AroTrack 

Context:

Recently, scientists  at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) developed AroTrack, a water-pollutant detecting device. 

AroTrack 

• This device uses protein-based biosensor  that are found in bacteria living in heavily polluted environments to identify multiple aromatic pollutants in water.
• This biosensing device is capable of detecting harmful compounds such as phenol, benzene, xylenols and dimethylphenol, even when these pollutants are present in low concentrations - usually in the 10-200 parts per billion range. 

• MopR Biosensor: It is a biosensing module and a sensitive sensor for detecting phenol. It also detects other pollutants from the benzene and xylenol groups in the bacteria protein.   
• It can operate efficiently in water temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius and completes the task within 25-30 minutes. 
• It also contains a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) (a phototransistor) that works a particular light of wavelength through the sample and detects how much is absorbed.

VISION Portal

Context:

Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology inaugurated the ‘Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network’ (VISION) Portal.

VISION Portal

• This portal is aimed at nurturing education, skill development, and innovation among underprivileged children.
• It also helps democratise Start-Up skills among underprivileged students and children across the country.

Significance of the portal

• The portal could act as a gateway for those in remote areas to access mentorship and training.
• It is an integral part of realizing the country’s aspirations under Vision India 2047, which aims to position India as a global leader in technology, education, and economic growth.

125^th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab

Context:

India is celebrating the 125th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab.

More on the News

President of India released a commemorative stamp and coin celebrating Dr. Mahtab’s 125th birth anniversary.

Following books were released: 

• Harekrushna Mahtab: A Monograph in Odia by Baishnaba Charan Samal, published by Sahitya Akademi.
• Gaon Majlis: English translation by Tarun Kumar Sahu of Dr. Mahtab's Sahitya Akademi Award-winning Odia essays.
• Gaon Majlis: Hindi translation by Sujata Shiven of the same work.

Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab

• He was born on 21 November 1899, in Agarpara, Odisha.
• He was known as a freedom fighter, politician, historian, writer, social reformer, and journalist.
• He served as the Chairman of the Balasore District Congress Committee from 1924 to 1928 and also became a member of the Bihar and Odisha Council in 1924.
• He boycotted foreign-made products in the Non-Cooperation Movement and was arrested for sedition.
• In 1930, he was elected as the president of the Utkal Pradesh Congress Committee.

• Mahatab participated in a movement against untouchability in 1934 and opened the gates of his ancestral temple in Odisha to all. 
• He actively participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942, for which he was imprisoned in the Ahmednagar Fort Jail from 1942 to 1945. 
• Mahatab was the first Chief Minister of Orissa from 1946 to 1950, and again from 1956 to 1960. During his tenure, Mahatab is credited with formulating the modern-day contours of Odisha by steering the integration of 26 erstwhile Odia-speaking Princely States.
• Additionally, he was also instrumental in shifting the capital of Orissa from Cuttack to Bhubaneshwar and played a role in several infrastructural projects such as the Hirakud Dam Project, Rourkela Steel Plant, etc. 
• In 1983, he won the Sahitya Academy Award for his famous three-volume work Gaon Majlis in Odia.

His famous Work

• a novel ‘Nutan Dharma’ 
• a drama ‘Swarajya Sadhana’ 
• Oriya daily Prajatantra, in 1930
• weekly journal Rachana
• a monthly journal Jhankar

125th Birth Anniversary Celebration of Utkal Keshari Dr. Harekrushna Mahtab