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IIT Guwahati develops low-cost tech to produce anti-ageing compounds from agricultural resources

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IIT Guwahati develops low-cost tech to produce anti-ageing compounds from agricultural resources

Guwahati, 27th October: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati researcher has developed a low-cost membrane technology to produce psychoactive drugs and anti-ageing compounds from a wide range of agricultural resources like Camellia Sinensis, citrus fruits and peels especially orange peels, berries, ginkgo Biloba, parsley, pulses, tea, sea buckthorn and onions.

The technology is patented and developed by Prof. Mihir Kumar Purkait, Head, Centre for the Environment and Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati along with his M Tech student V L Dhadge.

The low-cost technology doesn’t use any organic solvents.

The health-related benefits of psychoactive drugs (caffeine) and anti-ageing compounds (flavonoids) attributed to stimulating detoxification of enzyme activity and inhibition of cell invasion and angiogenesis.

Because of medicinal applications, flavonoid components have gained popularity as ingredients in pharmaceutical industry. These are also found in smaller amount in bamboo leaves, grapes, apples, and other natural sources.

“The developed technology is exclusively pore/particle size based pressure-driven membrane separation process. The water extracts of above-mentioned plants/fruits/leaves at optimum operating conditions are passed through a specially made cascade membrane units of fabricated with appropriate molecular weight cut off (MWCO) membranes capable of separating targeted flavonoids selectively. Permeate and retentive part from appropriate membrane unit is then fridge dried to get the powdered product. We have synthesized stimuli-responsive smart membrane for the selective separation and purification of targeted compound from the mixture of plants or leaves or fruits extract in simple water,” Prof. Mihir Kumar Purkait, said.

In a press release, IIT, Guwahati said that, the commercially available techniques are using various costly organic solvents like – Chloroform, Acetone, Acetonitrile etc. As a result, the price of these important pharmaceutical raw materials are quite high that ultimately increases the price of the antioxidant. Since organic solvents are used, the technology suffers various disadvantages like – low product quality and yield, high operating and product cost, more time consuming and high energy-intensive process for solvent recovery and has limitation to run continuation mode in industrial scale.

The technology developed by Prof. M K Purkait doesn’t require any costly organic solvents and uses only water. Hence, the cost of the process and price of pharmaceuticals thereon is much cheaper than that of the existing solvent-based separation technique. The patented membrane-based green technology has enormous scope to replace existing costly organic solvent-based techniques and can be used for continuation mode of operation in an industrial scale.

India is the largest consumer (20% of the global production) and second-largest producer of Camellia Sinensis. Worldwide, there are very few manufacturers of flavonoids produced using solvent-based technique having less purity (40-80%) and high price.

It has been estimated that the global market for flavonoids is expected to reach about 412.4 MT by 2022 from 347.8 MT in 2017 reported in the Ministry of Commerce, Government of India’s Import-Export current statistics.

The developed technology for anti-ageing compounds will support ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government of India by producing these compounds in the country. This will definitely reduce the import of said polyphenolic compounds. Implementation of the said technology will also create job opportunities in the agriculture sector of the country.

Assam Rifles restores roads in bordering areas of Nagaland

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Assam Rifles restores roads in bordering areas of Nagaland

Kohima, 27th October: The troops of Assam Rifles come forward to restore roads in the bordering areas of Nagaland which was disrupted due to multiple landslides.

Assam Rifles restores roads in bordering areas of Nagaland

Kiphire Battalion of Assam Rifles under the aegis of HQ IGAR (North) assisted the villagers in restoring Akhen-Melluri-Ziphu road, which was disrupted due to multiple landslides.

 

The road is the only lifeline for the residents of the border villages of Akhen, Ziphu and areas further south was cleared for resumption of traffic.

Assam Rifles restores roads in bordering areas of NagalandThe prompt response from the Assam Rifles personnel was appreciated by residents who also participated in the restoration effort.

Manipur: NIA court frames charges against Congress MLA and others in arms missing case

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Manipur: NIA court frames charges against Congress MLA and others in arms missing case

Guwahati, 27th October: Special Judge of National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Manipur framed charges against Congress MLA Yamthong Haokip, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) chief David Hangsing and others in connection with arms missing case from the premises of 2nd battalion Manipur Rifles in Imphal.

Special Judge, NIA of Manipur, Maibam Manojkumar on Monday had framed charges against 12 persons including the Congress MLA and the accused persons were slapped with different sections of Indian Panel Code, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Arms Act.

The premier investigation agency had submitted the charge sheet against the accused persons on October 14.

Apart from Congress MLA Yamthong Haokip, Kuki Revolutionary Army (KRA) chief David Hangsing, the charges were framed against Havildar Nellakattil Podiyan, Riflemen Laishram Anilkumar, Ngamboi Haokip alias Raju, Haobam Brojendro, Paonam Shantikumar, Laishram Damudor alias Thembung, Talung Pungphinamei, Mathurabasimayum Hiranjoy Sharma alias Ngouba and Thokchom James alias Tonao.

MLA Yamthong Haokip and three other accused namely Riflemen Laishram Anilkumar, Talung Pungphinamei and Thokchom James were absent on Monday’s hearing and the court directed the four accused to appear before it for explanation of the charges without fail on Tuesday.

The Congress MLA is currently out on bail on medical grounds.

NIA had arrested Haokip on July 30, 2018 and the investigating team had recovered one of the missing 9mm pistols from his residence during search operations.

As many as 58 numbers of 9 mm pistol and 58 magazines were stolen from the armoury of 2nd Manipur Rifles garrison between 2016 and early 2017.

After the incident came to light, the Manipur government handed over the case to NIA in March, 2018 to conduct the probe.

Assam government rejects Congress MLA proposal to set up ‘Miya Museum’

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Assam government rejects Congress MLA proposal to set up ‘Miya Museum’

Guwahati, Oct 27: The political parties including ruling BJP and opposition Congress are now engaged in war of words over ‘Miya Museum’ issue after a Congress MLA proposal to set up a museum reflecting the culture and heritage of the people living in Char-Chaporis of Assam on the premises of Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati.

Reacting over Miya Museum, Assam Finance minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said that, the Assam government will not allow to establish any Miya Museum or other Museum on the premises of Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra.

Rejecting the proposal of Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed the Assam minister said that, Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra is a centre of Assamese civilization and culture and a particular community is now eying on it.

“It is not possible to set up a museum of other community’s civilization and culture on the premises of Kalakshetra. I sternly rejected this assumption. The Assam government will not allow to set up Miya Museum or any other Museum here. Not only it, the Assam government or Directorate of Museum will not establish Miya Museum in Assam,” Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed had sent a letter to the Director of Museum on October 18 and stated that, one Museum reflecting the culture and heritage of the people living in Char-Chaporis of Assam in the premises of Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati was recommended by Departmentally Related Standing Committee on Education, 2020-21 in its 47th report on Art and Culture (Grant No. 27).

“I would therefore like to request you kindly to expedite the process of establishment of the same,” the Congress MLA said in his letter.

The people those are living in Char-Chaporis (riverine islands) of the river Brahmaputra mostly belonging to Bengali speaking Muslims.

The riverine areas (island) of the river Brahmaputra, locally known as Char-Chapori cover about 3.60 lakh hectares of land and the chars follow a peculiar pattern of migration.

On the other hand, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Ripun Bora said that, it is not a proposal of the Congress party.

“One of the Congress party MLAs said this, but I would like to clear it that, it is not a proposal of the Congress party. The MLA had not mentioned any word of ‘Miya Museum’ in his letter. He has clearly mentioned about the recommendation of the Departmentally Related Standing Committee on Education, 2020-21 in its 47th report on Art and Culture (Grant No. 27),” Ripun Bora said.

Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra – located in Guwahati, is a cultural institution named after the saint scholar, social-religious reformer Srimanta Sankardeva.

Foundation stone laid by Nitin Gadkari of 9 highway projects in Tripura

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Foundation stone laid by Nitin Gadkari of 9 highway projects in Tripura

Tripura, 27th October: Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, laid the foundation stones of nine National Highway projects with a length of nearly 262 km worth over Rs 2,752 crore in Tripura today. The projects are to provide faster and hassle-free inter-state and international connectivity to Bangladesh.

The highway projects in Tripura include — Jolaibari-Belonia of NH-108A (21.4 km with the cost of Rs 201.99 crore), Kailashahar-Kumarghat of NH-208 (18.60 km with the cost of Rs 277.50 crore), Khayerpur to Amtali (Agartala bypass) of NH-08 (12.90 km with the cost of Rs 147 crore); Agartala – Khowai of NH-108B (38.80 km with the cost of Rs 480.19 crore), the Kailashahar to Kurti bridge of NH-208A (36.46 km with the cost of Rs 473.49 crore), Manu-Simlung of NH-44A (36.54 km with the cost of Rs 595.12 crore), RCC Bridge over river Muhuri & RCC Bridge over river Gomati (at Rs 83.06 crore); strengthening of Churaibari-Agartala section with paved shoulder of NH-08 (74.85 km with the cost of Rs 257.96 crore) and Geometric improvement on Churaibari-Agartala section of NH-44 (21.789 km with the cost of Rs 236.18 crore). The new projects will provide better connectivity, fast and safe movement of traffic to various tourist places, historical places and religious places in the entire Tripura.

“They are likely to generate a large number of employment and self-employment opportunities to the unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled manpower of the region. The projects will reduce travel time and maintenance cost of the vehicles and saving of fuel,” the statement said.

Implementation of the project would result in enhanced socio-economic conditions of the locality, it said adding that these will improve transport of agricultural goods and access to greater markets, thereby reducing the cost of goods and services.

The event was presided over by Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb in presence of Union ministers Jitendra Singh and V K Singh, ministers from the state, members of parliament, MLAs and senior officers from the Centre and the state.

Lockdown in Mizoram: Complete Shutdown in Aizawl

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Lockdown in Mizoram: Complete Shutdown in Aizawl

Mizoram, 27th October: The Mizoram government on Monday decided to impose complete lockdown within Aizawl Municipal Council (AMC) area from today till November 3.

The development comes as the state has taken the coronavirus tally to 2,359 with 18 people testing positive for the virus off late.

“An emergency meeting under chairmanship of Health Minister and Home Minister held today decided to impose lockdown within Aizawl Municipal Council (AMC) area after obtaining due consent from the CM. Lockdown will begin at 4:30 AM tomorrow till 4:30 AM of Nov 3,” the state government’s notification said.

Issuing this statement, the state administration said that the decision of this lockdown in Mizoram was taken after holding an emergency meeting with the state’s health minister and home minister.

Mizoram has not reported any fatality because of COVID-19 so far. According to the health department, 1,01,789 samples have been tested in the state.

Of the fresh cases, 10 are from Aizawl, four from Serchhip, three from Lunglei and one from Lawngtlai district.

In a latest development, the state government has decided to shut all schools that were reopened for students of classes 10 and 12 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and also because some pupils have tested positive for the infection.

Health Minister of Meghalaya tests positive for COVID

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Health Minister of Meghalaya tests positive for COVID

Meghalaya, 26th October: Health minister of Meghalaya A L Hek has tested positive for COVID-19. Minister Hek said that the test report on samples collected from him was declared on Sunday.

“I was tested on Saturday through CBNAAT and the report showed positive. I have quarantined myself for seven days from October 19 to 25. Ever since I returned to Shillong on October 19, I have isolated myself in one guest house“, Hek said.

Hek was in New Delhi for about a week, and arrived at Guwahati two days before returning to Shillong on October 19.

He said that his daughter who had also tested positive for COVID-19 has tested negative on Saturday, and was declared recovered.

Even though Hek was tested positive for COVID-19 he claimed that he had no sickness and felt fine overall.

Health Minister of Meghalaya A.L.Hek is the second minister of the MDA government to have tested positive, after power minister James K Sangma who tested positive at Imphal in Manipur on September 12.

At least 136 more people, including the health minister, tested positive for the disease, taking the tally in the northeastern state to 8,914. The death toll rose to 81 after one more patient succumbed to the disease. Meghalaya now has 1,605 active coronavirus cases. Altogether 104 patients were cured of the disease on Sunday, taking the total number of recoveries to 7,228.

CM Sangma lays foundation for new building of Capt Williamson A Sangma Memorial College

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CM Sangma lays foundation for new building of Capt Williamson A Sangma Memorial College

Meghalaya, 26th October: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Sunday laid the foundation stone for construction of new building of Capt Williamson A Sangma Memorial College in presence of Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, MLA of Baghmara Samuel Sangma, MLA of Siju Rongara Rakkam A Sangma and host of other dignitaries.

CM Sangma lays foundation for new building of Capt Williamson A Sangma Memorial College

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma tweeted,

“Laid the foundation stone for construction of new building of Capt Williamson A Sangma Memorial College. It is our commitment to improve the education scenario of the State. Govt has allocated sanction amounting to ₹ 12 cr for the construction.

@DrRPNishank @EduMinOfIndia “

Rs.12 crore has been sanctioned by the Meghalaya government for the construction of the new building.

While addressing everyone present, CM Conrad Sangma said, it is our commitment to improve the education scenario in Meghalaya. The new college building when completed will cater to the needs of Baghmara in particular and students of South Garo Hills in general. It has been the collective responsibility of the MDA Govt to ensure that developmental initiatives reach to remote areas of the State. South Garo Hills has remained neglected for years, we have prioritised our programmes to ensure welfare and development of the area.

Earlier Conrad K Sangma had unveiled the newly erected bust of Capt Williamson A. Sangma and paid floral tribute on his 30th Death Anniversary at a ceremony held in Baghmara.

“We honour our great leader, the architect of Meghalaya whose ideals continues to motivate and inspire us,” said Conrad K Sangma.

Alternate Alignment Gangtok-Nathula highway commissioned by Rajnath Singh

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Alternate Alignment Gangtok-Nathula highway commissioned by Rajnath Singh

Sikkim, 26th October: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday commissioned ‘Alternate Alignment Gangtok – Nathula Road’ constructed by the Army’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Sikkim, through video conferencing from the Headquarters of 33 Corps in Sukna, Darjeeling.

“Today I am happy to dedicate the partial alternate route of National Highway-310 to the people of Sikkim. NH-310 connecting Gangtok to ‘Nathu La’ is the lifeline of the people bordering eastern Sikkim. By constructing 19.35 km long alternate route of National Highway-310, BRO has fulfilled the aspirations of the Army and residents of East Sikkim,” Singh expressed while attending the inauguration of road built by BRO in Sikkim.

“Most of the border roads of Sikkim are being upgraded by BRO to double layout of this, 65 km of road construction work is in progress in East Sikkim, and 55 km of road construction is under the action plan. The construction of a 225 km double lane road to ‘Mangan-Chugthang-Eumsemdong’ and ‘Chuganthang-Lachen-Jima-Muguthang-Nakula’ is planned under the Bharatmala project in North Sikkim. These works are planned in 9 packages with an estimated cost of Rs 5,710 crores,” he told.

Defence Minister also comprehended the efforts of the Sikkim Government.

Defence Minister also conducted ‘Shastra Puja’ at Sukna War Memorial in Darjeeling, West Bengal. Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane also attended the event.

Sikkim Chief minister Prem Singh Tamang also attended the meeting via video call and expressed his feeling on Twitter by tweeting, “ I participated in the inauguration of the Alternative alignment of National Highway 310 from Gangtok to Nathula by Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh Ji via live video. This is a welcomed move and will assist our forces in days to come.

#PMOIndia #CMOSikkim “

What caused the recent clashes at Assam-Mizoram Border?

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What caused the recent clashes at Assam-Mizoram Border?

Northeast, 26th October: Assam-Mizoram Border Dispute recently came into the limelight following a violent clash between the residents of these two states in the border area. The recent clash occurred on October 17, 2020 when the residents of Lailapur village in Cachar district of Assam collided with the locals of Kolasib district of Mizoram.

The Assam-Mizoram Border conflict is not a new one; the dispute has persisted for long. Both the states share a 164.6 km inter-state border. Three Assam districts, namely, Cachar, Hailakandi and Karimganj share their border with three Mizoram districts including Kolasib, Mamit and Aizawl.

So what caused the recent clashes at Assam-Mizoram Border?

A few volunteers of Mizoram had put checkpoints on the Assamese side of the border, allegedly in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. These Mizo volunteers claim that the majority of people living along the border are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. It was also reported that Assam forest officials were not permitted to cross the checkpoint. This situation aggravated the people of both the sides and further led to the clashes.

Mizoram’s civil society groups claimed that the locals of Lailapur village, Cachar district, Assam have pelted stones on the on-duty personnel of Mizoram Reserve Battalion. On the other hand, these charges have been refuted by the Police Officers of Assam. They state that a group of unidentified miscreants from Vairengte, Kolasib district of Mizoram burnt shops and hutments along the National Highway-306 (earlier NH-54) in Lailapur.

The border between Mizoram and Assam is an imaginary line that changes with the naturally occurring obstacles of rivers, hills, valleys and forests. People of Assam and Mizoram have attributed the border conflicts to the differences over this not-so-clear boundary. People living in the border areas often cross over to the other side as they are not fully aware of the border demarcation, leading to unintentional and unintended clashes.

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