- India’s Bid for the 2036 Olympics
- Iron Beam
- Setu Bandhan Scheme
- Gaganyaan Mission
- Dhanauri Wetland
- Berlin Process
- Global Maritime India Summit
India’s Bid for the 2036 Olympics
Context:
Prime Minister Modi recently announced India’s official bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, sparking discussions about the financial considerations and advantages of hosting this prestigious event.
Selecting the Olympics Host City
- Decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC): The host city is determined through a confidential vote by IOC members, with the majority vote deciding the winner.
- Competition and Diplomacy: Securing the opportunity to host the Olympics requires significant financial investments and diplomatic efforts. Typically, host cities are revealed 7-8 years in advance.
Cost of Hosting the Olympics
- Significant Financial Commitment: The process of bidding for the Olympics involves substantial expenses, with countries often spending $50-100 million, even if their bids are unsuccessful. In the case of a successful bid, the costs can escalate into billions of dollars.
- Illustrative Expenditure: For example, Tokyo spent $150 million on its unsuccessful 2016 bid and even more for the successful 2020 bid. Toronto chose not to bid due to the $60 million expense for the 2024 bid.
- Infrastructure Development: Hosting the Olympics necessitates the construction of stadiums and improvements to infrastructure to accommodate athletes and visitors.
- Funding the Olympics Expenses Responsibility of Local Government: The majority of the expenses, particularly those related to infrastructure, are covered by the local government and are integrated into the country’s budget.
- Borrowing for Budget Overruns: Many countries resort to borrowing to cover budget overruns. While the IOC contributes some revenue to the host country, this amount is relatively small, as was the case with Rio de Janeiro in 2016, which received $1.5 billion.
Assessing the Value of Hosting the Olympics
- Benefits of Hosting: Hosting the Olympics elevates a country’s global standing and promotes it as an attractive investment and tourist destination.
- Caution on Overspending: Excessive spending can have severe consequences, as observed with Canada’s 30-year debt resulting from the 1976 Montreal Games, the impact on Greece’s financial crisis after the 2004 Athens Olympics, and Rio’s request for a $900 million bailout from the Brazilian government.
- Positive Outcomes: In some instances, like Beijing, hosting the Olympics has led to significant GDP growth, with an increase of at least 0.8%.
- India’s Prospects Favorable Timing: India’s bid aligns well with its status as the world’s most populous and fastest-growing major economy.
- Past Experience: With previous experience in hosting the 1982 Asian Games and the 2010 Commonwealth Games, India boasts a favorable track record that the IOC takes into account.
- Gujarat’s Bid: Gujarat is considering bidding for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, which could further demonstrate India’s hosting capabilities. Economic Strength: India’s rise as an economic powerhouse enhances the appeal of its candidacy to other nations.
Conclusion
While India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics presents an opportunity to enhance its global reputation and economic prospects, it is crucial to strike a balance between ambition and fiscal responsibility.
Evaluating the economic implications, both positive and negative, of hosting such a significant event is essential to ensure that the investment yields substantial long-term benefits for the nation.
Iron Beam
Context:
- In recent online videos, there are apparent demonstrations of Israel testing a new laser-based missile defense system known as Iron Beam.
- This system is the result of nearly two decades of collaborative efforts between Israeli defense manufacturer Rafael, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), and the United States to develop High Energy Laser (HEL) weapons.
- Originally planned for introduction in 2025, Iron Beam has been expedited for defense against missile attacks.
- Ukraine has expressed interest in acquiring Iron Beam and other anti-missile systems from Israel.
- Extensive research and development have been focused on improving the laser’s power, range, accuracy, operational distance, as well as target detection, acquisition, and independent power generation.
- Successful live-fire tests were conducted in 2022, targeting various threats like drones, mortars, rockets, and anti-tank missiles.
- The official unveiling of Iron Beam took place at the International Defense Exhibition (IDEX 23) in Abu Dhabi.
- In December 2022, Rafael entered into a collaboration with Lockheed Martin to jointly develop, test, and manufacture Iron Beam and other High Energy Laser Weapon Systems (HELWS) in the United States and Israel.
Advantage:
- Iron Beam employs a fiber laser to create a concentrated laser beam capable of destroying airborne targets within a range of 7 to 10 kilometers.
- It operates in conjunction with traditional anti-missile and air-defense systems, utilizing integrated surveillance systems and tracked vehicle platforms to effectively engage targets.
- One notable advantage is its cost-effectiveness, with an estimated “cost per shot” of approximately $3 to $4, mainly due to its constant energy supply, eliminating the need for traditional ammunition.
Disadvantages
- However, there are some limitations to Iron Beam.
- It may exhibit reduced effectiveness in scenarios with limited visibility, such as heavy cloud cover or adverse weather conditions.
- Wet conditions can also render it ineffective, as atmospheric moisture absorbs the laser’s energy.
- Additionally, the system depends on a direct line of sight with the target, making placement critical, and it has a slower rate of fire, requiring approximately five seconds to deliver enough energy to destroy the target.
Conclusion
The adoption of High Energy Laser (HEL) systems is on the rise worldwide, with countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France actively exploring and testing air defense HEL systems for deployment on land and at sea.
Setu Bandhan Scheme
Context:
The Setu Bandhan Scheme, recently approved by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, focuses on improving inter-state connectivity in rural border areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
This scheme utilizes funds from the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and aims to replace railway line Level Crossings (LCs) with Road Over Bridges (ROBs) or Rail Under Bridges (RUBs) in various states.
About Setu Bandhan Scheme
Setu means BRIDGE
- The Setu Bandhan Scheme is an initiative administered by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
- Its primary objective is to enhance connectivity in underserved rural border regions, particularly those in Arunachal Pradesh.
- It seeks to address the historical lack of adequate state roads in these areas.
About Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF)
- The CRIF was established in 2000 through the Central Road Fund Act, 2000, and was previously known as the Central Road Fund.
It operates under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance and is funded through a cess collected in conjunction with excise duty on petrol and diesel.
Gaganyaan Mission
Introduction
- Gaganyaan is India’s first human spaceflight mission, which aims to demonstrate the capability to launch three crew members to low earth orbit and bring them back safely to earth by landing them in either the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea.
- The mission is being implemented by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the support of various national agencies and institutions.
- The mission is expected to cost around Rs 10,000 crore and will be a milestone in India’s space endeavors.
Objectives
- To enhance India’s scientific and technological capabilities in the field of human spaceflight.
- To inspire the young generation to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
- To foster international cooperation and collaboration in space exploration.
- To showcase India’s achievements and potential as a global space power.
Timeline
- The Gaganyaan mission was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2018, during his Independence Day speech.
- He declared that India would send an astronaut to space by 2022, when the country celebrates its 75th year of independence.
- However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and other technical challenges, the mission has been delayed and is now likely to take place in 2025.
The mission will consist of three phases:
- Developmental Flight Tests (DFT): These are unmanned test flights of the launch vehicle and the crew module to demonstrate the performance of the systems and subsystems, including the crew escape system, which is designed to ensure the safety of the astronauts in case of any emergency during launch.
- Uncrewed Missions (UM): These are unmanned orbital flights of the crew module with a humanoid robot named Vyommitra, which will simulate the human functions and communicate with the ground station. The UM will also carry various scientific experiments and payloads from Indian and foreign institutions.
The UM will test the life support system, environmental control system, thermal protection system, rendezvous and docking system, and re-entry and recovery system. Three UM are planned before the final crewed mission.
- Crewed Mission (CM): This is the final phase of the Gaganyaan mission, which will carry three Indian astronauts to low earth orbit for a duration of five to seven days. The CM will also conduct various experiments and activities related to microgravity, human physiology, biology, astronomy, earth observation, and education.
The CM will be launched using a human-rated version of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III), which is India’s most powerful rocket.
The CM will be monitored and controlled by a dedicated Mission Control Centre at ISRO headquarters in Bengaluru.
Challenges
The Gaganyaan mission faces several challenges, such as:
- Developing and validating various technologies and systems for human spaceflight, which are complex and require high reliability and safety standards.
- Selecting and training the crew members, who will undergo rigorous physical and psychological tests and simulations.
- Ensuring the health and well-being of the astronauts during the flight, which will expose them to various stresses and risks, such as radiation, microgravity, isolation, and fatigue.
- Coordinating with various national and international agencies and partners for providing support and assistance in various aspects of the mission, such as tracking, telemetry, communication, rescue, recovery, etc.
Significance
The Gaganyaan mission is significant for India for various reasons, such as:
- It will make India the fourth country in the world after Russia, USA, and China to send humans to space using its own indigenous technology.
- It will boost India’s prestige and reputation as a leading space-faring nation with advanced capabilities and achievements.
- It will enhance India’s scientific and technological innovation and excellence in various domains related to space exploration.
- It will create new opportunities for research and development in various fields related to human spaceflight.
- It will generate employment and economic benefits for various sectors involved in the mission.
It will inspire and motivate millions of Indians, especially the youth, to pursue their dreams and aspirations in science and technology
Dhanauri Wetland
Context:
The National Green Tribunal has set a four-week deadline for the Uttar Pradesh government to provide an update on the Ramsar tag status for the Dhanauri wetlands.
Dhanauri Wetland
- Situated in Dhanauri village near Dankaur in Uttar Pradesh, the Dhanauri Wetlands is a renowned spot for bird-watching.
- Notably, it houses more than 120 Sarus cranes, which hold the distinction of being the state bird of Uttar Pradesh.
- This wetland serves as a sanctuary for 23 species of birds, many of which are endangered, critically endangered, or threatened.
- Of particular importance is its role as a habitat for the majestic Sarus crane.
Ecological Significance
- Dhanauri stands as a natural wetland that boasts a rich avian diversity, with over 217 bird species calling it home, including an impressive population of over 150 Sarus cranes.
- It serves as a crucial site for birding and nesting. Recognized as an Important Bird Area by Bird Life International, it has also been studied and documented by the BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society).
- During the peak migratory season, from November to March, this wetland witnesses the presence of over 50,000 waterfowls.
Why It’s in the News
The Dhanauri Wetlands play a pivotal role in the conservation of the vulnerable Sarus crane population.
This wetland meets two of the Ramsar site criteria out of the nine established:
- It hosts more than 1% of the biogeographic Sarus crane population.
- The area functions as a gathering site for over 20,000 waterfowls and various other bird species.
Ramsar Wetlands
- The Ramsar Convention, officially named the ‘Convention on Wetlands,‘ is an international environmental treaty established by UNESCO in 1971.
- It takes its name from Ramsar, a city in Iran where the initial signing took place.
- The Ramsar Convention identifies wetlands of global importance and designates them as Ramsar sites.
- The Montreux Record is a registry of wetland areas that are at risk of ecological changes and require careful monitoring under the Ramsar Convention.
Criteria for Ramsar Site Designation:
- Representing uncommon or distinctive natural wetland types.
- Providing support for endangered species or vulnerable ecological communities.
- Preserving biodiversity in specific biogeographic regions.
- Serving as a sanctuary during adverse environmental conditions.
- Consistently hosting 20,000 or more waterbirds.
- Sustaining 1% of the population of a single waterbird species.
- Acting as a vital resource for food, breeding sites, nurseries, and migration pathways for fish.
8. Consistently supporting 1% of the population of non-avian species that depend on wetlands.
Berlin Process
Context:
In a recent event, leaders representing both the European Union and the Western Balkans convened in the capital of Albania to engage in discussions regarding the potential accession of the six regional countries into the EU.
This annual meeting, known as the Berlin Process, primarily focuses on two key areas: fostering the integration of the Western Balkans into a unified market and facilitating their progress in sustainable, green, and digital initiatives.
The six nations included in this regional dialogue encompass Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
- The Berlin Process serves as a platform for fostering high-level collaboration among the leaders of these Western Balkan countries, often referred to as the WB6.
- This initiative also involves the participation of EU institutions, international financial organizations, the civil society within the region, its youth, and various businesses.
- The Berlin Process was established in 2014 with a core objective of enhancing connectivity, promoting amicable relations between neighboring countries, and facilitating interpersonal relationships among the WB6 nations.
Key Goals of this process involve the integration of the WB6 countries into a single market, supporting their transition towards environmentally sustainable practices, and aiding in their digital transformation.
Furthermore, it seeks to provide essential support for the European Union integration efforts of the Western Balkan countries.
Global Maritime India Summit
Context:
- In a virtual ceremony held on October 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially inaugurated the third iteration of the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 (GMIS).
- This significant event is dedicated to the maritime sector and brings together prominent figures from the industry.
- Its primary objectives are to explore opportunities, address challenges, and promote investments in India’s maritime sector, building upon the success of previous editions.
About Summit:
- The summit provides a platform for both domestic and international stakeholders and investors in the maritime industry.
- Notably, participation includes ministers from various regions, such as Europe, Africa, South America, Asia (including central Asia and the Middle East), and the BIMSTEC region.
- The event also boasts the presence of global CEOs, business leaders, investors, officials, and other stakeholders.
- Additionally, ministers and dignitaries representing Indian states are slated to attend the summit.
- During this event, the unveiling of “Amrit Kaal Vision 2047” outlines India’s ambitious plans for its maritime blue economy.
- Moreover, the foundation stone has been laid for projects totaling over Rs 23,000 crores aligned with this vision, underscoring the significance of India’s maritime capabilities in global trade and efforts to fortify the sector.
- The summit’s core purpose is to attract investments in India’s maritime industry, focusing on areas such as port development, sustainability, and international collaboration.
- It invites global investors to partake in India’s development as the country strives to attain developed nation status by 2047.
The discussions in this edition revolve around several key themes, including:
- Ports of the Future: This theme delves into the development and future potential of ports within the maritime industry.
- Decarbonization: Investigating sustainable approaches and strategies for reducing carbon emissions in the maritime sector.
- Coastal Shipping and Inland Water Transportation: Focusing on the significance of efficient coastal and inland water transportation.
- Shipbuilding: Scrutinizing India’s current position in shipbuilding and its aspirations to become a leading shipbuilding nation in the coming decade.
