Prelims
National Security Guard (NSG)
About NSG
- Special force in India primarily utilized for counter-terrorism activities providing specialized tactical response capabilities.
- Elite force providing second line of defense for nation ensuring national security during exceptional crisis situations.
- Members known as Black Cats because of black drill cotton coveralls and balaclavas/helmets they wear during operations.
Establishment
- Raised in 1984 following Operation Blue Star and assassination of Indira Gandhi responding to security threats.
- Created by Cabinet Secretariat under National Security Guard Act of Indian Parliament in 1986 providing legal framework.
- Modelled on pattern of SAS of UK and GSG-9 of Germany adopting international best practices.
- Union Ministry for Home Affairs exercises administrative and operational control over NSG ensuring centralized command.
Specific Goals
- Neutralization of terrorist threats; handling hijacking situations in air and on land ensuring aviation/ground security.
- Bomb disposal (search, detection, neutralization of IEDs); Post Blast Investigation (PBI) for forensic analysis comprehensively.
- Hostage rescue operations; VIP security for high-risk protectees ensuring safety of important personalities during threats.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)
About CITES
- International agreement between governments ensuring international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
- Adopted in 1973 and entered into force in 1975 providing global framework for wildlife trade regulation.
- 184 member parties; trade regulated in more than 38,000 species ensuring comprehensive coverage of threatened species.
Legal Status
- Legally binding on Parties requiring them to implement the Convention but does not take place of national laws.
- CITES Secretariat administered by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) located in Geneva, Switzerland ensuring international coordination.
Conference of Parties
- Representatives of CITES nations meet every two to three years at Conference of Parties (COP) for review.
- Review progress and adjust lists of protected species grouped into three categories with different protection levels.
Appendix I
- Includes species threatened with extinction providing greatest level of protection including prohibition on commercial trade.
Appendix II
- Includes species not currently threatened with extinction but may become so without trade controls requiring regulation.
- Regulated trade allowed if exporting country issues permit based on findings that specimens legally acquired and trade not detrimental to survival.
Appendix III
- Includes species for which country has asked other CITES parties to help control international trade ensuring cooperative regulation.
- Trade regulated using CITES export permits (issued by country listing species) and certificates of origin (issued by all other countries).
- Countries may list species for which they have domestic regulations in Appendix III at any time ensuring flexibility.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
About
- Not just novelist but also poet, journalist, and intellectual voice of his time showing multi-dimensional contributions.
- Member of Brahmo Samaj: advocated for social and religious reforms addressing issues within contemporary Hindu society.
- Widely regarded as father of modern Bengali literature; writings combined literary excellence with social consciousness comprehensively.
- Philosophical works captured socio-political environment of era inspiring growth of Indian nationalism during colonial period.
- Deeply influenced by European literature and philosophy; narratives remained rooted in Indian culture drawing from Hindu mythology and history.
Literary Contributions
- Contributions stand out for originality and impact; broke away from classical mold infusing modern themes like social reform.
- Themes included: nationalism and conflict between colonial rule and Indian identity reflecting contemporary struggles comprehensively.
- One of first to write novels in Bengali; shaped language into powerful medium of modern literature ensuring linguistic development.
- Fiction introduced realism: portraying human emotions, societal challenges, and tension between tradition and modernity showing social consciousness.
- Writings carried spirit of nationalism celebrating India’s unity and heritage while inspiring self-reliance and struggle for freedom.
- Legacy lies in using literature not just for storytelling but as tool to ignite collective pride and resistance against colonial domination.
Notable Works
- Anandmath (1882)
- Most famous and influential novel set during Sannyasi Rebellion of 1770s blending history, mythology, and patriotism.
- Highlights struggle of Bengalis against British imperialism; remembered for introducing Vande Mataram becoming rallying cry of independence movement.
- Durgeshnandini (1865)
- One of earliest historical novels set in 17th-century Bengal following trials of Lady Durgeshnandini navigating political intrigue.
- Kapalkundala (1866)
- Powerful narrative centered on young woman caught between love and moral duty critiquing contemporary social practices comprehensively.
- Rajmohan’s Wife (1864)
- First novel written in English before switching to Bengali; explores human emotions, domestic strife, societal constraints showing early style.
- Vande Mataram (1870)
- Patriotic poem transcending literature to become cultural symbol; first sung at Indian National Congress session (1896) inspiring generations.
Aditya-L1 Mission
Context: Aditya-L1’s VELC payload captured first spectroscopic observations of coronal mass ejection in visible wavelength range, studying eruptions close to sun’s surface with NASA collaboration.
More in News:
- IIA scientists with NASA estimated crucial CME parameters including electron density, energy, mass, temperature, speed very close to sun’s visible surface for first time.
- VELC principal investigator, stated with sun nearing maximum activity phase of sunspot cycle 25, more energetic eruptions expected to be observed soon.
Aditya-L1 Mission
Mission Details
- First Indian space mission to study Sun launched in September 2023 marking India’s solar exploration debut.
- Placed in halo orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1) of Sun-Earth system for continuously viewing Sun ensuring uninterrupted observation.
- Lagrange Points: positions where gravitational pull of two large masses precisely equals centripetal force required for small object.
Objectives
- Study Solar upper atmospheric (chromosphere and corona) dynamics understanding Sun’s outer layers comprehensively.
- Study chromosphere and coronal heating, coronal mass ejection and related phenomena ensuring comprehensive solar understanding.
Payloads
- Remote Sensing Payloads
- Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC): studying solar corona; Solar Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (SUIT): UV imaging of Sun.
- Solar Low Energy X-ray Spectrometer (SoLEXS): studying solar X-rays; High Energy L1 Orbiting X-ray Spectrometer (HEL1OS): high-energy observations.
- In-situ Observation Payloads
- Aditya Solar wind Particle Experiment (ASPEX): studying solar wind particles; Plasma Analyser Package For Aditya (PAPA): analyzing plasma.
- Advanced Tri-axial High Resolution Digital Magnetometers: measuring magnetic fields ensuring comprehensive data collection from multiple instruments.
Rafah Crossing
About Rafah Crossing
- Southernmost exit point from Gaza Strip sharing border with Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula ensuring access to Egypt.
- Controlled by Egypt being only exit that does not lead to Israeli territory providing alternative route.
Other Gaza Crossings
- Only two other border crossings: Erez (located in north) used by people in Israel for movement.
- Kerem Shalom (in south) exclusively for commercial goods ensuring trade movement between Gaza and Israel.
- Both Erez and Kerem Shalom controlled by Israel are currently closed restricting movement and trade comprehensively.
