- Persons in News
Two mathematicians win Abel prize
Israeli Hillel Furstenberg and Russian-American Gregory Margulis won the Abel prize. Their award is for pioneering the use of methods from probability and dynamics in group theory, number theory and combinatorics. Both mathematicians used techniques of Ergodic theory in their work. Ergodic theory studies systems that evolve in time, and explore almost all their possible configurations.
Quick Facts: Members of Abel Committee, which selects laureates, are appointed by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.
2. Environment
UK confirmed as first co-chair of India-led climate change initiative
UK will be first co-chair of the Governing Council of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The coalition is a voluntary international grouping, linking governments, UN agencies, banks, private sector groups, and academia. The Governing Council is the highest policy-making body of the CDRI. It is co-chaired by India and a representative of another national government nominated by rotation every two years.
Quick Facts: Aim of CDRI is to develop the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks.
3. Government Schemes
Production Incentive Scheme for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing
Union Cabinet has approved financial assistance to the Modified Electronics Manufacturing Clusters Scheme Aim of the scheme is to boost domestic manufacturing. It will also attract large investments in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic components.
4. Science & Technology
Three More Super Computers to be installed under National Super Computing Mission
The National Super Computer Mission was launched by the GoI in 2015. The mission is jointly operated by Ministry of Electronics and IT, C-DAC, Ministry of Science and Technology and IISc, Bengaluru. Under this mission the super computers that have been installed are: “Param Shivay” in IIT Bhuvaneshwar, Param Brahma in IISER, Pune and Param Shakti in IIT-Kharagpur.
Quick Facts: India today has 5 Super Computers e.g. super Computer (Pratyush) at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology etc.
5. History, Art & Culture
India celebrated “Shaheed Diwas” on 23 March
India celebrated “Shaheed Diwas” annually on 23 March to pay tribute to martyrs Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru. On 23 March 1931, three Indian freedom fighters were hanged by the British rulers in Lahore jail. The three brave freedom fighters were sentenced to death in the Lahore conspiracy case.
