Current Affairs - 19th Jan 2014
DSC prize for South Asian Literature
Indian author Cyrus Mistry won the prestigious DSC prize for South Indian Literature for 2014 for his book, “Chronicle of a Corpse Bearer” on the painful lives of small Zorostrian community of corpse carriers. The prize carries a whooping amount of $50,000 and was given in Jaipur Literature Festival. He is the second Indian to win this award which is into its fourth year. he is the second Indian to win the award which is given to authors from South Asia.
Biocon launches world’s first biosimilar drug for breast cancer
Biotechnology company Biocon launched a new and cheaper drug CANMab to treat ‘metastatic’ breast cancer that aggressively spreads to other parts of the body. Biocon which developed the drug in association with US drugmaker Mylan received the approval for CANMab, the biosimilar version of anti-cancer drug Herceptin, last year. CANMAb, which has been developed jointly by Biocon and Mylan under a global partnership, is the world's first biosimilar version of Roche's Herceptin drug. It is to be noted that Biosimilars, sometimes referred to as biogenerics, are highly similar versions of biologics, those medicines made from living microorganisms found in plant or animal cells.
ISRO to launch three satellites this year
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) will launch three satellites belonging to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) constellation this year-IRNSS-1B,IRNSS-1C and IRNSS-1D. IRNSS is an independent regional navigation satellite system designed to provide position information in the Indian region and 1,500 km around the Indian mainland. IRNSS would provide two types of services, namely, Standard Positioning Services (SPS) – provided to all users – and Restricted Services (RS) that is provided only to authorised users. It is a constellation of seven satellites and Isro has already launched IRNSS-1A, first of the seven satellites constituting the space segment of the IRNSS last year. The entire IRNSS constellation of seven satellites is planned to be completed by 2015-16.
Netherlands won the Hockey World League title
The Netherlands won the Hero Hockey World League title defeating New Zealand in New Delhi. Earlier India finished sixth in this tournament after being defeated by Belgium.
GSAT-14 reaches final geo-stationary home
India’s advanced communication satellite GSAT-14, launched by GSLV-D5 reached its final, circular geo-stationary home at 36,000 km above the earth. The significance of GSLV-D5 mission was that it featured an “indigenous” upper cryogenic engine. The satellite carries 12 transponders and it will be useful for telecommunication, broadcasting television programmes, telemedicine and beaming tele-education programmes for college students.
Third line HIV treatment soon
The initial work to include Third Line therapy for persons living with HIV through the government’s Anti-Retrovial Treatment has now been given the required approval. Third line drugs are known to be the only support to people suffering with HIV who have turned resistant towards Second line drugs. At present, people in need of third line drugs go to the private sector for treatment. Third line therapy which is also known as salvage therapy , is generally given to patients who have limited anti-HIV medicine options and have failed to respond to the other two lines of therapy(i.e.-first line and second line). Third line therapy is very expensive but with this step it is expected to be affordable.
