PM Modi flags off RRTS: What is this mass transport system, how it can benefit NCR

Regional Rapid Transit System

• It has semi high-speed rail connectivity at its core; the RRTS is an integrated mass transit network.
• It aims to ensure “balanced and sustainable urban development” through better connectivity and access across the National Capital Region (NCR).
• It is constructed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is a joint venture company of the Central government and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• It is modelled on systems such as the RER in Paris, Regional-Express trains in Germany and Austria, as well as the SEPTA Regional Rail in the United States, among others.
• These trains will travel significantly faster than metro trains. These will operate at a speed of 160 km/hour but are designed to be able to run at speeds up to 180 km/hour.
• Eight corridors will be developed under the project, of which three are being constructed under phase I: the 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut, the 164-km Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar, and the 103-km Delhi-Panipat corridors.
• The significance of this system
  • When compared with metros, the RRTS network is faster. It will cater to commuters who want to travel relatively longer distances across the NCR in a short time.
  • Compared with the Indian Railways, though the RRTS train will cover relatively smaller distances, it will do so at higher frequency and provide relatively more comfort than the average railway coach.

Online registration begins for Yuva Sangam phase III

Yuva Sangam

• It is an initiative by the Government of India to strengthen people-to-people connections between youth belonging to different States/UTs of India.
• Interested youth in the age group of 18-30 years, mainly students, NSS (National Service Scheme)/NYKS (Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan) volunteers, employed/self-employed persons, etc. may register through the YUVA SANGAM portal to participate in the forthcoming Phase.
• It was launched under EBSB, draws inspiration from the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• It focuses on experiential learning and imbibing knowledge of the rich diversity of India on a first-hand basis.
• It is an on-going cultural exchange with the celebration of diversity at its core wherein participants gain an immersive experience of diverse facets of life, natural landforms, development landmarks, recent achievements, and youth connect in the host state.
• Twenty eminent institutions across India have been identified for Phase III of Yuva Sangam.
• During Phase III of Yuva Sangam, participants from 20 HEIs will be visiting 22 states and UTs.
• Significance
  • Under this, the youth will receive multi-dimensional exposure in five broad areas will be provided to them, which are Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions), Pragati (Development), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology).

See 400,000 galaxies near Milky Way in this amazing ''galactic atlas''

Siena Galaxy Atlas

• It is a digital atlas that was created to get to know our universe better through several of the known galaxies.
• It was created using data from three astronomical surveys collected between 2014 and 2017 at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) and Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO). Together, these surveys are known as the DESI Legacy Surveys.
• How is it different from other atlases?
  • It is dependent on state-of-the-art digital images captured by advanced technology, unlike previous atlases, which relied on antiquated equipment and photographic plates.
  • As it is built on the images captured with highly sensitive instruments, it boasts the most accurate data.
  • It is also the first cosmic atlas to feature the light profiles of galaxies - a curve that describes how the brightness of the galaxy changes from its brightest point to its dimmest.
• Significance
  • Cosmic atlases help astronomers spot patterns that help categorise new discoveries, such as stars that suddenly flare and then disappear (thus called ‘transients’).
  • These atlases also allow astronomers to identify which objects are contenders for detailed follow-up studies.
  • It helps in investigating everything from the births and evolutions of galaxies to the distribution of dark matter and propagation of gravitational waves through space.

Why DGCA amended its norms for operating powered hang gliders after the Hamas attack on Israel

Hang Gliders

• A hang glider is a type of aircraft that uses air currents to stay aloft.
• Unlike other aircraft, hang gliders have no engine or propeller.
• Instead, they rely on the wind to keep them in the air.
• How does it work?
  • Since a hang glider is unpowered, it can’t take off from low ground. It has to be launched from somewhere high, like a hill or mountain.
  • Gravity is the main force on a hang glider. This is the weight of the pilot and the wing.
  • The weight produces the thrust that keeps the aerofoil moving through the air.
  • The aerofoil shape of the wing stops the hang glider from dropping like a stone. It produces lift.
  • The aerofoil forces the air flowing over the top of the wing to travel faster, thereby ‘stretching’ it to produce a low-pressure area.
  • Meanwhile, the downward and forward motion of the wing compresses the air flowing under the wing.
  • The aerofoil is then drawn up into the area of low pressure, producing lift.
  • During the flight, the pilot controls the aircraft by the trapeze, both to change the direction and to vary the speed.
• Powered Hang Gliders:
  • A powered hang glider is an aircraft that combines the features of a traditional hang glider with those of a powered aircraft.
  • They typically have a small engine attached to the frame, which allows the pilot to take off and stay in the air without having to rely on thermals or other weather conditions.
  • This can make them a good option for anyone who isn''t experienced enough to take advantage of the winds to stay in the air.

DGCA Regulations on Powered Hang Gliders:

• No individual is permitted to operate a powered hang glider without prior authorization from a DGCA-approved examiner or instructor.
• The qualified examiner or instructor must have a minimum of 50 hours of experience on powered hang gliders, including at least 10 hours on a dual machine.
• Furthermore, the approved examiner or instructor is responsible for conducting thorough checks and authorising other individuals to fly.
• Individuals must meet specific criteria before conducting test flights on a powered hang glider. This includes holding a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with at least 25 hours of flying experience on a powered hang glider.
• Alternatively, an individual must possess authorization along with 50 hours of flying experience on a powered hang glider, as stipulated in the revised regulations.
• DGCA has mandated that any transaction involving the sale or transfer of a powered hang glider must be accompanied by a certificate issued by the DGCA. This certificate will only be granted following a thorough background check of prospective buyers conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• No owner or operator is allowed to lease, rent, or lend a powered hang glider to any individual or entity.
• The use of any remote sensing equipment, weapons, or photography and video recording devices on a powered hang glider is strictly prohibited without explicit permission from the MHA, unless it is deemed necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft or as specified by the relevant guidelines.
• Security measures approved by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) shall be adopted at the place of parking as well as at the place of operation before each flight by the owner or operator.

Mangaluru: Stone inscription related to Kulashekara Alupendra’s death found at Someshwara temple

Someshwara inscription

• This inscription is very significant in the study of Tuluva history and culture.
• It has two panels on the top, and in between the two panels, the first line is engraved.
• The rest of the inscription written below the panels is in Kannada script and the language of 12th century characters announcing the death of Alupendra I.
• The human figures shown in the inscription represent Kulashekara Alupendra himself.
• In the first figure, he is shown standing in Tribhanga (tri-bent posture). He holds a sword in his right hand while the left hand rests on a gurani (shield).
• To the left of this panel, divided by a pillar, the King is again shown in a sitting posture on a mound, resting both his palms on the centre of his legs in dhyana mudra.

Kulashekara Alupendra

• Kulashekara Alupendra I was a famous ruler of the Alupas of South Canara.
• He was responsible for the establishment of a new city called Kulashekara in Mangaluru.
• He also laid down strict rules and regulations for temple administration, which are still followed in all temples in this region.
• He was the first ruler to give royal patronage to Tulu language and culture, ruling from both the capitals, Mangaluru and Barkuru.
• Alupendra I ruled Tulunadu from 1156-1215 A.D., as known from his other records.
• Though the present inscription is undated, it is datable to 12th century on the basis of paleography.

Indian Railways: 895 Children Rescued By Railway Protection Force Under Operation ‘Nanhe Faristey’

Operation Nanhe Faristey

• It was launched on Indian Railways, and under this drive, Children in need of care & protection who came into contact with Indian Railways were rescued and handed over to concerned authorities before being restored to their families.

Railway Protection Force

• The history of the RPF dates back to 1882, when various Railway companies appointed their own guards for protection of Railway property.
• It was declared a statutory force in 1957by an enactment of Parliament and subsequently declared as an armed force of the Union of India in the year 1985.
• In 2003, the RPF partially took up the duties of escorting passenger trains and access control at the railway stations”.
• It is led by a director-general.
• It is an armed force under the operational and administrative control of the Union Ministry of Railways.
• It is tasked with protecting and securing railway property, the passenger areas, and the passengers themselves.

Police recover bodies of five missing after performing Mahalaya rituals in Hooghly river

Hooghly River

• The Hooghly River, also known as the Bhagirathi-Hoogly and Kati-Ganga Rivers, is one of the significant rivers in West Bengal.
• It is a distributary or arm of the Ganges River, about 260 km long.
• Course:
  • It is formed in Murshidabad, where Ganga splits into two parts – while the part flowing through Bangladesh is called the Padma.
  • The other part is the Hooghly, which flows through a heavily industrialised area of West Bengal.
  • The Hooghly river is silted up above Kolkata, and the river flows to the west and south to the estuary of Rupnarayan and then south and southwest to enter the Bay of Bengal through a 32 km-wide estuary.
• The Hooghly’s majority of water comes from the Farakka Feeder Canal instead of natural water.
• The Farakka Barrage is a dam that diverts water from the Ganges into a canal near the town of Tildanga in Malda district. This supplies the Hooghly with adequate water even in the dry season.
• Haldi, Ajay, Damodar, and Rupnarayan are the rivers that feed the lower reaches of the Hooghly.
• The important cities near the Hoogli River are Jiaganj, Azimganj, Murshidabad, and Baharampur.
• It is spanned by a cantilever bridge between Haora and Kolkata and by the Bally Bridge between Bally and Baranagar.

KSEB decides to maintain maximum water level in hydel dams

Idukki Dam

• It is located in Kerala, India.
• It is built on the Periyar River.
• It is a 168.91 meter (554 ft) tall arch dam.
• It is one of the highest ten arch dams in the world and the third highest in India after the Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand) and Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh).
• It is the first dam in Asia that is constructed in a double-curvature arch dam type and the second in the world.
• The dam stands between the two mountains, Kuravanmala (839m) and Kurathimala (925m).
• It supports a 780 MW hydroelectric power station.
• Construction:
  • Construction of the dam commenced on 30th April, 1969, and was commissioned by the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, in 1976.
  • It was constructed and owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board.
  • The Government of Canada aided in the building of the dam with long-term loans and grants.
  • This dam was constructed along with two other dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu.
  • Together, the three dams have created an artificial lake that is 60 km² in area.

36 held after violent clash at Bhimashankar temple

Bhimashankar Temple

• It is an ancient Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord
• Location: It is located in the Sahyadri hills in the Pune District of Maharashtra.
• It is considered one of the 12 holy Jyotirlinga shrines in India.
• In recent times, Bhimashankar has gained tremendous significance since it was declared a "Wildlife Sanctuary". This sanctuary is a part of the Western Ghats.
• Bhimashankar is the source of the river Bhima.
• History:
  • It was built around the 13th century. It is a testament to the skills of the Vishwakarma sculptors.
  • Structures such as the shikhara (spires) were added by Maratha Empire statesman Nana Phadnavis in the 18th century.
  • The Maratha ruler, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is also believed to have facilitated worship here through his endowments.
• Architecture:
  • It is a composite of old and new structures in the Nagara style of architecture.
  • The temple features huge court spaces, intricate carvings on walls, and colossal pillars.
  • The sanctum of the temple, called Garbhgriha, has been constructed at a lower level inside which the sacred Jyotirlinga is present.
  • The Swayambhoo, or self-emanated Shiv Linga, is precisely in the center of the floor of the Sanctum Sanctorum.
  • The massive pillars and doorframes of the temple are awash with exquisite mythological carvings of divine figures and holy symbols.
  • The temple also houses an ancient shrine of Lord Shani which is considered very auspicious by the devotees.
  • The statue of Nandi, the revered bull who’s the vehicle of Shiva, is present right at the entrance of the temple.

Jyotirlingas

• A Jyotirlinga is a shrine where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the form of a Jyotirlingam.
• There are currently12 main Jyotirlingas in India.
• The 12 Jyotirlinga temples in India take the name of the presiding deity. Each considered a different manifestation of Lord Shiva.
• 12 Jyotirlingas in India are:
  • Somnath Jyotirlinga in Gir, Gujarat
  • Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga in Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
  • Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
  • Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh
  • Baidyanath Jyotirlinga in Deoghar, Jharkhand
  • Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga in Maharashtra
  • Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu
  • Nageshwar Jyotirlinga in Dwarka, Gujarat
  • Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
  • Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga in Nasik, Maharashtra
  • Kedarnath Jyotirlinga in Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
  • Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga in Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Indian Army plans to start ''Chanakya Defence Dialogue'' talk series

Chanakya Defence Dialogue

• It will serve as a regular forum, bringing together top minds from the global defense and strategic sectors to facilitate the exchange of insights and ideas.
• It aims to integrate intelligence, strategy, and expertise, fostering discussions on topics such as Neighbourhood Forces, the significant Indo-Pacific frontier, and the evolving impact of emerging technologies on defense and security.
• The Indian Army is collaborating with the renowned think tank, Centre for Land and Warfare Studies (CLAWS), to organise the event.
• This gathering will draw participants from a diverse range of nations, including Australia, France, Japan, and the United States.
• Scheduled as a two-day conference, the gathering will feature prominent speakers, military strategists, diplomats, and leading intellectuals in the fields of defense and strategic affairs.
• Discussions will revolve around a broad spectrum of security challenges and strategies, focusing particularly in the pivotal regions of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
• Additionally, cooperation in defence technology, military exercises, and nuclear proliferation concerns will be discussed.