Why is it in the News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the second rocket launchport of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at Kulasekarapattinam on February 28.

Why does India need a new launchport?

• With the Union government’s recent policy announcing the opening of the space sector to private players, a sharp rise in the number of commercial launches is certain.
• To ensure that ISRO’s first launchport, the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota, is not overburdened with a high number of launches, the space agency has decided to build another facility.
• While SHAR will be only used for launching bigger and heavy-lift-off missions, the Kulasekarapattinam launchport will be used to launch smaller payloads.
• SHAR will also be available for India’s big ticket missions to the Moon, Venus, and much touted human-flight mission, the Gaganyaan.
• Private players could develop space-qualified sub-systems, build satellites, and even launch vehicles using the new launchport.
• It will also facilitate dedicated launch infrastructure for all the on-demand commercial launches.

Why is the new ISRO launchport located in Tamil Nadu?

• Geographically, scientifically, and strategically, the Kulasekarapattinam launchport provides a natural advantage to ISRO’s future launches pertaining to the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
• Allowing a direct southward and smaller launch trajectory for the light weight SSLVs carrying less fuel, the Kulasekarapattinam facility will boost ISRO’s attempts to enhance payload capacities.
• Currently, the trajectory followed by all launches from SHAR are longer as they follow a path which requires the vehicle to skirt eastwards around Sri Lanka before taking the actual southward flight.
• This consumes additional fuel. However, the same would not be required for future launches from Kulasekarapattinam, which is geographically located several kilometers to the west of Colombo, thereby allowing a straight southward flight and simultaneously saving the already limited fuel available onboard SSLV.
• Notably, both the launch ports are located in Southern India, near the equator.
  • For a launch site close to equator the magnitude of the velocity imparted due to Earth’s rotation is about 450 m/s, which can lead to substantial increase in the payload for a given launch vehicle.
  • Geostationary satellites must necessarily be in the equatorial plane.
  • So, for such satellites, the closer the launch site is to the equator the better it is.

What are SSLVs?

• SSLV is the new small satellite launch vehicle developed by ISRO to cater for the launch of small satellites.
  • It has a three-stage launch vehicle, having a lift-off weight of about 120 tonnes and is 34 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter.
  • SSLV is designed with a three-stage solid propulsion and a liquid propulsion stage, which is the terminal stage.
• The SSLV missions are useful to launch small-sized satellites weighing anywhere between 10 to 500kg into the Low Earth Orbit.
  • Going by their size and weight, these are typically referred to as mini, micro or nano satellites.
  • They are low on cost and intended satellite insertion into orbits takes a shorter flight time.
• SSLV are best suited for commercial and on-demand launches.
• Previously, satellite projects built by college students and private players involved in the space sector have benefitted from SSLV missions.

What are the features of SHAR?

• SHAR is situated along the east coast of Andhra Pradesh and is located 80 km off Chennai.
  • It currently provides launch infrastructure to all ISRO missions.
  • It is equipped with a solid propellant processing setup, static testing, and launch vehicle integration facilities, telemetry services — tracking and command network to oversee the launch — and a mission control center.
• SHAR has two launch complexes that are routinely used to launch the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the Geosynchronous Space Launch Vehicles (GSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk-III, now renamed as LVM3.

Why is it in the News?

Recently, a company founded by former members of Google DeepMind, TikTok, and top labs from research academia — introduced an eponymous new text-to-video model Haiper.

What is Haiper?

• Haiper is an all-in-one visual foundation model that allows everyone, with or without technical training, to generate high-quality video content with ease.
• The founders claim that Haiper brings forward cutting-edge machine learning with the belief that creativity should be “fun, surprising, and shareable”.
• The company has built Haiper as a powerful, industry-agnostic creativity tool.
• It was released by Google DeepMind and Tiktok alumni.

What does Haiper do?

• Haiper offers tools such as text-to-video, animated static images, video repainting tools, etc.
• Users can go on to the website, log in with their email addresses, and start generating videos for free by typing in text prompts.
• At present, users can only generate HD video spanning 2 seconds, and a slightly lower-quality video could go up to four seconds.

Strengths and limitations:

• While the short length is a limitation, the company is working towards extending the video outputs.
• Presently,  the tool is free to use, with an aim to build a community.
• While OpenAI’s Sora is still not available for the public, Haiper is offering users to try its tool for free on its website.

Why is it in the News?

Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi’s recent remarks about the 19th-century social reformer Ayya Vaikundar — that he was Lord Vishnu incarnated to prevent the destruction of Sanatan Dharma — have evoked sharp reactions in the state, from politicians as well as Vaikundar’s followers.

Who was Ayya Vaikundar?

• Ayya Vaikundar, born in 1809, is revered as a social reformer and the founder of the Ayyavazhi sect, primarily in southern Tamil Nadu.
• His teachings focused on equality, fraternity, and the eradication of caste-based discrimination, challenging the established religious and social hierarchies of the time.
• At a time when rigid casteism and caste-based atrocities were the norm, Vaikundar introduced measures to challenge these divisions.
• He organized Samapanthi-bhojana or community eateries for people from all backgrounds.
• He would send his disciples to the homes of lower castes to eat with them.
• When lower castes were not allowed to fetch water from wells used by upper caste Hindus, Vaikundar initiated the digging of common wells, called Muthirikinarus.
  • At a time when priests threw vibhuti and sandal paste at devotees from a distance to avoid touching them and lower castes were not allowed to enter temples at all, Vaikundar introduced Thottu Namam, in which he inspired priests to apply the sacred paste on devotees’ forehead, irrespective of their caste.
• The paste would be applied in the form of a lamp, indicating the soul and God, representing the form of God inside every life.
• Vaikundar also encouraged all devotees to wear turbans and dhotis, promoting equality.
• He initiated the Thuvayal Panthy programme, teaching vegetarianism and discipline to followers, who spread these teachings across Tamil Nadu.
• He established Nizhal Thangals as community worship spaces, which did not have any idol or deity, and only Tamil was used for worship.
  • These community worship centers also had community kitchens and even basic schools.
• He pioneered education for the lower castes and opposed discriminatory taxes.
• One of his significant interventions was the introduction of simplified, inclusive marriage customs without a Brahmin priest or Sanskrit mantras.

Why is it in the News?

The Supreme Court on Wednesday condemned the illegal felling of over 6,000 trees to construct buildings, ostensibly for “eco-tourism” at the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, as a “classic case” of nexus between politicians and officials working to ransack the environment for short-term commercial ends.

News Summary:

• In 2023, a series of applications brought attention to the creation of alleged illegal buildings and encroachment on water bodies, prompting court intervention.
• Petitioners highlighted violations of environmental norms and encroachment into core wildlife habitats.
• Evidence presented during proceedings revealed unauthorized constructions within the national park, including concrete and iron enclosures purportedly intended for a 'safari' experience.
• Moreover, it was disclosed that over 6,000 trees had been felled in the national park under the pretext of safari development.

Supreme Court’s Observations:

• The Court has raised concerns regarding the necessity of developing facilities within natural forest environments, particularly in areas designated for the protection of endangered species like tigers.
• Directing the Government to establish a committee, the Supreme Court seeks recommendations on whether tiger safaris should be permitted in buffer or fringe areas and what guidelines should govern their establishment if allowed.
• Additionally, the Court has strongly criticized the illegal constructions and extensive tree felling in Uttarakhand's Corbett National Park.

What are the Core and Buffer Areas in Tiger Reserves?

• As per the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act of 2006, a Tiger Reserve comprises core or critical habitat and a buffer zone surrounding it.
• Core areas hold the legal status of a National Park or a Sanctuary.
• Buffer zones consist of a mix of forest and non-forest land, managed as a multiple-use area.
• The buffer area acts as a protective barrier, absorbing the impact of poaching pressure on tiger and other wildlife populations.

About Jim Corbett National Park:

• Location: Situated in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, Jim Corbett National Park is renowned for its rich biodiversity.

Key Facts:

• Established in 1935, it is India’s oldest national park.
• Initially named Hailey National Park after its founder Sir Malcolm Hailey, it was renamed Corbett National Park in 1956 to honor Jim Corbett's contributions to wildlife preservation in India.
• Corbett National Park boasts the highest population of tigers in India, highlighting its importance for tiger conservation efforts.
• Flora: Dominated by Sal, Semal, Kharpat, Sissoo, Khair, Dhak, Khingan, Bakli, Bel, Ber, Bamboo, Khingam, Jamun, Kanju, Rohini, and Pula trees.
  • Sal, Khair, and Sissoo are prominently featured throughout the park.
• Fauna: Home to diverse wildlife including Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Chital Deer, Sambar Deer, Hogg Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Langur, Wild pig, Rhesus Monkey, Jackal, Rabbit, Yellow Throated Martin, and Otters.
  • Various reptiles such as Crocodile, Gharial, King Cobra, Common Krait, Cobra, Russell's Viper, Rock Python, and Monitor Lizard inhabit the park.
• The Kosi River feeds the eastern periphery of Corbett National Park.
• The Ramganga River (West) and its tributaries Sonanadi, Palain, and Mandal serve as significant hydrological resources for the park.

Why is it in the News?

The Union IT, Communications, and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Thursday stressed on the need to further simplify economic laws in a modern and relevant way at the launch of NITI Aayog’s ‘NITI for States’ platform.

About “NITI For States” Platform:

• It serves as a cross-sectoral knowledge hub envisioned to be a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Policy and Good Governance.

Key features include:

•  A comprehensive repository comprising Best Practices, Policy documents, datasets, data profiles, and NITI publications across various sectors.
•  Knowledge products spanning 10 sectors and two cross-cutting themes (Gender and Climate Change), such as Agriculture, Education, Energy, Health, Manufacturing, MSME, Tourism, Urban, and Water resources & WASH.
• An intuitive and user-friendly interface accessible via multiple devices, including mobile phones.
• The platform aims to catalyze digital governance transformation by providing government officials with contextualized, actionable knowledge and insights, thereby enhancing decision-making quality.
• It supports district collectors and block-level functionaries by granting access to innovative best practices from various States and Union Territories.

What is the Viksit Bharat Strategy Room?

• It serves as an interactive platform enabling users to visualize data, trends, best practices, and policies in an immersive manner, facilitating a comprehensive assessment of any problem statement.
• The platform features voice-enabled AI for user interaction and facilitates connectivity with multiple stakeholders through video conferencing.
• Designed as a plug-and-play model, it enables replication by states, districts, and blocks for widespread adoption.
• Collaboration with various government organizations by NITI Aayog includes:
  •  iGOT Karmayogi's "SAMARTH" online training modules accessible through the platform.
  • Integration of NITI Aayog’s National Data and Analytics Platform (NDAP) to provide access to government datasets.
  • Support from the National E-Governance Division (NeGD) in developing the innovative Viksit Bharat Strategy Room.
  • Multi-lingual support provided by Bhashini.
  • Integration of PM Gatishakti BISAG-N team, with DPIIT support, to offer geospatial tools for Area Based Planning.