Current affairs 21 February 2025

ISRO Develops World’s Largest Propellant Mixer.

• Isro, in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute, developed a 10-tonne vertical planetary mixer, the largest globally for solid propellants.
• This indigenous mixer will enhance the production of solid rocket motors, playing a crucial role in India’s space transportation systems.
• This is expected to play a crucial role in advancing India’s spaceflight capabilities.

Gujarat Expands Soil Health Card Yojana for Sustainable Farming.

• Gujarat’s Soil Health Card Yojana has benefited 2.15 crore farmers since 2003-04.
• The initiative provides soil health insights and fertilizer recommendations to boost productivity.
• In 2024-25, 3.81 lakh samples are targeted for testing, with labs and private centers supporting the effort.
• The govt has supported the establishment of 27 private soil testing laboratories at the rural level.

Kerala Launches "nPROUD" for Expired Medicine Disposal.

• Kerala’s Drugs Control Dept. to launch nPROUD on Feb 22 in Kozhikode for collecting and disposing of expired medicines.
• The project aims to prevent environmental pollution and health risks by following Biomedical Waste Management protocols.
• Initially implemented in Kozhikode, the initiative may expand statewide for safer drug disposal.

Indian Navy’s 1st Training Squadron Departs Cambodia.

• INS Sujata and ICGS Veera concluded a three-day visit to Sihanoukville, Cambodia, strengthening naval ties.
• Discussions covered interoperability, joint exercises, and regional security with the Royal Cambodian Navy.
• A Small Arms Simulator was gifted, and cultural exchanges enhanced people-to-people ties.

Microsoft Unveils "Majorana 1" Chip, Advancing Quantum Computing.

• The Majorana 1 quantum chip assures that commercial quantum computing is years, not decades away, rivaling Google and IBM.
• Based on Majorana fermions, the chip is less error-prone and uses indium arsenide and aluminum for improved stability, despite having fewer qubits than competitors.
• Microsoft asserts this approach could revolutionize computing by requiring fewer, more stable qubits.