Questions

Golden Rice (Oryza sativa) denotes a genetically modified rice capable of biosynthesizing and accumulating β-carotene (provitamin A) in the endosperm, yielding a characteristic yellow color in the polished grains. Golden rice was developed to help cope with vitamin A deficiency, a problem that prevails in developing countries, affecting millions (Underwood, 2000; UNICEF, 2000). Vitamin A deficiency causes mortality and growth retardation in children and frequently impairs vision, leading to blindness. It also contributes indirectly to anemia by interfering with iron bioavailability.

The endosperm of Golden Rice (Oryza sativa) is yellow due to the accumulation of β-carotene (provitamin A) and xanthophylls. The product of the two carotenoid biosynthesis transgenes used in Golden Rice results in Pale Yellow color.

An Indian boy has won the world’s largest pre-college science competition in the US in the environmental engineering category for his project on biodegradation of pesticides. Prashant Ranganathan, a 12th grader from Jamshedpur, alongwith over 20 high school students from various parts of India, participated in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

The C.M of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan has recently launched e-health program “Jeevan Rekha” to make electronic health records of a population in Thiruvananthapuram.

It is a first-of-its-kind initiative in India to provide a centralised database of healthcare information and efficient service delivery to the people.

The new system would help in creating a good hospital management system and patient-friendly atmosphere in hospitals.

Once data of a patient is centralised, it would help the person get continuous treatment at all hospitals in the state.

Survey of India publishes maps and the unrestricted category maps can be obtained at very affordable prices from its several Geospatial data centers. Restricted category maps require due approval from government authorities. Many other rules govern the sale and use of Survey of India maps. Only an Indian citizen may purchase topographic maps and these may not be exported from India for any reason.

The Survey of India is India's central engineering agency in charge of mapping and surveying, set up in 1767. Its members are from Survey of India Service cadre of Civil Services of India. It is headed by the Surveyor General of India.