Weaving indigenous science into reported stories

• October 29, 2024

Source: The Open Notebook

Journalism is shifting, too. Climate journalism, in particular, is highlighting more Indigenous knowledge in the context of solutions. Grist, High Country News, and The Texas Observer have established Indigenous-affairs reporters on their rosters. The outcome of this work is stories that stand to deepen science, benefit the Indigenous communities they draw from, and expand a narrow definition of what science is, what it can be, and how it’s done. It’s also just good journalism to bring to light all the groups that contribute to science, whether they’re entrenched in the Western scientific tradition or not.

To report on Indigenous science accurately and fairly, however, journalists have to take a thoughtful approach. That includes learning when to weave Indigenous science into their stories, how to find Indigenous voices with relevant expertise, how to verify information gathered in different ways, and how to frame stories that mix both Indigenous and Western science.

J&K and Gujarat traditional knowledge holders recognized with herbal patents for sustainable health innovations

• October 28, 2024

Source: Krishi Jagran

In 2024 the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) awarded 26 patents to traditional knowledge holders, recognizing their herbal innovations and enabling broader industry collaboration for sustainable healthcare solutions. Custodians from Jammu & Kashmir and Gujarat were awarded patents for their unique herbal practices in a significant step to honor India’s rich heritage of traditional herbal knowledge. These recognition ceremonies were held on October 22, 2024, at the University of Kashmir and the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The awarded patents underscore India’s commitment to preserving and advancing its deep-rooted knowledge systems, offering a bridge between traditional wisdom and modern healthcare solutions.

Indigenous herbal knowledge recognised through patents

• October 28, 2024

Source: Press Information Bureau

Custodians of herbal traditional knowledge from Jammu & Kashmir and Gujarat were granted herbal patents at felicitation programs held earlier at the University of Kashmir and subsequently at the National Innovation Foundation, Gandhinagar on 22 October 2024. India has been bestowed with rick resource of traditional herbal knowledge systems. These valuable systems are being preserved, sustained by outstanding traditional knowledge holders across the nation enabling sustainability of natural resources. Knowledge holders interact within their ecological system and possess deep understanding of local flora accumulated through experiences, experiments and wisdom. These practices are tools for solving challenges in human health and agriculture including livestock at their locale. With rising concern on environmental hygiene, antimicrobial resistance, these sustainable practices are gaining importance. Such herbal medicines have to be recognized, scientifically valorised for integrating in health care system.

Science Ministry grants herbal patents to 26 indigenous knowledge holders

• October 28, 2024

Source: The Assam Tribune

The Ministry of Science and Technology has facilitated 26 indigenous knowledge holders from Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat with herbal patents, it said on 28 October 2024. “This will facilitate the scaling up of technologies for commercial and social ventures,” the ministry said.
The custodians of herbal traditional knowledge were granted herbal patents at felicitation programmes held earlier at the University of Kashmir and subsequently at the National Innovation Foundation, Gandhinagar on October 22. “Knowledge holders interact within their ecological system and possess a deep understanding of local flora accumulated through experiences, experiments, and wisdom. These practices are tools for solving challenges in human health and agriculture including livestock at their locale,” the ministry said.
 

Workshop on Building Quality Infrastructure and Enhancing Academic Aspects for Tribal Education held by NESTS

• October 26, 2024

Source: Press Information Bureau

National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) successfully organized a workshop on “Building Quality Infrastructure for Tribal Education” on 24 October 2024 at Akashvani Bhawan, New Delhi. The event was part of the government’s ongoing efforts to provide quality educational infrastructure for tribal communities through Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), ensuring sustainable and effective learning environments. Commitment to multifaceted development is evident in NESTS’ initiatives, including modern educational programs like the Amazon Future Engineering program and the organization of a Principal’s Conclave focused on academic and administrative excellence. This holistic approach underscores the importance of providing both high-quality infrastructure and advanced educational opportunities for tribal students.

NESTS launches 'Amazon Future Engineer Program' for Eklavya Model Residential Schools

• October 22, 2024

Source: Press Information Bureau

National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) launched the Third Phase of the ‘Amazon Future Engineer Program’ in 50 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) spread across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Tripura. The third phase would include an orientation on blockchain, artificial intelligence, coding, block programming and AI sessions. The Commissioner, NESTS Shri Ajeet Kumar Srivastava also inaugurated the four-day in-person teachers’ training workshop as well as the EMRS Coders Expo, an exhibition of Top 20 Coding Projects from EMRSs during the previous academic year, in New Delhi.

KVIC Chairman Mr. Manoj Kumar inaugurated the exhibition themed "Khadi: The Fabric of Freedom, The Language of Fashion" at the Gandhi-King Memorial Plaza in New Delhi.

• October 19, 2024

Source: Press Information Bureau

KVIC Chairman Mr. Manoj Kumar, in the presence of India International Centre (IIC) Director Mr. K.N. Srivastava, extended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of "Khadi for Fashion" by inaugurating the Khadi exhibition based on the theme "Khadi: The Fabric of Freedom, The Language of Fashion" (Khadi: The Cloth of Freedom, The Language of Fashion) at the Gandhi-King Memorial Plaza, India International Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. The exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Centre of Excellence for Khadi (COEK) and the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), invites visitors to explore Khadi's remarkable journey—starting from hand-spun fabric during India's freedom movement under Mahatma Gandhi to its current status as a symbol of sustainability and modern fashion.

National SC-ST hub mega conclave for creating awareness among SC-ST Entrepreneurs organised at Moga, Punjab

• October 18, 2024

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India organized National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) Conclave at Moga, Punjab today to promote entrepreneurship culture and spread awareness of the NSSH Scheme and other Schemes of the Ministry.Dr. Subhransu Sekhar Acharya, CMD, NSIC , in his opening remarks , briefed  all the dignitaries and participants about the day’s agenda and described the Public Procurement Policy of Government of India which mandated 4% public procurement from SC/ST enterprises and 3% from women enterprises. He said, for inclusive growth, Ministry of MSME implements the National SC-ST Hub Scheme with an objective of creating an ecosystem for SC/ST entrepreneurs and handholding them to participate in the public procurement to reach 4% mandate as per the public procurement policy. 

Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia visits the cultural corridor highlighting the technological advancement in the handloom sector, particularly by the North Eastern Region (NER) in the ongoing ITU-WTSA 2024

• October 18, 2024

Source: Press Information Bureau

The Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region Shri. Jyotiraditya M Scindia yesterday visited the vibrant Cultural Corridorwhich has been set up at Bharat Mandapam to share a glimpse of India’s rich heritage with thousands of international delegates participating in the ITU-WTSA 2024. The corridor features exquisite handlooms and handicrafts from various corners of the country, displayed and available for display and purchase at 14 stalls organized by the Ministry of Textiles and Ministry of Development of North eastern Region DONER.

IIT-Delhi to study how indigenous knowledge helps modern society

• October 18, 2024

Source: Hindustan Times

IIT Delhi launched the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) program to blend traditional teachings with modern society, focusing on education, technology, and health. The programme will create four platforms in the broad domains of public systems, education and pedagogy, technology, and health and well-being, IIT-Delhi officials said. The programme has a five-year plan, which will begin with a round table meeting scheduled for mid-November, with officials saying that experts will be invited to talk about education and pedagogy.