Globally, research on climate/environmentally driven infectious diseases has been largely biased towards vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, etc. Melioidosis is a bacterial infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, and is primarily acquired by inoculation, inhalation and/or ingestion of soil- and water-dwelling environmental saprophytes. The disease is strongly influenced by environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and humidity. In 2016, The Lancet based on a prediction modelling study reported that about 1,65,000 people contract melioidosis annually worldwide, of which Southasia, including India, contributes to 44% of the global burden of melioidosis. The report attracted enormous scrutiny and attention by the medical fraternity, and microbiologists and clinicians in a few selected centres across India took cognisance of the situation to further unravel the mysterious disease.

There are many reasons why the melioidosis-causing bacteria, described over a hundred years ago, has continued to baffle the medical fraternity. First, the bacteria has a unique ability to cause a plethora of clinical manifestations ranging from a trivial skin infection to unresolving pneumonia and fulminant sepsis. With fatality as high as 50% in septicaemic cases, melioidosis is a medical conundrum. Second, the B. pseudomallei bacteria requires prolonged incubation conditions, and can escape detection in inexperienced microbiology laboratories, as chances of misidentification with common bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa are quite common. Third, the treatment of melioidosis is quite different from other infectious diseases as it requires an initial intravenous therapy followed by a prolonged eradication phase of 12-20 weeks. This puts a significant emphasis on correct diagnosis, as inadequate treatment runs a risk of recurrence.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Chandigarh have jointly developed two cutting-edge 32-bit microprocessors, Vikram 3201 and Kalpana 3201, specifically designed for space applications.

The first production lots of these microprocessors were handed over to Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, Isro.

Vikram 3201 is India's first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor qualified for use in the harsh conditions of launch vehicles.

A 32-bit microprocessor is a type of microprocessor with a data bus, registers, and address bus that are 32 bits wide. This means it can process 32 bits of data at a time, handle memory addresses of up to 4 GB, and execute 32-bit instructions.

It is an advanced version of the 16-bit Vikram 1601 microprocessor, which has been operational in Isro's launch vehicles since 2009.

Hyderabad Angels Fund (HAF) Launches SEBI Category 1 Fund to Boost Early-Stage Startup Investments

Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 19: Hyderabad Angels Fund (HAF) was officially launched today at Ramanaidu Studios, marking a significant milestone in India’s startup investment landscape. The SEBI-registered Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) is set to provide strategic co-investments for high-potential startups in the Pre-Series A to Series B stages, further solidifying Hyderabad’s position as a leading startup funding hub.

The event was graced by distinguished Guests of Honor, including BVR Mohan Reddy (Former Chairperson, NASSCOM), Ayodhya Rami Reddy (Member of Rajya Sabha, Ramky Group), Daggubati Suresh Babu (Indian Film Producer), and Srini Raju (Chairman, iLabs Venture Capital Fund). Each of them emphasized the importance of venture capital in driving entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic progress in India.

Paisabazaar, India's leading marketplace for consumer credit and free credit score platform, today announced the launch of PBMoney - a personal finance management platform designed to provide consumers with holistic insights and advise, to help them build stronger financial health.

Paisabazaar, through PBMoney, aims to deepen engagement with its large and diverse consumer base by offering a unified financial experience. PBMoney is built on the Account Aggregator framework, along with other data integrations, offering consumers a comprehensive view of their entire financial life. The platform consolidates financial accounts-including bank accounts, mutual fund portfolios, and stocks--into a single dashboard. In the coming months, PBMoney will also integrate data on insurance coverage and GST filings, providing consumers a complete understanding of their financial standing.

Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Limited (Piramal Finance), a leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), and Punjab & Sind Bank, one of India's premier public sector banks, have entered into a strategic co-lending partnership to enhance credit availability for middle- and low-income borrowers, with a special emphasis on rural and semi-urban regions.

This collaboration brings together Punjab & Sind Bank's deep financial expertise and extensive network of 1575 branches with Piramal Finance's unique 'High Tech + High Touch' approach. Additionally, Piramal Finance's strong presence across 514+ branches in 13,000 pin codes, serving 4.5 million customers in 26 states, will further strengthen outreach and accessibility.

Canara HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited ("Canara HSBC Life Insurance") has entered a strategic distribution partnership with GIC Housing Finance Limited ("GICHF") to provide enhanced financial security solutions to GICHF's home loan customers. Through this partnership, Canara HSBC Life Insurance will offer its 'Group Asset Secure' product --a comprehensive credit life insurance plan--designed to protect borrowers and their families against loan liabilities in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

* Strategic alliance to offer credit life insurance, to provide financial protection for home loan customers

The partnership aims to support and enable India's intent and ambition of owning their own homes. With GIC Housing Finance's diversified customer pool, the alliance will unlock a viable financial protection provision for the customers of the company. By integrating a robust insurance solution into the home loan process, Canara HSBC Life Insurance and GIC Housing Finance are reinforcing their shared commitment to customer-centric financial solutions.

The Reserve Bank will set up a dedicated 'on Tap' cohort on climate change risks and sustainable finance under its regulatory sandbox initiative, Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Thursday.

The Reserve Bank has been encouraging and facilitating innovations through its Regulatory Sandbox and Hackathon initiatives in the fintech space.

"We propose to set up a dedicated 'on Tap' cohort on climate change risks and sustainable finance under RBI's Regulatory Sandbox initiative. We are also planning to conduct a special 'Greenathon' on climate change and related aspects," Malhotra said.

He was speaking on the Policy Seminar on Climate Change Risks and Finance organised by the Reserve Bank of India here.

Bisleri International, a leading mineral water brand in collaboration with Observer Research Foundation (ORF) unveiled a book on 'Water Credits Valuation.' Inaugurated at Raisina Dialogue 2025, this comprehensive book titled, 'Trading Blue Gold: A Blueprint for Water Credit Valuation in India' aims to amplify the framework beyond the beverage sector.

Water Credits are a market-based mechanism that incentivizes sustainable water management practices. These credits are generated through activities such as water conservation, rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and efficient water use. Similar to carbon credits, companies can purchase water credits to offset their water consumption and promote responsible water stewardship.

In a significant move to enhance India's Science and Technology (S&T) landscape, NITI Aayog today held a pivotal workshop titled “Empowering State S&T Councils: Catalyzing Innovation for India’s Future.” The event was graced by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and other dignitaries from the various scientific ministries and departments. Representatives from 25+ States/ UTs attended the workshop. It brought together government leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to address critical challenges in the nation’s state S&T councils.

State S&T Councils play a crucial role in bridging the gap between scientific innovation and socio-economic development at the regional level. Despite their significant contributions in areas like R&D, patent facilitation, and technology transfer, these councils continue to face challenges that hinder their transformative potential. The workshop aimed to identify strategic solutions to strengthen these councils and amplify their impact.

During the workshop the participants engaged in comprehensive deliberations on the current status of State S&T councils, examining their governance frameworks, operational efficiencies and resource allocation. Best Practices from various states were highlighted, showcasing successful models. Additionally the role of robus monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were underscored.

From the peaceful mornings in villages to the hustle and bustle of cities, sparrows once filled the air with their cheerful chirps. Flocks of these tiny birds, uninvited yet welcome, created unforgettable memories. But over time, these little friends have vanished from our lives. Once abundant, the house sparrow is now a rare sight and a mystery in many places. To raise awareness and protect these small creatures, World Sparrow Day is celebrated every year on March 20th.

World Sparrow Day was initiated by "Nature Forever," a bird conservation organization in 2010. The aim was to raise awareness about the declining sparrow population. The event has spread to over 50 countries. The goal is to protect sparrows and stop their decline. In 2012, the house sparrow became Delhi's state bird. Since then, the event has gained global attention. People everywhere celebrate sparrows and work to protect them.

Sparrows are small but significant birds that play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance. They help control insect populations by feeding on various bugs and pests. Additionally, sparrows are key players in pollination and seed dispersal. Their presence enhances biodiversity, making them crucial for the health of both rural and urban ecosystems.