Space Sector Adds $24B to GDP 

More on the news: 

• Study Initiation: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) initiated the report to assess the socio-economic impact of the space sector between 2014-2023.
• Collaboration: The study was conducted by econONE and Novaspace, interviewing 56 Indian organizations across public and private sectors.

Key Findings of the report

• Economic Contribution
  • GDP Impact: India’s space sector contributed about $24 billion (₹20,000 crore) to GDP over the last decade.
  • Jobs Created: It supported 96,000 jobs in both public and private sectors.
  • Multiplier Effect: Each dollar from the space sector generated $2.54 in the economy, making it 2.5 times more productive than the average industrial workforce.
• Growth and Diversification
  • Investment: India invested $13 billion in space over the past decade, ranking 8th globally in space funding.
  • Company Expansion: The sector now has 700 companies, including 200 start-ups, with revenues reaching $6.3 billion in 2023, representing 1.5% of the global space market.
• Key Industry Contributions
  • Major Segments: Satellite communications account for 54% of the space economy, navigation 26%, and launches 11%.
  • Industry Support: Key supported industries include telecom (25%), IT (10%), and administrative services (7%).

Offenses under SC/ST law

• Sections Involved: Sections 3(1) (r) and 3(1) (u) of the 1989 Act deal with insulting an SC/ST person in public and promoting hatred or ill-will against SC/ST communities.

Context of the Case

• Shajan Skaria, editor of the YouTube channel “Marunadan Malayali” had been accused of posting a derogatory video against Kerala MLA P.V. Sreenijin, a member of the SC community.

Interpretation of the SC/ST Act

• Legal Interpretation: The court held that the SC/ST Act applies only when the insult or intimidation is intentional and directly linked to the victim’s SC/ST identity.
• Criteria for offense: For the insult to be considered an offense, it must reinforce caste-based discrimination or perpetuate historically entrenched notions of caste superiority, such as untouchability or purity.

Rail Force One

Rail Force One” Nickname

• Biden’s 2023 Train Visit: When President Joe Biden visited Ukraine in 2023 by train, the train received a nickname called “Rail Force One,”. 
  • The train was nicknamed as a playful reference to Air Force One, the official airplane used for US presidents.

About Rail force One

• Operator: The train is operated by Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways).
• Notable Passengers: It has been used by several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
• Features: The train is known for its luxurious interiors, 
• Symbolism: “Rail Force One” has become a symbol of “Iron Diplomacy,”.
  • It showcases the resilience and adaptability of Ukraine’s railway network during the ongoing conflict.

“Cauvery Body Seeks Centre’s Approval for Environmental Assessment”

 CNNL claims that this request has been pending for nearly six years.

The Mekedatu project

• It is a multi-purpose (drinking water and power) project. 
• Objective: The Mekedatu project aims to build a balancing reservoir on the Cauvery River near Kanakapura in Karnataka.
  • Location: At the confluence of the Cauvery River and its tributary, Arkavathi.

Benefits

• Agricultural Support: The project is designed to aid agricultural activities in the Cauvery basin.
• Water Supply: It will ensure water availability for farmers in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Water Regulation: The reservoir will help manage water flow and provide drinking water to Bengaluru, Karnataka’s capital.