24.05.21

New species of African violet found in Mizoram

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Researchers of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Bhopal, have discovered a new endangered species of plant belonging to the African Violets family in Mizoram and its adjacent areas in Myanmar.

The newly-described species Didymocarpus vickifunkiae (Gesneriaceae) is currently known to grow in three locations in the frontier state Mizoram. It is an epiphyte, Plants that grow on trees, and produce Light pink flowers during monsoon. The species is named in honour of Dr Vicki Ann Funk, a renowned botanist, who worked at the Smithsonian Institute, USA.

Along with other discoveries, this recent find shows that the rich of the northeastern states remains unexplored and there are many species of plants waiting to be discovered. Researches have always been allured by the complex geology and climatic conditions of northeast India, which is Home to a diverse range of Flora and Fauna. However, much of it remains poorly documented, even as the IISER Bhopal team was studying the evolution and biogeography of Didymocarpus plants.

Northeast India is home to highly diverse flora because of its unique biogeographic placement as part of two biodiversity hotspots: the Indo-Burma hotspot and the Eastern Himalayas.

Assams BJP government plans bill to protect cows

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While addressing the newly-elected 15thAssam legislative assembly, governor JagdishMukhi said the was planning to introduce abillon cow protection in the next assembly session to ban cattle transport outside the state.

Mukhi also underlined the BJP-led governments commitment to recover the lands of the Vaishnavite satras and places of worship from illegal encroachments.

A task force will be constituted to recover the lands of the satras and places of worship from illegal encroachments.

For a long time, the foremost visible issue of Odisha is its dependency on other States to meet its domestic consumption demand. The State imports inland fish, meat, egg, vegetables, potato, onion , wheat, Dal, fruits, banana, sugar and edible oil, besides many more consuming products to feed its four crore plus population. The State Government has no control over the market price and quality of the produce. To minimise the import dependency, the State must improve its agriculture production and storage facility by ensuring application of modern farming.

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The present image of Odisha as a consuming State must change to a producing State. The change is much needed to ensure and to raise the Nutrition level of the State. The other important issue getting more attention during Covid-19 is the plight of migrant workers.

Along with huge under EMPLOYMENT, there has been persistent increase in distress Migration of labourers to outside. Odisha remains one of major suppliers of migrant workers along with Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Assam and WB. A sizeable work force of the State, about 30 lakh vulnerable migrant workers, are working outside the State and data shows that this number has been growing in recent years. Advantageous migration as such is a boost to domestic economy through remittance but distress migration is undesirable. Covid-19 has very well exposed the vulnerability of migrant workers.

Globally, India is featured among top 10 agricultural producing countries such as China, Brazil, Russia and USA. Odisha lags behind in application of technology in comparison to other agricultural producing States. Data on Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture economics shows that there is very less Percentage of people engaged in agriculture in the developed countries but here the percentage is quite high.

The Census data 2011 says the number of tribal cultivators has reduced by 10 percent while the number of STs in the Population of agricultural labourer has increased in the same rate. The tribal mobility in search of opportunities to non-tribal areas has also increased.

Tamil Nadu to invoke Pocso Act on those who misbehave during online classes

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TheTamil Nadugovernment decided to invoke the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act on those who misbehave during online classes. It also decided to frame guidelines to prevent sexual harassment of students during online classes conducted by schools and educational institutions.

Chief minister M K Stalin said that theschool Education departmentwould frame guidelines for conducting and regulating online classes in a week for which a committee comprising the commissioner of the school education department, Police officials of cybercrime wing and crime against children, academicians and IT experts will be constituted. It will also frame the rules to ensure that sexual harassment can be prevented.

Kerala: Urban family health centres now national quality assurance standards certified

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With two moreurban family Health centresreceiving national quality assurance standards (NQAS) recognition,Thrissurhas become the first district in the country with all the centres achieving this recognition.

According to the district health officials, the twourbanfamily health centres which have won NAQS recognition now are located at Porkkalangad and Gausayikunnu. Altogether, there are seven urban family health centres, and the remaining five of them located at Anappuzha, Kacheri, V R Puram, Paravattani andGuruvayur, had won the NQAS recognition earlier. The urbanfamily health centresprimarily cater to the healthcare requirements of the slum areas in their vicinity.

Another eight hospitals, including a taluk hospital, have won NQAS recognition in the district. Altogether, 119 healthcare institutions, including three district hospitals and four taluk hospitals, have received NQAS recognition in the state.

The NQAS recognition is granted after evaluating a host of parameters, including the quality of Services provided by the health centres as well as the quality of . The accreditation is given after inspecting eight parameters like service provision, patients rights , support services, clinical care, infection control, quality management and outcome.

Karnataka opposes formation of Mekedatu panel

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TheKarnatakagovernment on Wednesday opposed formation of a joint select committee by theNational Green southern bench to inspect the controversialMekedatubalancingreservoir projectproposed along the Cauvery.

the government will launch a legal fight against theNGTs decision to suo motu set up the committee to inspect Mekedatu, which is in Karnataka state.

Chiranjeevi Konidela sets up oxygen banks in Telugu states to help with Covid-19 crisis

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Oxygenshortage is an issue that the country faces during the second wave of theCovid-19pandemic and Tollywood starChiranjeeviset up Oxygen Plants in the states to help with the crisis.

After setting up the Corona Crisis Charity last year to help out-of-work daily-wage workers from Tollywood, Chiranjeevi has now set up oxygen banks inAPandTelangana. Arrangements for the same have been completed and the banks will be functional in a week. These banks have been set up under the auspices of the presidents of the district fan clubs of the actor.

Central Ayurvedic body takes up study of Anandaiahs drug

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TheCentral Council for ResearchinAyurvedicSciences (CCRAS) has launched a study to ascertain the efficacy of the controversial Krishnapatnam medicine formulated by Bonigi Anandaiah. The CCRAS has directed the NRS Government Ayurvedic College in Vijayawada and the Ayurvedic hospital in Tirupati to take comprehensive feedback from at least 500 patients who have consumed the preparation. Data of patients have been collected through Nellore district Police and some patients have been contacted for feedback. Teams from the Vijayawada college and Tirupati hospital will interact with the patients.

CCRAS has said it will complete its investigation into the drug in four stages. Analysis of the samples received from the state Ayush department has started and CCRAS is reported to have communicated that it would take at least four to five weeks for completing the comprehensive investigation.

Goa: Coast Guard commissions patrol vessel ICGS Sajag

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At a time when theIndian Coast Guardfinds itself assisting in disaster relief operations and maritime accidents,National Security AdvisorAjit Doval commissioned a 105m offshore patrol vesselICGS Sajag. Built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), the indigenously-built warship will be based at Porbandar,Gujaratand will be deployed extensively for EEZ surveillance.

The commissioning of theshipis yet another addition to the Indian Coast Guards fleet of 157 ships and 62 aircraft.

The commissioning of ICGS Sajag will enhance the Indian Coast Guardsoperational capabilityto dischargemultifarious maritime tasks.

Sambhajiraje: Resolving Maratha quota issue is govts responsibility

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Member of ParliamentSambhajirajeChhatrapati, who is currently touring different parts of the state to interact with community leaders associated with the Maratha reservation movement, said the state and central governments have the responsibility to provide a solution to the reservation-related demand of the community.

He also clarified that he is not interested in making political statements by blaming the ruling or opposition parties for failing to get the reservation.