Table of Contents:
1. Kerala Gets Union Government’s Award for TB eradication 
2. ISRO to Launch INSAT-3DS Satellite 
3. Saudi Arabia’s First Luxury Train ‘Dream of The Desert’  
4. State Fruit of Assam - Kaji Nemu 

Kerala Gets Union Government’s Award for TB eradication 

Kerala received the Union government’s award for best TB eradication programme. The award is in recognition of the state’s efforts to coordinate the National TB Eradication programme in the private sector. 

The health department had formed a special action plan to find patients reaching the private sector. According to this, the award is for registering the highest number of tuberculosis patients from the private sector through the Nikshay portal. Kerala recorded the highest number of registrations of TB patients from the private sector on the Nikshay portal. The number of registrations rose from 4,615 in 2019 to 6.542 in 2023. 

The state government has been taking strong steps to make Kerala tuberculosis free by 2025 by ensuring partnership with the private sector. 

• Kerala’s Minister for Health and Woman and Child Development - Veena George 

ISRO to Launch INSAT-3DS Satellite 

INSAT-3DS Satellite is a follow-on mission of Third Generation Meteorological Satellite from Geostationary Orbit. GSLV-F14/INSAT-3DS mission is fully funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). It is designed for enhanced meteorological observations and monitoring of land and ocean surfaces for weather forecasting and disaster warning. The satellite will augment the Meteorological services along with the presently operational INSAT-3D and INSAT-3DR satellites. 

The Primary Objectives of the Mission 

• To monitor Earth’s surface, carry out Oceanic observations and its environment in various spectral channels of meteorological importance. 
• To provide the vertical profile of various meteorological parameters of the Atmosphere. 
• To provide the Data Collection and Data Dissemination capabilities from the Data Collection Platforms (DCPs). 
• To provide Satellite Aided Search and Rescue services. 

Saudi Arabia’s First Luxury Train ‘Dream of The Desert’  

Saudi Arabia is launching  its first luxury train, named the Dream of the Desert. It will be the first luxury train in the Middle East, offering travelers a journey through Saudi Arabia. Reservations for the train’s first ride will open by late 2024, before its planned launch in 2025. 

The 800-mile journey will begin in Riyadh, the capital city of Saudi Arabia, and wind its way northwest toward the border with Jordan. Along the way, passengers will be treated to vistas of the Saudi desert, punctuated by stops at UNESCO World Heritage archaeological sites and cultural landmarks. From the city of Ha’il to the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve, each destination offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Saudi culture and history. 

•  King of Saudi Arabia - Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud 

State Fruit of Assam - Kaji Nemu 

Assam government officially declared Kaji Nemu (Citrus limon), a variety of lemon unique to the region, as the ‘State Fruit’. 

Kaji nemu, known for its juicy, aromatic nature, and immense nutritional value, holds a special place in Assam’s agricultural landscape. This citrus fruit, exclusive to Assam and parts of the northeast, is celebrated for its unique aroma and antioxidant properties, which have long enriched local cuisines and traditional practices. 

• Capital of Assam - Dispur 
• Governor of Assam - Gulab Chand Kataria 
• Chief Minister of Assam - Himanta Biswa Sarma