Junior Digest

New Delhi, Oct 26,2024: After about a four-and-a-half-year military standoff in eastern Ladakh, the Indian and Chinese troops have started the disengagement process from Depsang and Demchok.

According to army sources, this process is likely to be completed by the end of this month.

The process of disengagement began after the agreement between India and China on the arrangement of patrolling of troops in the areas along the Line of Actual Control.

Sources also added that as a part of this process, both armies have also removed some temporary tents and structures.

It may be mentioned that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri earlier this week had said that an agreement has been reached on the patrolling arrangement between the two countries, paving the way for the withdrawal of troops of both countries and restoration of the situation of April 2020.

In this sequence, a bilateral meeting was held between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia.

Both leaders welcomed the consensus reached to resolve the standoff and restore normalcy along the Line of Actual Control.

With India and China arriving at an agreement to end the border standoff, sources in the Defence Ministry said the disengagement process along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh will be completed by October 29 and patrolling will begin by the end of this month.

On Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India and China have been involved in talks both at diplomatic and military levels to resolve their differences in certain areas along the LAC. Pursuant to the talks, broad consensus has been achieved to restore ground situation based on the principles of equal and mutual security.

“The consensus achieved includes patrolling and grazing in traditional areas. This is the power of engaging in continuous dialogue because sooner or later, solutions will emerge,” he said.

In May 2020, an attempt was made by China to unilaterally change the status quo on the border. The Indian Army strongly opposed this attempt and foiled it, leading to a military standoff in the area.

Oct 15,2024: The Nobel memorial prize in economics has been awarded to Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson for research into differences in prosperity between nations.

The three economists “have demonstrated the importance of societal institutions for a country’s prosperity,” the Nobel committee of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said.

Review of Power and Progress: Unequal world

“Societies with a poor rule of law and institutions that exploit the population do not generate growth or change for the better. The laureates’ research helps us understand why,” it added.

The announcement was made Monday in Stockholm.

Acemoglu and Johnson work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Robinson conducts his research at the University of Chicago.

The economics prize is formally known as the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. The central bank established it in 1968 as a memorial to Nobel, the 19th-century Swedish businessman and chemist who invented dynamite and established the five Nobel Prizes.

Though Nobel purists stress that the economics prize is technically not a Nobel Prize, it is always presented together with the others on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death in 1896.

The economics prize wraps up this year’s Nobel season, which honoured achievements in artificial intelligence for the physics and chemistry prizes, while the Peace Prize went to Japanese group Nihon Hidankyo, committed to fighting nuclear weapons.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in physics went to John Hopfield and Geoffrey Hinton “for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.”

The 2024 Nobel Prize for chemistry was shared by David Baker “for computational protein design” along with Demis Hassabis and John Jumper “for protein structure prediction.”

South Korea’s Han Kan won the literature prize — the only woman laureate so far this year — while the medicine prize lauded discoveries in understanding gene regulation.

The Nobel Prizes consist of a diploma, a gold medal and a one-million-dollar lump sum.

They will be presented at ceremonies in Stockholm and Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of the 1896 death of scientist and prize creator Alfred Nobel.

United Nations, Oct 10 (UNI) More than 370 million girls and women alive today have been subjected to sexual violence before age 18, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday.

“More than 370 million girls and women alive today – or 1 in 8 – experienced rape or sexual assault before the age of 18,” the organisation said in a statement on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl.

If “non-contact” forms of sexual violence, such as online violence or verbal abuse, are included, the number of girls and women affected worldwide will be 650 million, or one in five, the statement read.

The largest number of victims is in sub-Saharan Africa, where 79 million girls and women have been affected, the statement said. It is followed by East and South-East Asia with 75 million victims, Central and South Asia with 73 million, Europe and North America with 68 million, Latin America and the Caribbean with 45 million, North Africa and West Asia with 29 million and Oceania with 6 million.

At the same time, an estimated 240 to 310 million boys and men – or about one in 11 – have been victims of rape or sexual abuse as children, the organisation added. This number rises to 410 to 530 million if “non-contact” forms of abuse are included.

New Delhi, Oct 18,2024: The Supreme Court on Friday said that the Parliament should consider outlawing child betrothals by amending the Prevention of Child Marriage Act (PCMA), 2006.

A bench, comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra, was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action, which sought steps to combat child marriages.

While addressing the issue of child marriages, the bench observed that ‘marriages arranged during a child’s minority violate their free choice, autonomy, agency, and childhood.’

The court emphasized that such practices deprive children of the ability to choose a life partner once they have matured and developed their sense of agency.

The ruling comes with several guidelines aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA).

The court also pointed to international agreements, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which oppose child betrothals.

The judgment suggested that Parliament could consider banning child betrothals, noting that such practices might be used to avoid penalties under the PCMA.

“A betrothed child may be considered a child in need of care and protection under the Juvenile Justice Act, but the practice requires targeted remedies for its eradication,” the bench observed.

In the judgment authored by Chief Justice Chandrachud, the court stressed the importance of spreading awareness within communities, rather than focusing solely on prosecutions.

“We must not be understood as discouraging prosecution; however, the goal should not be to simply increase prosecutions without taking measures to prevent child marriages,” the CJI said.

The bench emphasized the need for a “community-driven approach” to create awareness while being mindful of the potential impact of criminalization on families and communities.

New Delhi, Oct 17,2024: The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court by a 4:1 majority on Thursday upheld the Constitutional validity of Section 6 A of the Citizenship Act of 1955, introduced after the Assam Accord in 1985, which barred Indian citizenship to Bangladeshi immigrants who entered India before March 1971.

Section 6A considered those entering India between 1966-71 as citizens sans voting rights for 10 years.

A five-judge Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justices Surya Kant, MM Sundresh and Manoj Misra upheld the validity of the provision in a 4:1 verdict , with Justice J B Pardiwala dissented.

The bench upheld the constitutional validity of Sec 6A. It said Parliament had legislative competence to enact it.

Justice Pardiwala’s dissenting judgement quashed Section 6A prospectively.

The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955.

The Court had reserved judgment almost 11 months back in December 2023.

As per Section 6A, people who entered India between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971, and have been living in Assam will be allowed to register as citizens of India, subject to the provisions of sub-section (6) and (7), all persons of Indian origin who came before the 1st day of January 1966 to Assam from the specified territory (including such of those whose names were included in the electoral rolls used for the General Election to the House of the People held in 1967) and who have been ordinarily resident in Assam since the dates of their entry into Assam shall be deemed to be citizens of India as from the 1st day of January 1966.

The CJI said, “The Central government could have extended the application of the Act to other areas, but it was not done because it was unique to the magnitude of Assam.”

Reading out the majority judgment, Justice Chandrachud said enactment of Section 6A was a political solution to a unique problem faced by Assam because the huge influx of illegal immigrants to the state after the creation of Bangladesh seriously threatened its culture and demography.

He said that one of the major reasons for students agitation in Assam was the dilution of voting rights of the indigenous population because of the huge influx of illegal migration from Bangladesh and Section 6A attempted to address the precarious situation.

The Bench also upheld the March 24, 1971 cut-off date for entry of Bangladeshi migrants, saying India had taken a sympathetic view given the atrocities on Bangladeshis during Pakistan’s operation Searchlight. After March 1971, the influx of migrants was viewed differently by the goverment, it said.

In a separate opinion, Justice Surya Kant, writing for himself and Justices M M Sundresh and Manoj Misra, agreed with CJI’s opinion. Justice Kant examined Sec 6A threadbare and said the government was competent to take measures to preserve law and order as well as the interest of citizens.

Rejecting arguments that Section 6A can’t be enacted only for Assam and not applied to West Bengal, Meghalaya and Mizoram which too faced an influx of Bangladeshi migrants, Justice Kant said the problem of Assam was more severe and hence the government could act to address the situation there.

Justice Kant, referring to Sarbananda Sonowal’s judgments for the detection of Bangladeshi illegal migrants, said the state has the power to identify and deport illegal migrants through not only the Foreigners Act but also under other similar laws for the purpose.

The Bench asked the Centre and state government to effectively implement directions in Sarbananda Sonowal judgments for the identification, detection and deportation of Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Justice Kant said the Supreme Court will from now onwards monitor this identification and deportation process.

The majority judgment by Justice Kant declared that those who have entered Assam from Bangladesh on or after March 25, 1971, are all illegal immigrants, who must be identified, detected and deported.

Berlin, Oct 19,2024: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reaffirmed his unwavering support for Ukraine during a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden in Berlin, but Scholz stressed that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) must not become a party to the war.

“We stand with Ukraine, as long as it is needed,” Scholz said, adding that actions have been very closely coordinated across the Atlantic.

Scholz stressed that NATO must not become a party to the war to prevent it from causing a greater disaster.

Biden noted that the two sides would hold talks to discuss ongoing efforts to surge support to Ukraine’s military, shore up Ukraine’s civilian energy infrastructure, and help Ukraine recover by unlocking the value of frozen Russian assets.

Biden arrived in Berlin on Thursday night for the final time before leaving office.

New Delhi, October 10,2024: The University Grants Commission (UGC) is set to launch the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP), to enhance the employability of students pursuing undergraduate level-degree programs by providing practical industry experience.
The UGC has prepared a draft guideline for the programme.
The guidelines, which were reviewed during the UGC’s meeting on October 3 will soon be available on the UGC website for public consultation and feedback from stakeholders.
The AEDP is designed to enhance the employability of undergraduate students by incorporating apprenticeship training into their degree programmes, as per the draft guidelines.
Prof M Jagadesh Kumar, UGC Chairman, emphasized the value of these guidelines, stating, “Students will gain experiential learning alongside theoretical knowledge, equipping them with the competencies employers seek. We urge all eligible higher education institutions to take advantage of these guidelines and offer AEDP programmes starting from the January-February 2025 academic session.”

The draft guidelines mention that the programme is applicable to undergraduate courses offered by UGC-recognized higher educational institutions (HEIs) with specific accreditation or ranking criteria.
AEDPs aim to integrate classroom learning with structured on-the-job training (OJT), providing students with industry-relevant skills. The guidelines focus on achieving specific learning outcomes, ensuring students develop the attributes required in the workforce. A stronger partnership between HEIs and industries is encouraged to align curricula with industry needs.
As per the draft guidelines, apprenticeships can begin from the second semester, accounting for up to 50 per cent of the degree duration. A minimum of one semester of continuous apprenticeship is required. Credits are awarded based on the number of hours spent in training, with a system aligned to the National Credit Framework. A full year of apprenticeship equates to at least 40 credits.
A comprehensive evaluation process will involve industry professionals, faculty mentors, and the HEI. Students may receive stipends depending on whether the AEDP is offered through the National Apprenticeship Training Scheme (NATS) or the Apprentices Act, 1961.
HEIs will monitor student progress after completing the AEDP to assess the programme’s effectiveness, according to the draft guidelines. A unique aspect of the guidelines is the tripartite agreement between the HEI, industry, and student, ensuring clear roles and responsibilities. The UGC is also emphasizing the importance of tracking students post-training to measure success and identify areas for improvement.
The draft guidelines will be open for comments, suggestions, and recommendations from all stakeholders, including students, HEIs, and the general public, before final implementation.

Oct 10,2024: David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John M. Jumper won the prize.They cracked the code for proteins’ amazing structures.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2024 is about pro­teins, life’s ingenious chemical tools. David Baker has succeeded with the almost impossible feat of building entirely new kinds of proteins. Demis Hassabis and John Jumper have developed an AI model to solve a 50-year-old problem: predicting proteins’ complex structures. These discoveries hold enormous potential.

The diversity of life testifies to proteins’ amazing capacity as chemical tools. They control and drive all the chemi­cal reactions that together are the basis of life. Proteins also function as hormones, signal substances, antibodies and the building blocks of different tissues.

“One of the discoveries being recognised this year concerns the construction of spectacular proteins. The other is about fulfilling a 50-year-old dream: predicting protein structures from their amino acid sequences. Both of these discoveries open up vast possibilities,” says Heiner Linke, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.

Proteins generally consist of 20 different amino acids, which can be described as life’s building blocks. In 2003, David Baker succeeded in using these blocks to design a new protein that was unlike any other protein. Since then, his research group has produced one imaginative protein creation after another, including proteins that can be used as pharmaceuticals, vaccines, nanomaterials and tiny sensors.

The second discovery concerns the prediction of protein structures. In proteins, amino acids are linked together in long strings that fold up to make a three-dimensional structure, which is decisive for the protein’s function. Since the 1970s, researchers had tried to predict protein structures from amino acid sequences, but this was notoriously difficult. However, four years ago, there was a stunning breakthrough.

In 2020, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper presented an AI model called AlphaFold2. With its help, they have been able to predict the structure of virtually all the 200 million proteins that researchers have identified. Since their breakthrough, AlphaFold2 has been used by more than two million people from 190 countries. Among a myriad of scientific applications, researchers can now better understand antibiotic resistance and create images of enzymes that can decompose plastic.

Life could not exist without proteins. That we can now predict protein structures and design our own proteins confers the greatest benefit to humankind.

David Baker, born 1962 in Seattle, WA, USA. PhD 1989 from University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. Professor at University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA and Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA.

Demis Hassabis, born 1976 in London, UK. PhD 2009 from University College London, UK. CEO of Google DeepMind, London, UK.

John M. Jumper, born 1985 in Little Rock, AR, USA. PhD 2017 from Uni­versity of Chicago, IL, USA. Senior Research Scientist at Google DeepMind, London, UK.

Oct 12,2024: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 to the Japanese organisation Nihon Hidankyo. This grassroots movement of atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, also known as Hibakusha, is receiving the Peace Prize for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again.

In response to the atomic bomb attacks of August 1945, a global movement arose whose members have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of using nuclear weapons. Gradually, a powerful international norm developed, stigmatising the use of nuclear weapons as morally unacceptable. This norm has become known as “the nuclear taboo”.

The testimony of the Hibakusha – the survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – is unique in this larger context.

These historical witnesses have helped to generate and consolidate widespread opposition to nuclear weapons around the world by drawing on personal stories, creating educational campaigns based on their own experience, and issuing urgent warnings against the spread and use of nuclear weapons. The Hibakusha help us to describe the indescribable, to think the unthinkable, and to somehow grasp the incomprehensible pain and suffering caused by nuclear weapons.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes nevertheless to acknowledge one encouraging fact: No nuclear weapon has been used in war in nearly 80 years. The extraordinary efforts of Nihon Hidankyo and other representatives of the Hibakusha have contributed greatly to the establishment of the nuclear taboo. It is therefore alarming that today this taboo against the use of nuclear weapons is under pressure.

The nuclear powers are modernising and upgrading their arsenals; new countries appear to be preparing to acquire nuclear weapons; and threats are being made to use nuclear weapons in ongoing warfare. At this moment in human history, it is worth reminding ourselves what nuclear weapons are: the most destructive weapons the world has ever seen.

Next year will mark 80 years since two American atomic bombs killed an estimated 120 000 inhabitants of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. A comparable number died of burn and radiation injuries in the months and years that followed. Today’s nuclear weapons have far greater destructive power. They can kill millions and would impact the climate catastrophically. A nuclear war could destroy our civilisation.

The fates of those who survived the infernos of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were long concealed and neglected. In 1956, local Hibakusha associations along with victims of nuclear weapons tests in the Pacific formed the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organisations. This name was shortened in Japanese to Nihon Hidankyo. It would become the largest and most influential Hibakusha organisation in Japan.

The core of Alfred Nobel’s vision was the belief that committed individuals can make a difference. In awarding this year’s Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour all survivors who, despite physical suffering and painful memories, have chosen to use their costly experience to cultivate hope and engagement for peace.

Nihon Hidankyo has provided thousands of witness accounts, issued resolutions and public appeals, and sent annual delegations to the United Nations and a variety of peace conferences to remind the world of the pressing need for nuclear disarmament.

One day, the Hibakusha will no longer be among us as witnesses to history. But with a strong culture of remembrance and continued commitment, new generations in Japan are carrying forward the experience and the message of the witnesses. They are inspiring and educating people around the world. In this way they are helping to maintain the nuclear taboo – a precondition of a peaceful future for humanity.

The decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 to Nihon Hidankyo is securely anchored in Alfred Nobel’s will. This year’s prize joins a distinguished list of Peace Prizes that the Committee has previously awarded to champions of nuclear disarmament and arms control.

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 fulfils Alfred Nobel’s desire to recognise efforts of the greatest benefit to humankind.

Oct 10,2024:The Swedish Academy has awarded the 2024 prize to South Korean writer Han Kang “for her intense poetic prose that confronts historical traumas and exposes the fragility of human life”.

In awarding the top prize to a 53-year-old Asian writer at the peak of her writing career, the academy has ensured a wider readership of an “innovator in contemporary prose” who with her experimental style has conjured up universal tales of the human condition. With a radical and poetic imagination, she writes about women battling patriarchy, violence, grief and also about historical wrongs and injustices.

Her literary career began with a book of poems but her breakthrough novel was The Vegetarian, first published in Korean in 2007, and translated into English by Deborah Smith in 2015. It immediately scooped up many honours including the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. The story revolves around a woman and the consequences of her decision to give up eating meat, and was expanded from her short story, ‘The Fruit of My Woman’. As the protagonist Yeong-hye defends her radical stand, and small act of independence, her family reacts in extraordinary, violent ways to make her change her mind. The obsessive tale has been compared to Kafka’s nightmarish stories.

Winning the Booker opened the door for her other books, Human Acts, The White Book and Greek Lessons, to be translated into English. Another, We Do Not Part, the story of two women told in the backdrop of a hidden chapter in Korean history, a massacre that happened in the 1940s, is being translated by e. Yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris, and will be published in early 2025.

In its bio-bibliography, the academy says that in We Do Not Part, Han Kang, with “imagery that is as precise as it is condensed, conveys the power of the past over the present,” and also “traces the friends’ unyielding attempts to bring to light what has fallen into collective oblivion and transform their trauma into a joint art project, which lends the book its title.”

In terms of “imagery of pain”, it is closely linked to her 2017 novel, The White Book, which is an “elegy dedicated to the person who could have been the narrative self’s elder sister, but who passed away only a couple of hours after birth.” The story is narrated “in a sequence of short notes, all concerning white objects; it is through this colour of grief that the work as a whole is associatively constructed.”

Han Kang takes on Korean history in another of her novels, Human Acts (2016). Setting the story around a historical event, a massacre undertaken by the South Korean military in 1980 on protesting students and civilians, she seeks “to give voice to the victims of history,” but in an experimental style that is “as visionary as it is succinct.” Her 2023 novel, Greek Lessons (first published in Korean in 2011) is a story of a relationship between two vulnerable individuals, a young woman who has lost the power of speech and her teacher who is losing his power to see. “From their respective flaws, a brittle love affair develops. The book is a beautiful meditation around loss, intimacy and the ultimate conditions of language,” the academy notes.

In her oeuvre, the academy says Han Kang confronts historical traumas and invisible sets of rules and, in each of her works, exposes the fragility of human life. “She has a unique awareness of the connections between body and soul, the living and the dead, and in her poetic and experimental style has become an innovator in contemporary prose,” it contends. But most of all, through her writing, Han Kang has shown the power of literature to “speak the truth.”

The number of translators working on Korean literature has increased dramatically, Han Kang said, after winning the Booker, “a phenomenon that seems to be also closely related to the global success of Korean cinema and pop music.” Several Korean writers have won accolades from the English-speaking world in the past few years from Kim Hyesoon, Bora Chung, Hwang Sok-yong to Cheon Myeong-kwan. Han Kang’s Nobel win will hopefully draw more readers to the rich legacy of the Asian literary world.

New Delhi, Oct 14,2024: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a plea against the proposed move of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to nominate five members to the legislative Assembly and asked the petitioner to approach the state High Court.

The Bench asked the petitioner, former MLC and senior Congress leader Ravinder Sharma, to first move the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi appeared for petitioner Ravinder Kumar Sharma and pleaded that the electoral verdict can be throttled. “Please let me come back here on delay,” Singhvi said.

A Bench comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice P V Sanjay Kumar said that it will not entertain the matter.

Justice Khanna said, “In many cases, where we have entertained at first instance we see many things get left out.”

The matter pertains to the decision of the Lieutenant Governor to nominate five members to the Assembly just 24 hours before the poll results. The nominated members would be in addition to the 90 elected legislators.

Tehran, Oct 26,2024:A number of strong explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran in the early hours of Saturday, state-run IRIB TV reported.

The situation at Imam Khomeini International Airport and Mehrabad International Airport is normal, the report said.

According to the IRIB TV, the source of the blasts has not yet been identified and seemed to have originated in the suburbs of Tehran.

The TV quoted security sources as saying that some of the explosions pertained to the activities of the air defense systems deployed near the capital. The sources added that investigations have been launched to identify the source of the explosions, according to the report.

The semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that the explosions were heard west of Tehran, yet the situation was normal in the capital.

Israel confirmed that it had launched “precise strikes on military targets in Iran” early Saturday morning local time. The Israel Defense Forces said the strikes were in response to “months of continuous attacks” from Iran.

On Oct. 1, Iran fired approximately 180 missiles at Israeli targets. Tehran said the strikes were retaliation for the assassinations of several leaders of the regional resistance groups, among other things. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran had made a “grave mistake” and vowed retaliation.

Bhubaneswar, Oct 24,2024: The Odisha government has evacuated about 3.62 lakh people from eleven districts likely to be affected by the severe cyclonic storm Dana, which is expected to make landfall tonight or by Friday morning.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who reviewed the government’s preparedness with the collectors of the eleven districts, informed the press that the evacuation process would be completed within the next few hours.

He stated that 38 blocks, 1,653 villages, nine municipalities, and 26 wards across the eleven districts are likely to be affected by the severe cyclonic storm Dana.

The Chief Minister added that approximately 3.62 lakh people residing in low-lying areas of these districts are being evacuated, with 3 lakh people already moved to cyclone shelters by 11 AM. The remaining evacuations are expected to be completed in the coming hours.

He also mentioned that about 2,338 pregnant women from the affected areas have already been shifted to hospitals for their safety.

The districts likely to be impacted by the storm include Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Cuttack, Khurdha, and Jajpur.

A total of 842 permanent cyclone shelters and 6,443 temporary shelters are currently operational in these districts, Majhi added.

The Chief Minister noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is closely monitoring the situation in Odisha and has assured full assistance and cooperation to the state.

Senior and experienced IAS officers have been deputed to oversee the evacuation process at the village and panchayat levels, with nine council ministers also supervising the preparedness measures in the affected districts.

Majhi has directed officials to ensure zero casualties. A total of 19 NDRF teams, 51 ODRAF teams, and 220 Fire Services teams have been deployed in the districts expected to be hit by Cyclone Dana. Additionally, 1,576 platoons of police forces have been mobilized in the affected areas.

Bhubaneswar, Oct 25,2024:Severe cyclonic storm Dana, accompanied by gusty surface winds reaching speeds of up to 110 kmph, made landfall early Friday morning at the Habalikhati Nature Camp in Bhitarkanika in Odisha’s Kendrapara district.

According to IMD sources, the landfall process of Cyclone Dana, which began around midnight on Thursday between Bhitarkanika and Dhamara, triggered heavy rains in Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, and Mayurbhanj. The landfall process completed this morning.

The storm moved north-northwest at a speed of 10 kmph and weakened into a cyclonic storm over north coastal Odisha on Friday. It is currently centered approximately 30 km northeast of Bhadrak and 50 km north-northwest of Dhamara, with sustained wind speeds near the cyclone’s center ranging from 80-90 kmph, gusting up to 100 kmph.

The cyclone is expected to move northwest across northern Odisha and gradually weaken into a deep depression within the next six hours. The system is under continuous surveillance by the Doppler weather radar at Paradip.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the post-landfall situation on Friday at the SRC office with senior officials. He reported a ‘zero casualty’ outcome, attributing this to the timely actions taken by the administration during the cyclone’s landfall. He directed district collectors in affected areas to assess damage from Cyclone Dana.

Majhi praised the timely actions and efforts of the administration in ensuring zero casualties, stating that, with the blessings of Lord Jagannath, the government achieved its target of ‘zero casualties.’

He also instructed the concerned authorities to clear all roads by 1 p.m. and restore power by the evening. The government had deployed 19 NDRF teams, 51 ODRAF teams, and 220 fire services teams in areas anticipated to be affected by the severe cyclonic storm Dana.

Around six lakh people were evacuated from vulnerable areas and sheltered in 8,382 cyclone shelters, where they were provided with dry and cooked food. The highest number of evacuations was in Balasore, with 1.72 lakh people, followed by over one lakh in Mayurbhanj, and under a lakh each in Bhadrak, Kendrapara, and Jajpur districts.

New Delhi, Oct 23,2024: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced that the government will commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with a two-year-long nationwide celebration starting this year.

Announcing the decision in a post on X, Shah said, “Sardar Patel Ji’s enduring legacy as the visionary behind the establishment of one of the world’s most robust democracies and his pivotal role in unifying India from Kashmir to Lakshadweep remains indelible.”

“To honour his monumental contributions, the government of India, under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji, will commemorate his 150th birth anniversary with a two-year-long nationwide celebration from 2024 to 2026. This celebration will serve as a testament to his remarkable achievements and the spirit of unity that he epitomised,” Shah added.

Oct 20,2024: Bold advancements are currently reshaping the path to interplanetary travel, with SpaceX at the forefront of these changes. Recently, they completed their fifth Starship test flight, and it marked quite the leap forward for the company—and for humanity. The highlight? SpaceX successfully used its towering launch structure, affectionately dubbed Mechazilla, to catch the Super Heavy booster as it descended back to the Texas launchpad.

The highly anticipated catch occurred just seven minutes after the launch, which saw the rocket ascend approximately 232 feet before the first-stage booster made its way back to Earth. The achievement sent ripples of excitement across the SpaceX team, with CEO Elon Musk enthusiastically proclaiming on social media, “a large step toward making life multiplanetary was made today.” SpaceX’s Chief Operating Officer, Gwynne Shotwell, echoed those sentiments, expressing her awe with the words, “I didn’t know what to say!”

This mission was no small feat. It involved meeting “thousands of distinct vehicle and pad criteria” to make such a catch possible on the very first attempt. SpaceX reported, “Thanks to the tireless work of SpaceX engineers, we succeeded with the catch on our first attempt.” With this milestone, SpaceX advances toward creating the world’s most powerful launch vehicle, which is foundational to their goals of potential missions to other planets.

Upon separation from the booster, the spacecraft continued on its mission, eventually splashing down safely in the Indian Ocean. The dual successes of the booster recovery and safe water landing highlight the versatility of the Starship system. It also shows how SpaceX intends to establish Jackson’s dream of reusable launch systems.

SpaceX has already mastered the recovery of the first-stage boosters of its Falcon 9 rockets, which have returned successfully to ocean platforms or land. This new technique demonstrates how the ambitious company aims to retrieve sizeable components directly from the launchpad, significantly cutting costs and streamlining launch operations.

Historically, the pursuit of lower costs per kilogram has been pivotal for space travel—something Starship is positioned to tackle. At present, sending one kilogram of material to low Earth orbit can run $1,000 USD. Some estimates suggest Starship could bring those costs down to between $10 and $100 per kilogram. This dramatic reduction could serve as the key to unlocking the future of mass spaceflight, opening pathways for more frequent launches and heavier payloads.

But there’s much more at stake than just financial figures. The ability to send more mass to orbit isn’t just about putting more satellites up there; it’s about enabling broader possibilities for space exploration and habitation. From radiation shielding to closed-loop life support systems, many hurdles related to space colonization fundamentally boil down to mass—and SpaceX is poised to change the game with its innovative designs.

With each successful test flight, the rate at which SpaceX can develop solutions to these challenges could increase exponentially. If they can maintain their current momentum and reduce launch costs significantly, the very fabric of space travel and exploration may shift dramatically, allowing technologies to advance more fluidly.

Looking forward, visionary plans are set to materialize as SpaceX eyes its potential 2026 window for placing unmanned ships on Mars. For Musk, the ultimate dream of sending humans to the red planet is moving closer to reality. The next window to reach Mars occurs every 26 months, and if everything goes according to plan, SpaceX aims to send more unmanned flights to demonstrate their viability before committing to human crews.

The notion of humans reaching Mars within the next decade is more than feasible—it’s now viewed as nearly inevitable by many experts. Although the initial missions will focus on robotics, success could lead to ambitious plans for human exploration shortly after, marking the beginning of what could be humanity’s next bold endeavor.

Such aspirations carry weight within the scientific community. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson applauded SpaceX’s latest progress, remarking on how these advancements prepare both SpaceX and NASA for upcoming lunar missions under the Artemis program. Nelson’s praise hints at the collaborative future of space exploration, wherein various agencies and companies may work hand-in-hand to push our species beyond Earth.

Creating not just technology but potential lifelines for humanity, SpaceX continues to drive the narrative of becoming multi-planetary. The ability to send people to Mars—far beyond simply landing them there—could lead to complete ecosystems being established on the red planet, aiming to support human life and potentially create civilizations anew. Such strides may also reshape the very nature of life on Earth as well.

Imagining the future is often fraught with uncertainty, yet one thing is clear: prospects at the forefront of space exploration are set to explode even farther. New settlements might arise on Mars, along with developments of space habitats surrounding Earth and the Moon. Within these habitats, thousands could travel on regular spacecraft much more affordably than present options allow. Indeed, they could even establish entire industries beyond our planet.

Yet, one must not overlook the broader societal impact of these missions. If the first human expeditors on Mars manage to set up sustainable living conditions, it could attract more adventurous souls willing to take the plunge. By developing infrastructure, these pioneers would help pave the way toward making Mars a second home for people from Earth.

Recent successes on the engineering front have proven transformative for both humanity and science. While challenges remain—from safety protocols to technology advancements—the field has entered uncharted territory thanks to the innovative spirit fueled by companies like SpaceX. The recent testing means dramatic changes are brewing around mankind’s relationship with space.

What’s more, the ripple effects of successful space missions will echo far beyond the quiet confines of our atmosphere. SpaceX intends not only to catch rocket boosters on their launchpad but also to lead the charge for exploration, innovation, and, perhaps, even economic growth beyond Earth’s boundaries.

With so much at stake, one must ask: Are we mere spectators, or bright-eyed participants witnessing the dawn of interstellar civilizations? Whatever the answer may be, the achievements of SpaceX seem poised to not only captivate our imagination but redefine the limitations once deemed insurmountable. Times are changing; let’s see how high humanity can soar.
courtesy: https://evrimagaci.org

New York, Oct 11,2024: Hurricane Milton hit the southeast U.S. state of Florida overnight with strong winds, destructive tornadoes and heavy rain, leaving at least 9 dead and millions of people without power as of Thursday morning.

Milton made its landfall along the west-central coast of Florida on Wednesday night as a Category 3 storm and weakened to a Category 1 as it plowed quickly across central Florida.

St. Lucie County confirmed four fatalities as a result of tornadoes spawned by hurricane.

“Numerous homes and structures across St. Lucie County, including the City of Port St. Lucie and unincorporated areas, suffered significant damage,” said the county in a news release.

“As Hurricane Milton makes its way into the Atlantic, St. Lucie County Emergency Management officials strongly encourage residents to stay off the roads and stay inside until it has been deemed safe to do so,” said the release, adding that unnecessary traffic or bystanders will hinder response and recovery efforts.

Three people were confirmed died in Volusia County, including one person killed after a tree fell, according to NBC News.

In addition, two storm-related fatalities occurred in City of St. Petersburg, the news outlet reported.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on X Thursday morning that over 3 million households are without power.

Milton is the fifth hurricane hitting the Gulf Coast so far in 2024 with three of them striking Florida.

KAZAN, Russia, Oct 23,2024: China’s Xi Jinping, India’s Narendra Modi and some other BRICS leaders discussed the war in Ukraine with President Vladimir Putin as the Kremlin chief chaired a major summit aimed at showing Western attempts to isolate Russia have failed.
BRICS is now a group that accounts for 45% of the world’s population and 35% of the global economy.
But there are divisions and concerns even among members about how such a vast grouping can expand so swiftly while preserving some sense of geopolitical purpose and achieve any real economic results.

Putin, whose administration has dismissed war crimes allegations against him as political, opened the summit on Wednesday by saying that more than 30 states had expressed interest in joining the group but that it was important to strike a balance in any expansion.

“It would be wrong to ignore the unprecedented interest of the countries of the Global South and East in strengthening contacts with BRICS,” Putin told BRICS leaders in Kazan.

Oct 29,2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched health insurance coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 and over, regardless of income, under the flagship initiative Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in honor of Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day. The launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme for senior citizens above 70 years was announced last month.

Rs 5 lakh health insurance under Ayushman Bharat for senior citizens above 70 years: Who is eligible, benefits, how to apply

According to the PIB’s social media account on X, “Prime Minister @narendramodi launches the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to extend healthcare coverage to all citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of socio-economic status. This ensures accessible and affordable care for all senior citizens. With coverage of up to ₹5 lakh annually for free treatment, the scheme sets new standards in healthcare accessibility and inclusivity for our elders.”

According to a post on PMJAY-UP’s (Ayushman Bharat Uttar Pradesh) X page, “The first #AyushmanVayVandanaCard was presented by Honorable PM Shri @narendramodi to beneficiary Panchanan Shukla from #Deoria, #UttarPradesh. All senior citizens aged 70 and above will receive health coverage of 5 lakh.”

AB PM-JAY’s advantages would now be available to all senior citizens who are 70 years of age or older, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Under AB PM-JAY, a new, unique card would be given to the senior citizens who qualify.
Ayushman Bharat: Who are already covered under the scheme

The senior citizens of the age 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY will get an additional top-up cover upto Rs 5 lakh per year for themselves (which they do not have to share with the other members of the family who are below the age of 70 years).
Other health insurance

Senior citizens of the age 70 years and above who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes such as Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PMJAY.
Ayushman Bharat: Who it will benefit

This aims to benefit approximately 4.5 Crore families with six (6) crore senior citizens with 5 Lakh rupees free health insurance cover on a family basis.
Ayushman Bharat card

Ayushman Bharat advantages would be available to all senior citizens who are 70 years of age or older, regardless of their socioeconomic status, as the government has approved health insurance coverage under the flagship initiative Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).

How to apply

Visit PMJAY website, click on AM I eligible tab. Verify your mobile number by entering OTP. Select state and scheme. If you get details of your family and eligibility.
Step 1 : The applicant shall open https://ayushmanup.in/ tab and click on ‘# Register Yourself on SETU
Step 2 : The link will be landing the user on NHA’aSetu porta
Step-3:Applicant will register himself button. Step – 4: Applicant will register himself by filling all the mandatory tabs and then clicking on Submiby filling all the mandatory tabs and then clicking on Submit
Step 4: Upon successful registration,Applicant will now do their KYC and wait for the Approval. Once card is ready/approved by competent authority , Beneficiary can download the card
Step- 5:Click on ‘Download Ayushman Card’
Step 6: Select the state and enter your Aadhar card nter your Aadhar card number and verify with OTP
Step 7: Click on the download button.