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- The government has recently reorganized the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC).
- About the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC):
- The Atomic Energy Commission is the primary governing body of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), under the Government of India. The AEC was initially formed in August 1948 within the Department of Scientific Research, which was established a few months earlier in June 1948. On August 3, 1954, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was created by a Presidential Order, directly overseen by the Prime Minister. According to this Order, all functions related to atomic energy and the Central Government's responsibilities under the Atomic Energy Act of 1948 were assigned to the DAE. The DAE covers all aspects of atomic energy, both for power and non-power applications. The Department is tasked with the development of nuclear power technology, which involves exploring, identifying, and processing uranium resources, fabricating nuclear fuel, producing heavy water, constructing and operating nuclear power plants, and managing nuclear fuel reprocessing and waste. DAE is also in charge of R&D in advanced technologies such as fast reactors, fusion technologies, accelerator and laser technology, advanced electronics and instrumentation, materials science, and biological sciences. In addition to power generation, the Department is involved in cutting-edge research for applying isotopes and radiation technologies in sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, industry, and the environment. Following a government resolution on March 1, 1958, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) was formally established within the DAE. The AEC plays a key role in formulating the policies of the DAE. The Secretary of the Government of India in the DAE serves as the ex-officio chairman of the AEC. Other members of the AEC are appointed annually, based on recommendations from the AEC chairman, with approval from the Prime Minister. Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- This year’s list of fellows from the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) breaks with tradition by including prominent Indians who are not professional scientists.
- About the Indian National Science Academy (INSA):
- The INSA was founded in January 1935 with the aim of promoting science in India and using scientific knowledge to benefit humanity and national development.
- Originally known as the National Institute of Sciences of India (NISI), the Academy was the result of collaborative efforts from various organizations and individuals, with the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) playing a leading role in its establishment.
- The Academy was inaugurated on January 7, 1935, in Calcutta and operated from the Asiatic Society of Bengal until 1951, after which it moved its headquarters to Delhi.
- Objectives:
- To promote scientific knowledge in India, particularly its practical application to national welfare.
- To foster coordination between scientific academies, societies, institutions, government departments, and services.
- To serve as a forum for eminent scientists, advocating for the interests of the scientific community and presenting India's scientific achievements internationally.
- To engage in scientific work of national and international importance through national committees, in collaboration with other academies and societies, as mandated by the public or government.
- To publish proceedings, journals, memoirs, and other materials deemed beneficial to the scientific community.
- To maintain connections between science and the humanities.
- To secure and manage funds and endowments for scientific promotion.
- To take any actions necessary to further the above goals.
- The Academy also acts as a liaison between the scientific community and policymakers, offering advice on crucial science and technology issues.
- It serves as a platform for both domestic and international scientific exchanges, recognizing outstanding young scientists, engineers, and technologists through awards, prizes, and research grants.
- Senior scientists are honored through election to its Fellowship.
- INSA has established exchange programs with various international academies, facilitating visits of Indian scientists abroad and foreign scientists to India for lectures and scientific discussions.
- In 1968, the Academy became India’s representative to the International Council for Science (ICSU) on behalf of the Government of India.
- The Twipra Student Federation (TSF), a faction of the North East Students Organisation (NESO), recently organized a protest in Agartala, advocating for the adoption of the Roman script for the Kokborok language.
- About Kokborok Language:
- Kokborok is the language of the Borok people, who are primarily located in Tripura.
- It was officially recognized as one of the State's official languages of Tripura on January 19, 1979.
- Belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family, Kokborok's history dates back to at least the 1st century AD, when the records of the Tripuri kings were first documented in a text known as Raj Ratnakar.
- The name "Kokborok" is believed to have first appeared as ‘Kok-boro’ in 1897/98 in an early language primer by Daulat Ahmed titled Kokboroma.
- In 1900, Thakur Radhamohan Debbarma used the spelling "Kokborok" in his published grammar of the language.
- Historically, British officials, including Political Agents and District Officers, referred to the language as Tipperh, Tipura, or Tipra.
- The term Kokborok itself is derived from the words ‘Kok’, meaning 'verbal,' and ‘Borok’, meaning 'people' or 'human.'
- According to the 2011 Census, there are 8,80,537 speakers of Kokborok, accounting for 23.97% of Tripura's total population.