Giloy

 Giloy

Research on Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) has increased by 376.5% over the past decade (from 243 studies in 2014 to 913 in 2024), indicating growing interest in its medicinal properties.

About Giloy:
Giloy, also known as Guduchi or Amrita, is a climbing shrub from the Menispermaceae family. It has been used in traditional Ayush systems for centuries due to its immune-boosting and adaptogenic qualities.
Native to India, it is also found in China, and tropical regions of Australia and Africa. Giloy thrives in warm climates and medium-black or red soil.

Traditionally, it is used to treat various ailments, including fever, diabetes, infections, gout, jaundice, asthma, diarrhea, and skin diseases.
The Covid-19 pandemic led to an increased focus on natural immunity enhancers, further accelerating research into Giloy’s potential.

Clinical studies suggest Giloy’s potential in:

129th Birth Anniversary of Morarji Desai

129th Birth Anniversary of Morarji Desai

On the occasion of Morarji Desai's 129th birth anniversary, the Lok Sabha Speaker paid tribute to the former Prime Minister of India.

About Morarji Desai:
Born on February 29, 1896, Morarji Desai served as the 4th Prime Minister of India from 1977 to 1979 during the 6th Lok Sabha.

Role in the Freedom Struggle:
Desai resigned from his position as Deputy Collector in 1930 after 12 years of service under the British to join India's independence movement. He was detained during the Individual Satyagraha in 1941 and arrested during the Quit India Movement in 1942.

Post-Independence Career:

Linguistic Diversity and Education

Linguistic Diversity and Education

Why in News?

A recent report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), titled "Languages Matter: Global Guidance on Multilingual Education," was released on the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day. The report emphasizes how language barriers impact global educational outcomes.

Key Highlights from the UNESCO Report on Language:

• Language Barriers in Education: Around 40% of the global population lacks access to education in a language they can understand. In low- and middle-income countries, this figure rises to 90%, affecting over 250 million learners.
• Linguistic Diversity Due to Migration: Migration has led to increased linguistic diversity, with over 31 million displaced youths facing educational challenges due to language barriers.
• Colonial Legacy: Many post-colonial nations still use non-native languages as the primary medium of instruction. Local languages are often undervalued in formal education, leaving native speakers at a disadvantage.
• Immigration and Education: Immigration has created linguistically diverse classrooms, particularly in high-income countries, which face challenges in providing language acquisition support, inclusive curricula, and fair assessments.
• Policy Variations: Countries vary in their policy responses, with some promoting bilingual education while others favor quick immersion in the dominant language.
• Challenges to Multilingual Education: Despite growing awareness, issues such as limited teacher capacity, lack of resources, and community opposition hinder the implementation of multilingual education.
• Policy Recommendations: The report advocates for context-specific language policies and curriculum adjustments, including support for teacher training, multilingual resources, and inclusive learning environments. It also emphasizes fostering inclusion through strong school leadership and community collaboration.

Note:
International Mother Language Day, proposed by Bangladesh and approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference, has been observed globally on 21st February since 2000. The day honors Bangladesh’s struggle to protect its mother language, Bangla. UNESCO advocates for the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity as a means to foster sustainability, tolerance, respect, and peace.

How Has India’s Linguistic Landscape Evolved?