Latest news with #Jigyasa
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
IIPE launches fellowship programme to inspire local students towards STEM careers
The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) has launched a four-day Local College and School Students' Fellowship Programme, a residential initiative under its Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) efforts. The programme commenced on Tuesday (July 8) and aims to foster scientific curiosity among young learners. As part of the initiative, IIPE is offering hands-on instrument training to 40 students drawn from government-aided schools and colleges, with a focus on maintaining equal gender representation. The programme is designed to inspire students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and contribute to the strengthening of the local academic ecosystem. Programme coordinator Prof. Randhi Ramunaidu expressed gratitude to the District Collectors of Anakapalli, Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram for their support in the selection of 42 students for the programme. IIPE Director Prof. Shalivahan said the initiative aligns with the Central government's Jigyasa programme, which encourages student-scientist interaction and promotes scientific thinking among school and college students.
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jigyasa Singh on choosing offbeat roles: I crave variety, not fame
Jigyasa Singh From portraying a girl who stutters in Thapki Pyar Ki, to playing a transgender woman in Shakti – Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki, and a detective in Dev 2, Jigyasa Singh has consistently gravitated towards unconventional roles. In an industry where typecasting is common, Jigyasa sees her trajectory as an advantage rather than a limitation. She says, 'I've never felt boxed in. In fact, I consider myself lucky. Many actors would love to play such diverse characters. These roles have defined my journey. Taking the road less travelled early in my career set the tone for the path ahead. Every show brought a new challenge and taught me something different — what more could an artiste ask for?' Reflecting on her decade-long journey in the industry, she adds, 'Completing 10 years feels like a personal and professional victory. I know actors who enjoy the rhythm of playing one character for a long time, but I'm not wired that way. I need variety. I can't take up a role just for the platform, the money, or to please someone. The character must resonate with me. Of course, there are moments of vulnerability and self-doubt, but I've realised that patience is key in this industry. ' Jigyasa has consciously stepped away from television for now and is focused on exploring opportunities in the web and film space. 'That doesn't mean I've shut the door on television,' she clarifies, adding, 'I'll always be proud to be a TV baby. But currently, I'm drawn to the real and raw characters the web offers. I have a hunger for depth in roles, not for fame or money. TV has given me a solid foundation — I'll always be prepared with a script in hand. ' But she acknowledges the challenges that come with waiting for the right part. She says, 'Unconventional roles aren't written often, so yes, there are long gaps. It's tough when others are working every day and you're waiting for a project that speaks to you. I'm fortunate that I'm financially stable and can afford to wait — not everyone has that luxury. That's why I always advise actors to be smart with their money. Save. Don't overspend to maintain a certain lifestyle, because savings give you the freedom to wait.' Her transition to the OTT space hasn't been easy. 'It took nearly two and a half years for casting directors to even consider me for web projects. I had to start from scratch — I was a nobody in the OTT and film circuit. I never approached it with the baggage of my TV work. I went out there like a newcomer, meeting the right people, figuring out who was doing what. And honestly, I can say TV actors are some of the sharpest, most versatile performers. We're quick on our feet and have a strong presence of mind.' Interestingly, even during her time away from television, she continued auditioning for TV shows. 'I auditioned for several, but things didn't align — sometimes it was the budget, sometimes the platform didn't feel right. But I've always been open to the medium. If the story connects, I'll do it — whether it's film, web, or TV.' Jigyasa also faced personal challenges during this transitional phase. 'There was a time when people assumed I wasn't getting work just because I wasn't on-screen. Some said, 'Oh, she left her show, and now she's jobless'. But that wasn't the case. I received offers, but I didn't want to compromise. I want my profile to move forward, not stagnate or go backward.'
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
UPSC Prelims 2025: High-Yield Topics For General Studies Paper 1
With just a few days to go for the UPSC Prelims 2025, aspirants are gearing up to tackle the vast syllabus, strategically focusing on high-yield topics that can make a significant difference in their scores. Given the exam's competitive nature, it's crucial to prioritise areas that have consistently seen repeated questions or have been in the news recently. For General Studies Paper 1, key areas to focus on include history, geography, polity, economy, science & technology, and environment. So here are high-yield topics for General Studies Paper 1. Current Affairs: 1. AI Action Summit 2025: Held in Paris and co-chaired by India and France, the summit addressed AI governance, ethics, and global cooperation, emphasising responsible AI development. 2. Expo 2025 Osaka: Japan hosts Expo 2025 in Osaka with the theme "Designing Future Society for Our Lives", focusing on innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration. 3. 144th IOC Session: Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe became the first woman and African elected as IOC President during the 144th session in Greece, marking historic leadership. 4. Malian Protests 2025: Mass protests erupted in Mali against President Goita's regime, demanding democratic reforms and opposing the dissolution of political parties. 5. National Geospatial Mission: India launched the National Geospatial Mission to modernise land records and enhance urban planning, leveraging geospatial data for efficient infrastructure development. Other important current affairs topics are India-Pakistan Tensions, India-Myanmar Border Fencing, the G20 Summit on Digital Economy, the India-Australia Free Trade Agreement, ISRO's Mars Mission (Mangal-3), the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), India's Electricity Demand Projections, Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code Bill 2024, and the Ram Mandir Inauguration. Science & Technology: 1. ISRO's SpaDeX Mission: India's SpaDeX mission successfully demonstrated autonomous satellite docking, a critical step towards establishing the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and advancing future crewed space missions. 2. International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: The United Nations declared 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology to highlight quantum advancements and promote global awareness of its transformative potential. 3. Scramjet Engine Ground Test: India conducted a successful ground test of its scramjet engine, marking a significant milestone in developing hypersonic missiles capable of speeds exceeding Mach 5. 4. IIT Delhi's 'Jigyasa' Initiative: IIT Delhi launched the 'Jigyasa' outreach program to bridge the gap between scientific research and the public, fostering scientific curiosity and understanding nationwide. 5. ISRO's Space 'Dogfight' Experiment: ISRO performed a high-speed satellite rendezvous, showcasing advanced orbital control and reinforcing India's capabilities in space security and future defense applications. Environment: 1. Environmental Monitoring: Environmental DNA (eDNA) is revolutionizing biodiversity mapping by identifying endangered species through genetic traces in water and soil. 2. Speciation and Ecosystems: Sympatric Speciation explains species evolution without geographic separation, while Woody Encroachment highlights how trees invading grasslands disrupt native herbivore habitats. 3. Climate Innovations: Concepts like Teal Carbon in estuarine ecosystems and Glacial Geoengineering using reflective covers aim to combat climate change and glacier melt. 4. Pollution and Health Risks: Toxic pollutants like Trichloroethylene and Perchloroethylene in groundwater and overexposure to Silicon Dioxide in mining pose serious health threats, including cancer and silicosis. 5. Sustainable Technology: Initiatives like the Green Tug Transition Programme, Direct Air Capture systems, and monitoring phenomena like Atmospheric Rivers and Ringwoodite Oceans represent India's strides in climate resilience and innovation. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with important new climate terms can also be highly beneficial for UPSC Prelims 2025. Economics: 1. Understanding the basics of economy and economic growth, including macro and microeconomics, is crucial. 2. Fiscal and monetary policies, including government borrowings and RBI's role in inflation control, play a significant role in shaping the economy. 3. The banking and financial system, comprising NBFC regulations and digital currencies, is vital for economic stability. 4. India's foreign trade and balance of payments are influenced by FDI, FPI, and trade relations. 5. Agricultural policies, including MSP and Kisan Credit Card, impact the economy and farmers' livelihoods. 6. Global economic institutions like IMF, AIIB, and WTO, as well as frameworks like G20, shape international economic cooperation and policy. History: For the UPSC Prelims 2025, important history topics include Ancient Indian History (Indus Valley Civilisation, Vedic Age, Buddhism, Mauryan Empire), Mediaeval Indian History (Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Bhakti & Sufi Movements), and Modern Indian History (British rule, Indian National Movement, Revolt of 1857). Additionally, art and culture and Indian history are crucial, including topics like Mauryan Pillar Inscriptions, Temple Architecture, and Sangam Literature. Polity and Governance: Recent developments in Indian polity include the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling on the Governor's assent to state bills, emphasizing constitutional procedures. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, now the UWMEED Act, introduces reforms for inclusive management of waqf properties. The Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025, updates immigration regulations. Initiatives like the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) assess local governance. Electoral reforms enhance accessibility through home voting for PwDs and the elderly, and Braille signage on EVMs. Digital governance advances with the Digital Brand Identity Manual (DBIM) and the Copenhagen Framework on Citizen Data. The Aadhaar Authentication Rules, 2025, further streamline identity verification processes. These topics are crucial for understanding the evolving landscape of Indian governance and are significant for UPSC Prelims 2025 preparation. Geography: For UPSC Prelims 2025, focus on geography topics including physical geography (geomorphology, climatology, oceanography), Indian geography (physiography, drainage, climate), and human and economic geography (population, agriculture, resources). Important map topics include India's states, cities, rivers, and protected areas. Stay updated on current affairs like climate change, natural disasters, and global events. Practice map-based questions for better scores.
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
IIT Delhi launches initiative to promote science outreach
New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has launched a new outreach initiative titled ' Jigyasa ', which is aimed at bringing science closer to the public. Spearheaded by the institute's academic outreach office, this initiative seeks to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and society by showcasing the work conducted in research laboratories like those at IIT part of the initiative, faculty members and students from IIT Delhi will present their research at various science and technology institutions, as well as in broader community settings. "The goal is to demystify complex scientific concepts through engaging, informal interactions, while also promoting awareness of recent scientific developments and inspiring the next generation to explore scientific inquiry," said an initiative will benefit not just scientists or researchers but also everyday people—students, parents, teachers, and curious individuals—who may not have a background in science. By simplifying complex ideas and using real-world examples, the presenters aim to make cutting-edge research more understandable and relatable. According to officials, these interactions will help people see how scientific discoveries impact daily life, such as in healthcare, energy, technology, or the environment."It also opens the door for people to ask questions, share perspectives, and feel more connected to the scientific community. Ultimately, this effort can foster a culture of curiosity and critical thinking, while encouraging young minds to consider careers in science and technology," said the inaugural event under the initiative was held recently at JC Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, marking National Technology Day. The event commemorated India's achievements in science and technology and featured a series of insightful sessions. Keynote lectures were given by Sushil Kumar Tomar, vice-chancellor of JC Bose UST, YMCA, and Maithili Sharan from IIT Delhi's Centre for Atmospheric Sciences. They spoke on the evolution of India's nuclear programme and the critical role of indigenous technology in national event included an exhibition where students, researchers, and faculty from both institutes showcased their work through posters and interactive demonstrations, encouraging dynamic discussions with attendees. Chetan Arora from IIT Delhi's department of computer science and engineering spoke about the ongoing AI research at the institute. A panel discussion on "Artificial Intelligence: A Replacement or Augmentation of Human Intelligence?" was also conducted.
