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Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Current Affairs- August 27, 2023

 

INDIA

  • 23rd August, day of Chandrayaan-3 landing on Moon to be observed as National Space Day; Landing point will be called ‘Shiv Shakti’, and the point where Chandrayaan-2 left its footprint will be called ‘Tiranga’.
  • India is all set to open a climate change and health hub in New Delhi in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
  • G-20 nations arrive at consensus on issues of cultural heritage.
  • Assam’s Kaziranga National Park to get its first woman Field Director.
  • Indira Gandhi Smartphone Scheme: The State government plans to distribute 40 lakh smartphones to women beneficiaries.
  • The Ministry of Jal Shakti released the report on the sixth census on minor irrigation schemes

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

  • Indian Oil Corporation, L&T and ReNew have set up a joint venture for pursuing green hydrogen projects.
  • PMJDY accounts surpass 50 crore, deposits touch ₹2 lakh crores.
  • The third High Level Dialogue (HLD) between India and European Union (EU) was held in New Delhi.

WORLD

  • NASA and SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft blasted off carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station.
  • Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa was re-elected for a second and final term.
  • Indian Mission at Bahrain Launches New Mobile App to Ease Consular Access.

SPORTS

  • Neeraj Chopra makes history by winning India’s first-ever gold medal at World Athletics Championships.
  • World Athletics: Parul Chaudhary broke National Record in women’s 3000m steeplechase final and India finished fifth in men’s 4x400m relay final.
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Economic & Political Weekly: Table of Contents

 

Vol. 58, Issue No. 34, 26 Aug, 2023

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International Youth Day: Empowering Youth with Green Skills

 The UN celebrates International Youth Day on 12 August, 2023 and the theme for this year is "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World." The youth has an immense role and potential towards transitioning to a greener world through sustainable development. Today the world is advancing towards a green transition. The green transition will result in the creation of 8.4 million jobs for young people by 2030. Young people need to be well-equipped with green skills to navigate this changing environment. Henceforth there is a dire need to educate young people with relevant green skills.

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children (Anonymous)”.

There is no other better quote than this to highlight the need for urgent action toward mitigating climate change and paving the path to a sustainable world. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were framed in 2015 with the aim to make the world better for everyone by 2030 and as of today, it is clearly evident that SDGs are unlikely to be met by 2030 (Bill Gates and Bjorn Lomborg, July 2023). Governments, businesses, media, the education sector, and NGOs should come together strongly to chalk a realistic path for achieving SDGs. Current youth do not have the luxury of ignoring to incorporate sustainability in every aspect of economic and technological development. Against this backdrop, it is important to discuss the ways on empowering youth in achieving SDGs.

The fact that youth plays a significant role in contributing towards achieving SDGs should be recognized and acknowledged by empowering them with green skills to build back better and greener to make the world more sustainable and resilient. Youth should be equipped with the right green skills to convert their education, activism, passion, and creativity to build a greener economy. The first step towards this should be to incorporate the sustainability curriculum in higher education. The current national education policy 2020 (NEP) in India has provided this opportunity at various intensities and levels. There is a lack of clear guidelines and resources to train youth in sustainability in higher education. The curriculum on sustainability should be taught with the highest flexibility providing better opportunities for students to be exposed to hands-on projects, workshops, training, etc. The scheme of evaluation should be open to accepting various forms of knowledge assessment in the area of sustainability rather than restricting to written examinations and assignments. Students should have the flexibility to demonstrate course outcomes through live projects, industry training, internships, field visits, product development, certificate courses, club activities, etc.

There is an urgent need to have skilled human resources in the area of sustainability. Industries, government agencies, businesses, policymakers, and individuals should come together to help youth in their sustainable world movement by empowering them with resources, skills, and opportunities to upskill them in green technologies. Here are the links to some excellent and leading organizations that offer memberships, voluntary activities, career and internship opportunities, free and paid specialized courses, etc., in the area of sustainability and green technology.

Dr. Sumaraj

Source: Telegraph, 12/08/23

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This Quote Means: Einstein said, ‘The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking’

 

Einstein’s perspective says that science is an evolved form of our common thinking. It is systematically developed to grasp the intricacies of reality and acknowledge its own limitations. Quotes of this nature are also important from a UPSC Essay paper perspective.

The success of India’s lunar mission, Chandrayaan-3, has seen the appreciation of ISRO scientists. That India has been able to land a spacecraft on the Moon, becoming only the first country to have done so on its south pole, is a milestone.

As a whole, it is hoped that the idea of promoting scientific research and innovation will get a boost. Moreover, the idea of a scientific temper, also mentioned in the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 51A of the Indian Constitution. This broadly means that in their day-to-day lives, people must develop the ability and instinct to question and reform things.

In this context, we take a look at a quote from Albert Einstein: “The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.” Quotes from notable personalities are also an important part of the UPSC CSE syllabus, particularly from an Essay Paper perspective.

Where is the quote from?

The quote is from a collection of essays, called Out of My Later Years. In an essay titled ‘Physics and Reality’, Einstein explained how physics constitutes a logical system that helps us create theories for understanding the reality around us.

He wrote at the beginning of this essay that it is said that a “man of science is a poor philosopher.” This assertion is not without basis, he wrote, and it can then be argued for a physicist to stick to what he knows and not begin thinking like a philosopher.

However, this assumes that physics has a set of final laws that cannot be further improved upon and that are totally correct and rigid. Einstein argued against this perception of science. A physicist also “…must try to make clear in his own mind just how far the concepts which he uses are justified, and are necessities,” he wrote.

He added, “The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.” This implies that the skill of critical thinking – related to a thorough analysis of an issue – should not be restricted to one’s own field. Just as we observe and form an understanding of the world around us on a daily basis, and that process is not free from errors, similarly, science should also be constantly analysed and questioned.

What does the quote mean?

The quote basically gives the view that science is not the same as finality, and it is merely a process or a framework through which we can understand the world. It has a structure: there is a hypothesis (an argument or idea that may or may not be correct), there are defined processes of experimentation to test it, and finally, a conclusion is drawn.

Such theories are not direct representations of reality, but rather tools for understanding it. Einstein wrote that scientific theories, despite their role as representations of reality, are inherently constrained by the assumptions and simplifications they rely upon – just as our own perceptions are. We might have our own theories on morality, the politics of the day, or how we or others should live their lives. But these are, at the end of the day, only theories.

He underscored that no theory can assert itself as an absolute representation of the entire truth regarding all of the universe, because this understanding is in a constant state of progression and refinement, as science progresses.

The essay invites readers to contemplate the relationship between human thought, scientific models, and the objective world. It ultimately seems to convey that there is no absolute truth because of how humans perceive things and the fact that they can never be sure of their own knowledge.

Einstein discussed how scientific theories are mental constructs that help us make sense of our experiences and observations.

Source: Indian Express, 28/08/23

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Monday, July 31, 2023

Quote of the Day July 31, 2023

 

“He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses much more, He who loses faith, loses all.”
Eleanor
“जो व्यक्ति धन गंवाता है, बहुत कुछ खो बैठता है; जो व्यक्ति मित्र को खो बैठता है, वह उससे भी कहीं अधिक खोता है, लेकिन जो अपने विश्वास को खो बैठता है, वह व्यक्ति अपना सर्वस्व खो देता है।”
एलेयानोर
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What is JUPITER-3?

 SpaceX, led by visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk, is set to make history once again by launching the world’s largest private satellite to space on July 27. The satellite, named JUPITER-3 and developed by Maxar Technologies, is a breakthrough in the field of communications satellites, boasting impressive size and cutting-edge technology.

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy Rocket

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, known for its triple-booster design, will carry the JUPITER-3 satellite into space. This upcoming launch will signify the Falcon Heavy’s seventh mission, gaining widespread attention since its inaugural flight in 2018. The rocket has proven to be a reliable workhorse in the aerospace industry.

Meet JUPITER-3: The Largest Commercial Communications Satellite

JUPITER-3 is not just any ordinary satellite; it is the largest commercial communications satellite ever built. Developed by Maxar Technologies in Palo Alto, California, this satellite represents a major leap in satellite technology.

Impressive Size and Capabilities

Upon complete deployment, the JUPITER-3 satellite’s dimensions will resemble the wingspan of a commercial airliner, ranging from 130 to 160 feet (approximately 40 to 50 meters). Beyond its size, what sets JUPITER-3 apart are its advanced technological features and capabilities.

Enhancing Satellite Fleet Capacity

One of the primary aims of JUPITER-3 is to double the capacity of Maxar Technologies’ satellite fleet with an additional 500 Gbps. This substantial increase in capacity will enable the company to better serve customers, especially in regions where cable and fiber connectivity are unavailable or unreliable, such as in remote areas.

Wide-Ranging Applications

The JUPITER-3 satellite will cater to various communication needs. Its applications include supporting in-flight Wi-Fi, maritime connections, enterprise networks, backhaul for Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), and Community Wi-Fi solutions across North and South America.

Technological Advances and Testing

JUPITER-3 features an updated technological architecture that allows for the miniaturization of electronics. It includes solid-state amplifiers and enhanced antenna efficiency. The satellite underwent rigorous vibration and temperature testing, including Thermal Vacuum Testing, to ensure its resilience in the extreme conditions of space.

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Current Affairs-July 28, 2023

 

INDIA

  • The Supreme Court extended Enforcement Directorate (ED) Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra’s tenure till September 15.
  • Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been asked to take over the probe into the May 4 violence incident in Manipur.
  • Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC) was launched on the sidelines of the 4th G-20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG).
  • Cinematograph Bill aimed at curbing piracy passed by the Rajya Sabha.
  • As many as 120 people died in Kerala from heatwaves till June-end, which is the highest in the country.
  • Delhi saw the highest number of deaths due to rabies in the country in 2022, followed by West Bengal.

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

  • India set to be third-largest economy by FY28: SBI Research.
  • The Government sets up a working group to decriminalise legislations for ease of doing business.
  • Banks recovered bad loans worth Rs 10.16 trillion in 9 years: Finance Ministry.
  • Digital payments rise 13% year on year at March-end 2023, shows RBI data

WORLD

  • Mutinous soldiers claim to have ousted President in Nigeria.
  • China has granted Pakistan a two-year rollover on a USD 2.4-billion loan.
  • U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the era of global warming has ended and “the era of global boiling has arrived”.
  • Singapore executes first woman in nearly 20 years after the 45-year-old was caught with heroin.

SPORTS

  • Lakshya enters semifinals of Japan Open Super 750 badminton tournament.
  • Ireland secures a spot in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
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