National
Powerless Heating Technology
⇒ North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), supported Dr. Sumer Singh and his team to develop a food box and a liquid container that can be integrated with the Powerless Heating Technology.
Dr. Sumer Singh, Associate Professor, Department of Design, IIT Delhi along with his research team addressed this with a technology that works on chemical energy. It is called ‘Powerless Heating Technology’.
- They have used it to develop containers which can heat food or & beverages on demand.
» North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) is an autonomous body under the Department of Science Technology, Government of India.
Key Points:
- The active heating element consists of a mixture of eco friendly minerals and salts, which generates exothermic energy resulting in heat on contact with water.
- This provides enough energy to raise the temperature of any food or beverage by 60 to 70 degrees Celsius.
- The weight of the heater is only 50 grams, and after every heating, the by-product (natural mineral rock) inside the heating pad can be disposed of.
- The rock helps in improving the fertility of the soil and is 100 % biodegradable.
- With this technology, users can heat ready-to-eat food, make instant noodles, and any beverage like tea, coffee, etc. The by-product of the heating process is a natural mineral that easily integrates into the soil without any toxic effects.
Use:
- A new low-cost heating system which can be activated by plain water anytime anywhere and does not require any fuel or electricity to heat or power it, can act as a heating solution in any location.
- Lack of heating sources at remote places with no access or uncertain access to power sources is an inconvenience faced by many, especially in remote areas like the North East.
- These products will be of great use to military personnel, tourists, and office-goers in the northeast. This Powerless Heating Technology eliminates the need for burning forest wood for heating purposes, thus also reducing forest fires, which is a major problem in the North Eastern parts of the country.
Other Points:
- Anchiale Technologies, a Gurgaon-based spin-off start-up, is scaling up this technology and has started supplying it to the Indian Navy and some food manufacturing companies.
- A nondisclosure agreement (NDA) has been signed with the Indian Tobacco Company (ITC) for integration of this technology in their food products.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture 2022
⇒ All India Radio broadcasted the annual Edition of Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture on December 3, 2022. Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla delivered the address.
Theme:
The theme of the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lectures 2022 was “Amrit Kaal Mein Bhartiyata”, which coincides with the 75 years of India’s independence.
About Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lectures:
- Dr. Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lectures are organized by All India Radio every year in commemoration of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President.
- The first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad who was an epitome of simplicity, a renowned scholar, President of the Constituent Assembly and a great visionary who had India and Indianness uppermost in his mind.
- The Lectures seek to thoroughly evaluate the nation’s political, social and cultural environment. The achievements and the future prospects of the country are also critically analyzed in these lectures.
- This programme is organized in the second fortnight of November every year.
- The recording of Rajendra Prasad Memorial Lecture is broadcast by All India Radio on its national hook up on 3rd December, the birth anniversary of Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
- The first Lecture of this series was delivered in 1969 by the leading Hindi litterateur and thinker, Dr. Hazari Prasad Dwivedi.
3-day “Swar Dharohar Festival” under Kalanjali
⇒ Ministry of Culture, Government of India in collaboration with “Swar Dharohar Foundation,” inaugurated three day “Swar Dharohar Festival” under Kalanjali.
- Under Kalanjali, cultural programmes are being organised at Central Vista every week.
About “Swar Dharohar Festival”:
» “Swar Dharohar Festival” is a Music, Art & Literature Festival to showcase the iconic art and culture of India and, the rich literary Art & Heritage of Indian States.
- Swar Dharohar festival was Inaugurated by Chief Guest Shri Mehtab Ali (Sitar Player) and Pt Lalit Prasad (Classical Vocal) on 02 December 2022.
- The 3 days festival was organized on December 2-4, 2022 at the Central Vista, India Gate, New Delhi.
In this program the upcoming local Artists performed with Legend Artist on the same platform to showcase their talents. The National as well as Local Poets exhibited their artistry through Kavi Sammelan.
'Daakroom', the renowned letter writing carnival
⇒ Under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture in association with Department of Post unveiled ‘Daakroom’, the renowned letter writing carnival at the Gandhi Darshan at Raj Ghat, New Delhi on 04 December 2022.
Aim:
The one-of-a-kind letter writing event, supported by India Post, Ministry of Culture and Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti is aimed to give a digital detox with the aim of reviving the art of letter writing in India.
Key Points:
- The unique carnival conceptualized to re-introduce children & larger audiences to letter writing in innovative, creative, and engaging ways, also hosted competitions and workshops around writing and post.
- It also included music, theatre, dance, stand-up comedy, shopping, food and interactive demos from the Postal Department, deploying fun ways to get people of all age groups excited about letter writing.
- Creative activities around Philately, Calligraphy, Stationery design, Handwriting improvement, Graphology, Origami were also organized on the occasion.
Joint Secretary for Ministry of Culture Mrs. Uma Nanduri said we are very happy to know that an initiative like Daakroom is trying to revive handwritten communication – such a rich part of our history and culture. Digital detoxification is the need of the hour and such initiatives will inspire people to pick pen and paper for writing letters as a powerful tool of communication as well as learning.
Important Day
Assam Day
⇒ Asom Divas or Assam Day is celebrated on December 2 every year to commemorate the arrival of the first king of Ahom kingdom Sukapha in Assam.
- The day of December 2 is also commemorated as Sukapha Divas in honour of the founder of the Ahom kingdom that existed for nearly 600 years.
About first king of Ahom kingdom Sukapha:
- Swargadeo Saulung Sukapha was the great unifier & the founder of the great Ahom dynasty in Assam. This great soul made priceless contribution to unify the various communities to build the greater Assamese society.
- Swargadeo Sukapha is a symbol of unity, good governance, bravery for every Asomiya to draw inspiration from.