The Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), has unveiled groundbreaking research on the effective use of natural plant-based polyphenols. These beneficial plant compounds, with antioxidant properties like tannic acid found in Chestnut and Oak twigs, offer new hope in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Alzheimer’s is a progressively deteriorating neurodegenerative disorder that leads to significant memory and cognitive decline. The research links AD to ferroptosis, a cell death type that relies on iron. Characteristics of AD include an abnormal accumulation of iron and reduced activity of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Through modulation of the ferroptosis-AD axis, tannic acid acts to enhance GPX4, offering a comprehensive approach to combatting AD.
Collaboration Between India and WOAH For Pandemic Preparedness
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying recently joined forces with the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), hosting a workshop titled “Risk-based management of spillover events in wildlife in India”. Held in Hyderabad, the event aimed to expand stakeholder understanding about diseases originating from wildlife.
Emphasizing a One Health approach, discussions stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration and readiness for future pandemics. The One Health approach acknowledges the interconnectedness of wildlife, domestic animals, and human health, and is crucial for sustainability.
The intergovernmental organization, WOAH, founded in 1924, works to improve global animal health. With 182 member countries, including all EU Member States, WOAH’s mission is to prevent and control epizootic diseases. Its headquarters is based in Paris, France, with Regional Commissions located worldwide.
Operation Polo: A Significant Event in India’s History
On 13th September 1948, India initiated a military action known as “Operation Polo” to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad. This was a monumental event in Indian history. The Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Osman Ali Shah, had wavered over joining either India or Pakistan following Independence, taking advantage of India’s distraction with the Kashmir conflict.
In November 1947, a standstill agreement maintaining the status quo between Hyderabad and India was instituted. This allowed the Nizam to retain independent governance for one year. However, mounting tensions, cross-border raids, and the intention of establishing an independent state led India to act. The operation resulted in a well-executed military strategy from multiple directions, inducing the surrender of the Hyderabad state forces. On 17th September 1948, under the vigilant guidance of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a ceasefire was declared, effectively placing Hyderabad under Indian control by 18th September 1948.
Hindi Diwas: A Day of National Significance
Hindi Diwas, celebrated every year on 14th September, holds historical importance as it recalls the adoption of Hindi as one of India’s official languages. The roots of this occasion trace back to the early days of India’s fight for independence when dedicated Hindi scholars and activists formed the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan (Hindi Literary Conference) in 1918 to advocate for Hindi as a national language.
The defining moment occurred on 14th September 1949, when the Constituent Assembly of India officially recognized Hindi as the nation’s primary language, perceiving it as a unifying factor among India’s diverse linguistic and cultural regions. Today, Hindi remains one of the two official languages of the Union government, along with English, and is listed among the 22 scheduled languages of India. An accompanying event, World Hindi Day, is observed on 10th January and marks the anniversary of the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur on 10th January 1975.
