On Monday, April 8, a rare total solar eclipse will traverse North America, passing over Mexico, the United States (US), and Canada.
About Solar eclipse
A solar eclipse unfolds when the Moon manoeuvres itself between Earth and the Sun, obstructing the Sun’s light either partially or entirely, thus casting a vast shadow over specific areas of the globe. There are four primary types of solar eclipses: total, annular, partial and hybrid.
Solar eclipse varieties-
Total Solar Eclipse: During a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely obscures the Sun, casting a region within the central part of the Moon’s shadow into darkness. Observers within the path of totality may witness the Sun’s corona—the outer atmosphere—usually invisible due to the Sun’s brightness.
Annular Solar Eclipse: An annular solar eclipse arises when the Moon passes in front of the Sun but is at or near its farthest point from Earth. This results in a striking “ring of fire” effect as only the Sun’s periphery remains visible.
Partial Solar Eclipse: A partial solar eclipse occurs when the Moon obstructs only a portion of the Sun, leaving it with a crescent shape. During both partial and annular eclipses, regions outside the Moon’s umbra—the central and darkest part of its shadow—experience a partial solar eclipse. Partial solar eclipses are the most common type, as per The Indian Express.
Hybrid Solar Eclipse: The rarest form of solar eclipse is the hybrid solar eclipse, witnessed when an eclipse transitions between annular and total as the Moon’s shadow traverses the Earth. Some areas experience a total solar eclipse, while others observe an annular one.
How frequently do solar eclipses occur?
Solar eclipses only arise during a new moon phase when the Moon and Sun align on the same side of Earth. A new moon occurs approximately every 29.5 days, corresponding to the Moon’s orbit around Earth. However, this does not guarantee a solar eclipse every month; they occur only between two to five times annually.
Why is this?
The Moon’s orbit around Earth is tilted by about five degrees relative to Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Consequently, when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth, its shadow is often positioned too high or low to intersect with Earth.
Why are total solar eclipses so rare?
Despite there being between two and five solar eclipses annually, total eclipses occur only about once every 18 months. As previously mentioned, a specific location on Earth witnesses a total solar eclipse once every 400 years.
This rarity stems from the fact that a total eclipse is visible only within the umbra—the darker portion of the Moon’s shadow. The umbral shadow is exceedingly small, covering less than one percent of Earth’s surface during a solar eclipse. Additionally, approximately 70 percent of the globe is covered by water, and half of the landmass is uninhabited. Hence, it is uncommon for a total solar eclipse to be visible to a large population.
Satpula dam
Time to Read :🕑 7 Mins
Why in news?
Delhi's oldest surviving Satpula dam, which was built during the 14th-century, still stands strong as a testament to the era's engineering skill.
About
According to historians, Satpula (‘sat’ means seven and ‘pull’ means openings of a bridge) was constructed during the reign of Sultan Muhammad Shah Tughlaq (1325-1351).
It was developed as an integral component of the defence wall of the fourth city of Delhi, Jahanpanah.
Satpula was also designed to provide water for irrigation.
It was developed by identifying appropriate topography, i.e., a large open plain where water can be stored for irrigating large flat lands. Hence, this structure with sluice gates and a reservoir was developed.
It also served the need of defence against attacking armies.
Jahanpanah
Jahanpanah was the fourth medieval city of Delhi established in 1326-1327 A.D. by Muhammad bin Tughlaq (1321-1351), of the Delhi Sultanate.
To address the constant threat of the Mongols, Tughlaq built the fortified city of Jahanpanah (meaning: "Refuge of the World") subsuming the Adilabad fort that had been built in the fourteenth century and also all the establishments lying between Qila Rai Pithora and Siri Fort.
Due to compulsions of urban expansion of the Capital City of Delhi, Jahanpanah is now part of the upscale urban development of South Delhi.
The village and the wealth of ruins scattered all around are now enclosed by South Delhi suburbs of Panchshil Park South, Malviya Nagar, Adchini, the Aurobindo Ashram, Delhi branch and other smaller housing colony developments.
It is hemmed in the North–South direction between the Outer Ring Road and the Qutb Complex and on the east–west direction by the Mehrauli road and the Chirag Delhi road, with Indian Institute of Technology located on the other side of the Mehrauli road as an important landmark.
Suvidha Portal
Time to Read :🕑 11 Mins
Why in news?
The Suvidha platform received an impressive 73,379 permission requests from political parties and candidates since loksabha poll were announced.
About Suvidha portal
The Suvidha portal is a technological solution developed by ECI to ensure a level playing-field upholding the democratic principles of free, fair and transparent elections.
Demonstrating an impressive track record, the Suvidha Portal streamlined the process of obtaining and acting upon requests for permissions and facilities from political parties and candidates during the election period.
Recognizing the importance of the election campaign period, where parties and candidates engage in activities to reach out to voters, the Suvidha Portal caters to a diverse range of permission requests transparently on the First in First Out principle.
It caters to permissions for organising rallies, opening temporary party offices, door-to-door canvassing, video vans, helicopters, obtaining vehicle permits, distributing pamphlets.
About SUVIDHA Portal- Critical Application to ECI IT Ecosystem
Accessible through the Suvidha Portal (https://suvidha.eci.gov.in ), political parties and candidates can seamlessly submit permission requests online from anywhere, at any time. Additionally, offline submission options are available to ensure inclusivity and equal opportunity for all stakeholders.
Supported by a robust IT platform, managed by nodal officers across various state departments, the Suvidha Portal facilitates efficient processing of permission requests. Suvidha also has a companion app that enables applicants to track the status of their requests in real time, adding further convenience and transparency to the process. The App is available on IoS and Android platforms.
The Suvidha Platform not only enhances the efficiency of the election process but also ensures transparency by providing real-time tracking of applications, status updates, timestamped submissions, and communication via SMS.
Furthermore, the permission data available on the portal serves as a valuable resource for scrutinising election expenditures, contributing to greater accountability and integrity in the electoral process.
With the Suvidha Platform, the Election Commission of India reaffirms its commitment to facilitate a fair, efficient, and transparent electoral environment, where all political parties and candidates have equal access to the necessary permissions and clearances.
The subject of youth suicide in India
Time to Read :🕑 11 Mins
Why in news?
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has reported a staggering 1.71 lakh suicides in India for the year 2022.
Background
Suicide is the tragic and untimely loss of human life, all the more devastating and perplexing because it is a conscious volitional act.
India has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of suicides in the world.
Current data
The suicide rate has increased to 12.4 per 1,00,000 — the highest rate ever recorded in India.
But these figures are underestimated due to an inadequate registration system, the lack of medical certification of death, stigma and other factors.
Unfortunately, 41% of all suicides are by young people below the age of 30.
Suicide is the leading cause of mortality for young women in India.
A young Indian dies by suicide every eight minutes, which is a loss to family, society, the economy and future of the country.
Suicide in the young is a major public health problem in India.
Factors behind young people's suicide
A current review of adolescent suicides in India shows that the most commonly reported risk factors were mental health problems (54%), negative or traumatic family issues (36%), academic stress (23%), social and lifestyle factors (20%), violence (22%), economic distress (9.1%) and relationship factors (9%). Physical and sexual abuse, examination failure, intergenerational conflicts, parental pressures and caste discrimination are associated with youth suicide.
There are specific sociocultural factors for suicide among young girls and women.
Arranged and early marriages, young motherhood, low social status, domestic violence and economic dependence are well documented.
Rigid gender roles and discrimination have also been implicated.
Failure in examinations drove 2,095 people to suicide in 2022. A system of education with an emphasis on scoring marks, and a one-point examination system, along with parental pressure and high expectation from oneself and the educational institutions contribute to suicides.
Enormous competition to get into colleges, media hype around results, the shame associated with failure, and months of pent-up pressures and emotions result in a highly emotionally wrought state.
Competitive examinations have also pushed many students to the edge. Tragically, even after obtaining a seat in prestigious professional colleges, academic pressure has led to many suicides.
Alcohol and substance use are known risk factors in youth suicides.
The last two decades have witnessed a marked increase in Internet use among the young. A meta-analysis from 19 States of India revealed that almost 20% of college students are net addicts. One-third of young people are cyber-bullied. And of this sub-set, one third are suicidal. Teens who used social media for more than two hours a day are more suicidal.
The media has a strong influence on vulnerable young people.
Sensational reporting of suicide, particularly by a celebrity, is followed by increased suicidal behaviour. Following the death of a very popular young male actor in India, there was a significant increase in searches on Google on “how to commit suicide”.
Solutions to reducing young people suicides
Young people can be taught problem solving, impulse control and emotional regulation skills along with improving help-seeking behaviour.
Early identification of mental distress and provision of care in a youth-friendly environment are essential.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle (a good diet, regular physical activity, moderate and appropriate use of the Internet, cultivating supportive friendships, yoga and meditation) improves mental health and reduces suicide in the young.
Improving the family environment by reducing domestic violence and alcohol consumption, and providing economic assistance to the needy have been shown to reduce suicidal behaviour.
Educational reforms such as alternative assessment methods and provisions to explore the potential of a young person are needed.
Societal changes to reduce stigma and discrimination based on caste, religion and sexuality need to be addressed. Political will, intersectoral collaboration and commitment, and community participation are needed.
Way forward
The Ministry of Health constituted a task force in November 2019 to develop a National Suicide Prevention Strategy for India.
The final strategy was launched on November 21, 2022 with the objective of reducing suicide by 10% by 2030.
The strategy has recognised that collaboration between the Ministries of Health, Education, Information and Broadcasting, and Social Welfare is essential.
The strategy focuses on the need to leverage educational institutions and youth organisations to promote mental health and reduce substance and behavioural addictions through school health ambassadors and youth clubs.
The immediate task is to disseminate the strategy to all States in India and stakeholders. Budgetary allocations are necessary and the strategies need to be implemented at the earliest at the State, district and community levels.
Baltimore bridge
Time to Read :🕑 5 Mins
Why in news?
Recently, the bridge collapsed after a massive cargo ship rammed into it.
About
The port is a major East Coast hub for shipping.
The bridge spans the Patapsco River, which massive cargo ships use to reach the Chesapeake Bay and then the Atlantic Ocean.
The 22 Indian crew members on the cargo ship named Dali, which collided with a bridge in Baltimare, USA.
The ship was en route to Sri Lanka with 4,700 containers when it list power and struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Right against adverse effects of climate change
Time to Read :🕑 7 Mins
Why in news?
The Supreme Court has expanded the scope of Articles 14 and 21 to include the right against the adverse effects of climate change.
About news
A three-judge bench presided by Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud has said. Following two articles are not justiciable provisions of the Constitution, they are indications that the Constitution recognises the importance of the natural world.
The Article 48A of the Constitution provides that the State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
Clause (g) of Article 51A stipulates that it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
The importance of the environment, as indicated by these provisions, becomes a right in other parts of the Constitution.
Article 21 recognises the right to life and personal liberty while Article 14 indicates that all persons shall have equality before law and the equal protection of laws.
These Articles are important sources of the right to a clean environment and the right against the adverse effects of climate change.
Court noted - Despite governmental policy and rules and regulations recognising the adverse effects of climate change and seeking to combat it, there is no single or umbrella legislation in India which relates to climate change and the attendant concerns.
However, this does not mean that the people of India do not have a right against the adverse effects of climate change.
On the right to a clean environment, the court said: Without a clean environment which is stable and unimpacted by the vagaries of climate change, the right to life is not fully realised.
The right to health (which is a part of the right to life under Article 21) is impacted due to factors such as air pollution, shifts in vector-borne diseases, rising temperatures, droughts, shortages in food supplies due to crop failure, storms and flooding.
The inability of underserved communities to adapt to climate change or cope with its effects violates the right to life (Article 21) as well as the right to equality (Article 14).
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The Civil Services Exam is conducted every year by the UPSC to select suitable candidates for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), IFS (Indian Foreign Service), IPS (Indian Police Service), IRS (Indian Revenue Service) and other Central Services like the Audits and Accounts, Railway Technical Services etc.
These services are vital for the administration of the Nation as they form the underlying basis of the policy formulation, implementation and execution in almost all the domains of the Governance. Sardar Patel had called the Civil Service the “Steel Frame of India“, the backbone of India’s Administration.
Being part of the Services is associated with prestige, power and a sense of responsibility toward the Society and the Nation. No doubt, the Services attract the best among the vast talent pool of the country.
And it is no surprise that the competition for the CSE is becoming fiercer every year. Over the last 3-4 years the number of applicants has hovered around 1,000,000 out of which approximately 500,000 appear for the Preliminary Exam. On an average 10,000 candidates qualify for the Mains Examination and less than 2,500 are called for the interview. Finally, only about 1,000 or fewer candidates qualify to be part of the Services. Thus the conversion ratio from appearing in the Preliminary Examination to the final selection in the Services is less than 0.2% (considering only the
Thus only sincere hard work may not be enough to be part of the Services. The aspirants need suitable guidance and study material to get selected and fulfil their dream of serving the Nation. Unacademy strives to provide quality content to the learners in order to supplement the guidance they receive from top Educators on the Unacademy Platform and aid their preparation.
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