In News:

The world's first wooden satellite, LignoSat, is set to launch from the Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX rocket. This pioneering satellite is a collaborative effort between Kyoto University and Sumitomo Forestry Co., marking a significant step towards exploring more sustainable materials in space exploration.

Key Highlights:

• Purpose:The primary goal of LignoSat is to test the viability of using wood in space technology, with a focus on the eco-friendliness and cost-effectiveness of using renewable materials in satellite construction. The satellite will be tested aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to assess its durability, strength, and ability to withstand extreme space conditions.
• Material:The satellite is crafted from magnolia wood, chosen for its durability and adaptability. Magnolia was selected for its strength, making it a suitable candidate to endure the harsh conditions of space travel and the intense environmental factors faced in space exploration.
• Mission Details:Once launched, LignoSat will be sent to the ISS, where it will be released from the Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo). Researchers will collect data on the satellite’s performance, examining its ability to handle the challenges of space, including temperature fluctuations and physical strain.
• Environmental Benefits:One of the key advantages of wooden satellites is their environmental impact. Traditional metal satellites, when re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, can generate metal particles that contribute to air pollution. In contrast, wooden satellites like LignoSat are designed to be eco-friendly during reentry. Wood is a natural material that burns up more cleanly during reentry, reducing the potential for harmful atmospheric pollution.

In News:

• The Tumaini Festival is held annually in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, one of the world’s few music festivals hosted within a refugee camp. It brings together refugees and locals for cultural exchange, showcasing music, art, and crafts.
  • Dates: The festival runs from Thursday to Saturday each year, typically in November.
  • Founded: In 2014 by Congolese poet Menes La Plume.

Festival Highlights:

• The festival features performances from a diverse range of artists, including refugees and local Malawians, as well as artists from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and beyond.
• In 2024, performances included Jetu, a 72-year-old singer, and Vankson Boy V, a Congolese refugee, alongside other acts like Maveriq Mavo from South Africa.
• The festival aims to:
  • Celebrate cultural exchange and community solidarity between refugees and locals.
  • Humanize the refugee experience by allowing refugees and locals to share common experiences and celebrate cultural diversity.
  • Challenge stereotypes by showing refugees as people with the same aspirations, talents, and desires as locals.

Significance of Dzaleka Refugee Camp:

• Location: Situated near Lilongwe, Malawi, Dzaleka was originally a prison before becoming a refugee camp in 1994.
• Capacity: Initially designed for 10,000 refugees, the camp now hosts over 60,000 individuals from countries like Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
• Role: Dzaleka has evolved into a hub for humanitarian aid, cultural exchange, and empowerment of its residents.

In News:

• The Aditya-L1 mission, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on September 2, 2023, is India's first dedicated scientific mission to study the Sun.
  • Primary Payload: The Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC), developed by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIAp), Bengaluru, is the spacecraft's main instrument.

Key Highlights:

• First Science Outcome:The first scientific result from the mission, involving VELC, has been released. It successfully estimated the onset time of a coronal mass ejection (CME) that occurred on July 16, 2023.
  • CMEs are massive solar eruptions that can disrupt electronics in satellites and communications on Earth.
• Key Findings:
  • VELC's Role: The VELC payload was crucial in observing the CME close to the solar surface, providing a detailed understanding of its onset.
  • CMEs are typically observed in visible light after they have traveled far from the Sun. However, VELC’s unique spectroscopic observations allowed scientists to study the CME much closer to the Sun's surface.
• Publication:The results will be published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
• Future Significance:
  • As the Sun approaches the maximum phase of its current solar cycle (No. 25), CMEs are expected to become more frequent. Continuous monitoring with VELC will provide valuable data for understanding these events.
  • Monitoring the thermodynamic properties of CMEs near the Sun is essential to understand their source regions and behavior.
• Mission Details:
  • The spacecraft is in a halo orbit around the Lagrange Point 1 (L1), about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth.
  • Mission Lifetime: 5 years.

In News:

• The Government of India, in partnership with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), is hosting the First Asian Buddhist Summit in New Delhi.
• Theme: "Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia."
• Significance: The summit aligns with India’s Act East Policy, focusing on collective, inclusive, and spiritual development across Asia.
• Inauguration: The two-day event will be inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu on November 5, 2024.
• Participants: Buddhist Sangha leaders, scholars, and practitioners from various Asian Buddhist traditions will gather to promote dialogue, understanding, and address contemporary challenges within the Buddhist community.

Key Themes of the Summit

• Buddhist Art, Architecture, and Heritage
  • Focus on preserving and celebrating Buddhist landmarks in India (e.g., Sanchi Stupa, Ajanta Caves).
  • Emphasizes the role of Buddhist art in fostering cross-cultural understanding.
• Buddha C?rik? and Dissemination of Buddha Dhamma
  • Discusses Buddha’s journeys and how his teachings spread across India and beyond.
• Role of Buddhist Relics in Society
  • Relics serve as symbols of Buddha's teachings, promoting devotion, mindfulness, and economic benefits through tourism and pilgrimages.
• Buddha Dhamma in Scientific Research and Well-Being
  • Exploration of Buddhist teachings on mindfulness and compassion, and their integration into contemporary scientific practices to enhance well-being.
• Buddhist Literature and Philosophy in the 21st Century
  • Delving into timeless Buddhist wisdom that continues to address the human condition, the nature of reality, and paths to enlightenment.
• Exhibition: "India as the Dhamma Setu (Bridge) Connecting Asia," showcasing India's role in the spread of Buddhism and its significance in fostering unity.

India’s Role in Promoting Buddhist Heritage

• Cultural Identity: Buddhism is integral to India's cultural fabric, influencing its national identity and foreign policy.
• Buddhist Tourism Circuit: The Indian government has developed a Buddhist Circuit covering key sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kapilvastu.
• International Conferences and Symposia: India has hosted several events, including the First Global Buddhist Summit (2023), International Abhidhamma Diwas (2024), and Symposiums on Vipassana Meditation.
• Pali Language Recognition: On October 4, 2024, Pali was granted classical status, recognizing its significance in conveying Buddha’s teachings.

Buddhism’s Influence in Asia

• Historical Context: Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama in the 6th century BCE, spread across Asia with the support of figures like Emperor Ashoka (268-232 BCE), who promoted peace and harmony through Buddhist teachings.
• Spread of Buddhism: From its origins in India, Buddhism spread to Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia, adapting to local cultures and creating diverse schools: Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.

In News:

Ningol Chakkouba is one of the biggest festivals of Manipur, primarily celebrated by the Meitei community, but over the years, it has seen participation from various communities.

Key Highlights:

• Date: The festival is celebrated annually on the second day of the lunar month of Hiyangei in the Meitei calendar.
• Main Celebration: The central tradition involves married sisters visiting their maternal homes for a grand feast, joyous reunion, and the exchange of gifts.
• Customary Invitation: A week before the festival, the son of the family formally invites his married sisters to join the celebration.
• Expansion of Celebration: While traditionally celebrated in Manipur, Ningol Chakkouba is now observed in other states and even outside India, where Manipuris are settled.
• Meaning of Ningol Chakkouba:
  • Ningol means ‘married woman’.
  • Chakouba means ‘invitation for feast’.
  • Thus, the festival is a celebration where married women are invited to their parents' home for a special meal.
• Inclusion of Other Communities: Although originally a Meitei tradition, Ningol Chakkouba is now celebrated by various communities due to its emphasis on family reunion, happiness, and promoting peace and harmony in society.
• Cancellation in 2023: The festival was not held in the previous year due to ethnic violence in the state.