Gen Beta

Context: Children born on and after January 1, 2025, will now be termed as Generation Beta marking a generational shift

• Gen Beta will comprise of the children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2039
• Gen Beta succeeds Generation Alpha (iPad Generation), with its members born between 2010 and 2024.
• It is predicted that Gen Beta will be ‘more globally minded, community-focused, and collaborative’, but will seek to define their individual identities in a world of hyper-connectivity.

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What is a Generation?

• A generation refers to a group of people born around the same time period who have experienced a common historical event and may have similar value systems.
• The term was popularised by Karl Mannheim in his paper “The Problem of Generations” in 1928.
• Naming: The past generations were grouped in periods of 15-20 years and were named after defining societal events 
  • The trend has changed and now follows the Greek Alphabet with the children born between 2010 and 2024 termed as Gen Alpha. 
• Past Generations:
  • Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964): This generation was born after World War II and the period of decolonisation and thus is named after the post-war baby boom. 
    • Considering the surge in optimism, this generation is usually associated with idealism and a mistrust of authority
  • Gen X (1964 – 1979): This generation is named after their anti-establishmentarian mindset with the X representing a mistrust of the establishment.
    • This generation is diverse and is patterned on a rich, vibrant democracy, comfortable with many views, perspectives, and voices.
  • Gen Y or the Millennials (1980 – 1995): The children born in this generation became adults at the turn of the millennium. This generation is tech-savvy compared to their predecessors while also being socially conscious. 
  • Gen Z (1996 – 2010): Gen Z or the Zoomers today constitute the younger adults and is the first generation to be truly plugged in and grow up as digital natives 
    • This is the generation that has normalised talk of mental health concerns and advocated for social and environmental causes.
  • Gen Alpha (2011 – 2024): This is the first generation to be born entirely in the 21st century and is the most tech-savvy generation with  heightened awareness of its environment and of mental health challenges.

Indian Navy Receives 6th Scorpene-Class Submarine

Context: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, handed over the sixth Scorpene submarine, Vaghsheer, to the Indian Navy under Project P-75.

• The six submarines under Project P-75 include Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, Vagir, and now Vaghsheer.

About Vaghsheer

• INS Vaghsheer is the sixth and final Scorpene-class submarine.
  • It is delivered to the Indian Navy under Project P-75.
  • Key Features of Vaghsheer
    • Stealth Technology: Advanced technology ensures superior stealth capabilities.
    • Precision Attacks: Equipped to launch guided weapon attacks with torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles.
    • Versatile Operations: Can perform multiple missions, such as:
      • Anti-Surface Warfare
      • Anti-Submarine Warfare
      • Area Surveillance

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What are Scorpene Submarines?

• It is a type of diesel-electric attack submarine.
• Objective: It aims to increase maritime defense capabilities. 

Project P-75

• Project P-75 is an initiative by the Indian Navy to procure six diesel-electric attack submarines
• Equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, modern missiles, and countermeasure systems.
• Six Submarines are:
• • INS Kalvari (commissioned in 2017)
  • INS Khanderi (commissioned in 2019)
  • INS Karanj (commissioned in 2021)
  • INS Vela (commissioned in 2021)
  • INS Vagir (commissioned in January 2023)
  • INS Vaghsheer (delivered in 2024 after sea trials in 2023)

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