Vignjan Knowledge Hub

S cientists have made an exciting discovery while filming the National Geographic and Disney+ docuseries “Pole to Pole,” hosted by Will Smith. During their expedition into the Amazon’s Orinoco basin, they encountered a previously unknown species of the green anaconda, which is the largest and heaviest snake species on Earth . Here are the key details: Discovery: The new species was found in the northern region of the Amazon rainforest. Size: One female anaconda they encountered measured an astounding 6.3 meters (20.7 feet) long . There are anecdotal reports from the Waorani people of other anacondas in the area measuring more than 7.5 meters (24.6 feet) long and weighing around 500 kilograms (1,102 pounds). Genetic Difference: Although these green anacondas looked nearly identical to the ones found in Brazil, genetic samples confirmed that they are indeed a different species. The researchers proposed renaming this new species as Eunectes akayima. Divergence: The northern green ...

T he Indian economy, like a phoenix rising from the ashes, showcased remarkable resilience during the third quarter of the fiscal year 2023-24. According to data released by the   National Statistical Office (NSO) , India’s   gross domestic product (GDP)   surged at an impressive rate of   8.4%   during the period from October to December 2023. Let’s dissect this economic feat and understand its implications. 1. Surpassing Expectations The actual GDP growth rate of  8.4%  outperformed expectations, leaving economists pleasantly surprised. Initially projected at  6.6% , this robust expansion signals a strong recovery trajectory for the Indian economy. 2. Key Drivers Government Spending : Boosted by strategic government expenditure, the economy gained momentum. Investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and social welfare programs played a pivotal role. Manufacturing Resurgence : The manufacturing sector witnessed a revival, contributing significant...

  N EET is the National Entrance cum Eligibility Test conducted in India for admission to undergraduate medical courses. It is an all-India examination that is taken by students who have completed Class 12th or equivalent. NEET was introduced from the academic year 2013-14 and has replaced the All India Pre Medical Test (AIPMT). The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a national level medical entrance examination in India. It was introduced in 2013 by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), as an attempt to unify all the medical entrance examinations across the country. NEET replaced AIPMT (All India Pre Medical Test) and other state-level examinations. The languages in which the NEET (UG)   would be conducted are : English, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu. Purpose and Conduct: NEET (UG) is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). It serves as a common and uniform entrance ...

  D uring his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced India's intention to establish its own space station by 2035. Key points about this initiative include: Timeline: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) aims to complete the initial module of the space station by 2028 and fully establish the Bharat Space Station by 2035 First Module Weight: The first module of the space station is planned to weigh approximately 8 tons New Rockets: ISRO is working on developing a new rocket capable of carrying loads rang ing from 20 to 1,215 tons, which is a significant increase compared to the current capability of 10 tons Gaganyaan Mission: Alongside the space station, ISRO is preparing for the Gaganyaan mission, which includes sending astronauts into space and potentially landing them on the moon by 2040 Aditya L-1 Mission: The Aditya L-1 mission, India's first space-based observatory designed to stu...

  R eliance Industries and Reliance Foundation have introduced a pioneering initiative named Vantara (Star of the Forest) focused on the rescue, treatment, care, and rehabilitation of animals in need. Led by Anant Ambani, this ambitious program aims to make a significant impact on animal welfare at both national and international levels. Vantara operates within a vast 3,000-acre sanctuary located in the Green Belt of Reliance's Jamnagar Refinery Complex in Gujarat. This sanctuary has been meticulously transformed into a jungle-like environment to provide rescued animals with a natural and enriching habitat for healing and thriving. The initiative sets new benchmarks in animal care by offering state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, specialized hospitals catering to various species' specific needs, and research and academic centers promoting collaboration and innovation in animal welfare practices. Vantara collaborates with esteemed international organizations such as the Intern...

  T he government has launched the 'Mera Pehla Vote Desh Ke Liye' campaign in higher educational institutions nationwide, commencing on February 27, 2024. This initiative aims to encourage youth participation in the electoral process, emphasizing the importance of voting for the nation's progress. The campaign seeks to engage young voters in understanding their role in shaping the country's future through active participation in elections. By instilling a sense of civic responsibility and highlighting the impact of each vote on national development, the initiative aims to empower the youth to contribute to the democratic process effectively. Through this campaign, the government intends to cultivate a culture of informed decision-making among students, fostering a deeper understanding of democracy and governance. By emphasizing the significance of voting as a fundamental right and duty, the initiative aims to inspire a generation of responsible citizens committed to dri...

  Japan's Thousand-Year-Old Sominsai Festival Wraps Up The Sominsai festival, deeply ingrained in Japan's history, has recently concluded its final celebration after a thousand years. A Glimpse into the Past Dating back a millennium, the Sominsai festival was a revered event held at the Kokuseki Temple. Starting on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year and lasting through the night, it showcased tradition and spirituality. The Ritualistic Celebration At the core of the festival was a display of fervor and tradition, where hundreds of naked men enthusiastically participated in wrestling matches over wooden talismans. Their chants of "jasso, joyasa," aiming to ward off evil, echoed through the cedar forest surrounding Kokuseki Temple. A Tradition Fading Away Unfortunately, the festival has yielded to the challenges brought by Japan's aging population crisis. The responsibility of organizing such an intricate event became too much for the elderly custodians of tra...

  PM Modi and UAE Vice President Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum recently started building Bharat Mart in Dubai, a big space for selling and sending things out of India. Bharat Mart will be like China’s Dragon Mart and will be made by DP World, a big company in Dubai, and India’s commerce ministry. It will have shops, storage, and places to move things around, all in one area in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone in Dubai. The place will be huge, covering 100,000 square meters, and will help make sending things from India to Africa and Europe faster and cheaper. Bharat Mart hopes to start working by 2025 and will make it easier for small and medium-sized Indian businesses to send things out of the country. By working with DP World and using Jebel Ali Port's good location, it will save time and money, especially when sending things to Africa and Europe. This project could help a lot of small and medium-sized Indian businesses sell their stuff to people in the Gulf, West Asia, Africa, and E...

  India’s Global Digital Standing India is now ranked as the third-largest digitalized country globally, following the United States and China. This news comes from the "State of India’s Digital Economy Report, 2024," released by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), a respected think tank based in Delhi. The report gives a detailed look at India’s digital landscape, comparing it favorably with some of the world’s most advanced economies while also pointing out areas where India can improve in terms of user engagement with digital technologies. The report uses a special framework called ‘CHIPS’ to analyze the digital strength of countries. This framework looks at five important aspects: connect, harness, innovate, protect, and sustain. It helps us understand India's digital economy better and compare it with other countries around the world.

                   ISRO launched a new weather satellite called INSAT-3DS from Sriharikota. It's a big deal in meteorology. It was launched on a Saturday at 5:35 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. This satellite is a big improvement in weather forecasting and monitoring the environment. It's the next version after the Third Generation Meteorological Satellite, showing ISRO's dedication to improving weather prediction and environmental monitoring. INSAT-3DS has several goals: Monitoring land and oceans: It will watch over Earth's surface and oceans, providing important information for environmental monitoring. This helps understand climate change effects and manage resources better. Studying the atmosphere: The satellite will give valuable data about the atmosphere, which improves weather prediction models. This helps plan for weather events more effectively. Collecting and sharing data: INSAT-3DS will collect and share data fr...