The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a significant step forward in modernizing its air fleet. The IAF recently welcomed the arrival of the first AH-64E (I)-Apache Guardian helicopter at Boeing’s production facility located in Mesa, Arizona, USA. This delivery stems from a contract between the Indian government, the U.S. government, and M/s Boeing Ltd that covers the procurement of 22 Apache helicopters.
The Apache, an “attack helicopter”, is set to overhaul the IAF’s current attack helicopter fleet. Currently, the IAF is outfitted with Russian-origin MI-35 helicopters, which are nearing the end of their operational lives. The Apache will not only replace these aging helicopters but also offer enhanced capabilities tailored to India’s defense needs.
The Apache can perform precision attacks at standoff ranges and withstand hostile airspace with threats from the ground. Furthermore, it is capable of transmitting and receiving a complete battlefield picture through data uplinking and networking, further strengthening its vital role in missions. Particularly noteworthy is its significant capability in mountainous terrain – an essential feature considering India’s diverse geographical features.
Introduction of Lecanorchis Taiwaniana Orchid to India
In other news, Assam, India, has recently become home to a new botanical find – Lecanorchis taiwaniana. This orchid, previously known only in Japan, Taiwan, and Laos, is one of India’s smallest orchids in both size and duration of bloom.
Lecanorchis taiwaniana has a maximum height of 40 centimeters and boasts a blooming period of just five to six days. It is a myco-heterotroph, a type of parasitic plant that has renounced photosynthesis as a means of deriving nutrients, instead relying on a unique method involving mycorrhizal fungus.
| Orchid Name | Maximum Height | Blooming Period |
|---|---|---|
| Lecanorchis Taiwaniana | 40 cm | 5-6 Days |
Parasitic Plants: Abandoning Photosynthesis
Many flowering plants have abandoned traditional photosynthesis. These plants fall into two categories: haustorial parasites and myco-heterotrophs. Both these types derive their nutrients from another plant, leading to their classification as parasitic plants.
The key distinction lies in their feeding mechanisms. Haustorial parasites directly feed on another plant through a specialized root known as the haustorium. In contrast, mycoheterotrophs, like Lecanorchis taiwaniana, indirectly obtain their nutrition via a mycorrhizal fungus. This fungus acts as a bridge, transferring nutrients from the root of a photosynthetic plant to the mycoheterotroph.
Ganga Jatara Folk Festival in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Moving from the scientific world to culture, we shift our focus to Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, where the annual folk festival, Ganga Jatara, takes place. This week-long event alternates between the first and second weeks of May each year.
Ganga Jatara is devoted to offering prayers to the goddess Gangamma, regarded as the Gramadevata (the goddess overseeing the village) of Tirupati. The festival aligns with the principles of equality and love espoused by Vaishnavism, which also prohibits animal sacrifice.
At the heart of Tirupati lies the ancient and sacred temple of Sri Venkateswara, located on the seventh peak, Venkatachala, of the Tirupati Hill. Overlooking the southern banks of Sri Swami Pushkarini, this temple is commonly known as the Tirupati Balaji Temple and symbolizes the rich traditions and spiritual roots of the region.