Current Affairs

FIRST FINDINGS FROM CHANDRAYAAN-3

Why in the News?

The first scientific results from Chandrayaan-3, published in Nature, confirm the hypothesis that the Moon was once covered by a molten magma ocean. These findings come from 23 chemical measurements of lunar soil conducted by the Pragyan rover during its two-week mission near the lunar south pole in August-September 2023, providing new insights into the Moon's early formation.

Key Findings

• The first analysis of the Moon’s southern topsoil supports the hypothesis that its surface was once covered by a molten sea.
• Data from the Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) provides new insights into the Moon’s elemental composition and evolution.
• The topsoil near the lunar south pole contains more minerals from the Moon’s lower crust than previously anticipated.

Magma Ocean It is a vast, molten layer of rock that covered the entire surface of the Moon after its formation. Over time, this molten rock cooled and solidified, forming distinct layers within the Moon. The lighter minerals floated to the surface, creating the Moon's crust, while heavier minerals sank to form the mantle.

Chandrayaan-3

• It is an Indian lunar exploration mission developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• It is India's third lunar mission and second attempt at achieving a soft landing on the moon's surface.
• Objective: To demonstrate a safe and soft landing on the lunar surface, showcase the rover's capability to traverse the Moon, and conduct in-situ scientific experiments.
• It was launched on 14th July 2023, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
• It successfully touched down on the Moon's surface on August 23, 2023.
• It is a three-component mission consisting of a Propulsion Module, a Lander Module (Vikram), and a Rover Module (Pragyan).

Chandrayaan-3

TEESTA-V POWER STATION DAMAGED BY LANDSLIDE

Why in the News?

A severe landslide damaged National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) 510MW Teesta-V Power Station in Sikkim, impacting the Tail Race Tunnel gate hoist and Gas Insulated Switchgear buildings. The station, non-operational since October 2023, is undergoing restoration following a flash flood caused by a glacial lake outburst and cloudburst in the Teesta River basin, which also affected Sikkim Urja Ltd.'s Teesta Stage 3 dam and North Sikkim’s Mangan district.

Teesta River

• It is a significant river in the eastern Himalayas.
• Origin: It originates from the glaciers of the Himalayas in Sikkim.
• Course: It flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh, where it merges with the Brahmaputra River.
• Length: Approximately 309 kilometers (192 miles) in India and continues into Bangladesh.
• Hydropower Projects
  • Ramman II (West Bengal)
  • Ranjit III (West Sikkim)
  • Teesta Low Dam III (West Bengal)
  • Teesta Low Dam IV (West Bengal)
  • Teesta Stage V (East Sikkim)

National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC)

• Establishment: 1975
• Headquarter: Faridabad, Haryana
• Ownership: Ministry of Power
• Chairman: Raj Kumar Chaudhary
• It is a major Indian public sector enterprise.
• It is the largest hydropower development organization in India.
• Focus: It specializes in the development, operation, and maintenance of hydroelectric power projects, including run-of-river and storage projects.

Sikkim Location: Eastern Himalayas Location: Sikkim is bordered by Nepal to the west, China (Tibet) to the north and east, and Bhutan to the southeast. Capital: Gangtok Former Kingdom: Sikkim was an independent kingdom before becoming a state of India in 1975 following a referendum. It became the 22nd state of India on May 16, 1975. Chief Minister: Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) Governor: Om Prakash Mathur Official Language: English Ethnic Groups: Lepchas, Bhutias, and Nepalis Peak: Khangchendzonga (Kanchenjunga), the third highest peak in the world. Flora: Rich in diverse flora including orchids, rhododendrons, and alpine plants. Fauna: Home to species like the red panda, snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, and various bird species. Location of Sikkim

PM VISIT TO POLAND

Why in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk in Warsaw on Thursday, where both sides agreed to elevate their relations to a 'Strategic Partnership'. The two countries also formulated a five-year action plan to guide bilateral cooperation from 2024 to 2028 on the 70th anniversary of India-Poland diplomatic relations.

India-Poland Action Plan

• The two sides agreed to formulate and execute a five-year Action Plan that will guide bilateral collaboration in the years 2024-2028.
• Priorities
  • Political Dialogue and Security Cooperation
  • Trade and Investment
  • Climate, Energy, Mining, Science, and Technology
  • Transport and Connectivity
  • Terrorism
  • Cyber Security
  • Health
  • People-to-People Ties and Cultural Cooperation
  • India-EU Cooperation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Polish PM Donald Tusk

Poland Location: Central Europe Borders: Germany to the west, the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south, Ukraine and Belarus to the east, and the Baltic Sea to the north. Independence: 11 November 1918 Capital: Warsaw Government Type: Parliamentary Republic President: Andrzej Duda Prime Minister: Donald Tusk European Union: Member since 2004. NATO: Member since 1999 Currency: Polish Zloty Official Language: Polish Location of Poland

NATIONAL SPACE DAY

• The day is being observed for the first time in 2024 on 23^rd August.
• On 23^rd August 2023, Chandrayaan-3 made a successful soft landing of the Vikram Lander on the lunar surface.
• This day highlights India’s achievement as the first country to land near the southern polar region and became the fourth to successfully land on the moon,
• Theme: “Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India's Space Saga.”

EUROPEAN DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR VICTIMS OF STALINISM AND NAZISM/BLACK RIBBON DAY

• It is annually observed on 23^rd August.
• The day coincide with the anniversary of the signing of the infamous pact between the Nazi and Soviet Communist regime.
• This day serves as an opportunity to honor those who suffered and their families and to promote human rights in British Columbia.
• It is an International Day of Remembrance for victims of totalitarianism regimes, specifically Stalinist, communist, Nazi and fascist regimes.
• Stalinism: A political and economic system implemented by Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union between 1934-53, incorporated a command economy, propaganda, and secret police for social control.
• Nazism: It was a totalitarian movement that glorified German racial superiority and rejected democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE SLAVE TRADE AND ITS ABOLITION

• It is annually observed on 23^rd August.
• The 1791 Santo Domingo rebellion sparked the end of the transatlantic slave trade, followed by global observance, particularly in Senegal's Goree and Haiti.
• This day marks to honor the victims of the slave trade, remembering those dehumanized by racism and slavery. It advocates for the fight against modern slavery.

Slavery in India Slavery existed in various forms, including bonded labor and servitude, during ancient and medieval times. During British rule, the nature of slavery changed, with a focus on indentured labor, which was often exploitative and akin to slavery. Slavery was formally abolished in India in 1843 through the Indian Slavery Act of 1843. This act was aimed at ending slavery and the practice of buying and selling individuals. Constitutional Provisions: Article 23 of the Indian Constitution specifically prohibits human trafficking and forced labor. It states: “(1) Traffic in human beings and beggar and other similar forms of forced labor are prohibited and any contravention of this provision shall be an offense punishable in accordance with law.” Recent Initiatives: India has enacted various laws and initiatives to address human trafficking and forced labor, such as the Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, 1976 and the Prevention of Human Trafficking (Trafficking of Persons) Bill.