17 May 2016 Current Affairs
“Odisha Launches “”Green Passage”"
Scheme”
The Odisha government on 17 May decided to launch Green Passage
scheme for orphan students to ensure that they get free of cost higher
education in the state. A proposal of the higher education department in this
regard, was approved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. As per the scheme Orphan
students pursuing higher education (from Plus-II level) to post-graduation
level, will no longer have to bear the education expenses. Students pursuing
higher education will be exempted of tuition fees, admission fee and laboratory
fees for higher studies. It will be applicable to all government, government
aided, private colleges and universities. Students also will be provided free
hostel facilities and food. These educational institutions have to ensure that
the orphan students are not charged in any form.
Nandini Bhandaru Won E-MRS Award
“Nandini Bhandaru, a PhD student at IIT-Kharagpur has won the
Young Scientist Award of the European Materials Research Society’s (E-MRS) for
contribution to materials science. She was awarded for her outstanding
contribution to material science and nano technology, particularly nano
patterning of soft films and surfaces. She is working at Instability and Soft
Patterning laboratory of IIT-Kharagpur. Her area of doctoral research is on
nanofabrication including soft-Lithography, thin film dewetting, polymer blend
films and self-assembly.”
World’s First Scanning Helium Microscope
Australian researchers built the world’s first scanning helium
microscope (SHeM). An announcement in this regard was made by the scientists
belonging to the University of Newcastle in the third week of May 2016.
World Hypertension Day was Observed On 17 May
The World Hypertension Day was observed across the world on 17 May
2016 with the theme Know Your Numbers. The theme know your numbers is related
with the goal of increasing high blood pressure awareness in all populations
around the world. The WHD 2016 challenge is to screen three million
adults.World Hypertension Day (WHD) is an annual initiative of the World Hypertension
League (WHL), an affiliated section of the International Society of
Hypertension (ISH). The World Hypertension Day was first inaugurated in May
2005 and has become an annual event ever since. The purpose of the WHD is to
promote public awareness of hypertension and to encourage citizens of all
countries to prevent and control this silent killer, the modern epidemic.
Hypertension or High blood pressure is very common indeed and hence a major
public health issue. It is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
