1. ISRO gets government approval for Venus mission “Shukrayaan”

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has received government approval for its ambitious Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), also known as Mission Shukrayaan. Scheduled for launch in 2028, this mission aims to explore Venus’s atmosphere, surface, and its interactions with the Sun.

About Mission Shukrayaan:

Launch Timeline:

The mission is set to lift off in 2028 under the auspices of the Department of Space.

Mission Objectives

The mission’s goals include:

• Exploring the Venusian Atmosphere: Investigating dust particles, airglow phenomena, and atmospheric interactions.
• Mapping Surface Topography: Studying Venus’s surface features and solar X-ray spectrum.
• Testing Advanced Technology: Demonstrating aerobraking and thermal management techniques in Venus’s harsh environment.
  • Aerobraking uses a planet’s atmosphere to reduce the spacecraft’s speed and adjust its orbit efficiently.

Mission Payloads:

• 16 Indian Payloads: Designed to perform diverse scientific tasks.
• Collaborative Payloads:
  • VISWAS and RAVI (Indian and international collaboration).
  • VIRAL (an international payload).

Significance of Mission Shukrayaan:

Scientific Advancements

• Enhancing understanding of planetary evolution and the solar system’s dynamics.
• Gaining deeper insights into Venus’s atmospheric composition and its interaction with solar radiation.

Climate Change Insights:

Venus’s atmosphere, composed primarily of carbon dioxide, can provide critical insights into the greenhouse effect, helping us better understand climate change on Earth.

Broader Impacts:

• Investigating the evolution of Earth and its atmosphere.
• Contributing to comparative planetary studies.

Challenges of the Mission:

1. Extreme Environmental Conditions: High Temperatures and Pressures: Venus’s surface temperature can exceed 470°C, posing risks to spacecraft systems.

2. Corrosive Atmosphere: Presence of sulfuric acid clouds, which can corrode components made of materials like steel and titanium.

3. Other Technological Hurdles

• Navigating harsh terrain.
• Limited sunlight availability for powering solar panels.
• Developing systems to withstand Venus’s hostile environment.

Why Mission Shukrayaan Matters:

Shukrayaan is a significant leap in India’s space exploration journey, demonstrating technological prowess and fostering international collaborations. By unlocking the secrets of Earth’s twin planet, this mission promises to deepen our understanding of planetary science and inspire future space endeavors.

2. India-Mediterranean Relations: Strengthening Historical and Strategic Ties

Context: At the 10th MED Mediterranean Dialogue in Rome, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the growing importance of fostering deeper ties between India and the Mediterranean region, focusing on mutual benefits across multiple domains.

About the Mediterranean Region

The Mediterranean region encompasses:

• Southern Europe: Spain, France, Monaco, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus.
• North Africa: Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco.
• West Asia: Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Palestine.

A historical hub for global trade, culture, and geopolitics, this region holds immense potential for deepening interactions with India.

India-Mediterranean Relations:

1. Historical Ties and Cultural Exchange:

• Ancient trade relations flourished with the Roman Empire and Greeks.
• The port city of Muziris on India’s Malabar Coast was a key trading hub for spices, gold, and exotic goods.
• These connections laid a strong foundation for rich cultural exchanges, which continue to shape contemporary relations.

2. Strategic and Geopolitical Importance:

• The Mediterranean’s strategic location links Asia, Africa, and Europe, aligning with India’s vision for a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
• It plays a pivotal role in India’s connectivity and geopolitical outreach, fostering better ties across continents.

3. Political and Defense Cooperation:

• Strong political relations are evident through increased defense collaborations.
• India’s participation in the I2U2 grouping (India, Israel, UAE, US) reflects its focus on economic and security cooperation in the region.
• Enhanced ties with Italy include agreements on maritime security, information sharing, and defense production.

4. Economic and Trade Partnerships:

• Bilateral trade with Mediterranean nations has reached USD 80 billion annually, with sectors like:
  • Fertilizers, energy, water technology, defense, and cyber capabilities leading the charge.
• Indian companies are investing in infrastructure projects, including airports, ports, railways, and green hydrogen initiatives.

5. Enhanced Connectivity:

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), launched in 2023, aims to bolster connectivity between India, the Middle East, and Europe, involving nations like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel.

6. Cultural and Diaspora Links:

• The Mediterranean is home to a 460,000-strong Indian diaspora, with 40% residing in Italy.
• This diaspora strengthens cultural ties and fosters better understanding between India and Mediterranean countries.

Key Challenges in India-Mediterranean Relations:

1. Geopolitical Instability:

• Persistent conflicts, such as the Israel-Palestine issue and tensions in Syria and Libya, hinder diplomatic progress.
• The success of initiatives like IMEC depends on resolving these regional disputes.

2. Energy Security:

• The Mediterranean region is vital for India’s energy imports, including oil and gas from North Africa and the Middle East.
• Ensuring stable energy supplies amid regional volatility and advancing renewable energy partnerships are critical priorities.

3. Regional Security Concerns

• Challenges such as piracy, illicit maritime activities, and regional conflicts demand collaborative efforts to ensure freedom of navigation.
• India’s balanced diplomacy, including its call for a ceasefire in West Asia and support for a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict, showcases its commitment to peace and stability.

Conclusion and Way Forward:

India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region spans economic, strategic, and cultural dimensions, offering significant opportunities for mutual growth.

Priority Areas for Strengthening Relations:

• Enhancing geopolitical stability.
• Promoting economic integration and infrastructure development.
• Securing energy supplies and advancing renewable energy partnerships.
• Supporting the Indian diaspora.
• Proactively addressing regional conflicts through balanced diplomacy.

Through initiatives like IMEC and strengthened diplomatic efforts, India can enhance its role in fostering the stability, prosperity, and integration of the Mediterranean region while advancing its own global interests.

3. Sambhal Mosque Dispute: Legal Battle and Rising Communal Tensions

Context: The Sambhal Mosque Dispute has reignited debates around religious identity, historical claims, and legal protections in India. Violence erupted in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, following a district court’s order to survey the Shahi Jama Masjid, leading to fatalities and raising concerns about communal harmony.

Why Is This in the News?

A district court in Sambhal ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, triggering violence that resulted in at least four deaths and several injuries. Allegations of police excesses and procedural lapses have intensified tensions in the region.

Understanding the Sambhal Mosque Dispute

Background of the Controversy:

• The dispute stems from a petition alleging that the 16th-century Jama Masjid was constructed over an ancient Hari Har Mandir.
• Petitioners demanded a survey to determine the site’s historical and religious character, akin to similar claims about sites in Varanasi, Mathura, and Dhar.
• The Shahi Jama Masjid, classified as a Monument of National Importance under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904, is under the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), making it a sensitive legal and cultural issue.

Court-Ordered Surveys and Unrest:

• A photographic and videographic survey was initially conducted without incident, with cooperation from authorities and mosque representatives.
• However, a subsequent survey led to violent clashes when a petitioner arrived with chanting crowds, sparking protests near the mosque.
• Allegations of police violence emerged, with reports of five deaths, including teenagers. Locals accused the police of using excessive force and damaging property, though the police denied these claims.

Local Concerns Over Legal Proceedings:

• Critics argue the survey order was issued without determining the admissibility of the claims.
• The survey began before higher courts could review the order, raising concerns about procedural fairness.

Historical Context of the Shahi Jama Masjid

Architectural and Historical Significance

• Built during Babur’s reign (1526–1530) by his general Mir Hindu Beg, the mosque is an early example of Mughal architecture.
• Features include:
  • A square prayer hall with a dome.
  • Arches and stone masonry resembling structures in Budaun.
• The mosque underwent repairs during the reigns of Jahangir and Shah Jahan.

Debated Origins:

• Some scholars suggest it has Tughlaq-era origins, with Babur adding modifications.
• Local traditions claim the mosque incorporates remnants of a Vishnu temple, believed to be the site of the arrival of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Vishnu.

Legal Context of the Shahi Jama Masjid

Places of Worship Act, 1991

• The 1991 Act mandates maintaining the religious character of all sites as of August 15, 1947, except the Babri Masjid case.
• Key Provision: Section 3 bars the conversion of places of worship into sites for different religious groups.
• Objective: To preserve India’s secular fabric and prevent conflicts over religious sites.

Challenges to the Act

• The Sambhal petition challenges the Act by seeking a change in the mosque’s religious character.
• Petitioners cite remarks by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, suggesting that ascertaining the religious character of a site may not necessarily violate the Act.
• The Act is under review in multiple cases, including disputes in Varanasi, Mathura, and now Sambhal.

4. Supreme Court Seeks Report on Pennaiyar River Water Dispute

5. India Signs the Final Act of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty

Context: India has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening its intellectual property (IP) ecosystem by signing the Riyadh Design Law Treaty (DLT). This move aligns with India’s vision of promoting inclusive growth and fostering innovation across industries.

About the Riyadh Design Law Treaty

Background:

• The treaty, finalized after nearly two decades of negotiations under the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), aims to streamline and harmonize the procedural frameworks for industrial design protection globally.
• Its focus is on improving the efficiency and accessibility of design registration processes across multiple jurisdictions.

Objective:

• The treaty ensures that streamlined design protection benefits are available to all stakeholders, especially:
  • Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
  • Startups
  • Independent designers

Key Provisions of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty:

1. Relaxed Time Limits:
   • Flexible timelines for completing procedural requirements.
   • Provision for the reinstatement of lost rights.
2. Priority Claims:
   • Allows applicants to correct or add priority claims post-application.
3. Simplified Processes:
   • Streamlined procedures for recording assignments and licenses.
   • Enables the filing of multiple designs within a single application.
4. Encouragement for Digital Systems:
   • Promotes the adoption of electronic design systems.
   • Facilitates the electronic exchange of priority documents.

India’s Initiatives for Safeguarding IPR

India has taken significant steps to establish a robust intellectual property rights (IPR) framework:

National IPR Policy, 2016:

• A comprehensive document encompassing all forms of IPRs.
• Establishes an institutional mechanism for implementation, monitoring, and periodic review.

Key Programs and Policies:

1. Cell for IPR Promotion and Management (CIPAM):
   • Coordinates the execution of the National IPR Policy.
2. National Intellectual Property Awareness Mission (NIPAM):
   • A flagship initiative to impart IP awareness and training in educational institutions.
3. Startup Intellectual Property Protection (SIPP):
   • Provides support to startups for protecting and managing their IP assets.
   • Encourages innovation and entrepreneurship.

Why Intellectual Property Matters?

Definition: Intellectual Property (IP) encompasses creations of the mind, such as inventions, artistic works, designs, and symbols used in commerce.

• Purpose: Protected under laws like patents, copyrights, and trademarks, IP allows innovators to earn recognition and financial benefits while fostering an environment for creativity and innovation.

Types of Intellectual Property:

1. Patent: Exclusive rights granted for new inventions offering technical solutions to problems.
2. Copyright: Protects the rights of creators over literary and artistic works.
3. Trademark: Distinguishes the goods or services of one entity from others using a unique sign.
4. Industrial Design: Protects the ornamental or aesthetic aspects of an article.
5. Geographical Indications (GIs): Identifies products with specific qualities or reputations linked to their geographic origin.
6. Trade Secrets: Rights over confidential information, which can be sold or licensed.

Concluding Remarks:

India’s signing of the Riyadh Design Law Treaty marks a significant step in strengthening its IPR framework. Combined with initiatives like the Startup India program and SIPP scheme, these measures will empower startups and SMEs, enhancing their competitiveness and supporting their growth in the global market.

6. Women Pioneers of India’s Constitution

Context: On Constitution Day (November 26), President Droupadi Murmu celebrated the contributions of women in the Constituent Assembly.

Out of 299 members, 15 women were part of the Assembly (two later resigned). These women represented diverse regions and perspectives, actively participating in debates on gender equality, caste, and reservations.

While prominent names like Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani, and Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit are widely known, lesser-known women also made significant contributions.

This article highlights the remarkable contributions of five pioneering women.

Ammu Swaminathan: Champion of Gender Equality:

• Background: Hailing from Palakkad, Kerala, Ammu Swaminathan married Subbarama Swaminathan under conditions of personal independence. Her daughter was Captain Lakshmi Sahgal of the Indian National Army.
• Journey into Politics: Inspired by the restrictive widowhood practices her mother endured, she joined the freedom movement and contested elections on a Congress ticket.
• Role in the Constituent Assembly:
  • Advocated for the Hindu Code Bill and gender equality in the face of resistance.
  • Promoted women’s rights in a male-dominated Assembly.
• Post-Independence Contributions:
  • Elected from Dindigul, Tamil Nadu.
  • Served as India’s goodwill ambassador to Russia, China, and the US.

Annie Mascarene: Voice for Universal Franchise

• Early Life: Born into a Latin Christian family in Travancore, she overcame caste barriers to excel academically, becoming a lawyer and educator.
• Political Career:
  • Joined the Travancore State Congress, championing universal adult franchise and enduring violence for her beliefs.
  • Advocated for a strong Centre while supporting local government autonomy.
• Achievements: As an independent candidate, she became the first woman MP from Thiruvananthapuram in 1952.

Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul: Advocate for Unity

• Early Life: Born into Punjab’s royal family, she pursued education despite opposition, even facing a fatwa for attending a convent school.
• Political Journey:
  • Entered politics after marriage, discarding the purdah.
  • Won a non-reserved seat in 1936, despite societal criticism.
• Role in the Constituent Assembly:
  • Opposed separate electorates based on religion, arguing for national unity.
  • Opted to stay in India post-Partition, advocating for the rights of poor Muslims.
• Later Contributions:
  • Joined the Congress and served in the Rajya Sabha.
  • Played a key role in promoting women’s hockey.

Dakshayani Velayudhan: A Pioneer for Dalit Rights

• Background: Born into the Pulaya community in Cochin, she became the first Dalit woman to graduate in science.
• Breaking Barriers:
  • Endured discrimination in college, where she was excluded from practical experiments.
  • Married a social worker in a simple wedding attended by Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba.

• Constituent Assembly Role:
  • Opposed separate electorates for Dalits, advocating for national integration.
  • Championed equality and Dalit rights.
• Later Life:
  • Financial constraints limited her political career, but she remained active in the Dalit movement.

Renuka Ray: Advocate for Women’s Empowerment:

• Early Life: Born in Pabna (now in Bangladesh), she joined the freedom movement under Mahatma Gandhi’s inspiration.
• Education and Activism:
  • Studied at the London School of Economics, where she met her husband.
  • Focused on divorce and inheritance laws, representing women’s organizations in the Central Legislative Assembly.
• Contributions in the Constituent Assembly:
  • Supported the Hindu Code Bill.
  • Opposed reserved seats for women, believing they hindered progress.
• Later Career:
  • Won the 1957 general election from Hooghly.
  • Contributed to governance in Bengal and social justice initiatives.

Conclusion:These remarkable women brought unique perspectives to the Constituent Assembly, shaping modern India’s constitutional framework. Their contributions—rooted in advocacy for equality, unity, and justice—continue to inspire generations.