Gaganyaan Mission: Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) unveiled details of its first indigenous human space mission dubbed as Gaganyaan to be launched in 2022. The mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 72nd Independence Day speech. Under it, three Indian astronauts (Gaganyatris) will be taken to space on board Gaganyaan spacecraft by 2022. This will be the first human space mission to be indigenously developed by ISRO. If successful, India will become fourth nation in the world to send astronaut into space after US, Russia and China. Former Indian Air Force (IAF) Rakesh Sharma was first Indian to travel to space. He was part of the Soviet Union’s Soyuz T-11 expedition, launched on April 2, 1984, of the Intercosmos programme.

Horizon 2020: Under this project, cost-effective and affordable influenza vaccine will be developed. The vaccine will be developed by EU-India consortia by bringing together multi-disciplinary stakeholders who represent any part of chain from lab to market. It will comprise minimum of three applicants from Europe (three different EU member states) or countries associated to EU programme Horizon 20202 and minimum three applicants from India. Other countries are also free to join this EU-India consortia. The outcome of this project is expected to contribute to achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3) to ensure health and well-being for all. It will help international community to better prepare in the event of an influenza pandemic. It will also give boost India’s National Health Mission.

Jatropha: Jatropha is drought-resistant perennial plant that can grow in marginal or poor soil. It is grows relatively quickly and lives, produces seeds for 50 years. It is found to be growing in many parts of the country, especially in rugged terrain and can survive with minimum inputs and easy to propagate. It seeds has oil content of 37% which be combusted as fuel without being refined. It burns with clear smoke-free flame. It has been tested successfully as fuel for simple diesel engine. Its oil also acts as insecticide. Moreover, by-products of its seeds like press cake is good organic fertilizer. Jatropha also has medicinal properties and is used for diseases like cancer, piles, snakebite, paralysis, dropsy etc. The Jatropha plant was in news as the first biojet fuel flgiht in India was fuelled by biodiesel from Jatropha plant. It was indigenously developed by Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab based in Dehradun along with Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP). Its experiment was started in 2010 and took nearly eight years to make its use practical.