Dec 5th 2024 Current Affairs

Index:

1. PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 mission

1. PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 mission

CONTEXT: The PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 mission, initially scheduled for launch at 4.08 p.m. on Wednesday, has been rescheduled to 4.12 p.m. on Thursday after the detection of an anomaly.

Led by the European Space Agency (ESA)
Launch facilitated by ISRO under its commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL).
Full Form: Proba-3: “Project for Onboard Autonomy.”

Aim:

To demonstrate high-precision formation flying in space.
To study the Sun’s corona and its influence on space weather.

Features:

Two Spacecraft: Coronagraph and Occulter designed for tandem operation.
Formation Flying: Precision down to the millimeter to create artificial solar eclipses.
Scientific Goals: Advanced study of the solar corona and its impact on Earth.
Solar Eclipses on Demand: Allowing extended observation periods for solar phenomena.

India’s Role:

Providing the PSLV-XL launch vehicle, renowned for reliability and payload capacity.
Managing satellite deployment and mission execution.
Enhancing expertise in solar science following ISRO’s Aditya-L1 mission.

2. South China Sea

CONTEXT:

The Philippines said the China Coast Guard fired water cannon and “sideswiped” a government vessel on Wednesday during a maritime patrol near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, after Beijing said it had “exercised control” over the ship.

-China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries including the Philippines — and an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

-Vessels from the two sides have clashed frequently in the past year, resulting in injuries and damage.

3. Lake-Effect Snow: A Climatic Phenomenon

Definition: Lake-effect snow refers to intense snowfall caused when cold air passes over relatively warmer lake waters, triggering snow bands.

Mechanism

Trigger:
- Cold air (often from Canada) flows over the Great Lakes’ warmer waters.
- Warm air from lakes rises, picking up moisture and creating precipitation-friendly conditions.
Process:
- Moisture-laden air forms clouds.
- Narrow bands of clouds produce heavy snowfalls of 5–8 cm/hour.
- Band placement leads to significant local snow variations.

Geographical Context

Predominantly affects areas near the Great Lakes: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan.
Great Lakes: Largest group of freshwater lakes globally, along the US-Canada border.

Key Characteristics

Occurs in narrow bands of snowfall, leaving adjacent areas largely untouched.
Involves 2 meters or more of snowfall in extreme cases.

Forecasting Challenges

Minor changes in wind direction significantly impact snowfall distribution.
Heaviest snowfall bands are difficult to predict

Examples

November 2022: 1.8 meters of snow in Western New York, disrupting daily life.

Comparable to November 2014: 2.1 meters of snow, causing infrastructure damage in Buffalo.

4. Is the Caste Census a Useful Exercise?

Background

First Caste Census: Conducted in 1871-72; last included in 1931 Census.
Renewed demand from political parties and organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Arguments For Caste Census

Policy Framing:
- Helps determine population size of various castes.
- Facilitates proportional representation in education, jobs, and political processes.
Addressing Inequalities: Data enables targeted policies to reduce socio-economic disparities.
Administrative Reforms: Strengthens planning and allocation of resources based on caste demographics.

Challenges and Criticisms

Inaccuracy in Data:
- Difficulty in accurate caste classification due to regional variations and ambiguous caste identities.
- Historical data (e.g., 1931 Census) reflects inconsistencies.
Complexity in Proportional Representation:
- Assuming equal reservation for all castes/populations could lead to unfair outcomes.
- Example: OBCs include 2,633 castes, each with varying populations and socio-economic statuses.
Social Fragmentation: Risk of deepening caste divisions by reinforcing caste-based identities.
Logistical Issues: High costs and resource allocation for data collection and verification.

Key Insights

Proportional Representation:
- Requires precise population data to allocate reservation fairly.
- Without accurate figures, representation risks being skewed towards more dominant groups.

Previous Attempts: Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011: Data issues led to limited utility for policy-making.

Way Forward

Better Methodologies: Adoption of improved data collection techniques to minimize errors.
Caste-neutral Policies: Focus on broader socio-economic upliftment rather than caste-specific measures.
Awareness: Avoiding misuse of caste data for divisive political purposes.

5. Sociological Analysis of the Supreme Court's Remarks on Gender Sensitivity in Judiciary

CONTEXT: The Supreme Court criticized the Madhya Pradesh High Court for terminating a woman judge based on performance, without considering her trauma following a miscarriage. The comment, “Wish men menstruated,” reflects frustration over the lack of empathy and gender sensitivity in decision-making institutions.

Sociological Themes

Gender Sensitivity and Institutional Bias
- Judiciary reflects patriarchal structures, lacking gender-sensitive policies for challenges like pregnancy and miscarriage.
- Workplaces judge women by male-centric standards, ignoring biological and social roles.
Intersection of Gender and Professionalism
- Performance metrics neglect social reproduction roles (motherhood, caregiving).
- Leads to role conflict, penalizing women for natural physiological events.
Patriarchy and Structural Inequalities: Institutions treat women’s struggles as secondary, reinforcing sexism and traditional gender hierarchies.
Feminist Perspective on Justice: Advocates for inclusive policies recognizing gender, biology, and workplace dynamics for equity over equality.
Workplace Challenges for Women: Stigma around biological processes (e.g., menstruation) perpetuates gendered exclusion in male-dominated fields.
Need for Gender-Sensitive Policies

Essential reforms: maternity safeguards, gender training, and anti-discrimination mechanisms for fairness and inclusivity.