Morning Digest | Digital tools set to save Kashmiri script from disuse; DGCA directs airlines to inspect emergency exits in Boeing 737 8 Max planes, and more

Reviving the fading Kashmiri script through digital intervention
Microsoft and Google will breathe new life into the Kashmiri language after centuries of its survival through oral traditions only. By 2013, a mere 5% could write in the script which is accessible to a limited demographic despite its rich literature.

Congress ups its game for Lok Sabha elections with fresh war room and publicity committee
To better prepare for the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Congress formed a publicity committee, led by Ajay Maken, the party's treasurer and introduced a five-member "central war room" on January 6. The average age of the central war room members, at 39 years, suggests a generational transition encroaching the party’s decision-making process.

DGCA orders airlines to survey Boeing 737 8 Max emergency exits
Following a mid-flight incident involving a Boeing 737 8 Max aircraft of Alaska Airlines in the U.S., the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered all Indian airlines to review the emergency exit facilities of these aircraft. In the incident, the aircraft lost a part of its cabin panel, leading to an emergency landing.

Health Ministry amends Pharma manufacturing norms under Schedule M to preserve quality control
As part of its attempt to enforce rigorous quality control for pharmaceutical products, the Union Health Ministry announced a revision in the regulations under Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 on January 6. Revised Schedule M aims to ensure adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices and outlines the necessary infrastructure for pharmaceutical products.

Court permits AAP’s Sanjay Singh to personally submit nominations
On January 6, a Delhi court allowed Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who has been in jail in relation to the now-abolished Delhi excise policy since October last year, to file his nomination for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections.

Child abuse in tribal Odisha’s boarding schools discourages vernacular scholars
A large number of girls in Odisha’s tribal residential schools returning after an extensive winter break are expected to undergo undisclosed medical checks which assess not only their health but also have veiled screenings, revealing a customary but unwritten code. Despite evidence that the majority of sexual abuse incidents occur during school terms, an advisory by a government-run research institute in 2018 suggested obligatory health checks with pregnancy tests for girls after holidays.

Law Commission considering different options for implementing simultaneous three-tier elections
The Law Commission is assessing the feasibility of conducting three-tier elections in tandem in two phases in a single year suggests one of the options which may be considered for executing the corresponding voting.

SC addresses digital error to revive Bihar man’s police aspirations
The Supreme Court invoked its extraordinary constitutional power to restore a young man's aspiration to join the Bihar police force by highlighting the widespread digital gap in India. Vashist Narayan Kumar, the young man, had overlooked a typing error in his birth date made by an internet café worker while filing his application online.

Russia counters four Ukrainian missile attacks over Crimea
Russia reported on Saturday that it intercepted four Ukrainian missiles launched over Crimea, the Russian-annexed territory. This retaliation follows Russia's claim of shooting down 36 Ukrainian drones over the peninsula a day before.

World Cup-winning Brazilian player and coach, Mario Zagallo dies at 92
Mario Zagallo, who clinched four World Cup victories as a player, coach, and assistant coach for Brazil, has passed away at the age of 92. He remains the sole individual with four World Cup titles and was the final surviving member of Brazil’s premier team that won its inaugural title in 1958.