Jnanpith award
Why in news?
- Eminent Malayalam poet Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, popularly known as Akkitham, has been chosen for the 55th Jnanpith Award.
News summary
- Some of his celebrated creations include “Veeravadam”, “Balidarsanam”, “Nimisha Kshethram”, “Amrita Khatika”, “Akkitham Kavithaka”, “Epic of Twentieth Century” and “Antimahakalam”.
- A Padma Shri awardee, he has won several literary accolades including the Sahitya Akademi Award (1973), Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1972 and 1988), Mathrubhumi Award, Vayalar Award, and Kabir Samman.
About Jnanpith Award:
- It is given by Bharatiya Jnanpith, a literary and research organization based in Delhi.
- It is given annually to an author for their “outstanding contribution towards literature”.
- It is bestowed only on Indian writers writing in Indian languages included in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India and English.
- Instituted in:
- There are no posthumous conferral. Also only works published during the preceding twenty years is considered for the award.
- The award consists of cash prize is ₹11 lakh and a Bronze replica of Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge and wisdom.
Defence Acquisition Council
Why in news?
- The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) Rajnath Singh has accorded approval for Capital Procurement for the Services amounting to over Rs 22,800 crore.
News summary
- The DAC accorded approval for indigenous design, development and manufacturing of ‘Thermal Imaging Night Sights’ for Assault Rifles which would enable troops to undertake long range accurate engagements in dark and all weather conditions thereby enhancing the night fighting capabilities.
- After the successful indigenous Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) programme, the DAC revalidated the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of additional AWACS aircraft. The mission system and sub-systems for these aircraft would be indigenously designed and developed by DRDO.
- The DAC also approved procurement of Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) Anti-Submarine Warfare P8I aircraft for the Indian Navy. These aircraft would strengthen the Navy’s capabilities for maritime surveillance and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW).
- The DAC approved procurement of Twin Engine Heavy Helicopters (TEHH) for the Indian Coast Guard. These aircraft would enable the Coast Guard to undertake missions to prevent infiltration of terrorists by sea routes as well as Search & Rescue operations.
Fossil reveals how middle ear evolved
Why in news?
- Researchers have unearthed well-preserved middle ear bones from a new species of an extinct rodent that lived 145-66 million years ago in what is now northeastern China.
News summary
- The study, published in the journal Nature, looked at fossils of the extinct rodent-like mammal — Jeholbaatar kielanae — at Jehol Biota of China, and noted that these animals had a middle ear that is distinct from those of its relatives.
- The fossil clues provide solid evidence of the morphology and formation of the inner ear bones, which are fully detached from the lower jaw. The new fossil reveals a transitional stage in the evolution of the surangular — a “reptilian” jawbone.
- In these extinct mammals, the evolution of the middle ear may have probably been triggered by functional constraints on the bones and muscles involved in feeding.
- This advance may lead to better understanding of the evolution of hearing.
Trachischium apteii
Why in news?
- Researchers have discovered a new species of non-venomous burrowing snake Tally Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, named Trachischium apteii.
Key highlights:
- The newly discovered species belongs to a group of fossorial snakes that live mostly underground, and surface mainly during or after a heavy monsoon shower.
- Trachischium are commonly called slender snakes. Seven species are distributed across the Himalayas, and the Indo-Burma and Indo-China regions.
- Trachischium apteii was named so to honour the contribution of Deepak Apte, noted marine biologist and Director of the BNHS.
- Morphologically, the snake is distinguished by smooth and dorsal scales arranged in 15 rows throughout the body. The dorsal colour of the holotype is dark brown to black with faint dorsal longitudinal lines.
- Large-sized members of the genus measure about 293 mm to 299 mm.