NASA thanks ISRO for discovering water on moon

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EW DELHI - America’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) thanked the efforts of the Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO) which traced water molecules on the moon’s surface.

ISRO on Thursday announced that its maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-I had traced water molecules on the moon’s surface.

“We want to thank ISRO for making the discovery possible,” NASA stated.

As the news trickled out about Chandrayaan tracing water molecules on the moon’s surface, scientists across the globe rejoiced at the discovery and hope that it will pave the way for growing vegetation in the earth’s natural satellite in future.

Renowned scientist Y S Rajan said the discovery would help in making humans venturing to moon a more enriching experience. Those going to moon can combine the molecule and get water, he added.

Rajan who is also a co-author of India Vision 2020 along with former President Dr. Abdul Kalam, said India’s moon mission was a great success and proved ISRO’s capability and efficiency in managing key space projects.

Former NASA scientist Mila Mitra, said that the discovery of eater molecule on moon is truly significant because it will help find any trace of life on moon. Now the scientific community would see more money being invested in moon missions including manned moon missions, she added.

Before the launching of Chandrayaan I former ISRO chief K. Kasturirangan said that if the mission discovers existence of water molecule then that would be a great achievement. (ANI)

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President Patil greets nation on Durga Puja

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EW DELHI - President Pratibha Patil today greeted the nation on the occasion of Durga Puja.

In her message, she said, “On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, I extend my greetings and good wishes to all my fellow citizens”.

“Durga Puja symbolizes the triumph of truth, righteousness and virtue over evil. May this festival inspire us to work for the unity and well-being of the country and strengthen the moral foundation of our society,” she added.

Worshipping the Goddess Durga is the main feature of this festival, which culminates in the Dussehra celebrations.

Prayers, religious processions and musical programmes mark the festival, which symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

Devotees believe that the Goddess makes her annual visit to the world during this time and the festivities are meant to welcome her.

Durga, worshipped as the Goddess of power, is depicted as riding a raging lion, holding aloft ten weapons of war in her ten hands in these programmes. Her trident is depicted plunging into the side of a monstrous buffalo, out of whose body emerges a demon symbolising evil. (ANI)

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Jammu and Kashmir to have two Central Universities

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EW DELHI - In view of the special status of State of Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Government has decided to establish, as a special dispensation, two appropriate Central Universities in the State - one in Jammu region and another in the Kashmir Valley.

It is expected that this will meet the regional aspirations in the State.

The Government proposes to undertake appropriate legislative measures in this regard shortly.

The two Central Universities will have instructional and research facilities in emerging branches of learning like information technology, biotechnology, nanosciences, setting exemplary standards of education for the other universities in the State to emulate.

However, in view of the constraints of resources and greater demand for a second Central University in Jammu and Kashmir State, it has been decided to drop the proposal for the establishment of an Indian Institute of Management in Jammu and Kashmir and instead use the savings for the establishment of a second appropriate Central University in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)

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Crops that need less water

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t a time when the country is faced with drought and delayed rains and there is the challenge of not just food security but also nutritional security and ecological security in the era of climate change, small farmers in a drought-prone area of Andhra Pradesh show the way forward when it comes to an uncertain monsoon and receding water tables.

Farmers of a village in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh have switched to crops that need less water. For years they have been guarding this rare treasure - dozens of varieties of millet seeds that have ensured that despite erratic and poor rains, their families do not suffer the consequences of drought.

"On my four acres, I spent 3000 rupees and got a return of 20,000 rupees. All the food that we eat and all the food for my cattle comes from the farm. The food will last me this whole year. This year the rains were not good. If we had good rains, I would have got upto 30,000 rupees," says Anjamma, a farmer in the village.

Farmers like Anjamma grow 25-30 varieties of crops in the Kharif season and at least 10 varieties in the Rabi season.

"On an acre of farm grow 12 varieties. Some flourish with moderate rain, some no rain, some extra or erratic rainfall. It is an intrinsically risk-insured agriculture. That's where the future appears to be,'' says P. V.Satheesh of the Deccan Development Society.

Advocates say there are compelling reasons to look at millet-based traditional agriculture.
• 60 per cent of the country can grow millets, under rain-fed conditions, on different kinds of soils. Millets on one acre saves six million litres of water.

• Millets are far superior nutritionally to rice and wheat. They have more protein, iron, calcium and fibre.

• As against rice, where the standing water produces greenhouse gases like methane, millets that are grown with legumes fix carbon in the soil.

That's why in a country facing the challenge of drought and malnutrition, including millets in the foodbasket, the PDS (public distribution system), ICDS (integrated child development scheme) and mid-day meal can ensure food and nutrition security, livelihood and fodder security and ecological security, all at one go.

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