August 24, 2023 | Your One-Stop Solution for Daily Preparation
Chandrayaan-3 | Explained
Explore India's historic achievement as Chandrayaan-3's Lander Module triumphantly touches down near the Moon's south pole, marking both a successful lunar landing and a milestone in global space exploration. Discover the intricate engineering, innovative technology, and international significance of this remarkable feat that propels India into the elite ranks of lunar explorers. Uncover the mission's objectives, spacecraft components, and the journey that led to this monumental success, shedding light on the future prospects of lunar discovery.
Highlights of the Day
1. India Achieves Historic Moon Landing with Chandrayaan-3 Mission
India accomplished its maiden moon landing triumph with the Chandrayaan-3 mission. The lander module, carrying a rover, softly touched down on the lunar surface at 6.03 p.m. Celebrations ensued at ISRO's Bengaluru center as India became the fourth country, following the US, Russia, and China, to achieve this feat. Distinguished by its polar region landing, this achievement offsets the disappointment of Chandrayaan-2's 2019 landing failure. The Chandrayaan-3 mission holds a vital role in India's space exploration journey [1].
2. PM Modi Advocates BRICS Expansion and Global South Welfare at 15th Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the expansion of the BRICS grouping through a consensus-based approach at the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg. PM emphasized leveraging India's digital solutions for the Global South's welfare and endorsed the idea of expanding BRICS membership. Current members are Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. PM Modi highlighted India's priorities, particularly the prospects of the Global South and the African Union. Discussions revolved around membership criteria, new members, and incorporation of Strategic Partners. The summit's backdrop includes Russia's pursuit of a G-7 alternative and India's demand for multilateral system changes. PM Modi also proposed a BRICS space consortium and stressed conservation efforts [2].
3. Renowned Statistician C.R. Rao Passes Away at 102, Leaving a Profound Legacy in Statistics and Education
C.R. Rao, a renowned statistician, passed away at 102 in the US. He significantly contributed to statistical concepts like Cramer–Rao inequality and Rao–Blackwellization, found in basic statistics and econometrics textbooks. Originating from a Telugu family in India, he joined the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata, played a key role in shaping India's statistical education, and established multiple bureaus of ISI across states. Rao's influence extended to government committees for statistical development and education. He garnered numerous awards, including the National Medal of Science from former US President George Bush, and India's Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan honors [3].
4. India Advocates for Reviving WTO Dispute Resolution Mechanism and Consensus-Based Decision Making at G20 Meeting
India aims to revive the dysfunctional World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute resolution mechanism using the "common but differentiated responsibility" principle. At the G20 Trade and Investment Ministerial Meeting, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal expressed hope for a "concrete actionable outcome" to bolster global resilience. He discussed trade issues, invoked a "Jaipur Call for Action," and emphasized India's role in modernizing the WTO. Goyal acknowledged the challenge of consensus, particularly due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but stressed India's support for reforms and its representation of developing countries' interests. The WTO's dispute resolution mechanism halted in 2019, prompting calls for reforms [4].
5. Rising Ultra-Processed Food Sales in India Demand Policy Measures to Prevent Obesity, Report Urges
India's ultra-processed food sector expanded at a 13.37% annual growth rate in retail sales value from 2011 to 2021, according to a World Health Organization and Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations report. The study underscores the need for policy interventions to avert an obesity crisis akin to some Western countries. The report highlights categories like chocolate, sugar confectionery, salty snacks, beverages, ready-made and convenience foods as popular ultra-processed options. The researchers recommend a transparent definition of High Fat Sugar Salt (HFSS) food, linking tax structures with HFSS definitions, and strengthening national nutrition policies to address both under- and over-nutrition challenges [5].
Source: The Hindu | Indian Express
Practice Questions for Prelims
Q1: Which of the following is considered as a leading indicator of economic growth and activity in a country?
a) Unemployment rate
b) Consumer Price Index (CPI)
c) Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
d) Retail sales index
Q2: What is the main purpose of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)?
a) To regulate and develop the foreign exchange market in India
b) To regulate the functioning of stock exchanges in India
c) To manage the monetary policy and issue currency notes in India
d) To promote industrial development and provide financial assistance to industries
Q3: Consider the following statements about the "Rigveda":
I. The Rigveda is the oldest sacred text of Hinduism, composed in Sanskrit.
II. It consists of hymns and prayers dedicated to various deities.
III. The Rigveda is divided into three parts: Samhitas, Brahmanas, and Aranyakas.
IV. It contains historical accounts of various dynasties and rulers in ancient India.
Choose the correct combination:
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I and IV
d) I, II, and III
Q4: Consider the following statements about "Federalism":
I. Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent units.
II. India follows a purely federal system with no scope for cooperation between the central and state governments.
III. The division of powers between the central and state governments is outlined in the Indian Constitution.
IV. Federalism helps in accommodating regional diversity and local needs.
Choose the correct combination:
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I and IV
d) I, III, and IV
Q5: Consider the following statements about "Dark Matter":
I. Dark matter is a form of matter that does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible to traditional methods of detection.
II. The majority of the universe's mass is made up of dark matter, contributing significantly to the gravitational forces that shape the cosmos.
III. Dark matter interacts with ordinary matter only through gravitational forces and is not affected by electromagnetic interactions.
Choose the correct combination:
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I and III
d) All of the above
Today’s Question for Mains Answer Writing
Discuss the correlation between the growth of the ultra-processed food sector and the rising prevalence of obesity in India. Examine the potential policy interventions that can effectively address this issue and promote healthier dietary habits among the population. (Word limit: 250 words)
Need help in writing or evaluation?
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