September 19, 2014

Neutrino Observatory

The India-based Neutrino Observatory Project in Theni district of Tamilnadu is awaiting for PMO's approval to start the works.

It is Rs.1500 crore project mainly funded by Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Science and Technology.

The Project will have 50,000 tonne magnetic detector to study the neutrinos. It is expected to be completed in 5 years.

Gates Foundation to wipe out kala azar

Kala azar also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis, balck fever and Dumdum fever is the most severe form of Leishmaniasis and it is caused by the bites of female phlebotomine sand-flies - the vector or a transmitter of the Leishmania parasite.

The disease is the second largest parasite killer after Malaria. It is concentrated in 52 districts in Bihar, UP, Jharkahnad and West Bengal. India targets kala azar elimination by 2015. Gates Foundation is planning to work with the Indian government for its eradication.

The Gates Foundation has committed to spend $1.5 billion over the next 5 years on maternal and child health.

India has till now eradicated polio, smallpox and rinderpest (cattle plague).

India Newborn Action Plan (INAP)

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan  launched the INAP programme to reduce infant mortality and bring down number of deaths per thousand to single digit by 2030. Right now it is 29 deaths per 1000 live births.

In India 7 lakh children die at birth. Also 13.3 lakh children die under the age of 5 and 7.56 lakh children die within one month.

The programme will be implemented under Reproductive, Maternal, Child Health and Adolescents Plus (RMNCHA+) framework.

Referendum in Scotland

Scotland voters rejected Independence from Britain in a referendum that had threatened to break up the 307 years of union between them. The unionists had won 55% of the vote while the separatists were on 45%.

Li Na announced her retirement

China's Li Na, Asia's only Grand Slam Singles Champion announced her retirement on Friday (19th Sept) due to long time knee injuries.

She won the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open. Known affectionately as "Big Sister Na" and "Golden Flower" in China.

General Knowledge

India's flag bearer in 17th Asian Games - Sardar Singh.

Chatrapathi Sivaji Terminus in Mumbai - a UNESCO World Heritage site - was formerly known as Victoria Terminus.

The Photovoltaic Effect was discovered by Edmund Becquerel in 1839.

Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Evan Williams, Biz Stone and Noah Glass.

Fear of Doctors and visiting hospitals is called Iatrophobia.