Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT)

Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) has recently launched a unique website which provides technical terms in all 22 official Indian languages.

• Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) was set up on December 21, 1960 by a resolution of Union Government under the proviso to Clause (4) of Article 344. (Statement 1 is correct)
• It was set up with the objective to evolve and define scientific and technical terms in Hindi and all Indian languages. (Statement 2 is correct)
• The Objectives of it include:
  • To evolve technical terminology in all Indian languages.
  • To standardize terminology.
  • To propagate the use of standardized terminology.
  • To distribute terminology widely.
• It works under the aegis of the Ministry of Education. (Statement 3 is incorrect)
• It also routinely publishes a large number of Text-Books and Monographs besides publishing quarterly journals named ‘Vigyan Garima Sindhu’ and ‘Gyan Garima Sindhu’.
• CSTT has recently launched a unique website which provides technical terms in all 22 official Indian languages.
• The web portal ‘shabd.education.gov.in’ aims to be a central repository for all the terminologies prepared for Indian languages.
• Through this platform, the users are not only be able to search the equivalent terms of scientific and technical terminology in Indian languages but also be able to register their feedback for the equivalents already prepared by the CSTT.
• As of now, a total of 322 glossaries with around 22, 00,000 words are currently available on search in the portal.

Bharat Start-up Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR)

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is all set to launch BHASKAR initiative which will serve as a central hub for key stakeholders within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

• Bharat Start-up Knowledge Access Registry (BHASKAR) is an initiative under the Start-up India program.
• The primary goal of BHASKAR is to build the world’s largest digital registry for stakeholders within the start-up ecosystem.
• BHASKAR is a platform that is designed to centralize, streamline, and enhance collaboration among key stakeholders within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• The entrepreneurial ecosystem include start-ups, investors, mentors, service providers, and government bodies.
• It is an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The initiative aligns with the India’s vision to transform India into a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship, reinforcing the country’s commitment to the start-up movement.
• Key Features of BHASKAR:
• It will bridge the gap between start-up s, investors, mentors, and other stakeholders, allowing for seamless interaction across sectors.
• By consolidating resources, the platform will provide start-up s with immediate access to critical tools and knowledge, enabling faster decision-making and more efficient scaling.
• Every stakeholder will be assigned a unique BHASKAR ID, ensuring personalized interactions and tailored experiences across the platform.
• Through powerful search features, users can easily locate relevant resources, collaborators, and opportunities, ensuring faster decision-making and action.
• BHASKAR will serve as a vehicle for promoting India’s global reputation as a hub for innovation, making cross-border collaborations more accessible to start-up s and investors alike.

Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE)

• Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) aims to drive rural industrialization and support local artisans in Ladakh and not across India. (Statement 1 is incorrect)
• CREATE is an initiate of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) is a new initiative designed to boost local productivity and economic potential in Ladakh.
• The CREATE will focus on:
  • Pashmina Wool Roving Facility
  • Essential Oil Extraction Training
  • Bio-processing Training
• Pashmina Wool Roving Facility:
• CREATE will feature a state-of-the-art facility for processing Pashmina wool.
• This facility, already equipped and operational, is expected to enhance the quality and quantity of Pashmina wool production in Ladakh.
• Essential Oil Extraction Training:
• The centre will also offer training programs for producing essential oils from roses and other flowers.
• This will enable local entrepreneurs to enter the growing market for natural and organic products.
• Bio-processing Training:
• CREATE will provide training for bio-processing fruits and other raw materials.
• This will help add value to local produce and open up new business opportunities.

Onitis Visthara

Researchers at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment have reported three new species (Onitis bhomorensis, Onitis kethai and Onitis visthara) of dung beetle from Assam and Karnataka.

• Dung beetle (subfamily Scarabaeinae) are any of a group of beetles in the family Scarabaeidae (insect order Coleoptera) that forms manure into a ball using its scooper like head and paddle-shaped antennae.
• They are usually round with short wing covers (elytra) that expose the end of the abdomen.
• These play an essential role in nutrient cycling, soil aeration and seed dispersal, making them integral to maintaining healthy ecosystems.
• This type of beetles are crucial for nutrient cycling and maintaining ecosystem health by aiding in the decomposition of dung.
• Dung beetles can eat more than their own weight in 24 hours and are considered helpful to humans because they speed up the process of converting manure to substances usable by other organisms.
•  Researchers at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) have recently reported 3 new species of dung beetle from Assam and Karnataka. 
• The 3 new species are:
  • Onitis bhomorensis (from Assam) and Onitis kethai and Onitis visthara (from Karnataka).

• Onitis visthara:
• Onitis species are tunnellers, they bury large quantities of cattle dung beneath the dung pat to provide food for their larvae.
• Onitis was a “relatively rare” genus found in the Afrotropical, Oriental, and Palaearctic regions.
• Onitis visthara is named for its relatively broader appearance (visthara is breadth in Kannada).

Navika Sagar Parikrama II

• Navika Sagar Parikrama II is an upcoming extraordinary sailing expedition by the Indian Navy, where two women officers will circumnavigate the globe. (Both statement 1 and 2 is incorrect)
• Participants – Two Indian Navy women officers - Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K.
• The officers were part of a six-member crew that participated in a trans-oceanic expedition from Goa to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, via Cape Town, South Africa, and back.
• INSV Tarini – The circumnavigation will be done on-board INSV Tarini.
• Nature of the expedition – It involves sailing around the world, which is described as a gruelling voyage requiring extreme skills, physical fitness, and mental alertness.
• The officers have been preparing for this expedition for the last 3 years.
• Training – The officers are being trained under the mentorship of Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd.), KC, NM, who is described as an ace circumnavigator and Golden Globe Race hero.
• Significance – This expedition is seen as a significant step forward in India's ocean sailing enterprise and maritime endeavours.
• It showcases the nation's growing prominence in global maritime activities and commitment to gender equality on the high seas.
• Logo – A special logo was unveiled for this expedition.
• It features symbolic elements such as an octagonal shape representing the Indian Navy, the sun as a celestial body, a compass for guidance, and a sailboat symbolizing the spirit of adventure and resilience.