Saragarhi Day
- Saragarhi Day (September 12) marks the 1897 Battle of Saragarhi, one of the greatest last stands in military history.
- Saragarhi was a communication post between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan (now in Pakistan).
About the Battle:
- 21 soldiers from the 36th Sikhs, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, defended the fort against 8,000 militants for seven hours.
- The soldiers were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit by Queen Victoria.
- 2017: The Punjab government declared Saragarhi Day a holiday.
- The battle is remembered through memorials, the film Kesari, and commemorations in India and Pakistan.
New Coelacanth Fossil Discovery Challenges Evolutionary Theories
A newly discovered coelacanth fossil has caused scientists to rethink the role of Earth’s geology in evolution.
What are Coelacanths?
- Coelacanths are ancient deep-sea fish, thought to be extinct until their rediscovery in 1938. They have existed for over 410 million years and share a close relation to tetrapods.
- The fossil, found in Australia’s Gogo Formation, suggests that tectonic plate activity, not ocean conditions, was a key factor in species evolution, challenging earlier beliefs.
- Modern coelacanths show slight variations in DNA and body structure, questioning their label as “living fossils.”
Asteroid 2024 PT5 Capture: Earth will temporarily capture 2024 PT5, a small asteroid, for two months before it moves back into space.
Mini-Moon Phenomenon
This phenomenon, called a mini-moon, occurs when asteroids get trapped in Earth’s gravity and orbit the planet for a short period.
Scientific Opportunity:
- Though rare, such events offer scientists valuable chances to study near-Earth objects.
- Discovery of 2024 PT5: The asteroid, about 33 feet long, was detected by NASA’s ATLAS system and originates from the Arjuna asteroid belt.
- Orbital Path: It won’t complete a full orbit but will follow a horseshoe-shaped path, so it may not fully qualify as a mini-moon.
- Importance of Study: Researching asteroids like 2024 PT5 helps scientists understand near-Earth objects and informs future space exploration and resource extraction efforts.
Union Cabinet’s Approval For Simultaneous Elections
The Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to align elections for the Lok Sabha, state Assemblies, and local bodies across India, following recommendations from a committee chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind on the ‘one nation, one election’ plan.
Key Recommendations of the Committee on Simultaneous Elections:
Amending the Constitution:
The Constitution needs amendments through two bills to implement simultaneous elections.
- Bill 1: Simultaneous elections will be held for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies without requiring ratification from the states.
- Bill 2: Elections for municipalities and panchayats will be synchronized with Lok Sabha and state Assembly polls. These local body elections must be conducted within 100 days of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, which will require ratification by at least half the states.
Required Constitutional Amendments For Simultaneous Elections
To enable simultaneous elections, the committee recommended 15 amendments to the Constitution.
- Article 82A: A new Article 82A will be inserted, outlining the process to move towards simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. Parliament’s power under Article 327 will also be expanded to include the conduct of these elections.
- Article 83 and Article 172: The newly elected Lok Sabha or state Assembly will serve for the remainder of the “unexpired term” of the previous one before being dissolved for simultaneous elections.
- Article 324A: A new Article 324A will be introduced to empower Parliament to pass laws ensuring that municipality and panchayat elections are held alongside Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections.
Indian Navy’s Second Women Circumnavigation Expedition
The Indian Navy announced its second women circumnavigation expedition, Navika Sagar Parikrama II, and unveiled the official logo for the event.
- Expedition Details: Lt Cdr Roopa A and Lt Cdr Dilna K, both women officers of the Indian Navy, will undertake this globe-circumnavigating journey on board INSV Tarini.
- Guidance for the Expedition: The officers are being guided by Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd.), a notable circumnavigator and hero of the Golden Globe Race, a solo sailing competition requiring traditional navigation methods.
- Logo Significance: The octagonal shape represents the Indian Navy, while the sun symbolizes a celestial body, and the compass highlights guidance for the sailors through difficult seas.
Previous Indian Navy Expeditions:
- A trans-oceanic voyage from Goa to Rio de Janeiro via Cape Town and back.
- A sailing expedition from Goa to Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair) and back.
- A voyage from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius.