The Karatekas of IKA Karate Academy, Mysuru and Kali Warriors Academy, Karnataka, under Pekiti Tirsia Kali India, have bagged various medals in the World Online Karate Championship-2022 organised by Dynamic Shotokan Karate Do Association, World Union of Martial Arts Federations, World Karate Alliance and Evolution of Karate between Jan. 20 and Jan. 25, 2022.
** WhatsApp skills classes set to begin, initiative by Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation
Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation’s WhatsApp-NSDC Digital Skills Academy Programme is set to begin from Thursday.
The initiative, launched in association with WhatsApp India, National Skill Development Corporation and InfiSpark, aims to empower students in regards to employability skills, general data privacy, cybersecurity, financial literacy and nano entrepreneurship. It also aims to develop students’ communication, leadership, community building skills and public speaking skills, and challenge them to think on their feet.
** RIP Lata Mangeshkar: 12 lesser-known facts about the Melody Queen, from running into a Beatle to her refuted world record
She was named Hema at birth and was later renamed Lata, after a character in her father’s play ‘BhaawBandhan’ called Latika. Her family name Mangeshkar was derived from the Mangeshi village in Goa.
Lata Mangeshkar was the first female singer who demanded better pay and royalties in Bollywood.
In 1979, she was the first Indian to perform with the Wren Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
** Queen of Tabla’s journey with Rhythm and Reason
These days, ‘Queen of Tabla’ Anuradha Pal is playing a different taal. Her instrumental composition, ‘Bharat Vandan’, released on the occasion of Republic Day, is an ode to India’s rich heritage, spirituality and other cultural practices. In it, the first female tabla player of India combines the piano, sarod, and the tabla to present the diversity that makes the country special. Available on her YouTube channel and music streaming platforms, this acclaimed percussion artiste’s robust bols are played to the Vande Mataram tune.
Mumbai
** Kerala trekker rescue mission: Op Palakkad hero credits alma mater for achievements
Even several hours after the daring rescue operation — ‘Op Palakkad’— by the Indian Army at Cherad Hill in Malampuzha on Wednesday, Ettumanoor native Lt Col R Hemant Raj was excited about how teamwork played an exemplary role in saving the life of a youth, R Babu.
An alumnus of the Sainik School Kazhakootam (SSKZM), the 36-year-old gives full credit to his alma mater for his accomplishments, the latest coming as part of a nine-member rescue mission of the Madras Regimental Centre, Wellington, Ooty. Hemant and the word ‘daring’ go hand in hand, which is even inscribed in his email ID. Born in the village of Pathirappally in Alappuzha, he came up through the ranks on the back of sheer willpower.
India’s investment platform Bodhi Tree secures $1.5bn from Qatar fund
The funding boost from Qatar’s state wealth fund will be utilized to launch the platform founded by British-American businessman James Murdoch and former Disney executive Uday Shankar, according to the Financial Times
** How Abhijeet Kain is empowered to educate through Reels
Content creator Abhijeet Kain from Lucknow uses popular Bollywood music from the 90s to make his PSA-style short videos
Regulars on Instagram would have shared Abhijeet Kain’s Reel more than once. Especially during Lockdown 2.0 and 2.1. Videos of him doing a lip sync to Bollywood music, while educating and entertaining social media regulars on physical distancing, right mask usage, other COVID-19 safety protocols and vaccination were shared by many of his 917k Insta followers. Apart from his regular videos, ones, Abhijeet has also made some videos on the Omicron variant.
The 26-year-old content creator from Lucknow says, “My Instagram becoming what it is now, is a lockdown miracle. I call myself an extroverted introvert; so I’m very selectively social., but when I started creating content I felt as though a new part of me was acting in front of the camera. I’m grateful my audience was so kind and encouraging; that kept me going.”
** DGCI gives nod to SII’s proposal to manufacture vaccine against omicron for test, analysis
SII has obtained permission and licence to manufacture SARS-CoV-2rS drug substance for examination, test and analysis.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved Serum Institute of India’s proposal to manufacture a vaccine against omicron variant of coronavirus for examination, test and analysis, official sources said on Monday.
“With reference to your application, please find herewith the permission to manufacture SARS-CoV-2 rS Protein (COVID-19) recombinant spike protein nanoparticle vaccine (omicron variant) for examination, test and analysis under the provisions of New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 to manufacture the test batches of the drug/drugs mentioned therein,” an approval order issued on February 4 stated.
** NITI Aayog, USAID to collaborate in healthcare
Collaboration to focus on innovations across healthcare landscape
The Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a new partnership under the Sustainable Access to Markets and Resources for Innovative Delivery of Healthcare (SAMRIDH) initiative, which aims to improve access to affordable and quality healthcare for vulnerable populations in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and rural and tribal regions.
A release issued by NITI Aayog on Tuesday said that in 2020, USAID, IPE Global, and stakeholders from the Indian government, academia, and the private sector developed the innovative SAMRIDH blended finance facility to combine public and philanthropic funds with commercial capital to create and rapidly scale market-based health solutions.
** Army begins RFID tagging of ammunition inventory
It will lead to increased efficiency in technical activities and cut costs, it says
The Army has commenced Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tagging of its ammunition inventory, which it said would lead to increased efficiency in technical activities carried out in ammunition depots and reduce inventory carrying costs.
“The first consignment of RFID tagged ammunition, comprising three lots of 5.56mm ammunition, was despatched from Ammunition Factory Khadki to Central Ammunition Depot (CAD) Pulgaon,” the Army said in a statement.