Current Affairs 20-September-2023 (The Hindu)

Aditya L1 Mission

(D Pg-12.)

Aditya L1

• 1st Indian space-based mission by ISRO to study the Sun.
• Launcher - Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-XL.
• Placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) in space.
• Carries seven payloads.
• MULTI-WAVELENGTH - observation capacity

Atmosphere of Sun

• Photosphere
• Lowermost layer - can be observed directly
• Most of the sun's energy is emitted.
• Chromosphere - major role in conducting heat from the interior of the sun to its outermost layer.
• Corona - Outermost layer with a temperature of 3.5 million degrees Fahrenheit, hotter than chromosphere.

Objectives of Aditya L1

1. Study the upper atmosphere of the Sun
2. Study the chromosphere and coronal heating of the Sun.
3. Study the Initiation of the coronal mass ejections (CME).
4. Study the factors influencing space weather i.e., origin and composition of solar winds.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar

(D Pg-12.)

Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar

Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar is a prestigious award in India aimed at honoring outstanding scientific achievements. It operates in a manner similar to civilian awards and recognizes excellence across various domains of science and research.

Categories of Awards

• Vigyan Ratna: This award is presented for a lifetime achievement in the field of science.
• Vigyan Shri: It recognizes distinguished contributions to a specific scientific field.
• Vigyan Yuva Shanti: Awarded to exceptional young scientists who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.
• Vigyan Team: This category honors scientific teams comprising three or more members who have collaborated on significant projects.

Key Details

• There are 13 domains across various fields eligible for these awards.
• The awards will be issued starting from the next year onwards.
• Efforts are made to ensure that women receive adequate representation among the awardees.
• Nominations for these awards are accepted between January 14 and February 28.
• The announcement of the winners is made on May 11, National Technology Day.
• The prestigious award ceremony takes place on August 23, National Space Day.

Administration

In its initial two years, the Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar is administered by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Subsequently, the National Research Foundation will take over its management.

Objective

The primary aim of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puruskar is to rationalize and add value to the recognition of scientific excellence in India. It encourages and rewards outstanding scientific contributions to society.

Highest Honor

Among the accolades for young scientists, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards hold the highest honor. These awards, created in 1958, are presented annually by CSIR and are named after Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, the founder of CSIR.

Cauvery Water Dispute

(D Pg-6.)

Background

• The Cauvery River water dispute involves the southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry and has persisted for decades.
• It originated in the 19th century when it involved the princely state of Mysore and the British Madras Presidency, and various agreements were periodically updated to address water-sharing issues.

Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal

• Established in 1990 under Section 6A of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, the tribunal aimed to resolve disputes related to water allocation for irrigation and drinking purposes.
• It played a crucial role in determining water-sharing arrangements during normal and deficient water years.

Evolution of the Issue

• In 2007, the tribunal issued its final award, specifying water allocation for each state during different periods of the year.
• Karnataka's non-compliance with the award prompted Tamil Nadu to approach the Supreme Court through a special leave petition under Article 136.
• In 2018, the 'Cauvery Water Management Authority' (CWMA) and the 'Cauvery Water Regulation Committee' (CWRC) were established to manage and oversee the dispute.

Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA)

• The CWMA, consisting of a chairman, a secretary, and eight members, serves as a key authority in implementing Supreme Court orders concerning water storage, apportionment, regulation, and control of Cauvery water.
• It also offers guidance to states on enhancing water use efficiency and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC)

• The CWRC is responsible for enforcing and monitoring the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal's award, overseeing the release of water from Karnataka's reservoirs.
• It ensures adherence to the allocated water quantities according to established formulas.

Ongoing Dispute

• In a recent development during the CWMA meeting on August 11, Karnataka was asked to release 10,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water for Tamil Nadu.
• Tamil Nadu expressed dissatisfaction as Karnataka cited low rainfall in the Cauvery catchment area, leading to disagreements.

Impacts

• Agricultural Distress: The ongoing dispute has brought agricultural distress due to unpredictable water availability, affecting farmers.
• Water Scarcity: It has contributed to water scarcity issues in the region, impacting communities' access to clean water.
• Political Tensions: The dispute has caused political tensions and disputes between the involved states.
• Ecological Impact: The continuous conflict has ecological consequences, affecting the Cauvery River's ecosystem.

Women’s Reservation Bill

(D Pg-1.)

• The Women’s Reservation Bill, known as the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2023, aims to reserve one-third of the seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women.
• The primary objective is to ensure gender equality in policy-making.

Implementation Timeline

• The bill is set to be implemented after the delimitation exercise of 2026, using data from the latest census taken after the bill's passage.

Provisions of the Bill

• The bill seeks to amend Article 330 to reserve one-third of Lok Sabha seats for women.
• Additionally, one-third of the total seats reserved for SC/ST will be for women.
• Amendments to Article 239AA aim to reserve one-third of seats in the NCT of Delhi legislative assembly for women.
• Article 332 will be amended to reserve one-third of seats in state legislative assemblies for women.
• The bill enforces the reservation of one-third of seats for women belonging to SC/ST communities within the seats reserved for them.
• This provision will be in force for 15 years, with the possibility of extensions granted by Parliament.
• Seats will be rotated after every delimitation exercise.

Need for the Bill

• The bill addresses the issue of low participation of women in politics, with India ranking 148th out of 193 countries in the IPU data.
• In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, women's participation was only 14%, despite being the highest recorded.
• In state assemblies, women's representation is around 10%.
• Factors contributing to poor participation include societal patriarchy, social norms, and work-life balance challenges, along with underrepresentation in political parties.
• Other challenges include the influence of money and muscle power, violence against women, and limited access to education.

Benefits of Women's Reservation

• The bill aims to bridge the gender gap in participatory democracy.
• It can lead to the development of women-centric policies.
• Women in leadership roles can break stereotypes and serve as role models in society.