Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced on Wednesday that researchers at the Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore had completed the nation’s first human clinical trial of gene therapy for hemophilia A (FVIII deficiency). At the “National Science Day 2024” event held at Vigyan Bhawan here, he made this statement.

Factor VIII (FVIII), a clotting protein, can be absent or faulty in hemophilia A, a genetic disorder that results in prolonged bleeding in the patient.

In order to express an FVIII transgene in the patient’s own hematopoietic stem cell, which will subsequently express FVIII from particular differentiated blood cells, the clinical trials employed a novel technology involving the use of a lentiviral vector.

With an estimated 1,36,000 people suffering from hemophilia A, India is home to the second-largest population of patients with the disease.

Still, there are currently only about 21,000 registered.

In India, about 80% of cases of hemophilia remain undiagnosed due to a lack of screening tools for blood clotting in many hospitals and medical facilities, which hinders the diagnosis of new cases. “The manufacturing of this vector will commence soon in India and proceed with further clinical trials,” said the minister.

The Department of Biotechnology, the Centre for Stem Cell Research, an InStem Bengaluru unit, in association with Emory University, US at Christian Medical College, Vellore, provided support for the trial.

About 80% of haemophilia cases present with bleeding, usually affecting the big joints such as the knees, ankles, elbows, hips, and wrists, followed by deep bleeds that affect the large muscles of the body.

The most hazardous ones, however, are those that affect the neck, chest cavity, abdomen, pelvis, and head/brain.

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Indiandol 14: Vaibhav Gupta of Kanpur wins the title of Indian Idol 14

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, stated on Tuesday that “Google and Meta’s Facebook and Instagram have strong political bias,” referring to a post alleging Google meddled in the US elections.

On X, a user by the name of Steven Mackey posted a link to reports alleging Google meddled in the US elections.

“Google is far more than a racist company, it is a firm that has in the past and is currently interfering in our elections,” Mackey stated.

Musk responded to the post by saying, “There is a strong political bias at Google and Facebook/Instagram.” They certainly had a say in the outcome of any given election, though it’s difficult to say if they were the deciding factor.”

“That video of Google execs holding an all-hands struggle session after Trump won was disturbing,” Musk said.

In the meantime, the tech billionaire commented, “The sheer insanity of that actual response from Google’s AI is staggering!” in response to a post that included screenshots of Gemini’s response to “misgender” Caitlyn Jenner. The bias will remain, even though they make the correction so that it is less noticeable in the future.”

“AI replicates the errors made by those who created it. This example amply demonstrates the point for those who are unsure about how things might go wrong if AI took over the world,” he continued.

Additionally, Musk stated that he believes the only viable approach to AI safety “is to be maximally truth-seeking.”

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The first robot operating system based on a web platform will arrive this week

“A sentiment for a generation”: Well-known people impacted by Pankaj Udhas reminisce

On Wednesday, Bill Gates, a co-founder of Microsoft, paid a visit to the company’s India Development Centre (IDC) located in Hyderabad. In 1998, Gates envisioned this center of innovation.

IDC is commemorating 25 years of innovative research, engineering, and development. During this time, the company has shaped many top-tier products, including Windows, Office, Azure, Bing, Copilot, and other AI applications.

Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director, Microsoft IDC, and CVP, Experiences + Devices India, said in a statement, “It was rewarding to watch Bill address some of India’s brightest engineering minds at IDC, our biggest asset,”

“Echoing his optimism over the opportunity for an AI-powered India, IDC is excited to drive innovation from India for Microsoft – from AI and cloud to security and gaming,” he stated.

“I can’t wait to learn about how India is finding innovative new ways to advance health, digital public infrastructure, and climate to improve the lives of billions,” Gates wrote in a LinkedIn post earlier this week, announcing his plans to visit the country.

The co-founder of Microsoft wrote in his blog that he is in India this week to research “how we can continue working with India to help its ideas and inventions reach everyone who needs them, no matter where they live.”

“When I meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this will be our main conversation.”

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Doctors here reported on Thursday that they had successfully treated the first-ever case of adenomyosis in a non-communicating rudimentary horn in India, an extremely rare case of half uterus.

Doctors at C.K. Birla Hospital in Gurugram stated in a statement that “this is the second case reported worldwide, with the first case documented at the Lebanese American University Center in July 2021.”

The 27-year-old patient came in for treatment because she was experiencing pelvic pressure and ongoing pain on the right side of her pelvis and lower abdomen. She also couldn’t get pregnant.

A large, firm lump that deviated to the right side of the lower abdomen was discovered during a clinical examination. At first, the doctors thought it might be a fibroid. Adenomyosis in the non-communicating right horn, connected to a sizable fibroid-like mass, was discovered to be present in the woman’s left unicornuate uterus following a comprehensive diagnostic hysteroscopy and robotic myomectomy (adenomyoma removal) with chromopertubation.

The doctors stated that in order to preserve surrounding structures such as the intestines and urinary bladder, this difficult anomaly required careful dissection and extraction.

“The non-communicating horn’s adenomyoma posed a special problem. We were able to successfully remove the adenomyoma and preserve the right ureter by carefully dissecting it. Adenomyosis and a working non-communicating primitive horn are uncommon, which makes this case unique. The patient’s condition significantly improved as a result of the successful treatment, which included the entire horn being removed with robotic assistance, according to Dr. Aruna Kalra, the hospital’s director of obstetrics and gynecology.

“The final histopathology added a significant contribution to the few cases reported worldwide by confirming the presence of adenomyosis in the primitive horn. Dr. Kalra continued, “The clinical presentation of such cases can range from mild pain to complications like endometriosis, pelvic pain, or obstetrical issues like ectopic pregnancy and preterm delivery.”

The patient went home the following day, and the doctor anticipated that she would soon start her reproductive journey.

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Health professionals are concerned about the rising rate of childhood obesity in India

Leading financial services provider Paytm announced on Monday that Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder and CEO, has resigned from his position as Non-Executive Chairman and Board Member of Paytm Payments Bank Ltd (PPBL) in anticipation of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) impending prohibition on the bank’s operations.

The company said in a BSE filing that the PPBL reconstituted the Board with the appointment of retired IAS officers Debendranath Sarangi and Rajni Sekhri Sibal, former executive director of Bank of Baroda Ashok Kumar Garg, and former chairman of the Central Bank of India Srinivasan Sridhar.

One 97 Communications Ltd (OCL) will reassemble the Board to oversee PPBL’s future operations following the RBI’s March 15 ban on bank operations. They became Independent Directors recently.

“OCL withdraws its nominee from the Paytm Payments Bank Board and Vijay Shekhar Sharma steps down as part-time, non-executive Chairman and Board member,” the filing stated.

By withdrawing its nominee, the company stated that it supports PPBL’s decision to choose a board composed solely of independent and executive directors.

“In order to facilitate this transition, Vijay Shekhar Sharma has also resigned from the Paytm Payments Bank Board, the company has been informed separately. The company stated in its filing that “PPBL has informed us that they will begin the process of appointing a new Chairman.”

The central bank decided to extend the deadline for Paytm Payments Bank Ltd. to cease accepting deposits by 15 days, to March 15, which is a noteworthy development.
The previous date that was set was February 29.

Users of the company’s mobile app can rest easy knowing that Soundbox, Card Machine, and QR codes will all still work after March 15th.

The CEO and MD of Paytm Payments Bank, Surinder Chawla, stated, “We welcome the appointment of Sridhar, Sarangi, Garg, and Sibal to our Board, marking a significant step forward in PPBL’s journey.”

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had earlier directed that the PPBL terminate the nodal accounts of One 97 Communications Ltd (OCL) and Paytm Payment Services Ltd (PPSL).

Due to “persistent non-compliances” and “continuing material supervisory concerns” within the bank, the RBI terminated this.

The CEO and founder of Paytm, Vijay Shekhar Sharma, met with Sitharaman in Delhi to ask for assistance, but he was told to speak with the regulator directly.

Over 30 crore people use Paytm, with about 11 crore of those users transacting each month. Additionally, it has a network of about a crore merchants who take payments on a regular basis. Users of the company’s mobile app can rest easy knowing that Soundbox, Card Machine, and QR codes will all still work after March 15th.

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“A sentiment for a generation”: Well-known people impacted by Pankaj Udhas reminisce

Interim Union Budget 2024: Will it meet needs and aspirations?

Similar to how Bollywood actor John Abraham debuted on screen in 2012 for the music video of Pankaj Udhas’ timeless hit “Chupke Chupke,” actress Sameera Reddy received her big break in 1997 for the maestro’s “Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein.”

Following a protracted illness, Pankaj Udhas passed away in Mumbai on Monday at the age of 72. He had been receiving treatment for cancer at a private hospital for a while.

Reddy, who was devastated to learn of the 72-year-old ghazal legend’s cancer death, told IANS that “the most beautiful song… changed my life and launched my career.” I am where I am today because that song made people notice me.”

Reddy portrayed an Indian woman in the music video who falls in love with an Australian man. As the love tale progressed, Pankaj Udhas sang the song.

Reddy recalled how “his melodious and most captivating voice” had shaped her career, saying, “People still remember me from that song.” The loss of a legend today fills me with such sadness. My heart hurts for it. He has been an emotion for our generation and will always be remembered. We shall always remember his music.”

The music video for the song honoring the legend was also posted by the actress on Instagram.

“Today we have lost a legend. ‘Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatien’ changed my life,” Reddy wrote in the caption. Being a part of his generation was a privilege and an honor. We are grateful to Pankaj Udhas Sir for his lovely songs that have touched the hearts of our generation. You will be missed. Peace be with you.”

The late ghazal maestro’s close friend and veteran film exhibitor Manoj Desai of Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir fame also paid tribute to the ghazal legend. The hard reality that his 33-year friend had passed away was not something he was willing to accept.

Desai, who also owns Mumbai’s Gaiety Galaxy, another famous theater, showed his sorrow in a video while crying.

“Pankaj, it’s hard for me to believe that you are no longer with us in this world, as we have spent more than 33 years together,” he said. Everyone who was there enjoyed your ‘Khazana’ music special that you used to perform for cancer patients. Out of respect for you, all ghazal artists, including Bhupendra Singh, Anup Jalota, and numerous other ghazal singers, used to come without any pain. God bless you. I hope you find peace in the afterlife.

Comedian Sunil Pal paid homage to the ghazal maestro by recalling how much of a sport Pankaj Udhas was. He would always laugh away at parodies of ghazals and take them in his stride.

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Interim Union Budget 2024: Will it meet needs and aspirations?

The government has targeted every single household and individual over the past ten years, according to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who stated on Thursday that the government has provided housing for all, “har ghar jal,” electricity for all, cooking gas for all, bank accounts, and financial services for all.

“Over the past ten years, there has been a significant positive transformation in the Indian economy. The future is something that the people of India are hopeful and optimistic about.

“During the second term, our government intensified its efforts to create a prosperous nation that includes the complete development of all citizens and all regions. ‘Sabka saath sabka vikas sabka vishwas’ is our government’s strengthened motto, she declared in the Lok Sabha during the presentation of the interim budget for 2024.

“We developed all regions with the goal of achieving social and geographic inclusivity as part of our development philosophy. Sitharaman stated, “Bharat committed to panch pran and laid a solid foundation for the amrit kal. The country overcame a once-in-a-century pandemic with the nationwide approach of’sabka prayas’.”

As a result, our young nation is full of hope and confidence for a bright future, as well as high aspirations and pride in its existence. Based on its incredible work, we anticipate that the people will once more bestow upon our government a resounding mandate.

“Our compassionate and all-encompassing approach to development represents a significant shift from our previous strategy of providing resources up to the village level. We have provided housing for everyone, har ghar jal, electricity for everyone, cooking gas for everyone, bank accounts, and financial services for everyone in record time over the last ten years, the Finance Minister stated.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the government supports “empowering the poor” and that over the past ten years, at least 25 crore people have received help to overcome multifaceted poverty.

According to Sitharaman, the government’s top priority is meeting the needs and aspirations of the Garib (poor), Mahilaye (women), Yuva (youth), and Annadata (farmers).

During the presentation of the 2024 Interim Budget to the Lok Sabha, the Finance Minister stated, “The government’s power to assist the poor also increases manifold when they become empowered partners in the development process.”

She claimed that by using PM Jan Dhan accounts to facilitate direct benefit transfer (DBT) of 34 lakh crore rupees, the government was able to save 2.7 lakh crore, bolstering the welfare of the underprivileged.

According to Sitharaman, the PM Swanidhi scheme provided credit assistance to 78 lakh street vendors, while the PM Vishwakarma Yojna provided end-to-end support for artisans and craftsmen.

“11.8 crore farmers, including marginal and small farmers, received direct cash assistance every year under the PM Kisan Samman Scheme,” the speaker stated.

Garib Kalyan, Desh ka kalyan, she said, means that the welfare of the poor is the welfare of the nation, and that the country advances when the poor advance.

Following President Draupadi Murmu’s approval of the interim budget on Thursday, the Finance Minister and her two state ministers arrived at Parliament House, where PM Modi presided over a meeting of the Union Cabinet to approve the interim budget.

The government’s top priority, she continued, is to give Indian MSMEs enough training and enable them to meet their needs and compete on a global scale. It will also support their innovation and large-scale growth.

According to the Finance Minister, a new initiative will be introduced to support the deep-tech industry for defense needs.

On Thursday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will support girls between the ages of 9 and 14 receiving vaccinations to prevent cervical cancer.

“To prevent cervical cancer, our government will promote vaccination among girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years.” While presenting the interim budget 2024 to the Lok Sabha, she stated, “Various schemes for maternal child care will be brought under one comprehensive program for synergy in implementation, upgrades of anganwadi centers under saksham anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 will be expedited for improved nutrition delivery, early childhood care, and development.”

Many young people have aspirations of becoming qualified doctors. Our government intends to use the current hospital infrastructures under different departments to establish more medical colleges. For this reason, a committee will be formed to look into the problems and offer pertinent suggestions,” Sitharaman continued.

Elon Musk appears poised to make his foray into the rapidly growing Indian electric vehicle (EV) market this year with his Tesla cars, but the government announced on Thursday that it will enhance and develop the EV ecosystem by providing manufacturing and charging infrastructure support.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a new bio-manufacturing initiative to support green growth during her presentation of the Interim Budget to the Lok Sabha.

“The government will expand and strengthen the EV ecosystem by supporting manufacturing and charging infrastructure,” she stated.

According to Nirmala Sitharaman, the construction of new airports and the enlargement of current ones will proceed quickly.

The Finance Minister declared, “In the last ten years, the aviation sector has been galvanized and the number of airports has doubled to 114.”

“There are 517 new routes with 1.3 crore passengers on them. More than 1,000 new aircraft have been preemptively ordered by Indian carriers, the spokesperson stated.

“Rapid urbanization and a rapidly growing middle class are occurring; metro rail and Namo Bharat may serve as the impetus for the necessary urban transformation. Large cities emphasizing transit-oriented development will encourage the expansion of these systems, according to Sitharaman.

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An extremely affordable, IOT-integrated water quality monitoring system was created by a student at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati.

With its integration of IoT, various sensors, and AI ready for improved water quality monitoring, the R-SAM-PRO gadget thoroughly answers important needs related to water and sanitation through technological innovation.

Real-time data provided by the system is essential for resource management and environmental conservation.

Because of its low cost and intuitive design, it is very accessible and has the potential to be widely used, particularly in environments with limited resources. This might greatly improve the methods for monitoring water quality.

“The cost, accessibility, and real-time data transfer capabilities of our platform are what make it impactful on social communities. Satyam, a PhD Scholar at the university’s Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, stated, “We aim to empower communities and authorities with the tools needed for effective water resource management and remediation by providing a cost-effective, multi-parametric, IoT-enabled solution.”

The gadget brought him the title of “Best Product Design” in the Water and Sanitation category at the esteemed Vishwakarma Awards 2023, which were presented by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi in collaboration with the Maker Bhavan Foundation and the WIN Foundation.

The goal of this competition was to find and assist India’s top innovators in science and engineering colleges when it came to technology.

‘Water & Sanitation, Clean Technology & Smart Mobility’ was the subject for 2023.

“Satyam’s project, a shining example of technological innovation, demonstrates a profound comprehension of the difficulties encountered in managing water resources, especially in underdeveloped countries. Prof. Sanjukta Patra of the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT-Guwahati stated, “The system’s affordability, accessibility, and real-time data transmission capabilities are not just a testament to his technical prowess but also his commitment to societal betterment.”

According to Satyam, “the critical issue of water pollution, especially in developing countries,” motivated him to build the device. My goal was to provide communities and authorities the tools they needed to manage water resources effectively.”

This real-time water monitoring system powered by the Internet of Things has advanced data retrieval, a hybrid power system, many sensors, and integrated GPS.

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Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti 2024: Everything You Ought To Know

Officially known as Parakram Diwas, Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti is observed as a day of bravery that encourages people to remember and honor Netaji’s unwavering spirit and the sacrifices he made in the fight for India’s freedom.

Every year on January 23, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti is observed to honour the memory of Subhas Chandra Bose, one of India’s most well-known freedom fighters. The occasion is known as Courage Day, or “Parakram Diwas.” As of this year, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is 127 years old. He played a significant role in laying the groundwork for the current Indian state, from founding and leading the Indian National Army to forming coalitions against the British during World War II.

Raised by Prabhabati and Janakinath Bose, Netaji was inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s teachings. Because of his tenacity, he founded the Azad Hind Fauj, a military group tasked with overthrowing British rule.

On January 23, 1897, Subhas Chandra Bose was born in Cuttack, Odisha. He was Janakinath Bose and Prabhavati Devi’s ninth child. As a child, Subhas Chandra Bose excelled academically and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the Presidency College in Calcutta, which is now known as Kolkata. Additionally, his father sent him to England so he could take the Civil Services Exam. He placed fourth overall with the best English score.

He left the Indian Civil Service in 1921 and went back to his native country. The then-British government in India made him famous as a rebel due to his numerous run-ins with the law. Prominent Congress leader Chittaranjan Das, who left the Congress Party in 1922 to found the Swaraj Party with Motilal Nehru, served as Netaji’s mentor. In addition to starting the newspaper Swaraj, he was also the editor of the Forward, which Chittaranjan Das had founded.

Netaji was chosen to serve as the secretary of the Bengal State Congress and the president of the All India Youth Congress Committee in 1923. In 1930, he also held a brief mayoralty in Calcutta.

With the aid of Japan, he established the Indian National Army in Southeast Asia in 1942, using Indian soldiers that the British Indian army had captured during combat. In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Netaji founded the Azad Hind, or provisional government of Free India, in 1943. Japanese forces later seized control of the islands.

Some motivational sayings attributed to Subhas Chandra Bose : “Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!”
“Soldiers who always remain faithful to their nation, who are always prepared to sacrifice their lives, are invincible.”
“Freedom is not given, it is taken.”
“It is our duty to pay for our liberty with our own blood. The freedom that we shall win through our sacrifice and exertions, we shall be able to preserve with our own strength.”
“One individual may die for an idea, but that idea will, after his death, incarnate itself in a thousand lives.”

It is thought that Subhas Chandra Bose perished in an aircraft that crashed soon after takeoff. Owing to the enigma surrounding his demise, the Indian government has subsequently established several committees to look into the matter. On Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, people honor the national leader who fought the English Empire and contributed to the creation of the INA. Every year, schools and colleges host cultural events, the Indian national flag is flown, and his monument is embellished.

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Ram Temple inauguration: Pran Pratishtha completed, dream realized

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A 500-year-old dream was at last realized with the completion of the Pran Pratishtha of the Ram temple. Numerous millions of people nationwide commemorated the “Pran Prathisthan” of the Lord Ram Temple in Ayodhya on Monday afternoon. Activities included processions, unique poojas, prayer chanting, hymns, ringing of temple bells, shouts of “Jai Shree Ram,” gulal spraying, cracker popping, and the distribution of delicious “prasad” and “maha-prasad.”

Most of the approximately 5,000 Hindu temples scattered throughout the city, both large and small, participated in the festivities. Some are very old, some are very large, some are very popular, and a few are very magnificent, representing or honoring multiple gods and goddesses and drawing millions of devotees every day.

Since Sunday, practically every temple in the nation has been decked out in flowers, with marigolds being the most popular flower along with a variety of “tulsi,” lotuses, hibiscus, and other flowers that create a beautiful and melodious atmosphere.

Many temples are transformed into a vivid, colorful display at night by sparkling fairy lights and tiny ghee-oil lamps that emit a golden, warm glow. This represents an unprecedented second Diwali celebration in which Lord Ram, the Prince of Ayodhya, is welcomed with great pomp and circumstance at his home.

The majority of the nation’s Lord Ram Temples are notable due to their distinct histories, customs, and devotees’ feelings. For a live telecast of the Ayodhya ceremonies, several temples have set up special LED screens.

“I firmly believe and have great faith that Ram’s followers are fully engrossed in this momentous occasion today. This is greatly felt by the followers of Ram everywhere in the nation and the world. “This is the most sacred and divine moment of all,” he said.

In addition, PM Modi commended the Indian judiciary, stating that it upheld justice and cited the historic ruling in the Ram Mandir-Babri Masjid case as evidence.

“For decades, there was a legal dispute regarding Lord Ram’s existence. At the event, he said, “I would like to express my gratitude to the Indian judiciary for doing justice.” That Lord Ram is the “spirit of Indian Constitution” was also added. Ram is “not a dispute,” according to the prime minister, but rather “a solution.”

The Prime Minister praised the historic temple inauguration and stated that although Indians have faced a “complicated past,” the future appears bright going forward. Following the Pran Pratishtha ceremony, Prime Minister and head of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Samiti Mohan Bhagwat received a silver model of the Ram temple from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

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