Today's Brief 11-13/02/2024

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1.Darwin Day : February 12th is  a global celebration of the birthday of Charles Darwin, the naturalist who revolutionized our understanding of the natural world with his theory of evolution by natural selection. 

Born in 1809, Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle, where he meticulously observed and documented the diversity of life on Earth, laid the foundation for his groundbreaking theory. His book, "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859, challenged the prevailing notion of divine creation and sparked a scientific revolution.

2. “Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)” Portal: The "Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)" Portal is a recently launched initiative aimed at empowering and showcasing Indian women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) fields. 

Objectives:

• Create a single online platform: SWATI serves as a centralized hub for information and resources related to Indian women in STEMM.

• Showcase contributions: The portal highlights the achievements and expertise of women across all stages of their STEMM careers.

• Facilitate research: The interactive database enables research on gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity in Indian STEMM fields.

• Inform policy-making: Data collected through the portal will be used to develop policies that address gender gaps in STEMM.

Features:

• Interactive database: Users can search for women scientists based on various criteria, such as expertise, field, and institution.

• Profiles: The portal features detailed profiles of prominent women scientists, including their research interests, achievements, and awards.

• Resources: SWATI provides access to a variety of resources, such as career guidance, funding opportunities, and mentorship programs.

• News and events: The portal keeps users updated on the latest news and events related to women in STEMM in India.

Significance:

The SWATI Portal is a significant step towards promoting gender equality in Indian STEMM fields. By providing a platform for women to connect, share their experiences, and access resources, the portal can help to inspire the next generation of female scientists and innovators.

3. Evangelism : The term "evangelism" can have different meanings depending on the context.

 Here are the two most common interpretations:

In Christianity:

In Christianity, evangelism refers to the act of proclaiming the gospel, which is the good news of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection. This typically involves sharing one's faith with others and persuading them to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Evangelism can take many forms, such as:

• Preaching: Public proclamation of the gospel message, often in a church setting.

• Personal sharing: Talking to friends, family, or acquaintances about one's faith.

• Distributing religious materials: Sharing bibles, tracts, or other Christian literature.

• Missionary work: Traveling to other countries or communities to share the gospel.

In a broader sense:Evangelism can also refer to the act of promoting any idea or cause with great enthusiasm and conviction. This might involve persuading others to adopt a particular belief, practice, or way of life. For example, someone might be passionate about environmentalism and try to "evangelize" others to adopt eco-friendly habits.

It's important to note that evangelism can be a sensitive topic, as it can sometimes be perceived as pushy or intrusive. It's crucial to be respectful of others' beliefs and to avoid forcing your views on them.

4.The Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) : The SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme is a notable initiative promoting marginalized groups' well-being in India. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:

Background:

• Launched in February 2022 by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

• Allocated budget of Rs. 365 Crore from 2021-22 to 2025-26.

• Aligns with the "Viksit Bharat" vision of inclusive development.

Components:

• Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for the Welfare of Transgender Persons: Focuses on empowering the transgender community by providing:

• Scholarships for education.

• Skill development and livelihood opportunities through PM-DAKSH scheme.

• Medical facilities, counseling, and other rehabilitation measures.

• Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging: Aims to eradicate begging by offering:

• Rescue, shelter, and rehabilitation services.

• Skill development and vocational training for sustainable livelihoods.

• Medical care and social security support.

Significance:

• Represents a crucial step towards empowering marginalized communities in India.

• Addresses critical issues faced by transgender individuals and people engaged in begging.

• Promotes social inclusion and economic independence for these groups.

5. World Radio Day:

World Radio Day is a global celebration held annually on February 13th to recognize the important role of radio in providing information, entertainment, and education to a vast audience across the world.

Themes:

• 2024: "Radio: A century of informing, entertaining and educating" - This theme focused on celebrating radio's rich history, current relevance, and promising future.

• 2023: "Radio and Trust" - This theme highlighted the trust people place in radio as a reliable source of information, particularly in times of crisis and uncertainty.

Activities:

• Radio stations around the world organize special broadcasts, interviews, and discussions related to the theme.

• Educational institutions may hold events to teach students about the history and technology of radio.

• Individuals can participate by listening to their favorite radio stations, sharing their favorite radio memories on social media, and supporting community radio stations.

Importance:

World Radio Day reminds us of the important role radio plays in connecting people, informing communities, and promoting creativity and culture. It is a day to celebrate the power of this unique medium and its continued relevance in today's digital age.

Trivia: it was an Indian, Jagdish Chandra Bose, not Guglielmo Marconi, who invented the radio transmitter. In 1895 he was the first to publicly demonstrate radio waves, in Kolkata - 2 years before Marconi. Sadly, Indian school books continue to teach that Marconi invented the radio. Marconi patented his discovery, after Bose refused to patent because Bose didn't believe in patenting knowledge.

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