NACO will provide HIV/AIDS/STI preventive, care support and treatment services to port

workers as well as community around major ports including fishermen, seafarers, truckers,

single male migrants and other vulnerable population etc.


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Pakisthan successfully tested Hatf-II

Pakistan successfully tested the nuclear-capable Hatf-II ballistic missile, also known as

Abdali on 15th February 2013. The test was conducted in order to evaluate the capabilities

of Strategic Forces. Hatf-II ballistic missile is a short range surface-to-surface ballistic

missile. Hatf-II has a range of 180 km.

ISRO's PSLV-C20 rocket successfully launched

Six foreign micro and mini spacecrafts as well as the Indo-French oceanographic study

satellite, SARAL (Satellite for Argos-3 and Altika) were launched successfully by

ISRO'sPSLV-C20 rocket on 25th February 2013 from the spaceport at Sriharikota. The

Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) ofIndian Space Research Organizations (ISRO)

flew from first launch pad ofSatish Dhawan Space Centre and was successfully put into

the orbit. The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee witnessed this launch from mission

control centre at Sriharikota.

Satellites launched by PSLV-C20 rocket:

410-kg SARAL with payloads - Argos and Altika Two micro-satellites UniBRITE and BRITE from Austria AAUSAT3 from Denmark STRaND from United Kingdom Micro-satellite (NEOSSat) Mini-satellite (SAPPHIRE) from Canada

These seven satellites were launched successfully by PSLV which depicted its

versatility and recorded 22nd successful consecutive flight. ISRO also has plans to launch

the Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle that has indigenous cryogenic engine, along

with the Indias mission to Mars, both of which are scheduled for 2013.

NTPC signs MoU with CREDA

National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) has signed a Memorandum of

Understanding (MoU) on 26th February, with Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy

Development Agency (CREDA) to explore the potential of geothermal resources and

subsequently implement geothermal project at Tatapani in Chhattisgarh. The MoU was

signed by Ajit Kumar, Executive Director (Business Development), NTPC and Shailendra

Kumar Shukla, Director, CREDA. Tattapani Geothermal field is located approximately

100 kms northeast ofAmbikapur in Surguja district of Chhattisgarh and is considered to

be one of the most promising sites in India for developing geothermal based power project.


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Mauritia is said to be a part

of the mass of Gondwana

which had eventually split

into Antarctica, India,

Australia and Madagascar

after around 170 million

years ago.

AICTE signs an MoU with BSNL

To facilitate technical institutions to respond to the need of providing State of art Telecom

equipment based operational skills to engineering graduates to enhance their qualification,

competence and employability by enhanced skill up-gradation All India Council For

Technical Education is signing an MoU with BSNL on 27th February to use the training

facilities and faculty of BSNL for the benefit of students in AICTE approved intuitions under

its Employability Enhancement Training Program (EETP). The programs will focus on

practical hands-on training in field/lab work supplemented with structured academic

content that is currently being provided online and can be supplemented with appropriate

theory sessions in academic institutions/colleges.

DRDO to setup MTR in Nagayalanka, AP

Defense Minister A.K. Antony in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on 27th

February informed that, Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

has proposed to set up two Missile Test Ranges at the Rutland Island at Andaman and

Nicobar Islands and Nagayalanka in Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh. A proposal for

diversion of forest land in Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been initiated by DRDO. A

request has also been made to the Government of Andhra Pradesh to spare unassigned

revenue land and reserve forest land at Nagayalanka.

Researchers discovered small continent beneath the Indian Ocean

Researchers from Norway, South Africa, Britain and

Germany, in the last week of February 2013 discovered a

sunken and small continent beneath the Indian

Ocean. This is the ancient and mini continent named

Mauritia and it lies beneath the lava flows which led to

the formation of islands of Mauritius and Reunion. This

lost continent called Mauritia, dates back to the time

when the super continents of the Earth- Laurasia and Gondwana shattered into the

present day geography.

March

India ranked third in spam spewing nations list

India ranked third on list of countries which distribute spam all over the world, after US and

China, as per the new report ofSophos Labs. Sophos Labs is part of the Sophoss global

network of threat analysis centers. In the study, US was single highest ranking country, but

Asia ranked at number one position in the list of the continents with 36.6 percent of overall


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spam of the world. US sent 18.3 percent of the junk emails overall in the world. In last few

months of 2012, India topped the spam spewing nations list, but eventually fell back to the

third position. Second position was held by China. In the study, the spam sent from

December 2012 to February 2013 was tracked. China and India took second and third

positions respectively with 8.2 percent and 4.2 percent of the spam of the world. In order

to prevent spamming, the PC users can keep the anti-virus software updated and regularlyrun the malware checks.

BARC develops largest magnet

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) announced that it was developing the largest

magnet of the world. This largest magnet would weigh 50,000 tons. The magnet is said to

be much bigger than the one which is found at Compact Muon Solenoid detector at CERN in

Geneva. This magnet will play a crucial role in the India-based Neutrino Observatory which

will come up almost 4,300 feet below in a cave in a mountain in Tamil Nadu.

AIDS is functionally cured: Doctors in Mississippi

In a development that might represent a breakthrough in the treatment of the Human

Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the deadly disease it causes, Acquired

Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a child treated by doctors in Mississippi was said

to be functionally cured after being exposed to the virus during birth. The child was given

standard anti-retroviral (ARV) drug therapy within 30 hours of birth by specialists at the

University of Mississippi Medical Centre. A series of sensitive blood tests performed on the

child 29 days after birth revealed progressively diminishing viral presence in the infants

blood, until it reached undetectable levels.

Kapil Sibal launched e-PPS

Union Minister Kapil Sibal on 6th March 2013 launched the Electronic - Project Proposal

System (e-PPS), developed by the Department of Electronics and Information

Technology, through the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)

during a round table discussion with Academia, Industry and R&D Organisation. The e-PPS

system will initially start as a pilot project. It is a web based system in form of solution to

fund the R&D projects, which will start from online submission of the project proposal for

funds and will monitor as well as manage the funded projects. It will replace existing

manual system of project funding in which the project investigators submit hard copies of

R&D proposals, which are presented to a Working Group and based on the

recommendations of the Working Group the proposals are further processed.


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Worlds largest concentrated solar power plant opened

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 17th March 2013 officially opened the worlds

largest concentrated solar power plant. The solar power plant opened is the 600-million

dollar project which is aimed at providing electricity to 20,000 homes. The solar power

station which is named Shams 1 was inaugurated in Madinat Zayed by the President of

UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, SheikhKhalifa bin ZayedAl Nahyan. The solar power

plant was constructed over a span of three-year period by an international conglomerate,

with UAEs Masdar having 60 percent stake, Frances Total having a 20 percent interest and

Spains Abengoa which has a 20 percent stake. With this new solar project, Masdar will be

producing 10 per cent of worlds renewable energy.

India successfully test fired BrahMos

India on 20th

March 2013 successfully test fired its submarine-launched version ofBrahMos

supersonic cruise missile of the over 290 km-range in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of

the southern port city ofVisakhapatnam. The launch of Missile is counted as the first test-

firing of an underwater supersonic cruise missile anywhere in the world. The missile

travelled its complete range of over 290 km.

India and the US agreed for Moon and Mars Missions

India and the US agreed for cooperation on future missions to the Moon and Mars after

successful collaboration in Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission in the month of March 2013. The

highly successful Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission, which was launched by the Indian

Space Research Organization (ISRO) in October 2008 led to strong evidence of the

presence of lunar water. So, in light of the Chandrayaan-1 lunar mission, National

Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) and ISRO agreed to explore further

cooperative space exploration work, including future missions to the Moon and Mars.

The scientist from both the working groups ISRO and NASA agreed to continue

discussions on planetary science and Helio physics to identify areas of potential

cooperation. The existing cooperation, in the use of US and Indian earth observation

satellite data, helped in producing information yielding a broad range of societal benefits

including improved weather and monsoon forecasting, disaster management and response,

improved agricultural and natural resource use and better understanding of climate change.

Unknown huge Radio Galaxy discovered

An international team of astronomers led by ASTRON astronomer Dr. George Heald, in the

third week of March 2013 discovered an unknown huge radio galaxy, by making use of the

powerful International LOFAR Telescope (ILT), built by ASTRON. The galaxy was


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discovered in the LOFAR's first all-sky imaging survey called Multi-frequency Snapshot

Sky Survey (MSSS). The new source which was equivalent to the size of full Moon was

identified during the analysis of the MSSS images. The radio emission was observed, which

is associated with the material that is ejected from one of the members of interacting

galaxy triplet system.

The newly found galaxy is the member of group of objects known as Giant Radio

Galaxies (GRGs). GRGs, as the name suggest, are kind of radio galaxies which have huge

physical size, indicating towards the fact that either they are very old or very powerful.

LOFARis one of the most efficient tools for exploring the GRGs because it is very sensitive

to the large objects.CMSS registered under Societies Registration Act 1860

Central Medical Services Society (CMSS), a Central Procurement Agency of Ministry of

Health and Family Welfare, has been registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860

on 22nd, March 2012. CMSS will be responsible for procuring health sector goods in a

transparent and cost-effective manner and distributing them to the State/UT Governments

by setting up IT enabled supply chain infrastructure including state warehouses in 50

locations. The main objective of CMSS will be to ensure uninterrupted supply of health

sector goods to the State Governments.

April

US announced a new research initiative called BRAIN

US government on 3rd April 2013 announced a new research initiative called BRAIN (Brain

Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) which is designed to

revolutionize the understanding of the human brain. Indian born Arati Prabhakar, director

of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which pioneered the Internet, is among

that leading the multi- agency project. Launched with approximately USD 100 million in the

President's Fiscal Year 2014 Budget, the BRAIN initiative ultimately aims to helpresearchers find new ways to treat, cure, and even prevent brain disorders, such as

Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.

Agni-II missile was successfully test fired

The medium range nuclear capable Agni-II missile was on 7th April 2013 successfully test-

fired with a strike range of more than 2,000 km from the Wheeler Island off Odisha

coast. The two-stage missile equipped with advanced high accuracy navigation system,

guided by a novel scheme of state of the earth command and control system was propelled

by solid rocket propellant system. The 20-metre long Agni-II is a two-stage, solid-propelled


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ballistic missile. It has a launch weight of 17 tones and can carry a payload of 1,000 kg

over a distance of 2,000 km.

Agni-II is part of the Agni series of missiles developed by DRDO which includes

Agni-I with a 700 km range, Agni-III with a 3,000 km range, Agni-IV with 4,000 km

range and Agni-V more than 5,000 km range.

High blood pressure theme of World health day

World health day was celebrated on 7th April 2013. The theme for 2013 was High Blood

Pressure. This day marks the anniversary of the founding of WHO (World Health

Organization) in 1948. Each year a theme is selected for World Health Day that highlights

a priority area of public health concern in the world. High blood pressure also known as

raised blood pressure or hypertension increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and

kidney failure. The ultimate goal ofWorld Health Day 2013 is to reduce heart attacks and

strokes. According to the World Health Organization, High Blood Pressure affects one

in three adults worldwide and leads to more than nine million deaths globally every year.

Indian researchers developed world's smallest antenna

Indian researchers on 7th April claimed to have invented the world's smallest super compact

ultra-wideband (UWB) planar antenna that can find application in homes and the military

among other domains. Professor Srikanta Pal, who is with the Birla Institute of

Technology in Mesra, and his research scholar Mrinmoy Chakraborty have developed the

antenna. This antenna is the world's smallest at 14 mm X 11 mm, with much more than a

10:1 bandwidth.

Scientists designed new Adaptive Material inspired by human tear

A team of US scientists on 8th April 2013 designed a new adaptive material inspired by

human tears. The new material was inspired by dynamic, self-restoring systems in Nature,

such as the liquid film that coats our eyes. Individual tears join up to form a dynamic liquid

film with an obviously significant optical function that maintains clarity, while keeping the

eye moist, protecting it against dust and bacteria, and helping to transport away any

wastes.

Researchers identified new set of genetic markers for Alzheimer's

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have identified a

new set of genetic markers for Alzheimer's that point to a second pathway through which

the disease develops. Much of the genetic research on Alzheimer's centers on amyloid-beta, a key component of brain plaques that build up in the brains of people with the

disease In the new study, the scientists identified several genes linked to the tau protein,


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which is found in the tangles that develop in the brain as Alzheimer's progresses and

patients develop dementia.

H-191 was commissioned at Mumbai

Indian Coast Guard Ship H-191, the fifth of the series of twelve Air Cushion Vehicles

(ACVs) was commissioned at Mumbai by Director General Indian Coast Guard Vice

Admiral Anurag G. Thapliyal on 10th April. The 21 metres long Air Cushion Vehicle with

31 tonnes displacement can achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots. The ACV is capable of

undertaking multi-faceted tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and

rendering assistance to small boats/craft in distress at sea. The Air Cushion Vehicle H-

191 will be based at Okha under the Administrative and Operational Control of the

Commander Coast Guard Region (North-West).

California &Canadian varsities to build the world's largesttelescope

A plan by California and Canadian universities to build the world's largest telescope at

the summit of Hawaii's Mauna Kea volcano received approval from the state Board of Land

and Natural Resources on 12th April. The decision clears the way for the group managing

the Thirty Meter Telescope project to negotiate a sublease for land with the University of

Hawaii. The telescope would be able to observe planets that orbit stars other than the sun

and enable astronomers to watch new planets and stars being formed. It should also help

scientists see some 13 billion light years away for a glimpse into the early years of the

universe.

President inaugurated 14 MW solar power project in Jharkhand

The President of India, Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the 14 MW Solar Power project

and laid foundation stones for Pilgrim Queue Complex and Deoghar Basukinath 44 kw

Solar Street Light Project at Deoghar, Jharkhand on April 30th 2013. Speaking on the

occasion the President said that he was hopeful of these initiatives contributing to the

overall growth of Deoghar and helping in setting high standards for pilgrimage

management. He also commended the government authorities and local MPs for having

taken the initiative to establish the high technology solar lighting project.

May

Nut sized biological command centre found for the ageing process

Scientists have found a biological command centre for the ageing process in a lump of brain

the size of a nut. The U.S. team identified the mechanism in the hypothalamus, which sits

deep inside the brain, and showed that they could tweak it to shorten or lengthen the lives


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of animals. In a series of experiments, the researchers found they could extend the lives of

mice by a fifth, without the animals suffering from muscle weakness, bone loss or memory

problems common in old age.

NASA sends Grover for exploration and research

NASA is sending a six feet-tall solar-powered rover prototype for ice exploration on highest

part of Greenlands massive ice sheet. The space agencys newest scientific rover is set for

testing in the highest part of Greenland, NASA said. The robot, known as Grover, which

stands for both Greenland Rover and Goddard Remotely Operated Vehicle for

Exploration and Research, will roam the frigid landscape collecting measurements to

help scientists better understand changes in the massive ice sheet. This autonomous, solar-

powered robot carries a ground-penetrating radar to study how snow accumulates, adding

layer upon layer to the ice sheet over time.

Morarji Desai National Institute of Yogacollaborates with WHOThe Department of Yoga Therapy and Training ofMorarji Desai National Institute

of Yoga (MDNIY) has been designated as WHO Collaborating Centre in TraditionalMedicine for a period of four years recently. This is the result of the efforts initiated in 2008

when MDNIY started collaborating with WHO Country Office under the biennium

programme of traditional medicine and developed Yoga Resource Centre and brought out

disease-specific booklets of Yogic interventions for healthcare. There are 21 WHO

Collaborating Centres for Traditional Medicine across the globe, but none in India in spite of

having a large number of AYUSH institutions and 32 Collaborating Centres for Modern

Medicine. The network of 23 designated WHO Collaborating Centres for Traditional

Medicine is meant to assist in implementing WHO strategies and resolutions relating to

traditional medicine. The priority area of work for WHO Collaborating Centres of Traditional

Medicine is to generate evidence-based information on the safety, quality, and cost-

effectiveness of traditional medicine products and therapies.

Pen shaped, needleless drug delivery device designed

The MoS of HRD, Dr. Shashi Tharoor on 8th May told the Loksabha in a written reply

that, the scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have designed

a pen shaped, needleless drug delivery device, that uses supersonic shock waves for the

painless delivery of medicine into the body. This new method has been developed based on

the collaborative work between the Laboratory for Hypersonic and Shock Waves,

Department of Aerospace Engineering, and the Microbiology and Cell Biology Department

of the Indian Institute of Science. Using the new technique, typhoid vaccines have beensuccessfully delivered into mice in the laboratory. The depth of penetration of drug below


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India accounts for 22 percent of

the global deaths that occurs due

to diarrhoea-causing rotavirus. So

far, two similar vaccines are

available in Indian market and they

cost around Rs. 1,000 per dose

and thus remain out of reach from

millions of people in developing

and third world nations.

the skin is very small the animals during vaccine delivery do not experience a great deal of

pain.

India developed Rotavirus Vaccine named Rotavac

India on 14 May 2013 unveiled its indigenously developed Rotavirus Vaccine named

Rotavac after the Phase-III clinical trial of low cost

rotavirus vaccine. The Rotavac that has

demonstrated strong efficacy and excellent safety

profile; if gets its approval by the Drugs

Controller General of India (DCGI) than will

be made available in the market at a rate of Rs.

54 per dose. Approximately 4,53,000 children

across the world die every year due to rotavirus

diarrhea. According the recent reports, about one

lakh children below five years are dying in India due to severe diarrhea that is caused due

to Rotavirus bacteria.

India received Boeing P-81

Indian Naval Aviation received a major fillip with the arrival of the first of eight Boeing P-

8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti-Submarine Warfare (LRMRASW)

Aircraft at Naval Air Station Rajali (Arakkonam) on 15th May 2013. The remaining seven

aircrafts would be delivered over the next two years. The P-8I aircraft, based on the Boeing

737-800(NG) airframe, is the Indian Naval variant of the P-8A Poseidon that Boeing has

developed for the US Navy. The aircraft is equipped with foreign & indigenous sensors for

Maritime Reconnaissance, Anti Submarine operations and Electronic Intelligence missions.

India successfully test fired BrahMos

India on 22 May 2013 successfully test fired the 290-km range BrahMos supersonic cruise

missile from the Navy's latest guided missile frigate INS Tarkash off the coast of

Goa. The missile performed the high-level 'C'manoeuvre in the pre-determined flight path

and successfully hit the target. Jointly developed by India and Russia, the BrahMos is

capable of carrying a conventional warhead of 300 kg. India is readying several different

versions of the missile which includes land attack, anti-ship and submarine- launched

versions.

Defence Ministry inaugurated Su-30MKI

Defence Ministry on 27th May 2013 inaugurated the first fighter aircraft base at Thanjavur

in southern India. Su-30MKI combat aircraft will be stationed here. Thanjavur airbase can


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be another strategically important airbase of the Indian Air Force. IAF can protect vast

area of interests by stationing frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi at Thanjavur. The setting

up of the premier fighter base is important because of current geo-political scenario and

threat perception in the Indian peninsula and in the Indian Ocean.

CSL Launched fast patrol vessel Abhinav

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on 28th May 2013 launched its third Fast Patrol Vessel

(FPV) which is built for the Indian Coast Guard. The vessel was launched by Nina Paul

Antony, the Chairman of Cochin Port Trust. This vessel was named Abhinav. This vessel is

third in series of 20 FPVs contracted by CSL. The primary objective of the vessel is

monitoring, fisheries protection as well as patrolling within Exclusive Economic Zone

(EEZ). Also, the objective of this vessel is coastal patrolling and involvement in patrolling

for anti-smuggling, search and rescue operations and for anti piracy operations. The

secondary role of the vessel is to provide communication link as well as escort convoys

during the war time as well as hostilities.

PC-7 Mk-II turbo trainer aircraft was inducted into the IAF

Swiss-made Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II turbo trainer aircraft was inducted into the Indian Air

Force (IAF) in a ceremony held at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal near

Hyderabad on 30th May. The aircraft, which meets all basic training functions of ab-initio

pilots including aerobatics, tactical and night flying, has been customised to meet the

requirements ofIAF. Since there was a requirement for 173 trainer aircraft the IAF might

exercise the option of procuring another 37 PC-7 Mk-II aircraft.

June

Endowed fellowship established at Caltech

The Department of Space on 2nd June established an endowed fellowship at the Graduate

Aerospace Laboratories of the

California Institute of Technology

(Caltech) in the US. The fellowship has

been established in honour of Prof.

Satish Dhawan, who was the Chairman

of Indian Space Research Organization

during its formative period 1972-1984.

The fellowship provides an excellent

opportunity every year starting fromthe winter session of the academic year 2013-14 to one meritorious graduating student

from the Aerospace Department of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology,

Prof. Dhawan was an alumnus of the

Graduate Aerospace Laboratories at

Caltech and obtained his PhD in aerospace in

1951. He was serving as Distinguished

Visiting Professor during 1971-72 at Caltech,

immediately preceding his assumption of the

Chairmanship of ISRO in 1972. The

Government of India honoured Prof. Dhawan

by awarding him Padma Vibhushan in

1981.


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Thiruvananthapuram, to be sponsored by the Department of Space, to pursue Masters

in Aerospace Engineering at Caltech.

Nicobar Islands designated as a world biosphere reserve

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has

designated India's Nicobar Islands as a world biosphere reserve under its Man and the

Biosphere Programme, on 30th May. Member countries establish such reserves and the

world body recognizes them under the programme to promote sustainable development

based on local community efforts and sound science.

They are considered as sites of excellence, where new and optimal practices to

manage nature and human activities are tested and demonstrated. The island chain, home

to 1,800 animal species and some of the world's most endangered tribes, was among 12

new sites added to the global network of biosphere reserves in Paris on Thursday. Such

reserves are located in 117 countries and nine of them are now located in India. Other sites

added to the list include Pakistan's Ziarat Juniper forest and China's Snake Island.

Highest Krishi Vigyan Kendra will be set up in Leh, J&K

Nations highest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) will be set up at Nyoma, Leh district of

Jammu & Kashmir at a height of about 14,000 feet. The Nyoma Krishi Vigyan Kendra is

likely to bring about substantial change in the lives of people of nearby areas who are

mostly nomads and rear pashmina goats. This region is extremely cold and dry and

therefore, it is a challenge to promote stable agriculture there. The KVK will seek to

improve fodder production, provide health care to the roaming animals, introduce vegetable

production under protected environment and impart training to women on animal care, etc.

Japan tested speed of maglev bullet trains

Japan on 5th June 2013 conducted the first successful test of new generation L0 Series

Trains (maglev bullet trains) designed to travel at speeds of 311 kmph. These trains arelashed with latest magnetic levitation technology (maglev) instead of the conventional

wheels. The commercial services of this series of trains will start in 2027. The LO Series

Trains are designed by Central Japan Railway Co (JR Tokai), and in its first phase will

link central Tokyo with Nagoya station and cut the current time of journey by bullet train by

more than half, from 90 to 40 minutes. The train will have 16 carriages and will carry up to

1000 passengers at a time.

In 1964, Japan unveiled its first bullet train named Shinkansen to coincide with its

hosting of the Olympic Games. At present, Japan is the home of Worlds most sophisticated


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rail network. The central line in Japan, Tokaido Shinkansen is the worlds busiest high-

speed rail and it carries about 151 million passengers each year.

China built the fasted Supercomputer Tianhe-2

Tianhe-2 (Milky Way-2), the 33.86 PetaFLOP supercomputer of the China, emerged as

the fastest super computer on the Earth. It was placed in service ahead of schedule in 2013

after it had been expected to be completed in 2015. According to the TOP 500 list for June

2013, Tianhe-2 is the faster super computer. It is housed at the National

Supercomputing Center in Guangzhou (NSCC-GZ) and was designed and developed by

the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT) and by Inspur.

New layer in the Cornea Duas discovered

The Scientists from University of Nottingham in UK, in June 2013 discovered a new layer inthe Cornea and named it Duas Layer after the name of an Indian Researcher named

Harminder Dua, the person responsible for the discovery. The new layer has been named

after the name of the professor Harminder Dua. This discovery can help the surgeons to

improve the results of treatment of patients who undergo corneal grafts and transplants.

Earlier scientists believed that the cornea consists of five layers namely Descemet's

Membrane Corneal Epithelium, Corneal Stroma, Bowman's Layer and Corneal Endothelium.

The newly discovered layer is located between the Corneal Stroma and Descemet's

membrane. Cornea is a protective lens in the eyes that allows light to enter into the eyes.

NASA launched a satellite to explore a little-studied region

NASA launched a satellite on 27th June, on a mission to explore a little-studied region of

the sun and to better forecast space weather that can disrupt communications systems on

Earth. Unlike a traditional liftoff, the Iris satellite rode into Earth orbit on a Pegasus rocket

dropped from an airplane that took off around sunset from the Vandenberg Air Force

Base on California's central coast.

Cabinet approves GSAT-15 C-Sat project

The Union Cabinet on 28th June gave its nod to the proposal for the GSAT-15

communication satellite project along with procurement of launch services and insurance.

The building of the GSAT-15 is part of the Indian Research Organisations (ISRO)

efforts towards in-orbit spare capacity to meet contingency and to protect the services of

existing users.

The satellite will provide required redundant capacity, will augment capacity in the

Ku band, and shall provide in-orbit redundant requirement of safety of life operations

benefitting civil aviation services in the country. Nine operational INSAT/GSAT satellites


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are currently providing different frequency bands to nearly 195 transponders. The GSAT-

15 satellite will cover the entire Indian mainland. Total cost involved in the project is

Rs.859.5 crore including launch services. The Union Cabinet also gave its approval to the

proposal for the GSAT-16 communication satellite project along with procurement of

launch services and insurance.

Navy inducted INS Trikand

In tune with its operational drive to turn "stealthy" as surprise and deception are crucial in

modern-day warfare, the Navy inducted its latest guided-missile stealth frigate INS

Trikand on 29th June. INS Trikand is the last of the six stealth frigates ordered from

Russia. The Navy had earlier inducted three 4,000-tonne Talwar-class stealth frigates

(Talwar, Trishul and Tabar) from Russia in 2003-2004. Then, impressed by the punch

the frigates packed, India ordered another three (Teg, Tarkash and Trikand) under a US

$ 1.15 billion contract inked in 2006.

India, of course, is also building its own stealth frigates. Three Shivalik-class

frigates, built at Mazagon Docks (MDL), have already been inducted by the Navy. Then,

there is an over Rs. 50,000 crore plan on the anvil to construct seven advanced stealth

frigates, with all weapon and missile systems under the hull for a lower radar "signature",

in a programme called Project-17A. The project will be shared between MDL at Mumbai and

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) at Kolkata.

current affairs from january to june 2013 sandt

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