India’s women shooters once again underlined their depth and consistency as double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and rising star Simranpreet Kaur Brar clinched gold medals at the 68th National Shooting Championship Competitions in New Delhi. Their victories reflect both elite experience and a strong junior pipeline in Indian shooting.
What Happened at the National Championships?
At the Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Manu Bhaker secured the gold medal in the senior women’s 25m sports pistol event with a final score of 36. She finished four hits ahead of Divya T.S. of Karnataka, who took silver, while Anjali Choudhary won bronze.
In the junior women’s 25m sports pistol event, Simranpreet Kaur Brar continued her impressive run by shooting 39 in the final to claim gold, reinforcing her status as one of India’s most promising young shooters.
Why Manu Bhaker’s Win is Significant
Manu Bhaker’s triumph adds to an already distinguished career. As a double Olympic medallist, her consistent performances at national competitions demonstrate the importance of domestic tournaments in maintaining competitive sharpness. It also reflects the depth of India’s elite shooters, where Olympic medallists continue to face strong competition at home.
Simranpreet Kaur Brar and the Emerging Talent Pool
Simranpreet Kaur Brar, who has already won gold at the ISSF World Cup Final 2025, represents the next generation of Indian shooting. Her success at the junior level shows a smooth transition from international to national dominance, highlighting the effectiveness of talent identification and training systems in Indian shooting sports.
Broader Implications for Indian Shooting
Strong performances at national championships serve as a key benchmark for selection and preparedness ahead of international events. They also underline the sustainability of India’s shooting ecosystem, where senior champions and junior athletes compete within a robust domestic structure.
What to Note for Prelims?
- 25m sports pistol is an Olympic shooting discipline.
- Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range is a major national shooting venue.
- ISSF World Cup Finals are elite international shooting competitions.
What to Note for Mains?
- Role of domestic championships in sustaining elite sports performance.
- Importance of a strong junior pipeline for long-term sporting success.
Nanotechnology Opens New Front Against Alzheimer’s
A novel nanotechnology-based therapy developed by Indian researchers offers a promising multi-targeted approach to Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that poses growing health and economic challenges worldwide.
Why Alzheimer’s Disease Needs New Solutions
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by memory loss and cognitive decline. Existing treatments largely target single disease mechanisms, such as amyloid plaque formation or oxidative stress, resulting in limited clinical benefits. Given the multifactorial nature of the disease, scientists have long argued for therapies that act on multiple pathological pathways simultaneously.
The Innovation from INST Mohali
Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have developed a multifunctional nanoplatform to address this challenge. The therapy combines:
- Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant found in green tea
- Dopamine, a key neurotransmitter
- Tryptophan, an essential amino acid
These components are integrated into EGCG-dopamine-tryptophan nanoparticles (EDTNPs).
How the Nanoplatform Works
The nanoparticles are designed to simultaneously target four major pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease:
- Amyloid beta aggregation
- Oxidative stress
- Inflammation
- Neuronal degeneration
To enhance their effect, the researchers further functionalised these nanoparticles with Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), creating B-EDTNPs. BDNF plays a crucial role in neuron survival, growth, and synaptic function.
Evidence from Laboratory and Animal Studies
In laboratory experiments and mouse models, the nanoparticles were found to disassemble toxic amyloid plaques, reduce inflammation, restore cellular balance in neurons, and improve memory and learning. Computational modelling confirmed that the nanoparticles interact directly with amyloid fibrils, destabilising them at the molecular level.
Why This Research Matters
Published in the journal “Small”, the study represents a rare therapeutic strategy that combines antioxidant, anti-amyloid, and neurotrophic actions in a single platform. If translated successfully into clinical applications, it could improve patient outcomes, reduce caregiver burden, and open pathways for personalised treatment strategies in neurodegenerative diseases.
What to Note for Prelims?
- INST Mohali is an autonomous institute under the DST.
- EGCG is a polyphenol antioxidant found in green tea.
- BDNF is crucial for neuronal survival and regeneration.
What to Note for Mains?
- Role of nanotechnology in addressing complex diseases.
- Challenges in translating laboratory research into clinical therapies.
- Growing public health and economic burden of neurodegenerative diseases.
