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- Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have recently identified a new species of pangolin, the Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica), in Arunachal Pradesh.
- About Manis indoburmanica:
- The Indo-Burmese pangolin is a newly discovered species that is genetically distinct from both the Chinese and Indian pangolins found in India. Genetic analysis has revealed that this species differs by 3.8% from the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). It is believed that the Indo-Burmese pangolin diverged from the Chinese pangolin around 3.4 million years ago, likely due to climatic and geological changes during the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs.
- The species is thought to inhabit regions in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, with potential ranges extending into Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. The Indo-Burmese pangolin is typically found at altitudes between 180 to 1830 meters above sea level. Its appearance includes dark brown and olive-brown scales, with a pinkish face, which is characteristic of other Asian pangolin species.
- This year, the annual National Youth Festival (NYF), held from January 10-12 at Bharat Mandapam, will undergo a significant transformation and will be reimagined as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue.
- About National Youth Festival (NYF):
- As part of the 'Promotion of National Integration' initiative under the National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development (NPYAD), the NYF is organized annually in January to commemorate the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda (January 12), which is celebrated as National Youth Day. Since 1985, the Government of India has observed January 12 as National Youth Day, and the week following it is observed as National Youth Week.
- The NYF typically runs from January 12 to January 16 each year and is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in collaboration with a hosting State/Union Territory (UT). The cost of the festival is shared between the central government and the host state.
- During the festival, a variety of cultural programs (both competitive and non-competitive), youth conventions, exhibitions, adventure programs, and thematic displays are organized. Approximately 7,500 youth delegates from various states and UTs participate in these events.
- NYF 2025:
- The theme for NYF 2025 will be Innovation in Science and Technology. The main event will be held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
- At an event held at NIT Warangal, the indigenous knowhow of silver nanowire-based conductive ink technology was successfully transferred to two startups.
- This technology has been developed under a project funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. The silver nanowire-based conductive ink technology is poised to reduce India's reliance on foreign imports and enable the country to capitalize on the growing global demand for advanced electronic materials.
- Silver nanowire-based conductive ink is a highly versatile material used in a wide range of applications, including:
- Flexible electronics (e.g., foldable devices, touchscreen displays, computer keyboards)
- Wearable devices and sensors
- Solar panels and display technologies
- RFID tags and windshield defrosters
- The global market for silver nanowire-based conductive ink and adhesive is expected to exceed $16.87 billion by 2032, driven by the rapid growth of industries such as electronics, semiconductors, solar photovoltaics, and RFID technology. This market expansion is fueled by increasing demand from key end-use industries.
- Currently, India imports conductive ink worth approximately $15.72 million annually, with major exporting countries including the United States, China, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan.