Astra test-fired successfully against simulated target
The missile was tested to prove the manoeuvring capability against a simulated target and also to validate various subsystems.
The indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra, was successfully launched from Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft to hit a simulated target at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur in Odisha on Wednesday.
The missile was tested to prove the manoeuvring capability against a simulated target and also to validate various subsystems. All the subsystems like propulsion, navigation, guidance as also the smooth separation of the missile from the aircraft were proved, according to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources.
The all-weather, state-of-the-art missile developed by DRDO can engage and destroy enemy aircraft at supersonic speed ( 1.2 Mach to 1.4 Mach) in head-on (up to 80 km) and tail-chase (up to 20 km) modes.
The 3.8 metre tall Astra is the smallest of the DRDO-developed missiles and can be launched from different altitudes. It can reach up to 110 km when fired from an altitude of 15 km, 44 km when launched from an altitude of eight km and 21 km when fired from sea level.
Select panels suggest no changes in coal, mines bills
Amid uproars from opposition Congress, the Select Committees of the Rajya Sabha looking into the coal and mines bills Wednesday tabled their reports that have recommended no amendments in the bills.
The protests led to a brief adjournment of the house.As the reports were tabled in the upper house, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "We want to register our protest against the manner in which mines and coal bills are being rushed for passing."
"The bill was not referred to the Standing Committee, after being referred to the Select Committee. My party said we wanted report in first week of next session. Concerns of members of our party have not been taken on board. Other stakeholders have also not been taken on board," he said.
The leader of opposition said it made the whole exercise of sending the bill to a select committee "meaningless".
This was followed by noisy protests from Congress members who trooped near the chairman's podium, raising slogans.
Amid the ruckus, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for ten minutes.During the break, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal were seen engaged in discussions with Azad, Digvijaya Singh and others apparently explaining the provisions.
The house resumed normal functioning when it met after the brief adjournment.The report on the coal bill says the committee recommends the bill without any changes, and added that the suggestions made by the panel should be looked into.
the clauses of the bill. It, however, said: "The Committee, in view of limited ambit of amending Bill under its consideration, is of the opinion that these issues are of utmost significance that warrant serious consideration by the government."
"The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Ministry should consider these issues to be incorporated subsequently in the MMDR Act, 1957, at an appropriate stage as well as in the relevant rules/regulations required to be framed thereunder," it said.
India's assistance for Tropical Cyclone Pam
The Government of India is deeply saddened by the tragedy caused by the category 5 Tropical Cyclone Pam, which struck Vanuatu from 13 March, 2015, leading to loss of lives and widespread destruction of property. The scale of the disaster is growing as basic infrastructure and livelihood has been severely impacted.
The Government of India has released an immediate cash assistance of US$ 250,000 to the Government of Vanuatu to help them in the relief and rehabilitation efforts. Keeping in view the friendly bilateral relations and also the humanitarian situation, in the wake of the cyclone, the Government of India stands ready to extend any further assistance required by the people of Vanuatu in this hour of need.
Solar Impulse 2 on its way to Varanasi
World’s first round-the-world solar flight Solar Impulse 2 (Si2), which is circumventing the globe without a drop of fuel took off from Ahmedabad on Wednesday morning and is expected to arrive in Varanasi by night.
.@andreborschberg and #Si2 are airborne in #India, flying from #Ahmedabad to #Varanasi, entirely #PoweredByTheSun! pic.twitter.com/XCL3z2uZzs
— SOLAR IMPULSE (@solarimpulse) March 18, 2015
The Swiss flight was scheduled to take off at 5.30 a.m. but finally took off at 7.18 a.m., a press release said.
Wainting for take off clearance at ahmedabad with @solarimpulse just as sun rises pic.twitter.com/sDYIUIlr7x
— André Borschberg (@andreborschberg) March 18, 2015
Si2 had arrived in Ahmedabad on March 10 — it’s first stop in India and second in its global tour — was to be stationed Ahmedabad for three days, but bad weather delayed its journey to Varanasi.
“Solar Impulse officially took-off today at 7:18 a.m. local time with a delay due to last minute customs and immigration formalities with Indian authorities. Pilot André Borschberg will fly the aircraft from Ahmedabad to Varanasi, a flight anticipated to last 15 hours. Si2 will reach its highest altitude of 17,000 ft (5, 610 meres) between Indore and Bhopal. The Landing in Varanasi is expected to be at 10:38 p.m. local time,” a press release from the Si2 team said.
“Happy to proceed finally to the holy city of Varanasi,” tweeted Andre Borschberg, co-pilot and co-founder of Si2.
Happy to proceed finally to the holy city of varanasi with @solarimpulse pic.twitter.com/txRgHx9hKc
— André Borschberg (@andreborschberg) March 18, 2015
The zero-fuel aircraft will make a pit stop at Varanasi for about a day and then head for its next destination Mandalay in Myanmar.
Si2 pilots — Borschberg and Bertrand Piccard — began their ambitious journey from Abu Dhabi on March 8, 2015 to reach the message of green energy and technologies.
Lok Sabha passes bill to repeal 35 archaic laws
- Seeking to weed out archaic and dead laws, the Lok Sabha today approved a bill to repeal as many as 35 legislations.
"This is an initial step taken by the new government. We will see in a span of one or two years...the statute book will be cleared. And there will be no confusion as far as disposal of cases are concerned", Law Minister Sadananda Gowda said.
He was replying to a debate on 'The Repealing and Amending Bill 2014', which was later passed by voice vote.
The government initially proposed to repeal 36 laws but Employment of Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 was withdrawn from the list following observations by the Standing Committee.
"These laws at present are of no use and such dead laws create confusion if they continue in the statute books," he said.
Out of the 36 acts proposed to be repealed, four were principal acts and others were amendments to the various acts.
However, the Standing Committee observed that the 1993 Act should be retained as several states were yet to pass resolutions to implement the 2013 Act on the subject, the Minister said.
The Acts which are sought to be repealed include amendments to the Representation of the People Act, Marriage Act, Election Laws, Divorce Laws and
Anand Marriage Act and the Evidence Act.
The remaining three principal acts which have been repealed are Foreign Jurisdiction Act, Sugar Undertaking (Taking Over of Management) Act and Indian Fisheries Act.
"The Bill is one of those periodical measures by which enactments which have ceased to be in force or have become obsolete or the retention whereof as separate
Act is unnecessary are repealed or by which the formal defects detected in enactments are corrected," said the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill.
The decision is in tune with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agenda to do away with archaic laws which are hindering efficient governance.
Cabinet nod for black money Bill
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposed black money Bill that provides for harsher punishment for holders of unaccounted wealth. The Bill will be tabled in the Lok Sabha the current session of Parliament.
The cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, also approved a proposal for India to sign an inter-government agreement with the US for confidential sharing of financial information regarding the people of each country aimed at preventing tax evasion, sources said. The proposed pact under the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) is likely to be signed in March itself.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley said earlier in the day that the Bill on black money will be introduced in the current session itself. Scrutiny in the case of people alleged to be holding black money in foreign accounts will be completed by March 31, he said. The Bill, however, will allow an opportunity for black money hoarders to disclose overseas assets, pay taxes on it along with a 300% penalty in order to avoid prosecution and imprisonment.
Central Board of Direct Taxes chairperson Anita Kapur recently told reporters the new law will introduce a “rebutable presumption” that the undisclosed foreign asset constitutes concealed income. Assessees will be allowed an opportunity to present views on why the asset was not disclosed. “The very fact that one has not disclosed one’s foreign asset will make one liable for prosecution. If we detect an unreported overseas asset, we would quantify the income that escaped assessment and will bring it to tax at maximum marginal rate (30%),” said Kapur. The new law will mandate reporting of movable and immovable assets abroad.
The current law allows tax officers to levy penalty of 100-300%. The new law will disallow that discretion and propose a flat 300% penalty. This offence will also become a predicate offence to money laundering. Under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the government can seek details about assets of an individual from other nations. Under the proposed law, concealment of income and assets and tax evasion in relation to foreign assets will be prosecut-able with jail of up to 10 years.
CSIR Research Projects
- The Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri Y. S. Chowdary informed the Lok Sabha today about some completed projects by CSIR has during Eleventh Five Year Plan period and a few spilled-over projects of Tenth Five Year Plan. Some of the significant achievements among them he said are:
Krishi Shakti – a small range (11.2 hp) diesel engine tractor launched
As a new leaf in the CSIR efforts to empower the Indian farmers, Krishi Shakti – a small range (11.2 hp) diesel engine tractor designed and developed by CSIR-CMERI was launched on 20th November, 2014 by Hon’ble Minister, Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and VP, CSIR, Dr. Harsh Vardhan. He handed over five tractors to the farmers. The Krishi Shakti would benefit Indian farmers possessing small land holdings. Dr. Harsh Vardhan, while launching the Krishi Shakti said that “the development has bridged a long felt technology gap. There is an urgent need to develop state-of-the-art technology of agriculture implements. The implements need to be suiting Indian agro climates and should be energy efficient. These agriculture implements should remove farmers drudgery”. Dr. Harsh Vardhan appreciated CSIR efforts contributing for ‘Make in India’ mission of Hon’ble Prime Minister. The Krishi Shakti has received CMVR Certification as an Agricultural Wheeled Tractor after rigorous trials and testing. The technology of ‘Krishi Shakti’ has been transferred to M/s Singha Components Pvt. Ltd., Howrah, West Bengal, who have started manufacturing. In India, about 85 percent households cultivate about 36 per cent of entire cultivable land. The average land holding of the small Indian farmer normally does not exceed even 1 hectare. It is therefore quite difficult for the average Indian farmer to afford mechanized farming utilizing standard tractors of 35 hp and above ratings, which in 2 turn tells upon the productivity and per unit yield. As a result, there has been tremendous demand for developing small, compact and easily maneuverable tractors of rating in the range of 10-12 hp, which are deemed fittest for small and fragmented land holdings. CSIR’s ‘Krishi Shakti’, a small tractor, is an apt CSIR response to this necessity enabling farm mechanization in an affordable manner. Furthermore, this small tractor and its matching implements are based on available diesel engine and available tractor parts in the market. ‘Krishi Shakti’ is the latest in the legacy of CSIR interventions in enabling mechanized agriculture.
Low-cost bituminous roads from waste plastics and copper slag:
The use of waste plastics and copper slag (CS) in hot bituminous mixes to enhance pavement performance, protect environment and to reduce the cost of road construction has been carried out. Waste plastic modified bitumen (WPMB) has been prepared by adding plastic waste (5% by weight of bitumen) in shredded form with suitable cross-linking agents to 80/100 bitumen and blending for 1 hour at 160°C. Physical properties of WPMB were found to be within the specified limits as per IS: 15462-2004.
A Night Driving Filter (NDF):
CSIR-CSIO has developed a night Driving Filter which is an improved Antiglare Optical device for automobiles useful during night driving. It is mounted in front of the driver on the automobile’s windshield. The device comprises of a gradient density absorbing film (30-80%) deposited upon glass/plastic substrate by vacuum coating and also having antireflection coating on both surfaces of the substrate. The coating is highly durable and it is first time in the world that the glare is being reduced by this type of filter. The device protects eyes from the blinding glare (excessive visible and UV radiation) produced by the headlights of approaching vehicles during night driving. The user trials of the device have been conducted on Ambassador &Maruti Cars, Bus & Truck driven on Chandigarh roads and highways in the night. The reports shows that glare from high beam are reduced to 30 percent and from the low beam to 40 percent.
An eco-friendly duel powered rickshaw (Soleckshaw):
Keeping the logistics and disadvantages of a conventional or electric rickshaw in mind, a motor assisted pedal driven pedicab named “Soleckshaw” has been developed. It is a three-wheeled pedicab, rear wheels are driven by manual pedalling and front wheel is driven by Brush Less DC (BLDC) electric hub motor. This pedicab can be driven by manual pedaling or by BLDC motor or in combination of both. An override mechanism has been used at the center of rear axle resulting in proper turning and better dynamic stability of the vehicle. This vehicle provides driving comfort to the driver and can run for longer distances compared to manual driven cycle rickshaws, resulting in higher earning of rickshaw pullers. The technology has been transferred to 4 industries on non exclusive basis for commercialization.
Footwear for diabetics:
CSIR-CLRI designed special footwear suitable for low-risk diabetic patients. A specially derived angle of slant has been provided in the sole to give the ‘rocker’ effect which is essentially used to offload pressure from the plantar surface of the feet. The upper has been designed to take special care of fluctuations in foot volume and is provided with adjustable fasteners. The back is rigid with a counter stiffener for limiting joint mobility. The vital role of the footwear is very well described through the biomechanics of diabetic foot. The technology has been transferred to M/s MV Health Care and product has been named as ‘Diastep’.
From Jan Dhan to Jan Suraksha
Our country face the biggest challenge of providing banking facilities and insurance coverage to all. Having access to institutional finance has so far remained a far cry to a vast chunk of rural population.
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY), with its benefits of life insurance, loan opportunities and mobile banking facilities, is a major step to bring people across the country closer to institutionalized finance, and save them from the clutches of informal financiers. India’s rural poor will now be able to meet their diverse financial needs like savings, credit and insurance against unexpected events through a well- established system.
The scheme, launched in August, 2014, so far enabled (till 3rd January 2015), opening of 1064 lakh new bank accounts, yielding deposits of Rs 836905.50 lakh, as per Economic Survey, 2014-15. Under the scheme, the public sector banks are supposed to open 7.5 crore accounts in a year in the phase-I of the program. The remaining people will be covered over a period of next 2-3 years.
Along with lack of access to institutional finance, the other grim reality of the Indian economy is that a large number of people is deprived of any kind of insurance coverage be it for health, accidents or life. Insurance is a way of managing risks. People need insurance for a variety of reasons. In some cases insurance is required by law; however, there are policies that, though not mandatory to have, but do give necessary protections in case of financial loss. When one has an insurance policy, certain rights and protections are derived out of it to the person insured and his family.
The budget 2015-16, has proposed, three Social Security Schemes, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojna, Atal PensionYojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana. These three social security schemes, on Jan Dhan platform, is to protect an Indian citizen against illness, accidents, or penury in old age.
Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana( PMSBY), is to ensure risk coverage in case of accidental death, full or partial disability. The insured amount for accidental death and full disability is Rs 2 lakh and it is Rs 1 lakh for partial disability. It has an annual premium of Rs 12 only, which will be directly auto-debited by the bank from the subscriber's account. It is the only mode of paying the premium and thus creates a linkage between the beneficiary and the bank. A person has to opt for the scheme every year by submitting a simple form to the bank by 1st June. One can also opt for the scheme on a long term basis and in that case his account will be auto-debited every year by the bank. People between the age of 18 and 70 years, having an Aadhar linked bank account, are eligible for the scheme.
The scheme is offered to all Public Sector General Insurance Companies and other willing insurers who are ready to tie up with banks for this purpose. It has the provision for Government contribution, by which various Ministries can co- contribute premium for beneficiaries of different categories from their budget or from the Public Welfare Fund, created in the budget 2015-16, out of unclaimed money.
Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna( PMJJBY), is to benefit people in case of death for any reason. It is available to people in the age group of 18 to 50, having a bank account. People who join the scheme before completing the age of 50, can continue to have the risk of life cover up to the age of 55 years, subject to the payment of premium. The scheme has an annual premium of Rs 330, with a risk coverage of Rs 2 lakh. The premium will be directly auto- debited by the bank from the subscriber's account. A person can opt for the scheme for a year or prefer to continue it as a long term option. In case of long term option, his account will be auto- debited every year by the bank.
Life Insurance Corporation and other willing life insurers with a tie-up with the bank are to implement the scheme. The scheme also has the provision for co-contribution of premium by various Ministries for different categories of their beneficiaries out of their budget or out of Public Welfare Fund created in the Budget 2015-16 from the unclaimed money.
The Government of India's concern for old age income security for the working poor, particularly in the unorganised sector, resulted in the creation of a new initiative in the budget proposals 2015-16, called, Atal Pension Yojana (APY). It is to encourage the uninsured workers in the unorganised sector to come under National Pension System (NPS), under Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority ( PFRDA).
The scheme meant to persuade workers in unorganised sector, who form 88% of total workforce, to save voluntarily for the retirement. It is the improved version of Swavalamban scheme, launched in 2010-11, which has been found lacking in clarity with regard to pension benefits at the age after 60. Under the APY, the subscribers would receive the fixed pension of Rs. 1000 per month, Rs. 2000 per month, Rs. 3000 per month, Rs. 4000 per month, Rs. 5000 per month, at the age of 60 years, depending on their contributions, which itself would vary depending on the age of joining the APY.
The scheme is open to all bank account holders who are not members of any statutory social security scheme. The minimum age of joining you APY is 18 years and the maximum is 40 years. Hence, the minimum period of contribution by any subscriber is 20 years or more. All bank account holders under the eligible category can join APY with auto-debit facility to accounts, which will lead to reduction in contribution collection charges.
The scheme is mainly targeted at unorganised sector workers.The existing subscribers of Swavalamban Scheme will be automatically migrated to APY, unless they opt out of the scheme.The Government would provide fixed pension guarantee for the subscribers, and would co-contribute 50% of the subscriber's contribution or Rs. 1000 per annum, whichever is lower, to eligible subscribers.The APY is being launched from 1st June, 2015.
Jan Dhan Mission is set to provide universal banking coverage across all the six lakh villages of the country, by providing at least one Basic Banking Account, per household. It is to provide all households in the country, both rural and urban, access to multiple financial services, like bank account with RuPay Debit card, access to credit, remittance, Insurance and Pension. Thus, the Mission not only brings the excluded sections from the society into the financial mainstream but makes the transfer of benefits of various subsidy schemes of the government more efficient. It is the first step to bring in economic equality and remove financial untouchability.
In order to achieve the goal of universal social security system, especially for the poor and the under- privileged, the three- tier social security schemes, announced in the current year budget, is definitely going to spread the safety net of protection to people in all strata of life against deprivation and uncertainties. They are the steps towards ensuring financial security and long term sustenance to families when the earning family member retires, dies or suffers full or partial disability.
Thus, Jan Dhan to Jan Suraksha, is all about guaranteeing financial inclusion and financial security, prerequisites for inclusive growth and all round development.
*Ms. Archana Datta is currently Freelance writer and former DG, DD News and DG, NSD (AIR).
When cancer cells stop acting like cancer
- Cancer cells crowded tightly together suddenly surrender their desire to spread, and this change of heart is related to a cellular pathway that controls organ size. These two stunning observations are reported today by researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in the journal Oncogene.
"What we really need in cancer treatment is a way to stop cancer from growing in the organ it has spread to, and we have discovered a mechanism that seems to do that," says the study's senior investigator, Anton Wellstein, MD, PhD, a professor of oncology and pharmacology at Georgetown Lombardi. Wellstein says the initial finding was made when Ghada M. Sharif, PhD, a member of the Wellstein lab, noticed that cancer cells crowded back-to-back -- high density -- were less effective at invading cancer-free tissue than cells grown in a low density -- less crowded -- environment.
Researchers noticed that cancer cells crowded back-to-back -- high density -- were less effective at invading cancer-free tissue than cells grown in a low density -- less crowded -- environment. Credit: Courtesy Ghada M. Sharif/Georgetown
It turns out that high-density cells activated the "Hippo" molecular pathway, an ancient biological mechanism that limits the size of an organ. Low-density cancer cells do not engage Hippo, which means the cells are free to grow unchecked within the organ. The trigger for activating Hippo is a single molecule called YAP.
"What was very surprising to us was that this pathway is active in cancer cells," says Wellstein.
"You can make the same cancer cells become invasive or not, depending on whether that pathway is activated--which is fascinating," he says. "Invasive and non-invasive cells are genetically the same. What's different is whether the Hippo pathway is active."
He says experiments show the mechanism is common to a variety of cancers, including breast, prostate, pancreatic and lung.
"We think cancer cells go wild, they just take off. They will invade and there is nothing you can do about it," he says. "But it actually turns out that crowded cells still have that memory of how good citizens -- good cells -- behave, and that was a big surprise to us. That is why this finding is quite significant."
Because many cancers metastasize early in their development, a drug based on the Hippo pathway could be used to limit their spread within the organs the cancer spreads to, he says.
"We have figured out a mechanism that is crucial for cancer cell invasion and metastasis, and we have found the driver of that mechanism, but there is still much work to do," Wellstein says.
Other authors contributing to the study are Marcel O. Schmidt, PhD, Chunling Yi, PhD, Zhangzhi Hu, MD, Bassem R. Haddad, MD, Eric Glasgow, PhD, and Anna T. Riegel, PhD, all from Georgetown Lombardi.
The study was supported by National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute grants (CA71508, CA113477, and CA51008).
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