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72nd National Martyrs’ Day/Shaheed Divas observed on Jan 30, 2020

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The National Martyr’s Day is observed annually on January 30. The year 2020 marks the 72nd anniversary of the Martyr’s Day or Shaheed Divas to pay homage to the freedom fighters who lost their lives for India’s Independence from British rule. This day also marks the 72nd death anniversary of India’s Father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi who was assassinated on Jan 30, 1948 by Nathuram Vinayak Godse.  Similarly, Martyrs’ Day is also observed on March 23 to remember the sacrifice of Freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar.DST Secretary Prof. Ashutosh Sharma inaugurates Digital Gandhi Gyan Vigyan Exhibition Phase-II in New Delhi:
The secretary of the department of Science & Technology (DST), Prof. Ashutosh Sharma inaugurated Phase II of the Digital Gandhi Gyan Vigyan Exhibition in New Delhi. The exhibition showcased events related to Gandhi’s life through Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) based exhibits. The exhibition was launched in collaboration with with M/s Vizara Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Delhi, a technology start-up under incubation of Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D).

The following five Exhibits were showcased at DST Office at Technology Bhavan in New Delhi. They were

  • ViRaasat Sabarmati Ashram: It is a mixed reality installation with a 3D model of the Ashram with interactive virtual walk-through and a guided tour.
  • Gandhi’s Utensils: Models of Gandhiji’s Utensils using AR showcasing food, his changing food habits over time and the science behind his food choices were shown.
  • Letters: The letters of Gandhi mounted on a wall and augmented by an AR app was placed to show related text, images, videos etc.
  • Indian map: A physical map of India with AR was displayed showing Gandhiji;s travel over India using smartphone/Tablet.
  • Gandhi Mementos: a 3D printing of Gandhi’s mementos were augmented with an AR app called Digital GandhiAkar PrakaARClick here to know more

Jitendra Singh launches DoPT’s online certificate course on Relevance of Gandhi in the Contemporary World:
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Minister of State(MoS) in Prime Minister’s Office(PMO), Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh launched the Department of Personnel and Training’s (DoPT) online certificate course on “Relevance of Gandhi in the Contemporary World” at a function in New Delhi.

Key Points:
i.Collaboration: It is an initiative by DoPT under iGOT programme in collaboration with the Centre for Gandhi and Peace Studies, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) New Delhi and Gandhi Smriti and DarshanSamiti (GS & DS). Click here to know more.

Nitin Gadkari Launched Special Edition of Khadi Watches; Khadi used on dial and strap for 1st time
Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), Minister of Shipping(MoS) and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari launched limited edition series Kadhi wrist watches designed by Titan watches in collaboration with KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission), in New Delhi. Khadi has been used on the dial and strap of the watches for the first time ever.

Key Points:
i.Members present: Minister of State(MoS) of MSME, Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Chairman of KVIC Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Executive Officer(CEO) of Titan watches Shri Ravi Kant were present in the occasion.

About Mahatma Gandhi:
Fact1- Born as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist.
Fact2- He formed the non-violence movement to to attain India’s independence.