News in Shorts: 07 April 2025

Hadean Protocrust

Context: Researchers from Macquarie University in Australia challenged earlier beliefs about plate tectonics.

They found chemical signatures thought to be caused by plate movements existed even in the Hadean protocrust, before subduction began.

What is the Hadean Protocrust?

• The Hadean protocrust refers to the Earth’s very first crust layer.
• Term meaning: “Hadean” reflects the hellish conditions of this period—marked by extreme heat, volcanic activity, and a partially molten surface.
  • It refers to the planet’s first geologic aeon.
• Formation: It formed during the earliest geologic aeon called the Hadean.
  • This period occurred within 200 million years of Earth’s formation.
  • At this time, the Earth’s surface was molten, bombarded by space rocks, and covered in volcanoes, making it extremely hot and inhospitable.
  • Formation of the First Crust
    • As the Earth’s magma surface began to cool, parts of it solidified to form the first pieces of crust.
    • The early crust was unstable, with some areas flaking off while others solidified further.
    • The thicker parts eventually formed the first continents.
    • These continents moved on the asthenospheric mantle, a layer of molten rock beneath the crust.

Pamban Rail Bridge

Context: Recently the Pamban Rail Bridge was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Ram Navami)

Key Features of New Pamban Rail Bridge

• India’s first vertical lift railway sea bridge.
• 2.08 km long with 99 fixed spans and a 72.5-meter lift span.
  • The lift can rise 17 meters to let large ships pass, raised in just five minutes.
• Built with stainless steel reinforcement, composite sleepers, and polysiloxane coating for corrosion resistance.
• Designed to accommodate future electrification and dual tracks.
• Limitation: The lifting mechanism cannot operate when winds exceed 58 km/h, a common condition during cyclone season (October to February).
• The project was constructed by Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), costing over ₹550 crore.

Strategic and Cultural Importance

• Rameswaram is a major pilgrimage centre with centuries-old religious significance.
• Improved connectivity is expected to boost tourism and local business.
• The bridge also carries deep emotional significance, as it played a pivotal role in the early life of APJ Abdul Kalam, India’s former President.

History of the Bridge

• The original Pamban Bridge was inaugurated in 1914, designed with a Scherzer Rolling Lift span to allow ships to pass.
• It survived major events like a 1948 tectonic shift and the 1964 cyclone that devastated Dhanushkodi.
• Over time, marine corrosion weakened the bridge. After a 2022 IIT Madras study found dangerous vibrations, operations were halted, ending over a century of service.

Shyamji Krishna Varma

Context: Recently, on the occasion of Shyamji Krishna Varma’s death anniversary, the Prime Minister paid heartfelt tributes to the great freedom fighter, recalling his invaluable contributions to India’s struggle for independence. 

About Shyamji Krishna Varma

• Shyamji Krishna Varma was born in 1857 in the Kachchh region of present-day Gujarat. His formative years were spent in India where he received his early education.
• Academic Excellence: Varma showcased exceptional academic abilities, particularly in Sanskrit, which led him to pursue higher studies abroad.
  • His expertise in Sanskrit eventually earned him the opportunity to teach the language at the prestigious Oxford University in England.
• Mentorship and Influence: Shyamji Krishna Varma was an ardent admirer of Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj.
• He became the first President of the Bombay Arya Samaj and drew inspiration from Saraswati’s call for Indian self-rule.

Role in the Indian Independence Movement

• Establishment of India House and The Indian Sociologist: In 1905, Shyamji Krishna Varma founded India House in London  and launched The Indian Sociologist, a monthly journal. 
• India House soon became a hub for radical nationalists and Indian students in Britain, fostering revolutionary ideas and providing a platform for discussions on Indian independence.
  • He also significantly influenced young revolutionaries like Veer Savarkar, who was an active member of India House.
• Advocate of Indian Nationalism Abroad: Through the Indian Home Rule Society and his publications, Varma strongly criticized British colonial rule in India. 
  • His initiatives played a critical role in nurturing revolutionary sentiment among Indians living overseas.
• Life in Exile: In 1907, to avoid British prosecution due to his revolutionary activities, Shyamji Krishna Varma moved to Paris.
  • From there, he continued his advocacy for Indian independence, maintaining his commitment to the cause until his final days.
• Service in Indian States: Before his activities abroad, Shyamji Krishna Varma also served as the Diwan (Prime Minister) of several princely states in India, showcasing his administrative acumen and dedication to public service.
• Honoring His Legacy: In recognition of his enduring contribution to India’s freedom struggle, a memorial named Kranti Teerth was established near Mandvi, Gujarat, and was inaugurated in 2010.
  • Spread across 52 acres, this grand memorial features a  replica of the India House building at Highgate, London.