Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 30 October 2023 | Download PDF

Upcoming Tests by ISRO

• Successful completion of Test Vehicle-D1 (TV-D1) mission on October 21.
• Planned series of test missions to further Gaganyaan program.

Upcoming Tests by ISRO

TV-D2 Mission

• Demonstrates in-flight abort capability under varied initial conditions.
• Features control system for crew module re-orientation upon separation.
• Utilizes the same expendable version based on L40 strap-on from GSLV.

G-X Unmanned Orbital Demonstration Flight

• Involves crew module with service module.
• Launches aboard a human-rated LVM3.
• Introduces ‘Vyommitra’ – a robot astronaut developed by ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU).
• Tests control systems, reduced life support system, thermal protection, and parachute systems.

Integrated Air-Drop Test (IADT)

Pad Abort Test

Reuse of TV-D1 Crew Module

• Consideration of TV-D1 crew module recovery for future tests.
• Module retrieved from sea after parachute-assisted splash-down.
• Requires detailed inspection due to salt water exposure.
• Plan to assess feasibility of reuse and determine suitable future test programs.

Reserve Bank of India’s Outlook (October 6):

• RBI maintains its 6.5% GDP growth projection for the year.
• Risks include geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, volatile financial markets, and an uneven monsoon.
• Domestic demand is strengthening.

Key Points:

Emerging Uncertainties (Fortnight Since):

• New uncertainties have arisen since the RBI’s projection.
• The Israel-Hamas conflict has widened, raising concerns about global food, fuel, and fertilizer supplies.
• India’s dependence on fuel and fertilizer imports could be problematic.
• Rising U.S. bond yields and mixed data points add to uncertainties.
• Sharp sell-off on Indian bourses observed.

• The Second BC Commission was established in Tamil Nadu in 1982, following a government decision to increase the BC reservation from 31% to 50%.
• The Commission conducted a survey in two stages in 1983-84, focusing on enumeration and classification of BCs.
• The Commission’s findings showed that BCs constituted a significant portion of the State’s population, leading to a 50% reservation quota for BCs in Tamil Nadu.
• Differences arose between the Commission’s Chairman, Ambasankar, and other members regarding the quantum of BC reservation and the inclusion of certain castes.
• Despite these differences, the government chose to maintain the 50% reservation quota for BCs and included some new communities while rejecting the exclusion of others.

• China and Bhutan held their 25th round of boundary talks in Beijing.
• They signed a Cooperation Agreement on the “Responsibilities and Functions of the Joint Technical Team (JTT) on the Delimitation and Demarcation of the Bhutan-China Boundary.”

Significance of the Talks:

• After a seven-year gap, Bhutan and China resumed boundary talks.
• Indicative of significant progress in resolving border disputes.
• The talks were paused after the Doklam Standoff in 2017 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019-2021.

• Talks at other levels occurred during the pause, and an Expert Group met in 2021 to agree on a 3-step roadmap.
• Bhutan’s Prime Minister stated that they were “inching towards” completing the roadmap.
• Further progress was made during FM Tandi Dorji’s visit to Beijing.

The 3-Step Roadmap:

A roadmap established in 2021 with three key steps:

Agreeing on the border “on the table.”

• Visiting the border sites on the ground.
• Formally demarcating the boundary.
• Aims to delineate Bhutanese and Chinese territory clearly for the first time.

India’s Concerns:

• India is closely monitoring these talks due to its strained relations with China since the 2020 Line of Actual Control standoff.
• India is particularly concerned about demarcation discussions over Doklam, where China has proposed a land swap.
• Doklam is strategically significant as it is close to India’s Siliguri corridor, connecting the North Eastern States to the rest of India.
• China has continued to build infrastructure in disputed areas in neighboring Bhutan, eroding India’s strategic advantages.
• India is worried about China’s demand for full diplomatic relations with Bhutan and opening an embassy in Thimphu.
• This concern arises from India’s challenges with Chinese projects and influence in neighboring countries.

• India aims to produce ‘green hydrogen’ with no fossil fuel emissions.
• A study by Climate Risk Horizons (CRH) warns of potential pollution if proper checks are not in place.

Key Points:

National Green Hydrogen Mission

• The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) leads the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• The mission targets five million tonnes of green hydrogen production by 2030.
• This requires 125 GW of renewable energy capacity and 250,000 gigawatt-hour units of power, equivalent to 13% of India’s current electricity generation.

Current Renewable Energy Capacity

• As of August 2023, India’s renewable energy capacity is 131 GW.
• The 2030 green hydrogen plan necessitates adding a similar capacity by 2030.
• India’s commitment to install 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030 as part of the Paris Agreement.
• India installed only 15 GW of new solar and wind capacity in 2023, falling short of the annual 45 GW target.

Challenges in Green Hydrogen Definition

• MNRE defines green hydrogen as producing no more than two kg of carbon dioxide per kg of hydrogen.
• Current ‘grey hydrogen’ production emits nine kg of carbon dioxide per kg.
• The definition leaves room for interpretation.

Electricity Source for Electrolysers

• The main concern is the source of electricity for electrolysers, especially during nighttime.
• The majority of India’s electricity grid relies on coal generation, particularly during non-daylight hours.
• Most projects have not disclosed their electricity source, raising concerns about increased carbon emissions.
• It is unclear if projects committing to 100% clean energy can meet this requirement.

Conclusion

• India’s Green Hydrogen Mission faces challenges related to electricity sources and meeting ambitious renewable energy capacity targets.
• Proper checks and transparency are needed to ensure that green hydrogen production does not worsen pollution.

Odisha Regional Specific News

Odisha’s Success at 37th National Games in Goa

• Gymnast Pranati Nayak and the women’s rugby team have contributed to Odisha’s success at the 37th National Games in Goa.
• Pranati Nayak secured multiple gold medals in artistic gymnastics.
• Tapan Mohanty won a silver medal in men’s gymnastics.
• The women’s rugby team claimed gold by defeating Bihar in a thrilling final.
• The men’s rugby team won the bronze medal.
• Suresh Kumar Yadav secured a bronze medal in men’s weightlifting.

• The tiger population at Chandaka sanctuary on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar in Odisha has reportedly become zero.

About Chandaka Sanctuary

• Spread over an area of 193.39 Sq.Km on the up land of North-Eastern Ghat of biotic region, Chandaka- Dampara sanctuary is a treasure house of biodiversity. 
• The park is known for successful conservation of elephants which is the principal species here. It is also a home to a number of threatened wild animals and birds. 
• Chandaka landscape got sanctuary status in 1982 notification of Government adjacent to temple city, Bhubaneswar popularly known as pachyderm country.

• Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a cash award of Rs 2 crore for Odisha’s Pramod Bhagat for his outstanding performance in the Para Asian Games.
• Bhagat has clinched gold in the para badminton men’s singles SL3 event at the on-going Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China.

• Sarala Puraskar for 2023 presented to Bhima Prusty
• Bhima Prusty awarded for his novel ‘Jambuloka.’
• Sarala Puraskar includes a copper plaque and a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh.

Key points

• Sarala Puraskar, introduced four decades ago, aimed to promote Odia literature and encourage new writers.
• The award contributes to elevating Odisha’s art and literature to a respectable height.

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