India to have its own space station: ISRO
Context:
Indian Space Research Organization is planning to launchIts Own 'Small' Space Station.
About:
- The space station project will be an extension of Gaganyaan.
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Gaganyaan mission is India's first manned mission to be operated in early 2022.
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- The proposed space station is envisaged to weigh 20 tonnes and serve as a facility where astronauts can stay for 15-20 days.
- The space station would be placed in an orbit 400 km above earth.
- The details about the space station will be available after the operation of after the Gaganyaan mission.
- The time frame for launch of space station is 5-7 years after Gaganyaan.
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What is space station
A space station is essentially a large spacecraft that remains in low-earth orbit for extended periods of time.
- It is like a large laboratory in space, and allows astronauts to come aboard and stay for weeks or months to carry out experiments.
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What is Gaganyaan mission?
- Gaganyaan is India’s first Human Space Flight Programme to be launched by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by 2022.
- The mission will use GSLV Mk III, the three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle,
- The Gagayaan mission aims to send a 2-3 person crew to space for a period of seven days.
- This mission will provide a unique micro-gravity platform in space to India for conducting experiments and test for future technologies.
- The launch will take placefrom Sriharikota of Andhara Pradesh.
- A Gaganyaan National Advisory Council has been created with members from different institutions and industries to oversee and advise on the mission.
Other important mission by Indian Space Research Organization:
- After Chandrayaan-2, ISRO has set its sights on two interplanetary missions.
- Mission Aditya-L1 is scheduled for next year to study the Sun’s corona, which effects climate on earth, and another mission to study Venus in 2-3 years.
- ISRO will also be launching a mission to Venus to study its atmosphere, surface topography, atmospheric dynamics, composition and interaction with the sun.
Way Forward:
- India will not have to rely upon the International Space Station.
- Indian Space Research Organization will be able to launch a small module for microgravity experiments.
- The ISRO would also join the international space community for a manned mission to the moon and beyond.
Source Link:https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/india-to-have-a-separate-space-station-isro/article27898707.ece
Centre reduces contribution rate for ESI
Context:
The union government announcedreduction incontributions made by employers and employees towards the health insurance health insurance scheme of Employees' State Insurance (ESIC).
About:
- As per the new rules the employers and employees will now contribute only 4 per cent from the existing 6.5 per cent.
- The move will benefit 36 million insured persons and 1.3 million organizations
- After the revision, employees’ contribution has been slashed from 1.75% to 0.75% of their salary
- It is also expected that reduction in rate of ESI contribution shall lead to improved compliance of law
- The reduced rates will be effective from 1 July, 2019.
Impacts /advantages of the decision:
- The reduced rate of contribution will bring about a substantial relief to workers.
- The financial liability on employers would also be reduced, leading to improved viability of the establishments.
- It willimprove compliance with the Act
- Increased ease of doing business.
- The move will expand social security coverage to more people.
Source Link:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/centre-reduces-contribution-rate-for-esi/article27902910.ece
Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping agree to speed up boundary talks
Context:
The prime minister of India meets with Chinese counterpart to boost up boundary ties.
About:
- The leaders meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.
- The meeting was held in Bishkek (the capital of Kyrgyzstan)
- India and Chinese have agreed to expedite the dialogue on the India-China boundary issue.
- Both India and China have asked the Special Representatives to meet and carry forward the discussion for achieving a fair, reasonable and mutually acceptable solution.
- Both countries have also discussed the status of the bilateral relationship since the Wuhan summit of 2018.
Note: The Wuhan summit which came in the backdrop of tension following the 73-day Doklam standoff.
Major issues:
- The attention on the border issue acquires significance as the Chinese President is expected to visit India later this year.
- Both leaders discussed the plans for celebrating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties.
- Discussing all issues from a strategic and long-term perspective of border dispute in “constructive” manner.
- Regional cooperation and connectivity and singled out the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) economic corridor as an example for expanding the India-China ties,
- Basic judgment between China and India for development and do not pose a threat to each other.
- China’s contribution to the listing of Pakistan-based terror masterminds Masood Azhar as a global terrorist at the United Nations Security Council.
Recent India China meets:
- Both the prime minister had several meting including the Wuhan summit.
- President Xi confirmed his readiness to visit India this year for the next informal summit.
- The border dispute dates back to the 1962 India-China war. Several rounds of talks have not yielded results.
Way Forward:
- Both India and china need to have a new momentum in the bilateral relationship and deepening mutual trust.
- India and China relations should becomea positive asset and positive energy for promoting the development of the two countries.
Source Link:https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/narendra-modi-xi-jinping-agree-to-speed-up-boundary-talks/article27902750.ece
In Arunachal, the golden cat wears new colours
Context:
Indian scientists have discovered color morphs of the golden cat in Arunachal Pradesh.
About:
- Indian scientists from the University College London (UCL) and Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have discovered six colour morphs of the golden cat in Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh.
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Dibang Valley hosts the world’s most diverse range of colour morphs of a wild cat species ever reported in one site.
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- Scientists have found that its coat comes in six types: cinnamon, golden, gray, melanistic, ocelot and tightly rosette.
- Golden is no longer the only colour the elusive Asiatic golden cat can be associated.
- Within the six colour morphs recorded, an entirely new colour morph was also found in one of the community-owned forests.
- The “tightly-rosetted” morph named after the leopard-like rosettes on the coat, now sits alongside cinnamon, melanistic, gray, golden, and ocelot types.
The Asiatic golden cat
Scientific name: Catopuma temminckii.
IUCN Status: The Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) is listed as near threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of threatened species.
Habitat:
- It is found across eastern Nepal through north-eastern India to Indonesia.
- Bhutan and China were known to have two morphs of the golden cat
What are the advantages ofCamouflage?
- Color morphs are thought to arise from random genetic mutations and take hold in the population through natural selection.
- The wide variation displayed in the cat’s coats provides them with:
- several ecological benefits such as occupying different habitats at different elevations from wet tropical lowland forests to alpine scrubs
- It also providing camouflage while preying on pheasants and rabbits.
Source Link:
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/in-arunachal-the-golden-cat-wears-new-colours/article27902320.ece
