- ISRO SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES ESA’s PROBA – 3 MISSION
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Mission: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)launched the European Space Agency’s (ESA) PROBA-3 mission.
- Launch Vehicle: A Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C59 (PSLV-C59) rocket.
- Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India.
- Launch Date/Time: Successfully launched on Thursday after a one-day delay due to an anomaly detection, at precisely 4:04 PM IST.
- Mission Objective: To demonstrate precise formation flying of two spacecraft, acting as a single giant spacecraft. This will be used to create artificial solar eclipses, allowing for extended observation of the Sun’s corona.
- Spacecraft Separation: The two stacked satellites separated from the upper stage approximately 18 minutes after launch. They will remain attached for initial commissioning.
- Mission Control: Located at the European Space Security and Education Centre in Redu, Belgium. Signal acquisition began almost immediately after separation at the Yatharagga station in Australia.
- Next Steps: If the commissioning phase is successful, the spacecraft will separate early in the next year for individual checkouts. The operational phase, including the first coronal observations, is expected to begin in about four months.
- Significance: This mission represents a significant step forward in space mission technology, potentially changing the nature of future missions through advanced formation flying techniques.
2. A THREE NATION VISIT AS A FORAY INTO SUMMIT DIPLOMACY
SUBJECT: BILATERAL
- PM Modi’s Three-Nation Visit
- Countries Visited: Nigeria, Brazil (for G20 Summit), Guyana.
- Key Takeaways:
- Nigeria: Strengthened bilateral ties, focus on economic cooperation, and combating terrorism.
- Brazil(G20 Summit): Focus on social inclusion, sustainable development, and reforming global governance.
- Launch of Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty.
- Discussions on multilateral development bank reforms.
- Guyana: Emphasis on energy security, development cooperation, and engagement with the Indian diaspora.
- India-CARICOM summit to strengthen regional ties.
- Overall Significance: Enhanced India’s global stature, promoted South South cooperation, and addressed global issues. Demonstrated India’s multi-pronged diplomatic approach.
3. CONTAMINATED PIPED WATER LEADS TO THREE DEATHS IN T.N
SUBJECT: HEALTH
- Contaminated Water Tragedy in Tamil Nadu
- Incident: Three deaths and multiple hospitalizations due to suspected contaminated piped water in Pallavaram, Chennai.
- Government Response: Initial denial, followed by post-mortem reports indicating food poisoning (possibly waterborne). Health camps established, medicines distributed. Private water tanker seized.
- Investigation: Water samples sent to Kings Institute for testing. Results expected in three days.
- Concerns: Municipal water safety and quality.
- Responsiveness of authorities.
- Need for robust public health infrastructure and monitoring.
- Importance of accountability for water providers
4. FROM NEGATIVES TO THEATRES : KOLKATA FILM FESTIVAL TO SCREEN RESTORED INDIAN CLASSICS
SUBJECT: ART AND CULTURE
- Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF)
- Event:30th edition of KIFF to showcase digitally restored Indian classic films.
- Focus: Preserving film heritage and introducing classic cinema to younger generations.
- Films: Restored versions of films by Shyam Benegal, Govindan Aravindan, Girish Kasaravalli, Aribam Syam Sharma, Nirad N. Mohapatra, and Barin Saha. Languages include Malayalam, Hindi, Odia, and Manipuri.
- Restoration Partners: Film Heritage Foundation, World Cinema Project, NFDC, and NFAI.
- Significance: Growing trend of film restoration in international film festivals.
- Importance of cultural preservation through film.
- Collaboration between organizations for restoration efforts
5. STATE AND THE CHALLENGE BEFORE THE FINANCE COMMISSION
SUBJECT: POLITY
- 16th Finance Commission and States’ Concerns
- Context: Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin’s address to the 16th Finance Commission, highlighting key challenges and recommendations.
- Key Concerns: Vertical Devolution:Inadequate devolution of central taxes to states due to increased use of cesses and surcharges. Demand for 50% share of gross central taxes.
- Horizontal Devolution: Need for a balanced approach to resource distribution that incentivizes growth in high-performing states while supporting less-developed states.
- Challenges for Progressive States: Addressing demographic shifts (aging population) and rapid urbanization in states like Tamil Nadu. Preventing the “middle-income trap.”
- Recommendations: Increased fiscal autonomy for states.
- Progressive resource allocation methodology.
- Earmarked resources for urbanization infrastructure.
- Broader Mandate: Finance Commission’s role extends beyond fiscal arithmetic to shaping long-term economic and social development.
