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1. The 7th edition of the joint military exercise 'Shakti' between India and France commenced in Umroi, Meghalaya. Held biennially alternating between both nations, the exercise aims to enhance joint military capabilities for multi-domain operations in sub-conventional scenarios. Operations focus on semi-urban and mountainous terrains, emphasizing responses to terrorist actions, joint command establishment, and intelligence coordination. Other joint exercises between India and France include Varuna, Garuda, and Desert Knight.
2. In addressing landslide issues in the ecologically sensitive Nilgiris region, the State highways department adopts soil nailing and hydroseeding techniques. Soil nailing strengthens soil to prevent erosion, followed by hydroseeding to promote grass and plant growth. This eco-friendly solution mitigates the impact of linear infrastructure like roads in the region, incorporating five grass species, including native ones. The highways department will maintain the seeded grasses post-hydroseeding.
3. Renowned Indian author Ruskin Bond is conferred with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, the highest literary honor. Bond, born in Kasauli in 1934, has a prolific writing career spanning over 50 years across various genres. Notable works include "A Flight of Pigeons," adapted into the film "Junoon," and "Angry River." His accolades include Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Sahitya Akademi awards, reflecting his significant contributions to literature.
4. World Lupus Day, observed annually on May 10th, sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals living with lupus, an autoimmune disease causing the immune system to attack the body's tissues. With nearly 5 million sufferers worldwide, the day emphasizes the need for better healthcare, research, early diagnosis, and treatments. Established in 2004 by the World Lupus Federation, the day aims to unite efforts in reducing lupus-related suffering and improving patient outcomes.
5. China achieves a significant scientific breakthrough with the construction of the High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), joining a select group of nations capable of producing intense X-rays through synchrotron technology. Synchrotrons, large circular machines, generate powerful light beams used in various fields such as medicine, agriculture, and materials science. HEPS's development underscores China's commitment to advancing scientific research and technological innovation on a global scale.
6. The invasive sailfin armoured catfish, comprising morphologically similar species from the genus Pterygoplichthys of the Loricariidae family, has spread to 60% of water bodies in the Eastern Ghats, causing ecological harm and disrupting fishing activities. Originally from South America, it was introduced to India for its appearance and algae-clearing abilities but has since proliferated significantly. This proliferation underscores its status as one of the most serious invasive species, highlighting the urgent need for management strategies to mitigate its impact on freshwater ecosystems.
7. Tileswari Koch, a young freedom fighter from Dhekiajuli, Assam, was martyred at 12 during the Quit India Movement in 1942. This movement, initiated by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, aimed to end British rule, symbolized by Gandhi's "Do or Die" call at the Gowalia Tank Maidan. Tileswari and fellow activists attempted to hoist the Tricolour atop a police station, where she was fatally shot by British forces on September 20, 1942. The Indian National Congress (INC), founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume in Bombay, initially pursued civil discussions with the British, led by moderates like Dadabhai Naoroji and GK Gokhle. However, from 1905 onwards, under extremists like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai, the INC advocated complete independence through more radical methods.