In News

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently launched the first flight of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), carrying an Earth observation satellite EOS-02 and co-passenger students' satellite AzaadiSAT.

• However, the mission failed to place the satellites in their required orbits, and the satellites, as they were already detached from the launch vehicle, were lost.

Why did it fail?

• The problem appeared to be the SSLV’s terminal stage, called the velocity trimming module (VTM).
• According to the launch profile, the VTM was supposed to have burnt for 20 seconds at 653 seconds after launch.
• However, it burnt for only 1 seconds, denying the rocket the requisite altitude boost.
• The two satellites separated from the vehicle after the VTM burned, there was a malfunctioning of a sensor which resulted in placing the satellites in an elliptical orbit, rather than a circular orbit.
• According to ISRO, all the stages performed normally, both the satellites were injected. But the orbit achieved was less than expected, which makes it unstable.

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle:

About:

• Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is a three stage Launch Vehicle configured with three Solid Propulsion Stages and a liquid propulsion-based Velocity Trimming Module (VTM) as a terminal stage.

• SSLV is 2m in diameter and 34m in length with a lift-off weight of around 120 tonnes.
• SSLV is capable of launching 500kg satellites in 500km planar orbit from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC).

Key Features:

• Low cost,
• Low turn-around time,
• Flexibility in accommodating multiple satellites,
• Launch demand feasibility,
• Minimal launch infrastructure requirements, etc.

What is the SSLV-D1/EOS-02 Mission?

• It was aimed at garnering a larger pie in the small launch vehicles market, as it could place the satellites into Low Earth Orbit.
• It was carrying the two satellites on board the rocket –
• The primary EOS-2 Earth-observing satellite- EOS-02 is an earth observation satellite designed and realised by ISRO.
• The secondary AzaadiSAT student satellite- It is an 8U Cubesat weighing around 8 kg.
• Girl students from rural regions across the country were provided guidance to build these payloads.
• The payloads are integrated by the student team of “Space Kidz India”.

Content Source link:

• https://www.livemint.com/news/india/isro-launches-maiden-flight-for-its-small-satellite-launcher-the-sslv-11659857216587.html
• https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/india-sslv-rocket-launch-isro-explained-8075712/, https://www.dnaindia.com/india/video-isro-maiden-sslv-launch-isro-launches-satellite-built-by-750-schoolgirls-2974581

In News

The Supreme Court has ruled that the mother, being the only natural guardian of the child after the death of the biological father (husband), has the right to decide the surname of the child.

About the news:

• A petition was filed in the Supreme Court challenging a judgment passed by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 that asked to restore the child’s surname to the previous one and to show the name of the late husband in records as his natural father.
• If that is not possible, the court had directed to mention the new husband as his stepfather.

SC Ruling:

• A surname refers to a name that a child or person shares with the rest of the members of the family.
• Surname is indicative of lineage. However, it should not be understood just in the context of history, culture and lineage but more importantly the role it plays with regard to the social reality along with a sense of being for children in their particular environment.

• Homogeneity of surname emerges as a mode to create, sustain and display ‘family'.
• The SC also opined that the mother, being the only natural guardian, also has the right to give up the child in adoption.

Guardianship laws in India

• Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act:
  • Indian laws accord superiority to the father in case of guardianship of a minor (below the age of 18 years).
  • Under the religious law of Hindus, or the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, (HMGA) 1956, the natural guardian of a Hindu minor in respect of the minor’s person or property is the father, and after him, the mother.

• • The custody of a minor who has not completed the age of five years shall ordinarily be with the mother.

• Guardian and Wards Act of 1890 (GWA):
  • It deals with the appointment of a person as a ‘guardian’ to a child, both with respect to the child and property.
  • Child custody, guardianship and visitation issues between parents are determined under the GWA, if a natural parent wants to be declared as an exclusive guardian to his/her own child.
  • Upon disputes between parents in a petition under the GWA, read with the HMGA; guardianship and custody can be vested with one parent with visitation rights to the other parent.
  • In doing so, the welfare of the minor or “best interests of the child” shall be of paramount consideration.

Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937:

• It says that the Shariat or the religious law will apply in case of guardianship according to which the father is the natural guardian, but custody vests with the mother until the son reaches the age of seven and the daughter reaches puberty though the father’s right to general supervision and control exists.
• The concept of Hizanat in Muslim law states that the welfare of the child is above all else.
• This is the reason why Muslim law gives preference to the mother over father in the matter of custody of children in their tender years.

Supreme Court Judgements:

• The Supreme Court’s landmark judgement in Githa Hariharan v. The Reserve Bank of India in 1999 provided partial relief.
• In this case, the HMGA was challenged for violating the guarantee of equality of sexes under Article 14 of the Constitution of India.
  • Article 14 says that no person shall be denied treatment of equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
• The court held that the term “after” should not be taken to mean “after the lifetime of the father “, but rather “in the absence of the father”.
  • However, the judgement failed to recognise both parents as equal guardians, subordinating a mother’s role to that of the father.
• Though the judgement sets a precedent for courts, it has not led to an amendment to the HMGA.

Content Source link:

• https://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/mother-being-the-only-natural-guardian-of-a-child-has-the-right-to-choose-surname-576025.html
• https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/mother-being-natural-guardian-of-child-has-right-to-decide-surname-sc-122072801253_1.html

Image Source Link:

• https://ccbs.news/

In news

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister has launched the on boarding of cooperatives on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal on the same day as to when Gandhi had launched the Quit India Movement in 1942.

About the News:

• The move will allow cooperatives to procure through the GeM portal like other government buyers, thereby increasing their market.
• The immense potential in the cooperative sector, can be realised with its expansion on GeM portal.

• GeM portal will bring in transparency into the cooperative sector, farmers and milk producers’ trust in committees and their members will also increase, when there is transparency.
• This measures can accelerate the expansion of Cooperative Sector, that has been “neglected” since Independence.
• In the first phase, all eligible cooperatives with a turnover and deposits of ₹100 crore will be able to start placing orders on the GeM portal.
• This will provide cost efficiency for the Co-operatives
• Up until now, the cooperatives have been purchasing goods and services from the open market.

About GeM

• Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a one stop portal to facilitate online procurement of common use Goods & Services required by various Government Departments / Organizations / PSUs.
• It is a completely paperless, cashless and system driven e-market place that enables procurement of common use goods and services with minimal human interface.
• It aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement.
• It provides the tools of e-bidding, reverse e-auction and demand aggregation to facilitate the government users, to achieve the best value for their money.
• It is hosted by Directorate General of Supplies and Goods (DGS&D), with technical support of National eGovernance Division (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology).
• Procurement on GeM has been authorized by General Financial Rules by making necessary changes in government rules.

What are cooperatives?

• According to the International Co-operative Alliance, Cooperatives are people-centred enterprises owned, controlled and run by and for their members to realise their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations.

• The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 gave a constitutional status and protection to co-operative societies, which made the following changes in the constitution:
  • It made the right to form co-operative societies a fundamental right. (Article 19).
  • It included a new Directive Principle of State Policy on promotion of cooperative societies (Article 43-B).
  • It added a new Part IX-B in the Constitution (Articles 243-ZH to 243-ZT).

How will on boarding of cooperatives on GeM help?

Source:

• Government e-marketplace
• Polity by M Lakshmikanth
• The Union Minister for Home & Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah e-launched the onboarding of cooperatives on the Government e Marketplace (GeM) portal in New Delhi today
• Amit Shah launches onboarding of cooperatives on GeM portal

Image source:

• https://twitter.com/_DigitalIndia/status/989498832940617729/photo/1

• Context: A new zoonotic virus-Langya has been recently discovered in the China’s two eastern provinces with 35 infections identified so far.

• Langya, a zoonotic virus is new type of Henipavirus also being called the Langya Henipavirus or the LayV.
  • Henipaviruses are classified as biosafety level 4 (BSL4) pathogens.
  • They can cause severe illness in animals and humans, and as of now there are no licensed drugs or vaccines meant for humans.
• The types of Henipaviruses that had been identified prior to this included Hendra, Nipah, Cedar, Mojiang and the Ghanaian bat virus, where the Cedar virus, Ghanaian bat virus, and Mojiang virus are not known to cause human disease. But Hendra and Nipah infect humans and can cause fatal illness.
• The common symptoms associated with the virus include fever, fatigue, cough, nausea and headache. impaired liver function, while 8% had their kidney function impacted.
• It is also observed to cause abnormalities of “thrombocytopenia (is low platelet count), leukopenia (fall in the white blood cell count), impaired liver and kidney malfunction”, in turn reducing the body’s disease-fighting capability.
• There has been no clear observation on the human to human transmission of the virus.

Source:

• What is the new Langya virus detected in China? Should you be worried?

Image source:

• https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220811/Novel-zoonotic-Langya-virus-identified-in-China.aspx

• Context: Jagdeep Dhankhar has recently taken oath as the 14^th Vice President of India.
• The Vice President is the second highest constitutional office in India.
• He/she serves for a term of five-years and may resign his office by submitting his resignation to the President of India.

• The Vice President can be removed from office by a resolution of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) passed by a majority of its members at that time and agreed to by the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
• A resolution for this purpose may be moved only after a notice of at least aminimum of 14 days has been given of such an intention.
• The Vice President is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
• The Eligibility criteria for a Vice President is that he/she should be a citizen of India, should have completed 35 years of age, should be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha and should not hold any office of profit under the Union/State government or any local/public authority.
• As perArticle 66 of the Constitution of India, the Vice-President is elected by the members of the Electoral College consisting of: Elected members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha and Nominated members of Rajya Sabha.

Source:

• https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jagdeep-dhankhar-sworn-in-as-14th-vice-president-of-india/articleshow/93493035.cms

Image source:

• https://www.mapsofindia.com/my-india/government/list-of-vice-presidents-of-india-till-now

• Context: The Union Minister of Finance has stated that the Government cannot impose decisions on Corporate Boards on which geographical areas they should spend their CSR funds.
• Corporate Social Responsibility refers to a corporate initiative to assess and own responsibility for the company's impact on the environment and social welfare.
• In India, the concept of CSR is governed byclause 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• India is the first country in the world to mandate CSR spending along with a framework to identify potential CSR activities.
• The CSR provisions within the Act is applicable to companies with an annual turnover of 1,000 crore and more, or a net worth of Rs. 500 crore and more, or a net profit of Rs. 5 crore and more.

• The Act mandates that CSR Expenditure of a company for a particular year shall be 2% of the average profit over preceding three financial years.
• The activities that can be undertaken by a company under CSR, have been specified under Schedule VII of the Act that include eradicating extreme hunger and poverty, promotion of education, gender equality and empowering women, combating HIV AIDS Ensuring environmental sustainability
• When CSR policy is incorporated with the company’s business model it attracts positive publicity, wins the trust and loyalty of the consumers, builds a long-term relationship with the customers and communities, improves the sales, and therefore, boosts the financial success. 

Source:

• CSR spends: Corporate Boards ‘conscious’ about need to take local area priorities - The Hindu Business Line

Image source:

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephanieburns/2021/03/04/corporate-social-responsibility-is-more-important-than-everheres-how-to-ensure-your-company-is-stepping-up/?sh=188e289e1c10

• Context: Microsoft has become the first big tech company to join the government-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce.
• ONDC is an initiative aimed to promote open networksfor all aspects of the exchange of goods and services over digital or electronic networks.

• It is to be based on open-sourced methodology, using open specifications and open network protocols independent of any specific platform.
• It is being developed as a counter to the current duopoly in the Indian e-commerce market which is largely dictated by Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart.
• It is a government-backed project that enables small merchants and mom-and-pop stores in parts of the country to access processes and technologies that are typically deployed by large e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart.
• The ONDC platform lies in the middle of the interfaces hosting the buyers and the sellers.
• When a buyer searches for an item from an app, from where ONDC has gone live, the app will connect to the ONDC platform, which will connect it to seller side interfaces that will list all the companies from where you can buy the particular item.
• ONDC aims to transform the marketplace ecosystem from an operator-driven platform-centric model to a facilitator-driven interoperable decentralised network.

Source:

• https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/microsoft-open-network-digital-commerce-india-e-commerce-8082037/

Image source:

• https://blog.tghtech.com/open-network-digital-commerce-ondc-future-e-commerce-india

Essence- The article highlights the nexus between politicians and the police and argues that the complete system is leading to the slow death of the police system. It highlights how central agencies and political systems are leading to the often-reported inefficiencies of the police system. The situation is more critical in states ruled by opposition parties at the center.

It raises questions about the way appointments and transfers are done in consultation with and at will and pleasure of the politicians. This has led to deep nexus between police and politicians. 

Why should you read this article?

• The article is a good read to understand the present situation of the police-politician nexus.
• The article will help you understand the root causes begin the ineffectiveness of the police and the way out.

Source:

• https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/the-slow-execution-of-the-police-as-an-institution-continues-who-will-save-it-8085224/

Essence – The article talks about India’s engagement with the NATO which has started recently. It presents the history from establishment of NATO and its counter Warsaw Pact to present day when NATO has expanded and emerged as most powerful while its adversary stands dissolved. It also justifies the India’s drift form age old stigma, to have dialogue with NATO, as a response to the changing geopolitical order, which is evident from US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Russian Ukraine war, the rise of an assertive China, the Sino-Russian alliance.

At the end it supports India’s strategy of multi-alignment, as its own vulnerability at the border with China has risen and Indo-Pak conflict shows no sign of conclusion.

Why should you read this editorial?

• To gauge the level of dependence on the west to balance the geopolitics in the Indo-pacific
• To know about the history of NATO and Warsaw Pact.

Source:

• https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/engagement-nato-must-be-important-part-of-delhi-strategy-of-multi-alignment-8085241/

In news

The foundation for the development of the Delhi's first bamboo theme park 'Baansera', has been recently laid on the Yamuna riverfront as part of the river’s ongoing rejuvenation project.

About the Park

• The park will be spread over 10 hectares on the western bank near the Delhi-Meerut Expressway, and the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will plant 20,000 bamboo saplings of 15 varieties.
• The plantation of bamboo on a large scale will help address the Capital’s air pollution problem significantly, because bamboo produces about 30% more oxygen, while consuming far less water and enriching the soil.

• Further, with bamboo as a source for various economic activities such as furniture-making, incense sticks etc, this can help create employment opportunities and augment incomes in Delhi.
• However, ecologists are of the opinion that the floodplains should be left alone to carry out their natural process of regulating the flow of the river and even if plantation has to be done near the floodplains, they should be species native to the Yamuna.

Quote

“The first rule of sustainability is to align with natural forces, or at least not try to defy them.” -  By Paul Hawken

Source:

• Delhi’s first bamboo park to come up along Yamuna riverfront

Image source:

• https://images.hindustantimes.com/img/2022/08/09/original/10092022_DelhiMetro_pg4_1660081338956.jpg