Savitribai Phule
- Savitribai Phule, was a social reformer, an educationist and a poetess, and regarded as ‘mother of Indian feminism’.
- Phule, along with her husband Jyotirao Phule, dedicated her life to the cause of women’s rights and education.
- She is an important figure in the social reform movement, particularly in the state of Maharashtra.
- Education of all women is what she focused on, despite facing ostracism from her community for it.
- Along with her husband, she opened the very first school for girls in India.
- Phule would also give stipends to children, so as to encourage them to attend schools and complete their education.
- She also campaigned against the caste system in the country and advocate of inter-caste marriages.
- Along with Jyotirao Phule she founded the Satyashodhak Samaj which, it is believed, organised marriages without priests and dowry.
Young Scientists Laboratories
- Union government has launched 5 Young Scientists Laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- DRDO Young Scientist Laboratories (DYSLs) are located in five cities viz, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
- It aims to empower the youth by giving them decision making powers and challenging research opportunities.
- Each lab will work on key advanced technology of importance to the development of futuristic defence systems viz,
- Artificial intelligence,
- Quantum technologies,
- Cognitive technologies,
- Asymmetric technologies
- Smart materials.
- It can be noted that N Chandrasekaran Committee was constituted by the Ministry of Defence in 2018 to study the use and application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the military.
Indian science congress
- The Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) owes its origin to the foresight and initiative of two British Chemists, namely, Professor J. L. Simonsen and Professor P.S. MacMahon.
- The first meeting of the Congress was held from January 15-17, 1914 at the premises of the Asiatic Society, Calcutta.
- 107th Indian Science Congress is scheduled to take place between January 3-7, at the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- “Science & Technology: Rural Development” is the theme for the congress.
- Indian Science Congress is a major focal point for scientists, researchers and academicians interested in various aspects of scientific discoveries and technologies.
Yakshagana
- Yakshagana is a rare and unique traditional theatre of Karnataka state in India and has a recorded history of more than 5 centuries.
- It is a rich artistic blend of music, dance, speech, and costumes, this art combines the features of opera as well as drama, the characteristics of moral education and mass entertainment.
- Yakshagana is strongly influenced by the Bhakti movement.
- Recently, the Yakshagana committee (Non-Government Organization) hosted the 60th annual Yakshagana in the Padmanur village, Karnataka.
- The committee is officially known as the Sarvajanika Yakshagana Bayalata Samithi and was set up in 1959.
- It is a multi-faith committee consisting of Hindus, Christians and Muslims and it hosts Yakshagana every year.
Lai Haraoba
- Lai Haraoba, a ritualistic festival observed by Manipuri meitei communities since ancient times.
- Lai Haraoba is celebrated through oral literature, music, dance and rituals., to please the Umang Lai, the traditional deities of Sanamahism.
- It is one of the main festivals still performed in Manipur which has its roots in the pre-Vaishnavite period.
- Lai Haraoba is the earliest form of dance which forms the basis of all stylised dances in Manipur.
- The principal performers are the maibas and maibis (priests and priestesses) who re-enact the theme of the creation of the world.
- It is usually observed during the month of Kalen tha (summer season).
- Four types of Lai Haraoba are prevalent in the Meitei society, namely:
- Kanglei Haraoba,
- Chakpa Haraoba,
- Moirang Haraoba and
- Kakching Haraoba.
MANI App
- Reserve Bank of India, RBI has launched a mobile app, MANI, Mobile Aided Note Identifier.
- It aims to help visually challenged people to identify denomination of currency notes.
- Through the downloaded app, users can scan the notes using the camera.
- The audio output will give the result in Hindi and English.
- The mobile application does not authenticate a note as being either genuine or counterfeit.
Source: PIB, the Hindu, Indian Express, AIR