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DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS

31st January 2022

 No. Topic Name Prelims/Mains
1.    LUCY MISSION OF NASA Prelims & Mains
2.    ATHIRAPPILLY HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT Prelims & Mains
3.    INDIAN SPACE ASSOCIATION Prelims & Mains
4.    RIVER LUKHA Prelims Specific
5.    TEJASWINI INITIATIVE Prelims Specific

 

  1. LUCY MISSION OF NASA:

GS III

Topic – Space Awareness

  • About the ‘Lucy’ Mission:
  • This is NASA’s first mission to test Jupiter Trojan’s asteroids.
  • They are solar panels.
  • It is estimated that it is more than 12 years long, during which time the spacecraft will visit eight asteroids covering a distance of about 6.3 billion kilometers to deepen the understanding of the “new solar system”.
  • Purpose of equipment:
  • The objective is designed to understand the structure of the various asteroids that are part of Trojan asteroid forces, to determine the quantity and density of objects and to search for and study satellites and rings around Trojan asteroids.
  • What are Trojan Asteroids & why are they called that:
  • These asteroids are believed to be the remnants of the first solar system, and studying them will help scientists understand its origin and evolution, and why it looks the way it does.
  • Trojan asteroids are believed to have been formed from the same material that led to the formation of planets about four billion years ago when the solar system was built.

    Source – The Science Reporter

  1. Athirappilly Hydroelectric Project:

GS III

Topic – Infrastructure related issues

  • Background:
  • The government of Kerala had recently suspended the proposed 163-megwatt Athirappilly hydropower project at the mouth of the Chalakudy River in Thrissur district.
  • The Chalakudy River is the Periyar River and originates from the Anamalai region of Tamil Nadu.
  • Why was it abandoned:
  • The decision came amid growing opposition from environmentalists and traditional organizations against biodiverse formation and only one state forest.
  • Key Points:
  • The Kadar community is facing further evictions due to the installation of separate power projects along the banks of the Chalakudy River.
  • Extra Info:
  • Silent Valley was one of India’s earliest ecological movements with extensive participation, during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It has forced the Kerala government to abandon the dam project across the Kunthi River, within the lush tropical forests of the Silent Valley in the Palakkad region of Kerala.
  • Madhav Gadgil’s report called the Athirappilly hydel project ‘unpopular’ and dismissed it as nonsense for technical and economic reasons.
  • The Kasturirangan panel simply recommended that the project impact be re-evaluated for environmental reasons.
  • Source – Down To Earth Magazine
  1. Indian Space Association:

GS III

Topic – Space Awareness

  • Why in the News:
  • The Indian Space Association (ISpA) was recently officially launched by Prime Minister Modi.
  • It will be the first industrial organization for space and satellite companies.
  • Objectives:
  • ISpA aims to be the aerospace forum for the private sector in India and work with the Government of India and other key stakeholders in the aerospace sector to enable the nation to become self-sufficient in the region and become a global service provider.
  • ISpA aims to contribute to the vision of the Indian Government to make India Atmanirbhar and a global leader in the space sector, emerging rapidly as the next frontier of human growth.
  • Composition / members:
  • ISpA is represented by leading domestic and international companies with advanced skills in space and satellite technology.
  • Its founding members include Bharti Airtel, Larson & Toubro, Nelco (Tata Group), OneWeb, Mapmyindia, Walchandnagar Industries and Alpha Design Technologies.
  • Other key members include Godrej, Hughes India, Ananth Technology Limited, Azista-BST Aerospace Private Limited, BEL, Centum Electronics, Maxar India.
  • Activities:
  • The organization will engage with stakeholders across the environment to develop a supportive policy framework that fulfills Government’s vision.
  • ISpA will also work to build global connections to the Indian space industry to bring critical technology and investment to the country to create high quality job opportunities.
  • ISpA also plans to work closely with IN-SPACe to further the vision of the Government space.
  • Significance:
  • With our vast pool of talent, the growing power of start-up technology developed in homes and the private sector the country is in a position to understand what will be the biggest explosion in space.
  • India has the potential to become a technology leader and service provider that does not end the global space industry.
  • Globally, the private sector is increasingly contributing to the opening of space opportunities.
  • Source – ISRO Website/PIB
  1. River Lukha:

Prelims Specific Topic:

  • According to the Meghalaya government, a toxicological testing project has returned the Lukha River to the dead.
  • The Lukha River is located in the East Jaintia Hills region.
  • Lukha, which draws the southern part of East Jaintia Hills, is fed by the Lunar River, its main river with numerous streams from the hillsides of the Narpuh Reserve. The river flows into Bangladesh.
  • The government has said the toxicity testing program returns the river to the dead
  • Luke – the “fish depot” in the local language of Pnar – was considered more toxic than a decade ago.
  • Source – The Hindu
  1. Tejaswini Initiative:

Prelims Specific Topic:

  • It is a women-centered approach to safety in the north-west region – Delhi.
  • The program aims to reach out to women of all sectors of society and older women, as well as to protect the rights and dignity of women and children.
  • Jobs and assignments are made by women who beat workers.
  • It has led to significant growth in terms of accessibility and scope of work.
  • Source – The Hindu