Championing Nature: Jai Dhar Gupta and Vijay Dhasmana’s Environmental Efforts
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Championing Nature: Jai Dhar Gupta and Vijay Dhasmana’s Environmental Efforts

This year's World Environment Day stands out as an example of conservation innovation with the Rajaji Raghati Biosphere (RRB) and a future initiative in the Western Ghats. Entrepreneurs Jai Dhar Gupta and Vijay Dhasmana are in charge of these initiatives, which focus on reforestation, community involvement, and ecosystem regeneration. A new Delhi businessman, Jai Dhar Gupta, was diagnosed with bronchial asthma and went on to become a champion for clean air. In Rajaji National Park, Jai and environmentalist Vijay Dhasmana are currently establishing India's first private biosphere. This 3

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Sri Lanka Greenlights Musk’s Starlink Internet Service
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Sri Lanka Greenlights Musk’s Starlink Internet Service

On Thursday, Sri Lanka granted Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite-based ISP, a preliminary licence to deliver internet services in the island nation. Officials from Sri Lanka's President's Media Division (PMD) made the announcement via an X: "State Technology Minister @kanakadh announced that TRCSL (Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka) has granted preliminary approval for @Starlink to provide satellite-based internet services in Sri Lanka, following a formal public consultation process." Following that, the PMD stated, "The details of the public consultation will be published

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The Green Heritage Project Transforms Mamallapuram’s Shore Temple
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The Green Heritage Project Transforms Mamallapuram’s Shore Temple

The historic Shore Temple in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has become India’s first Green Energy Archaeological Site. The Green Heritage Project, a partnership between Hand in Hand India and Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India, is responsible for this significant achievement. The installation of three 10-kilowatt solar power plants has made it possible for the Shore Temple to run entirely on solar power. By recharging the grid with excess energy, these plants can help meet future energy demands while reducing their negative effects on the environment. Usin

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Chile to Host World’s Largest Astronomy Camera in Atacama Desert
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Chile to Host World’s Largest Astronomy Camera in Atacama Desert

The largest optical astronomy digital camera ever constructed is going to be hosted in Chile. It weighs approximately three tonnes and has a resolution of 3.2 gigapixels. The camera and ground-based telescope of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have been moved to Cerro Pachón in the Coquimbo area, which is 565 kilometres north of Santiago. According to Stuartt Corder, assistant director of the NOIRLab facility and chief science officer of the AURA organisation, "Everything needed for operations is now on the summit and ready for checkout and hopefully for installation later this year." Al

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China’s Chang’e-6 Departs Moon with Historic Lunar Samples
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China’s Chang’e-6 Departs Moon with Historic Lunar Samples

According to Tuesday's announcement by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the Chang'e-6 spacecraft has begun its return to Earth after launching from the moon's far side. The goal of China becoming the first nation to return lunar samples from the far side—the side of the moon that is continuously facing away from Earth—is getting closer with each passing day. After collecting samples from June 2–3, the probe departed the moon at 7:38 a.m. local time (2338 GMT). According to CNSA, Chang'e-6 "passed the litmus test of high temperature on the far side of the moon." Operati

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Miyazaki Mangoes: The Mangoes That Can Cost More Than Rs 2.50 Lakh Per Kg
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Miyazaki Mangoes: The Mangoes That Can Cost More Than Rs 2.50 Lakh Per Kg

India's rich culture is reflected in its 1,500+ mango varieties. Indian farmers cultivate Japan's Miyazaki mangoes, among the world's most expensive fruits. These red or purple mangoes sell for roughly ₹2.5 lakh per kg, significantly higher than the average ₹100-₹200 per kg for regular mangoes. Miyazaki mangoes originated in Japan during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), with widespread cultivation beginning in the 1970s. Their creamy texture, aromatic smell, and juicy flesh provide a unique, rich sweetness that distinguishes them from traditional mangoes. These mangoes thrive in sunny a

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12-Year-Old Indian-American Wins US National Spelling Bee in Dramatic Tiebreaker
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12-Year-Old Indian-American Wins US National Spelling Bee in Dramatic Tiebreaker

On May 31, a 12-year-old Indian-American, Bruhat Soma, from Tampa, Florida, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in a thrilling tiebreaker. Soma, whose parents are from Telangana, India, properly spelt 29 words in the tiebreaker, outscoring Faizan Zaki by nine words. The winning word was "abseil." Soma won a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes. The seventh-grader had previously won three straight spelling bees. Thursday's competition began with eight finalists and featured lengthy commercial breaks in which contestants connected with their fans. During the tiebreaker, Soma's s

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Santosh Sivan First Indian Honoured with the Pierre Angénieux Award at Cannes
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Santosh Sivan First Indian Honoured with the Pierre Angénieux Award at Cannes

Santosh Sivan, a renowned Indian cinematographer, has been awarded the prestigious Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens in Cinematography at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Asian to earn this honour. Actor Preity Zinta presented him with a prize at the Palais de Festivals, recognising his 'career and excellent quality of work. Santosh, an FTII Pune graduate and founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers, has worked on over 55 films and 50 documentaries. His famous works include "Roja," "Dil Se," "Iruvar," and "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai." He has also directed over 15 films,

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US Billionaire Plans Deep-Sea Mission To The Titanic Wreck
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US Billionaire Plans Deep-Sea Mission To The Titanic Wreck

Nearly a year after the catastrophic implosion of the OceanGate Titan submersible, a new expedition aims to safely examine the Titanic ruins in the North Atlantic. Larry Connor, a billionaire from Ohio, is spearheading this effort, which aims to demonstrate that such dives can be safely completed with competent engineering. Connor, a 74-year-old seasoned explorer, revealed his ideas to The Wall Street Journal, emphasising the importance of strict safety precautions. The tragic Titan catastrophe in June 2023, which resulted in the immediate deaths of everyone onboard, piqued his interest in

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The US Allocates $900 Million For Electric School Buses
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The US Allocates $900 Million For Electric School Buses

The White House announced over $900 million in grants to 530 school districts to replace ageing, gas-powered school buses with cleaner, primarily electric alternatives. This financing is part of the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) $5 billion clean school bus programme, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021. This current batch of money will go towards the acquisition of 3,400 school buses, with 92% being electric. Approximately 67% of the cash will go to school districts in low-income, indigenous, and rural communities. The EPA's clean school bus effort is a

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