JANUARY

ISSUE 1
ARMY DAV

STAY AWARE, STAY AHEAD! SPECIAL

UNEASY LIES THE HEAD

THAT WEAR’S CROWN
 2024
THE
GEN-MOR 40TH
E d i t i o n
PREFACE
his magazine has been prepared under the guidance of Maj Gen
(Dr.) Yash Mor Sir and is issued with his approval. Amid the era
of misinformation and hype, we tried to deliver precise and to-
the-point information on global and national happenings
around us. It is a one-stop solution for current affairs. Our team
has continued with Sir's vision to make all readers fall in love
with knowledge. The purpose of the magazine is to make you
more aware of the dynamic world and diverse nation. Both
aspects factual and intellectual have been taken care of, and
factual information has been highlighted which is more
important for the NDA/CDS/CAPF & AFCAT examination. This
magazine is the output of deliberate efforts put in by a team of
contributors of 7 members( Vasu-Designer, Kanishak, Aditi,
Akhilesh, Devinder and Nishchay-contributors). I would like to
thank each of them for keeping themselves up to date every
single day and diligently working throughout.
I am grateful for the opportunity given to me by Maj Gen (Dr.)
Yash Mor Sir to lead the team.
As we navigate the complexities of the world together, we invite
you to explore the pages of Yash More Magazine with an open
mind and a thirst for knowledge. Thank you for being part of the
Maj Gen Yash Mor Community.

Dated - 15-Jan-2024 Sonit Gautam

(Managing Editor
& contributor)
 RECCOMENDATION
SHREYAS

AKSHITA YADAV

ISHATWA MAHESWARI
OR
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MAYANK AGRAWAL

SANIA MARWAL Gen-Mor Magazine has made a

constant care to make sure that content is
MEET
accurate on the date of publication. The
views expressed in the articles reflect the
author(s) opinions and do not necessarily
GARGI
are the views of the publisher and editor.
AWADH This magazine is for private circulation only
for the students of Yash Mor Academy
(YMA). The published material, editorials
and all other content is published in a good
ARPIT AGGARWAL
faith. Gen-Mor Magazine cannot guarantee
ASHISH GURJAR
and accepts no liability for any loss or
damage of any kind caused by this
magazine. All rights reserved and nothing
can be partially or in whole be reprinted or
SUDHANSHU
reproduced without a written consent.**

YASHMOR5
GEN.YASHMOR
MAJ GEN YASH MOR
ANISH KALRA
CONTACTGENYASHMOR@ GMAIL.COM
 EDITOR’S NOTE
MY second inning
for FOR YOUR first inning

AT THE OUTSET, IT GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO SEND THIS SPECIAL

EDITION OF GEN-MOR MAGAZINE TO YOU ON THE OCCASION OF ARMY DAY.

With this edition, I also wish to thank my new team which has put much work
into bringing this issue to you all.

While the country is celebrating the inaugural of the long-awaited Ram Mandir at
Ayodhya in the next few days, the world at large continues to be in turmoil.

The Israel - Hamas war has crossed 100 hundred days and no sight of any kind of
truce or ceasefire. Over 24k people have been killed and over 60k wounded in
one of the deadliest wars in the urban area of the Gaza Strip. The war has now
spread to Lebanon and chances of it spiraling to other areas are not being ruled
out with the Houthi rebels almost choking the Red Sea. The trade over high seas
has been disrupted which is a matter of grave concern.

Russia- Ukraine war also continues relentlessly with rising casualties on both
sides. Once again there appears little or no sign of any attempts at stopping the
war. NATO and Europe continue to help Ukraine fight the mighty Russian forces.

We at the YMA are in the process of rolling out another interesting course to
help defense aspirants polish their communication skills. The Advanced Officers’
Communication Course (AOCC) will be started in the third week of January.

Wishing you all a very Happy Army Day and Republic Day.

My second inning
MAJGENYASHMOR,SM for YOUR first inning
WWW.MAJGENYASHMOR.COM
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF [email protected]
 ARMY DAY 2024: THE CAPITAL CITY OF UTTAR PRADESH, LUCKNOW, WILL HOST A
SPECTACULAR PARADE TODAY TO COMMEMORATE THE 76TH ARMY DAY OF THE
INDIAN ARMY
Every year on January 15, India celebrates its Army Day. The purpose of the day is to
remember troops and all they have sacrificed for the country. Additionally, Army Day
commemorates the year 1949, when Field Marshal Kodandera M Cariappa became the
first Indian Commander-in-Chief of Independent India, succeeding General FRR Bucher,
the last British-serving chief of the Indian Army.
From 1949 till 2022, the Army Day parade was organised at the Cariappa Parade Ground
in the Delhi Cantonment. The Chief of Army Staff reviews the marching contingents who
also take part in the Republic Day Parade every year.
The capital city of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, will host a spectacular parade today to
commemorate the 76th Army Day of the Indian Army. For the second year in a row, the
Army Day parade has been relocated outside of Delhi. The parade was held at the Parade
Ground of the MED & Centre in Bengaluru the previous year.

General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff on Monday extended his greetings on the
occasion of 76th Army Day. In his address to the troops, General Manoj Pandey paid
homage to soldiers who laid down their lives in service to the nation. "On the occasion of
Army Day 2024, I convey my felicitations and warm wishes to all ranks of the Indian
Army, civilian employees, Veterans and their families. We solemnly remember and pay
homage to our comrades who have laid down their lives in service of the nation. Their
supreme sacrifice shall always inspire us," he said.
 05

CONTENTS

PAGE 6 PAGE 15
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
NATIONAL NEWS

ALL THE MAJOR EVENT AND STATICAL MAJOR NEWS ALL ACROSS THE WORLD,
INFORMATION GEOPOLITICS AND IMPORTANT NEWS

PAGE 19 PAGE 25
DEFENCE NEWS SPORTS NEWS

DEFENCE EXERCISES, DEFENCE NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL AND

PURCHASE, AND IMPORTANT NEWS ALL IMPONDERABLE NEWS

PAGE 30 PAGE 39
SCIENCE AND TECH EDITORIAL

ISRO, USES OF SCIENCE AND TECH , SPACE ISRAEL HAMAS WAR ,WAR BACKGROUND
AND TECHNOLOGY NEWS CEASEFIRE & PRESENT SITUATION IN GAZA
 06

NATIONAL NEWS

• RASHMI SHUKLA IS APPOINTED AS THE FIRST WOMAN DGP OF

MAHARASHTRA.
• MALDIVES PRESIDENT URGES CHINA TO SEND MORE TOURISTS.
• COLD WAVE SWEEPS THROUGH DELHI AND UTTAR PRADESH.
• FARMERS SWITCH TO HEAT-TOLERANT WHEAT.
• 2023 IS THE WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD.
• 50% HIKE IN FY25 BUDGET OUTLAY FOR ‘MGNREGS’.
• IT MINISTER ASHWINI VAISHNAW FLAGS SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE ON
DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES.
• ON TUESDAY, THE DGCA SAID INSPECTIONS REVEALED A MISSING
WASHER ON A BOEING 737 MAX PLANE OPERATED BY AN INDIAN AIRLINE.
• TECH NEWS TODAY: ADITYA-L1 NOW IN FINAL ORBIT, IQOO 9 PRO COMING
IN FEBRUARY AND MORE
• THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO) LINKED INDIAN-MADE
COUGH SYRUPS TO THE DEATHS OF 66 CHILDREN IN THE GAMBIA. THE
WHO SAID THE ACCEPTABLE SAFETY LIMIT FOR BOTH ETHYLENE GLYCOL
AND DIETHYLENE GLYCOL IS NO MORE THAN 0.10%.
 LOK SABHA PASSES BILL ON CEC, EC APPOINTMENT 07

The Lok Sabha approved the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners
(Appointment, Conditions of Service, and Term of Office) Bill, 2023, despite limited participation
from opposition members in the House. The Bill, earlier passed by the Rajya Sabha on December
12, addresses the absence of a clause regarding the appointment of the Chief Election
Commissioner and other Election Commissioners in the Election Commission (Conditions of
Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991.

Additional Information for CDS/NDA/CAPF & AFCAT

●Article 324 to 329 of the constitution deals with powers, function, tenure, eligibility, etc of the
commission and the member.
● The President appoints CEC and Election Commissioners.
● Tenure of six years, or up to the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
●They enjoy the same status and receive salary and perks as available to Judges of the Supreme
Court (SC) of India.

Parliament passes Bill to replace the PRB Act

On Thursday, Parliament approved the Press and Registration of Periodicals Bill, aiming to
streamline the allocation of titles and registration for periodicals using an online system. This new
legislation eliminates the need for physical interaction, simplifying the entire process. It marks a
significant update as it replaces the antiquated Press and Registration of Books Act from 1867.

MACRON ACCEPTS PM’S INVITE, TO BE THE CHIEF GUEST AT R-DAY

French President Emmanuel Macron has accepted India's invitation to be the chief guest at the
Republic Day celebrations next January. This visit marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France
Strategic Partnership. Both countries share significant alignment on global issues. Macron
confirmed his attendance through a social media post, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi. France has become a vital defense partner for India, maintaining consistent high-
level engagements. Earlier, PM Modi was honored at the Bastille Day parade in Paris, and Macron
visited New Delhi during the G-20 Summit in September.

A VESSEL WITH 20 INDIANS ON BOARD WAS HIT BY A DRONE

A Liberia-flagged merchant vessel, Chem Pluto, faced a suspected drone strike just beyond the
Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), leading to substantial damage. The Coast Guard and Navy
promptly intervened to aid the vessel, which had 21 crew members, mostly Indians. Despite
significant damage, the crew remained safe. The vessel, en route to Mumbai from Saudi Arabia
carrying crude oil, experienced steering issues after the incident. The Coast Guard directed ICGS
 08
Vikram to assist, while a Navy warship and aircraft provided support and ensured the crew's
safety. Chem Pluto, initially bound for Mangaluru from the UAE, is now heading to Mumbai for
repairs under escort by ICGS Vikram.

Additional Information for CDS/NDA/CAPF & AFCAT -

What is economic exclusive zones?

The EEZ is an area that is adjacent to and beyond the territorial sea. It can extend to a maximum
of 200 nautical miles from the baseline.

WHO URGES NATIONS TO RAISE SURVEILLANCE AGAINST COVID19

T he World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries in Southeast Asia to bolster
surveillance due to rising cases of respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 and its JN.1 variant,
along with influenza. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO-Southeast Asia's Regional Director,
highlighted the need for strengthened surveillance, sequencing, and data sharing to tailor
responses to evolving viruses. JN.1, classified as a variant of interest, has shown a rapid global
spread, prompting concerns but currently posing a low additional health risk globally. With winter
approaching, the variant might escalate COVID-19 cases, compounded by other infections..

3 SENIOR OFFICERS TAKEN OFF POSTS AS ARMY PROBES CIVILIAN

DEATHS

T hree officers in Jammu and Kashmir are under investigation for the deaths of three detained
civilians in Army custody. Police are treating the deaths as murder and have started an inquiry.
During the ongoing investigation, the top Army leader visited and removed three officers from
duty. The army is searching for those responsible for an attack that killed four soldiers and
detained eight individuals. A video circulating online showed suspected Army personnel mistrea-
 09

-ting three individuals, leading to their deaths according to the police. The Army Chief
emphasised professionalism during the visit.

PRESIDENT MURMU GIVES ASSENT TO NEW CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS

President Droupadi Murmu has officially approved three new criminal justice Bills, recently
passed by Parliament. These transformative laws - the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Act - are set to replace the age-old Indian
Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act of 1872. During the
parliamentary debate, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that these new laws prioritize
delivering justice rather than solely focusing on punishment. Aimed at a significant overhaul, the
laws provide clear definitions of various offenses and their corresponding punishments, intending
to reform and modernize the criminal justice system.

PRESIDENT GIVES ASSENT TO TELECOMMUNICATION ACT

President Droupadi Murmu has approved the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which serves as
the updated version of the long-standing Telegraph Act of 1885 governing telecom services in
India. With this approval, the implementation of various sections of the Act will necessitate the
formulation of corresponding rules. Primarily, the Act maintains the framework of
telecommunications law while formalizing specific procedures. It includes the reservation of
spectrum bands for distinct purposes and introduces mechanisms for resolving conflicts between
licensed service providers and the government. Moreover, it outlines newer approaches for
telecom operators to secure permissions for installing their equipment across different states.

GEELANI FOUNDED OUTFIT DECLARED UNLAWFUL BODY

The Union Home Ministry declared Tehreek-e-Hurriyat, Jammu and Kashmir (TeH), an "unlawful
association" under the anti-terror law, citing its involvement in separatist activities aiming to
separate J&K from India and establish Islamic rule. The outfit, once part of the All Party Hurriyat
Conference, has faced numerous charges under various laws, including the UAPA and Arms Act.
Known for spreading anti-India propaganda and supporting terrorism, it aims to disrupt public
order and foster disaffection against India. The notification, effective for five years, aims to curb
TeH's secessionist activities and anti-national sentiments in J&K.

RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT TO SURGE 83% TO $16.5 BILLION IN

2024

India's renewable energy sector is set to experience a significant boost with an estimated 83%
 10

increase in investments, reaching around $16.5 billion by 2024. This aligns with the nation's goal
of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 and reducing fossil fuel-based power
generation to less than 50%. Additionally, India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions
by 2070. India's focus has expanded to include green hydrogen, aiming to reduce reliance on
diesel, especially in long-haul vehicles. Recognizing its diesel-based economy, India has approved
the National Green Hydrogen Mission with an allocation of ₹19,744 crore.

CENTRAL GOVT. BANS MUSLIM LEAGUE J&K FACTION

The Muslim League Jammu Kashmir (Masarat Alam faction) was designated as an "unlawful
association" for five years by the Union Home Ministry under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities
(Prevention) Act. Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned on X that the group participates in
separatist endeavours within Jammu and Kashmir.

QATAR COURT DROPS DEATH PENALTY FOR EIGHT FORMER INDIAN

NAVAL PERSONNEL

In a significant development in the case of eight former Indian naval personnel sentenced
to death in Qatar, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the Court of Appeals in
Doha has reduced their sentences.
India-Qatar Trade Status -

India's bilateral trade with Qatar in 2021-22 was US$ 15.03 billion. India's export to Qatar during
2021-22 was US$ 1.83 billion and India's import from Qatar was US$ 13.19 billion. In 2021, India
was among the top four largest export destinations for Qatar and is also among the top three
sources of Qatar's imports.

Pegasus spyware found on journalists' phones after Apple alert

Two journalists, including Siddharth Varadarajan, founder-editor of The Wire news website, were
targeted by Pegasus spyware this year, as confirmed by Amnesty International's Security Lab.
Following alerts from Apple about "state-sponsored hacking," they handed their devices for testing.
The NSO Group, the creator of Pegasus, sells to governments, and India's Intelligence Bureau
acquired hardware from them in 2017. According to The Washington Post, after Apple's alerts in
October, government officials pressured the tech giant to offer alternative explanations. Union
Ministers and Apple made unverified statements, suggesting warnings were sent to Opposition
leaders and journalists in 150 countries, though no other country reported such alerts.
 11
CENTRE, ASSAM SIGN PEACE PACT WITH ULFA FACTION

The Union Home Ministry and the Assam government made a significant move by signing
a peace agreement with a faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). Home
Minister Amit Shah highlighted its importance for Assam's peace, stating that the
government successfully put an end to violent groups in the state. Around 700 ULFA
members have agreed to surrender weapons, leave their camps, and transition into the
mainstream, embracing peaceful democratic processes. Shah also mentioned plans for a
specific schedule to address ULFA's demands and the formation of a monitoring committee
by the Home Ministry. This pact marks a milestone for Assam's future and the Northeast,
long plagued by violence .
Important Facts About ASSAM

● First oil well in Asia – Digboi (Assam)

● Haflong lake: Natural lake on the only hill station of Assam. The Hill station is regarded as
‘Scotland of Assam’.
● Dhubri is an important river port on River Brahmaputra.
Jain sculptures of the 11th century were discovered in the Mysuru district

Recently, in Varuna village of Mysuru district, workers discovered three Jain sculptures dating
back to the 11th century during drainage excavation. Unfortunately, one of the sculptures was
severely damaged and couldn't be identified, while the other two remained in relatively good
condition. They were found among debris, shedding light on the rich historical and cultural
heritage of the area.

PANAGARIYA TO HEAD 16TH FINANCE COMMISSION

The Finance Ministry has officially approved the appointment of Mr. Panagariya, a Columbia
University professor and former Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog, to head a panel with a specific focus
on terms of reference approved by the Cabinet on November 29. The commission's members will
be announced separately, and Ritvik Ranjanam Pandey, formerly a Joint Secretary in the
Department of Revenue, will serve as the panel's secretary. According to the order, the
commission, including its chairman and members, will serve until they submit their report or
October 31, 2025, whichever comes earlier. October 2025 marks the deadline for the commission
to submit recommendations to be considered in the budget planning process.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CDS/NDA/CAPF & AFCAT -

FCs are constitutional bodies set up under Article 280 of the Constitution every five years to
make recommendations on the distribution of financial resources between the Union and the
 1
STATES 2

The recommendations of FCs are advisory in nature and not binding on the Union
government. However, they are usually accepted with minor modifications or deviations.

INDIA’S GDP ESTIMATED TO GROW BY 7.3%: NSO DATA

India's GDP growth for 2023-24 is estimated at 7.3%, slightly up from the previous year and
surpassing the RBI's projection of 7%. The first half saw 7.7% growth, but the second half is
expected to be around 6.9%-7%. However, Gross Value Added (GVA) might dip from 7% to 6.9%,
and nominal GDP growth is forecasted at 8.9% (lower than the 10.5% budgeted). This discrepancy
might lead to a fiscal deficit of around 6%, up from the targeted 5.9%. There's an anticipated
slowdown in GVA growth for the farm sector and other industries like Trade, Hotels, Transport,
Communication, and Services.

FIRST GIRLS’ SAINIK SCHOOL OPENED IN MATHURA WITH 870 STUDENTS

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first all-girls Sainik School in Vrindavan, Uttar
Pradesh, as part of the initiative to establish 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs,
private, and state government schools across all states and union territories. With approximately
870 students, this initiative, alongside the existing 33 Sainik Schools, aims to provide quality
education in line with the National Education Policy, 2020, offering enhanced career opportunities,
including pathways to the armed forces. This move extends opportunities to girls who aspire to
serve the country, following the successful pilot project's introduction of girls' admissions in Sainik
School, Chhingchhip, Mizoram, starting from the academic session 2021-22.

FREE MOVEMENT REGIME AT MYANMAR BORDER TO END SOON

The Union government plans to revoke the Free Movement Regime along the India-Myanmar
border, requiring people in border areas to obtain visas to enter India. This arrangement, allowing
border crossing without visas since the 1970s, will be replaced with a border fence covering
approximately 300 km, with a tender set to be issued soon. Despite potential opposition from states
like Nagaland and Mizoram, the government asserts that border security falls under its jurisdiction,
with ongoing discussions with Myanmar regarding this decision.

GOVT. AMENDS DRUG RULES TO RAISE QUALITY

The Union Health Ministry announced updated rules under Schedule M of the Drugs and Cosmetics
Rules, 1945, aimed at enhancing quality control for pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutica
products. Schedule M outlines the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for these products.
 13
GIFT CITY IS SET TO HOST THE 10TH GUJARAT GLOBAL INVESTMENT
SUMMIT

Gujarat is gearing up to host the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investment Summit, inaugurated by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event will witness participation from heads of state,
policymakers, diplomats, and top industrialists. Over 100 countries, with 30 as partners and a
dozen international organizations, will join hands with the state government for collaboration and
opportunities. Anticipating around 100,000 visitors, including CEOs, business leaders,
policymakers, and diplomats from across the globe, the three-day summit will spotlight futuristic
sectors like semiconductors, green hydrogen, e-mobility, space manufacturing, renewable energy,
financial services, and technology at the GIFT City.
FOUR MORE NCC UNITS ARE TO BE RAISED IN J&K AND LADAKH

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has greenlit the establishment of four new National Cadet Corps
(NCC) units in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. This includes one mixed Army battalion each in
Udhampur, Kupwara, and Kargil, along with an Air squadron in Udhampur. This move will bring in an
additional 12,860 cadets, boosting the total strength in the region to 40,730 cadets across 12 units
under two Group Headquarters.

PROGRAMME FOR STUDENTS TO BEGIN SOON AT PM’S SCHOOL

The Ministry of Education launched 'Prerana,' an experiential learning program at PM Narendra
Modi's alma mater in Vadnagar, Gujarat. It's a weekly residential program for 20 students (10 boys,
10 girls) from Classes 9 to 12. It combines heritage and innovation, offering tech-based learning.
Interested students can apply through prerana.education.gov.in. The program includes yoga,
mindfulness, and hands-on learning activities.

‘HIT-AND-RUN’ LAW: TRUCKERS HOLD PROTEST

Truck drivers staged 'rasta roko' protests in multiple states including Maharashtra, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh against a provision in the new penal law
related to hit-and-run accidents. According to the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, drivers causing severe
accidents and fleeing without informing the police could face penalties of up to 10 years in prison
or a fine of ₹7 lakh.

INDIA AND PAK. EXCHANGE LIST OF NUCLEAR INSTALLATIONS

As part of their annual tradition since 1992, India and Pakistan exchanged a list of their nuclear
installations, through a bilateral agreement prohibiting attacks on each other's atomic facilities. The
exchange occurred following the provisions outlined in the agreement on the prohibition of attacks
against nuclear installations and facilities, conducted simultaneously through diplomatic channels
in New Delhi and Islamabad. This routine exchange, now in its 33rd consecutive year, is mandated by
a pact signed on December 31, 1988, and aims to ensure mutual awareness and
respect for each other's nuclear installations and facilities. 14

Timeline of India’s Nuclear Journey:

Year Event
1947 - India gains independence.
1948 - Atomic Energy Act was passed, establishing AEC.
1950 - Nehru’s dual intent strategy on nuclear power.
1964 - China conducts its first nuclear test.
1974 - India conducts its first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha).
1985 - US President R Reagan tells Rajiv Gandhi about Pakistan’s bomb.
1989 - Rajiv Gandhi approves the development of nuclear weapons.
1998 - India conducts nuclear tests (Operation Shakti).
1999 - Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan.
2005 - Indo-US nuclear deal negotiations begin.
2008 - Indo-US nuclear deal ratified by Nuclear Suppliers Group.
Present - India maintains a policy of credible minimum deterrence and global nuclear
disarmament.

●Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and

Mizoram share international boundary with
Myanmar.
● Both countries share a heritage of religious,
linguistic and ethnic ties. Myanmar has a
substantial population of Indian origin
 15

INTERNATIONAL
NEWS
• Oppenheimer won a Golden Globe for best drama film of the year
Christopher Nolan won the award for Best Director, and Cillian Murphy
took home the award for Best Actor.
• Houthi Attacks and Military Escalation in the Red Sea.
• Ethiopia-Somaliland Port Deal and the Geopolitics of the Western Indian
Ocean.
• Red Sea Crisis Exposes a Weak Point of Global Maritime Trade.
• The US Navy shoots down 24 Houthi drones and missiles launched from
Yemen. US and China resume in-person military policy coordination
talks..
• A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck central Japan, killing 128 people. A 3-
meter tsunami reached a nuclear plant after the quake. Snow and rain
have hampered relief efforts in affected areas
• Japan has issued improved emergency measures following a fatal plane
collision at Haneda airport.
• In 2023, China's global rank for press freedom declined to 177 out of 180,
with only North Korea having less press freedom.
• Nepal arrests people smugglers supplying Russia's army in Ukraine.
 US, CHINA TOP MILITARY OFFICIALS SPEAKS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16

OVER A YEAR.

Top US military official, General CQ Brown, and China's General Liu Zhenli held the first virtual
meeting in over a year, discussing global and regional security issues. General Brown stressed
collaborative efforts to manage competition responsibly, prevent miscalculations, and maintain
open communication lines. He reiterated the significance of substantive dialogue with the People's
Liberation Army to minimize misunderstandings. Despite some restoration of military
communication, US officials cautioned that establishing a fully functional dialogue will take time.

UNSC CLEARS GAZA AID RESOLUTION WITHOUT CALL TO SUSPEND FIGHTING

The UN Security Council adopted a revised resolution on immediate aid for Gaza, omitting the call
for an "urgent suspension of hostilities" between Israel and Hamas. The U.S. and Russia abstained.
The altered resolution emphasizes "urgent steps" for humanitarian access and a sustainable
cessation of hostilities. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, but enforcement varies.

JAPAN PASSES RECORD MILITARY BUDGET, EASES POSTWAR BAN ON EXPORT

OF LETHAL WEAPONS.

Japan's Cabinet approved a 16% increase in military spending for the next year, marking a
departure from its self-defence-only principle. The move, part of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's
new security strategy, also eases the postwar ban on lethal weapons export and permits exports of
Japanese-made weapons under foreign licenses. The budget amounts to 6.8 trillion yen, the 12th
consecutive year of increased arms spending.

AIRCRAFT GROUNDED IN FRANCE’S VATRY AIRPORT LEAVES FOR INDIA.

A Romanian Legend Airlines Airbus A-340, carrying mostly Indian citizens, faced detention in
France over concerns of undocumented immigration. After delays and interrogations at Vatry
airport, the French government allowed its return to India. Passengers initially resisted, with some
filing asylum applications. The incident involved an alleged attempt to fly passengers to Nicaragua,
known for its liberal immigration policy. The airline's lawyer denied trafficking involvement. A
judicial investigation is open.

INDIA, RUSSIA INK ‘KEY’ PACTS RELATED TO KUNDANKULUM NUCLEAR

POWER PLANT.
India and Russia signed crucial agreements related to the construction of future power units at the
Kudankulam nuclear power plant, strengthening their enduring partnership. External Affairs
Minister S. Jaishankar, during his Russia visit, emphasized progress in various sectors and
 17
recognized russia as a "special partner" in defense, nuclear power, and space.

QATAR COURT DROPS DEATH PENALTY FOR EIGHT INDIANS

The Court of Appeals in Doha commuted the death sentences of eight former Indian naval
personnel, employees of Dahra Global defense services in Qatar. While the death penalty was
waived, the original guilty verdict on charges of espionage was upheld. Families express relief at the
commutation but disappointment at the guilty verdict, vowing to continue the fight for innocence.

PAKISTAN ELECTION COMMISSION REJECTS IMRAN’S CANDIDACY IN

GENERAL POLLS.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan's candidacy for Pakistan's February parliamentary election was
rejected by election officials due to his conviction and disqualification under the constitution.
Despite filing papers after a conviction suspension, Khan faces multiple legal challenges. The
decision adds to the troubles of his party amid a government crackdown, prompting criticism of bias.

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER WENT ON TWO-DAY VISIT TO NEPAL.

During his visit to Nepal on January 4 and 5, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to
finalize agreements related to purchasing 10,000 MW of hydroelectric power. The visit aims to
strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on power exports, air connectivity, and community development
programs. This marks a positive step in the formal structure of bilateral relations.

103 KILLED IN TWIN BLASTS AT MEMORIAL EVENT IN IRAN.

Two bombs exploded during a commemoration event in Kerman, Iran, killing at least 103 people.
The incident occurred near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque as supporters marked the fourth
anniversary of General Qassem Soleimani's killing. Iran's Supreme Leader blamed "evil enemies"
and vowed a "harsh response." The attack left 211 wounded, with suspicions of remote-controlled
bombs.
 18
NAVY FOILS HIJACKING BID IN ARABIAN SEA.

Indian Navy's elite marine commandos, MARCOS, successfully thwarted a hijacking attempt in the
North Arabian Sea. All 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, were evacuated from the merchant
vessel Lila Norfolk. Swift action, including the deployment of INS Chennai and a Maritime Patrol
Aircraft, deterred the hijackers, showcasing the Navy's effective anti-piracy measures.

NAVY FOILS HIJACKING BID IN ARABIAN SEA

Indian navy's elite marine commandos, marcos, successfully thwarted a hijacking attempt in the
north arabian sea all 21
crew members, including
15 indians, were evacuated
from the merchant vessel
lila norfolk. swift action,
including the deployment
of ins chennai and a
maritime patrol aircraft,
deterred the hijackers,
showcasing the navy's
effective anti-piracy
measures.

AIR STRIKE ON MYANMAR VILLAGE KILLS 15, AS JUNTA BATTLES REBELS

ACROSS COUNTRY.

An airstrike in northwestern Myanmar's Khampat Township killed at least 15, including children,
with 20 wounded. Witnesses suggested a higher toll of 19, including eight children. A junta fighter
jet targeted two churches, causing casualties as people fled. The village, controlled by a People’s
Defence Force, faces intensified conflict amid Myanmar's ongoing unrest.
 19
WARS ARE FIGHT IN HEARTS
AND MINDS

DEFENCE NEWS

• India To Increase Warship Deployment To Counter Piracy In Arabian

Sea.
• India In Constant Touch With Israel, Palestine Leaders: Ambassador
Kamboj Tells Unga.
• Fighter Jet Engine Deal With India To Start This Year: Ge Aerospace's
Amy Gowder.
• Indian Navy's Fast Attack Ship Visits Sri Lanka.
• India To Begin Trials Of Indigenous Zorawar Tanks Soon
• India To Increase Warship Deployment To Counter Piracy In Arabian
Sea.
• Navy Chief Unveils First Indigenously Manufactured Uav From Adani
Defence & Aerospace.
• Drdo Launches Indigenous Assault Rifle 'Ugram' For Armed Forces.
• Fighter Jet Engine Deal With India To Start This Year.
• India, Uae Sign Mous In Presence Of Pm Modi, Uae President.
• Navy Chief Unveils First Indigenously Manufactured Uav From Adani
Defence & Aerospace.
 20
PURHASE OF T-90 TANKS

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the purchase of two technological kinds of T-90
TANKS i.e. the Digital Ballistic Computer (DBC) & Automatic Target Tracker (ATT). The upgrade
improves the accuracy by eliminating the need for manual positioning. ATT has remarkable
tracking capabilities. The inclusion of DBC improves the calculations which takes account of
atmospheric conditions to ensure the precision while hitting the target. As of now, T-90 are
operated manually to hit the targets but soon it will be upgraded. Moreover, INDIAN ARMY is
gradually replacing T-72 TANKS with 1700 Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) equipped with
battlefield management system.

FRANCE SENT PRICE BIDS FOR 26 RAFALE JETS & 3 SUBMARINES

India has received price bids from France for purchase of 27 RAFALE-M-CARRIER based fighter
jets as well as 3 SCORPENE-CLASS SUBMARINES. Defence acquisition council chaired by defence
minister Acceptance of Necessity (AOM) for the ownership of 26 rafale-M fighters and 3 additional
scorpene class diesel- electric submarines from France. The deal ranges from 22 single seated
rafale-M- fighters to 4 twin seater rafale trainers which are not carrier- compatible. The rafale-M-
jets are meant to operate from the Indian navy’s two aircraft carriers. The contracts are expected to
be concluded by the end of 2024 and the further delivery of the submarines are likely to happen in
2031.
The major difference between the existing scorpene and new one is the Integrated Combat System
(ICS). The earlier submarines had installed system from France where as the new submarines are
going to have indigenous integrated combat system.

COMMISSIONING OF INS IMPHAL

INS IMPHAL is the third ranked ship of the four warships under the project 15B that includes the
following ships -INS VISAKHAPATNAM (2021), INS MORMUGAO (2022), INS IMPHAL (26TH
DECEMBER’2023) & INS SURAT (2024). The project 15B is identified by its lead ship, i.e. INS
Visakhapatnam. The four ships of the class are 163 meters long, 17.4m wide and it displaces
around 7,400 tonnes. The ships of Visakhapatnam class are operated by crew of around 350
including 50 officers and 250 sailors. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art combat
management system that can determine the threats using analytical tool and create a tactical
picture using the resources available on board. The ship has secure network to handle data from all
the sensors and weapon system. The ship has BrahMos surface-to-surface missile and vertically
launched Barak-8 surface-to-air missiles for long range engagement on the shores and sea-based
targets. The forward bow deck of the ship has 127 mm main gun and also has four AK-630 30mm
 21
guns for close-point engagement. the ship is armed with indigenously developed 533mm torpedo
launches and rbv-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers to provide anti-submarine warfare
capabilities. it can role two multi-role helicopters and also has a hangar facility. ins imphal can
fight under nuclear, biological and chemical warfare conditions. the ship is capable of achieving
speed above 30 knots (56km/hr) powered by combined gas and gas (cogag) propulsion. after
commission the ship will join western naval command. this ship is the tribute to the city of imphal.
it is the largest, most potent and most advanced destroyer.

UNVEILING BHUJANG DRONE

Drone-Acharya Aerials Innovations Limited (DAIL) has introduced BHUJANG which is acronym
for Battlefield Hybrid UAV for Joint Attack, Navigation and Guarding. The drone is capable of
operating at the maximum altitude of 6300 meters making it India’s first super high-altitude multi-
rotor, multi- role drone. It is the total game changer for the country’s defence and security
landscapes. The drone is equipped with an advance electro-optic sensor which will help in proving
the precise view of the surroundings, even in low light conditions. The integrated guns add up an
extra layer of offensive capability with auto-trigger facility. The BHUJANG underwent rigorous
testing with the Indian army. it has encrypted communication system ensuring the secure
operation.
NAVY INCREASED THE SURVEILLANCE IN THE ARABIAN SEA

The Indian navy has substantially enhanced the maritime surveillance efforts in the central and
the north Arabian sea due to the recent drone attacks on India- bound merchant vessels ‘chem
pluto’ and ‘Sai baba’ by the Iran backed
Houthi rebels. Task groups which are
comprising of destroyers and frigates have
been deployed in the red sea, Gulf of Aden
and central and north Arabian sea to
undertake maritime security operations
and give assistance to merchant vessels in
case of any incident. The navy has
deployed INS KOLKATA, INS MORMUGAO,
INS CHENNAI, INS VISHAKAPATNAM in
Arabian sea.

NEW EPAULETTES FOR ADMIRALS

The Indian navy revealed new epaulettes for the ranks of admiral, vice admiral, rear admiral,
surgeon vice admiral & surgeon rear admiral inspired by Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
who built massive maratha navy. the new epaulettes have the new golden navy button carrying the
new naval crest, a red octagon which backs the national emblem, a sword and a telescope. the
 2
2
epaulettes for medical officers have red border while the earlier epaulettes for the same ranks did
not have the octagonal red backing for the national emblem. the old epaulettes carried a baton
and sword, but new ones carry an indian sword and telescope. the stars on new epaulettes are also
designed differently as compared to older ones.

REPRESENTATION OF EPAULETTES -

RED OCTAGON – Reflects the eight cardinal directions indicating an all-round long-term vision.

SWORD – Represents being the cutting edge of national power and winning wars through
dominance, defeating overcoming challenges.

TELESCOPE – Symbolises a long- term vision, foresight, and a weather-eye in the

changing world.

7.THE NAVY SUCCESSFULLY STOPPED A HIJACKING ATTEMPT IN THE

ARABIAN SEA

In a positive outcome, the Indian Navy's MARCOS successfully foiled a hijacking attempt in the
North Arabian Sea. All 21 crew members, including 15 Indians, were safely evacuated from the
merchant vessel Lila Norfolk. Sanitization by MARCOS confirmed no presence of hijackers. The
attempt was likely abandoned after a forceful warning from the Indian Navy's Maritime Patrol
Aircraft and interception by a Naval warship.

8.SERVICE EXTENSION OF SU-30 MKI

The Indian Airforce (IAF) is considering extending the service life of Su-30 MKI fighter jets by 20
years or more through extensive trails and testing. It has been into the forces since last two
decades. There are over 260 of these planes in this fleet, the IAF ensures their availability for
operation until 2045 and beyond. The Aircraft will be further upgraded it will be equipped with
latest avionics, weapons and radars which will be organised domestically. The indigenously
 2
developed Virupaksa radar, designed to meet requirements of IAF in various sectors, it is 3
expected to be most advanced among all SUKHOI-30 variants.

ROBOTIC ARTILLERY MOUNTED GUN SYSTEM TESTED AT POKHRAN RANGE

The Indian government is trying to provide Indian army with arms and ammunition under the
theme Make in Indian. DRDO recently, tested a robotic artillery mounted gun system at the Pokhran
field firing range in Jaisalmer and it was successful. This special gun of 155*52 mm is like a robot.
It takes the ammunition on its own and loads it. As soon as the trail is completed, the gun will be
deployed at Pakistan and China borders, especially in hilly areas. Earlier, it was important to include
6-8 soldiers for loading the gun but now it loads itself. The gun can fire five rounds in minute. The
importance of the mounted artillery gun is that it can automatically locate the enemy’s gun and
starts firing. The Indian Army is ready to include 814 mounted guns in its artillery regiment.

DESERT CYCLONE-2024

Desert cyclone- 2024 is the 1st edition of military exercise between India & UAE. The exercise is
scheduled to be conducted in Mahajan, Rajasthan from 2nd to 15th January 2024. The Indian
Army contingent comprising of 45 personnel is being represented from Mechanised Infantry
Regiment. While from the UAE contingent is being represented by troops from the Zayed First
Brigade. The aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability in sub-conventional operations
including fighting in built-up area in especially dessert or semi-dessert terrain. The exercise will
increase the cooperation between both the sides during peace keeping operations. Exercise
‘DESERT CYCLONE’ signifies further strengthening of bonds of friendship and trust between India
& UAE. The exercise will encourage healthy bilateral relations between two friendly nations. Drills
are planned to be performed during the exercise, domination of built-up area and Heli borne
operations. It is a significant exercise for both the countries.

ROBOTIC ARTILLERY MOUNTED GUN SYSTEM TESTED AT POKHRAN RANGE

The Indian government is trying to provide Indian army with arms and ammunition under the
theme Make in Indian. DRDO recently, tested a robotic artillery mounted gun system at the
Pokhran field firing range in Jaisalmer and it was successful. This special gun of 155*52 mm is
like a robot. It takes the ammunition on its own and loads it. As soon as the trail is completed, the
gun will be deployed at Pakistan and China borders, especially in hilly areas. Earlier, it was
important to include 6-8 soldiers for loading the gun but now it loads itself. The gun can fire five
rounds in minute. The importance of the mounted artillery gun is that it can automatically locate
the enemy’s gun and starts firing. The Indian Army is ready to include 814 mounted guns in its
artillery regiment.
 24

DRDO LAUNCHES INDIGENOUS ASSAULT RIFLE 'UGRAM' FOR ARMED FORCES.

This is the first time that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab has
collaborated with a private industry to manufacture a 7.62 x 51 mm calibre rifle, said an official.
The weapon is designed and developed to meet the operational requirements of the Indian armed forces,
paramilitary forces and state police forces, said the official.
The rifle, weighing less than four kg with a 500-meter firing range, was unveiled at the hands of
Shailendra Gade, the director general of the Armament and Combat Engineering (ACE) system of the
DRDO.

INDIAN NAVY IN GUAM

P8-I Submarine Hunter & Surveillance Aircraft of India Navy landed at Guam island in West Pacific on
8 Jan to take part in Exercise Sea Dragon 2024 aims to enhance interoperability b/w Navies of
USA,Japan,Australia & South Korea.

DRDO COUNTER-DRONE SYSTEM READY, HANDED OVER TO PRIVATE FIRMS.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed its counter-drone
system, now ready for production and demonstrated to armed services and security agencies. Some
orders are already in place. The focus has shifted to high-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),
while the industry caters to smaller drones. The integrated anti-drone system developed by DRDO
covers the detection, identification, and neutralization of drones. The technology, already ordered by
the armed forces, is adaptable to various challenges and is being shared with private firms like BEL,
Adani, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Icom through Transfer of Technology (ToT). DRDO's emphasis
remains on anti-drone technology, collaborating closely with industry partners while also conducting
extensive research for protection against various drone types, including micro drones.
 2
5

SPORT’S NEWS

• Hockey: Baljeet Kaur’s speedy rise from Tarn Taran to India’s squad for
Olympic qualifiers, with help from a former World Cupper
• In Women's shooting, Rhythm Sangwan bagged the Bronze medal in the
25-meter Pistol event at the Asian Shooting Championship in Jakarta,
Indonesia.
• Lalremsiami Discusses Forward Line Prep for FIH Olympic Qualifiers
Ranchi 2024.
• Formula E announces cancellation of E-Prix race in Hyderabad.
• Ashwini Ponnappa's experience and Tanisha Crasto's aggressive instincts
dovetailed perfectly as the Indians registered a significant upset over
Japanese stars at #MalaysiaOpenSuper1000.
• FIFA has delinked from the Santosh Trophy in Arunachal Pradesh.
• India At Asian Para Games 2023: Bhavina Patel Grabs Bronze In Women's
Table Tennis Singles-Class 4 Section.
 26
MANCHESTER CITY WINS FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2023

English Premier League side Manchester City won the FIFA Club World Cup 2023
by defeating the Brazilian Club Fluminense FC 4-0 in the finale.

D GUKESH WINS CHENNAI GRANDMASTERS

17 year old Dommaraju Gukesh clinched the Chennai Grandmasters title following a drawn game
against P Harikrishna. The title earns the Chennai lad a qualification to the Candidates, which is to
be held at Toronto, Canada in April of 2024.

SEN,KASHYAP LOSE NATIONALS

Commonwealth Games medalist Lakshya Sen and women’s top seed Akarshi Kashyap were
knocked out in the quarterfinals of the 85th Senior National Badminton Tournament held at
Guwahati.
SAURABH CHAUDARY BACK IN WINNER’S CIRCLE

Former world number Saurabh Chaudary won the men’s 10m air pistol T1 national shooting
selection trials with a score of 244.5 in the finals

VIRENDER SINGH TO RETURN PADMA SHRI

Deflympics medalist Virender Singh, popularly known as Goonga Pehlwan has decided to return
his Padma Shri award showing solidarity with country’s top wrestlers opposing the election of
Mr.Sanjay Singh as the WFI president.

INDIA BEATS AUSTRALIA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN WOMEN’S TEST

CRICKET

For the first time in Women’s cricket, after spanning more than four decades and 10 matches, India
beats Australia in a test match for the first time. The match held at Mumbai, Indian Women created
history by winning the match by 8 wickets. Sneh, received Player of the Match.

FIFA THREATENS TO SUSPEND BRAZIL’S FOOTBALL TEAM

FIFA warned that it could suspend Brazil’s national teams if the soccer governing body of Brazil,
CBF(Confederação Brasileira de Futebol) made interventions and quickly held new board
presidential elections in January 2024 to replace the current president Ednaldo Rodrigues. FIFA
 27
has given instructions to wait and any interventions till the approval might lead to sanctions
on the CBF.

KATIE MOON TO BE MUMBAI MARATHON AMBASSADOR

Two time Pole Vault world champion and Tokyo Olympics Gold Medalist Katie Moon becomes the
event ambassador of Tata Mumbai Marathon to be held in January 2024.

KOHLI FIRST EVER BATTER TO SCORE 2000+ RUNS OVER 7 CALENDER

YEARS ( FOR AFCAT)

Virat Kohli became the first batter to score 2000 runs in seven different calendar years. His 76 in
the first Test against South Africa took his tally to 2006 runs in 2023. He had previously achieved the
feat in 2012 (2186 runs), 2014 (2286 runs), 2016 (2595 runs), 2017 (2818 runs), 2018 (2735 runs)
and 2019 (2455 runs).

CARLSEN KEEPS ‘OPEN’ TITLE

There was no surprise with Magnus Carlsen playing out a safe draw with R. Praggnanandhaa to
keep the title in the World rapid chess title in Samarkand (Uzbekistan).

SAVITA PUNIA TO LEAD 18MEMBER INDIAN WOMEN’S SQUAD IN OLYMPIC

QUALIFIERS

Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia will continue to lead the side and Vandana Katariya will be her
deputy as Hockey India on Saturday named an 18member Indian women’s team for the Olympic
Qualifiers scheduled to be held in Ranchi from January 13 to 19.

ZVEREVLED GERMANY BEATS SWIATEK’S POLAND, CLINCHES UNITED

CUP

Alexander Zverev saved two match points in a gruelling threeset win over Hubert Hurkacz to help
Germany upset top seeds Poland and clinch a maiden United Cup title in Sydney. The United Cup
is a prestigious international Tennis Tournament where players represent their countries as
teams.
 28
UCHIJIMA OVERCOMES MAKAROVA TO TRIUMPH

Second seed Moyuka Uchijima of Japan beat top seed Ekaterina Makarova 64, 61 in the final of
the $40,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament at the Ganesh Naik Sports Complex in Navi Mumbai.

Ronaldo ends 2023 as the world’s top goal scorer with 54 strikes

Cristiano Ronaldo was the top goalscorer in world football in 2023. The five time Ballon d’Or
winner scored 54 goals for Portugal and Al Nassr. Harry Kane was second with 52 goals for England
and Bayern Munich along with PSG’s French attacker Kylian Mbappe. Manchester City’s Norwegian
striker Erling Halaand netted 50 times.

Simranjeet to lead India men; Rajni to captain women’s side

Simranjeet Singh and Rajni Etimarpu will lead the men’s and women’s sides respectively as
Hockey India on Sunday named the Indian teams for the upcoming FIH Hockey5s World Cup to be
held in Muscat, Oman. While the Hockey5s Women’s World Cup will be held between January 24
and 27, the men’s event is slated from January 28 to January 31.

WHAT IS 5S IN HOCKEY?

Each team will have a maximum of 5 players on the field. Each team may choose to play with a
fully-kitted goalkeeper as one of their five players. If a team chooses to play without a goalkeeper,
then their team will have five field players, none of whom have goalkeeping privileges.

KENYA’S CHEBET SHATTERS WOMEN’S5KM WORLD RECORD

Kenya’s Beatrice Chebet smashed the women’s world 5km record. The 23yearold’s time of 14min
13sec improved on the previous womenonly world record of 14:29 set by Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi in
September 2021.

ARYAVEER DEWAN CLINCHES US OPEN U15 SQUASH TITLE

India’s Aryaveer Dewan, seeded fourth, beat third seed Brendan Tagliarini of USA 11-8, 12-10,
11-4 to win the US Junior Open squash championship in Philadelphia. Aryan ousted top seed
Jayden Oon of Malaysia 119, 118, 911, 1311 in the semifinals and has risen to No.2 spot in his age
group in Asia.
 SOUTH AFRICA’S 55 IS ANY TEAM’S LOWEST TEST SCORE AGAINST 29
INDIA

South Africa’s first innings total of 55 on 03-01-2024 is the lowest score by a team in Tests
against India, eclipsing New Zealand’s 62 at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, in 2021. It is also the
Proteas’ lowest Test score since their readmission in 1991, beating the 73 scored against Sri Lanka
at Galle in 2018.

RAGHURAM IYER NAMED CEO OF IOA

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on 06-01-2024 appointed Raghuram Iyer as its chief
executive officer (CEO).
 30

SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY
• ISRO PAYLOAD "ACES" PERFORMANCE CHECK, CAPTURES LIGHT
FROM SUPERNOVA EVENT
• UAE TO BUILD AIRLOCK FOR NASA’S GATEWAY STATION ORBITING
THE MOON
• THE EARLY UNIVERSE WAS BANANAS
• SCIENTISTS CLAIM THEY HAVE ENGINEERED THE MICROBIOME OF
A RICE PLANT, DEVELOPING A TECHNOLOGY THAT COULD
POTENTIALLY REDUCE OUR DEPENDENCE ON PESTICIDES.
• IISC AND ASTER CMI HOSPITAL DEVELOP AI TOOL TO HELP IN
NERVE DISORDER SCREENING.
• SILICON PHOTONICS RESEARCH CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
LAUNCHED AT IIT MADRAS.
• IIT MADRAS DEVELOPS 3D-PRINTED FACE IMPLANTS FOR PATIENTS
SUFFERING FROM BLACK FUNGUS.
• 5-YEAR-OLD AT AIIMS DELHI ACHIEVES WORLD RECORD AS
YOUNGEST TO UNDERGO AWAKE BRAIN SURGERY.
 31
THE POTENTIAL OF AI TO DRASTICALLY CHANGE DEMOCRACY AND
DECISION-MAKING.

Artificial intelligence can overcome "lossy bottlenecks," limitations in decision-making

processes that simplify complex choices. In various domains like dining, employment, apparel, and
software, AI can offer personalised and nuanced solutions, reducing the impact of these
bottlenecks. The focus then shifts to politics, proposing a system where AI enhances voter
representation by advocating for specific policies based on detailed political preferences. While
this concept could revolutionise democracy it also acknowledges privacy concerns and emphasises
the importance of human deliberation in political processes. It concludes by noting that these
technologies may first be applied in less politically charged domains.

SOLAR MISSION ADITYA L1 TO REACH DESTINATION ON JANUARY 6:

ISRO CHAIRMAN

India's solar mission, Aditya L1, is set to reach the Lagrangian point (L1) on January 6 marking a
significant achievement for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The observatory,
launched on September 2 will study the Sun from a halo orbit at L1, approximately 1.5 million km
away from Earth. ISRO Chairman S Somanath confirmed this development during the Bharatiya
Vigyan Sammelan. Aditya L1's arrival at L1 will enable it to measure solar events for the next five
years, contributing valuable data for global understanding of the Sun's dynamics. Somanath also
outlined ISRO's plans for a future Indian space station and emphasised India's commitment to
technological advancement in the space sector.

2023 IN SPACEFLIGHT: CHANDRAYAAN-3 AND OTHER MISSIONS THAT

DEFINED SPACE EXPLORATION THIS YEAR

In 2023, India solidified its position among space superpowers with Chandrayaan 3's successful
lunar landing and the launch of the Aditya L1 solar probe. Despite notable achievements 2023 saw
even more significant milestones, including NASA's Artemis 1 Moon mission and China's first
space station completion. The year also featured the OSIRIS-REx mission's return of an asteroid
sample and the Psyche mission to explore planetary cores. Most Noteworthy was China's Shenzhou
16 mission, setting a world record with 17 humans in orbit. However, challenges included Russia's
Luna-25 and Hakuto lunar missions crashing, and SpaceX's Starship experiencing two explosions.
This emphasises the dynamic landscape of private space companies, showcasing rapid
development and learning from failures.

JAPAN’S SLIM ‘MOON SNIPER’ REACHES LUNAR ORBIT AHEAD OF

LANDMARK LANDING.
Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has successfully inserted its "Smart Lander
32

for Investigating Moon" (SLIM) into lunar orbit, aiming to become the fifth country to soft-land a
spacecraft on the Moon. SLIM took a unique route to the Moon and, if successful, will be the
smallest and lightest spacecraft to land on the Moon. Weighing only 200 kilograms, SLIM's main
objective is to demonstrate precision landing capabilities by landing within 100 metres of the
chosen site, with the mission aiming to land near the small crater named Shinoli in the Moon's
equatorial region.

WHEN TO SPOT ‘COLD MOON’ IN INDIA - LONGEST, LAST FULL MOON OF

2023

The Cold Moon, the longest and final full moon of the year, graced the sky until December 27.
This celestial event is associated with the winter solstice, marking the year's shortest period of
sunlight. During the winter solstice, the Cold Moon becomes the longest full moon, earning the
names Long Night Moon, Frost Moon, and Winter Moon. The full moon occurs when the sun, earth,
and moon align on an imaginary 180-degree line, allowing sunlight to illuminate the side facing
Earth. December's moon is named Cold Moon due to the onset of winter in the Northern
Hemisphere.

'ELECTRONIC SOIL' THAT ENHANCES CROP GROWTH DEVELOPED BY

SCIENTISTS.

Scientists have developed an electrically conductive "soil" named eSoil, tailored to hydroponic
cultivation, which can lead to 50% more growth of barley seedlings in 15 days. This hydroponic
cultivation method stimulates the root system electrically through the new substrate, providing a
controlled environment to grow food, even in urban settings. Barley seedlings grown in the
conductive "soil" experienced up to a 50% growth boost in 15 days when their roots were
electrically stimulated. This method could be valuable for sustainable agriculture, especially in
areas with limited arable land and harsh environmental conditions.

‘BENEFITTED FROM RUSSIAN GEOPOLITICAL SITUATION AS SOME

LAUNCHES CAME TO INDIA… WE RAISED OUR PRESTIGE AND ABILITY’:
ISRO CHIEF S SOMANATH

A narrative has been created that the concepts of science and God do not go together and all
scientists should be atheists. I do not believe either in atheism or in the belief system. I always
worship the approach of scientists to find out the truth.
ISRO Chairman S Somanath discusses various aspects of India's space missions, including the
complex manoeuvres involved in bringing back the Chandrayaan-3 propulsion module to Earth. He
outlines ISRO's plans for future Moon missions, collaboration with international partners for
human spaceflight, and the impact of geopolitical situations on global space exploration. Somnath
 33
emphasizes isro's commercial plans, having launched numerous foreign satellites, and highlights
efforts to create markets in africa, southeast asia, arabic countries, and south america. he also
addresses controversies surrounding his malayalam memoir and expresses a belief in the
compatibility of science and spirituality.

SEND YOUR NAME TO JUPITER’S MOON EUROPA BEFORE TIME RUNS

OUT: HERE’S HOW

NASA's "Message in a Bottle" campaign offers the opportunity to send your name on a microchip
aboard the Europa Clipper mission, exploring Jupiter's moon Europa for signs of life. The campaign
allows participants to sign up and submit their names until December 31. Technicians at NASA's
Jet Propulsion Laboratory will stencil the names onto a coin-sized microchip using an electron
beam. The chip, along with an engraved metal plate featuring a poem by Ada Limon, will be
attached to the spacecraft, creating a symbolic "message in a bottle" as it flies by Europa.
Participants can also download a custom electronic souvenir from the campaign's website.

Space tech startup has launched payload on ISRO's PSLV-C58

XPoSat Mission on Jan 1

Space technology startups Dhruva Space, Bellatrix Aerospace, and TM2Space are set to launch
their payloads on the upcoming Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) - C58 XPoSat Mission by the
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on January 1, 2024. This mission marks ISRO's first X-
Ray Polarimeter Satellite mission. Dhruva Space will showcase its LEAPTD (Launching Expeditions
for Aspiring Technologies Technology Demonstrator), while Bellatrix Aerospace plans to launch
two payloads, including the Rudra 0.3 HPGP green monopropellant thruster and ARKA 200.
TM2Space will deploy the Radiation Shielding Experiments Module to assess the effectiveness of
tantalum coating.
“India’s space economy today stands at a modest 8 billion USD, but we project that by 2040 it will
multiply manifold. But more interestingly, according to some international observers, for
example, the recent ADL (Arthur D Little) Report, India has the potential of reaching a 100 billion
USD space economy by 2040,”
ISRO successfully launched over 430 foreign satellites, generating revenue exceeding 290 million
euros from European satellites and over 170 million USD from American satellite launches.

ISRO TO USHER IN 2024 WITH THE LAUNCH OF DEDICATED SCIENTIFIC

SATELLITE TO STUDY BLACK HOLES
ISRO is set to launch its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) as the primary payload aboard a
Polar .
 STUDY WARNS US ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF MISINFORMATION 34
DOMINATING SEARCH ENGINE RESULTS

The study, published in Nature, explored the impact of online search engines on belief in
misinformation. Lead author Kevin Aslett warns us about "data voids," areas dominated by
misinformation, emphasising the danger of non-credible information in search results. The
research, conducted through five experiments, reveals that searching online to evaluate news
increases belief in popular misinformation. The effect persists over time, regardless of when
misinformation was published. Exposure to lower-quality search results intensifies this
phenomenon. The study underscores the importance of media literacy programs and urges search
engines to prioritise credible content delivery.

XPOSAT: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ISRO'S MAIDEN SATELLITE TO STUDY
BLACK HOLES

ISRO celebrated the New Year by launching its first X-Ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) using the
PSLV-C58 rocket. XPoSat aims to study celestial objects like black holes, featuring two payloads:
POLIX for measuring X-ray polarisation in the 8-30keV energy band and XSPECT for polarisation
and spectroscopic measurements. The mission, with a lifespan of about 5 years, holds global
significance for the astronomy community, providing insights into black holes, neutron stars, and
galactic nuclei. The launch also included 10 other payloads, contributing to various experiments
and technologies.

ISRO Plans to launch at least 12 missions this year

In 2024, ISRO plans to conduct at least 12 launches, surpassing its previous records. The
successful launch of the X-ray Polarimeter Satellite marked the beginning of a year focused on
Gaganyaan, India's maiden human space flight mission scheduled for 2025. The agency aims to
conduct two more rounds of tests in 2024, including a test flight with a humanoid robot (Vyomitra)
and an unmanned flight, paving the way for the manned Gaganyaan mission. Prerequisites include
developing critical technologies for crew safety, life support, and an emergency escape system.
ISRO achieved significant milestones in 2023, landing on the Moon and launching the Aditya-L1
sun observatory.

NASA'S JUNO SPACECRAFT REVEALED JUPITER'S VOLCANIC MOON IO

NASA's Juno spacecraft captured detailed images of Jupiter's moon Io during a close encounter,
flying roughly 930 miles from its surface. The JunoCam imager showed a silhouetted, dusty red
sphere marked by massive greyish volcanoes on Io. The spacecraft, launched in 2011, has performed
 35
56 flybys of Jupiter and documented close encounters with its largest moons. Another ultra-close
flyby of Io is scheduled for February 3, 2024, aiming to collect vital data about Io and its volcanism.
Juno's extended mission concludes in September 2025 with a deliberate crash into Jupiter's
atmosphere.

SPACEX LAUNCHED ITS FIRST ‘DIRECT-TO-CELL’ STARLINK SATELLITES

SpaceX launched 21 Starlink satellites, including six with "Direct-to-Cell" capabilities, enabling
direct internet access via smartphones. These satellites have advanced modems functioning as
space-based cellphone towers, potentially eliminating ground-level cellphone dead zones. This
innovation allows collaboration with network providers globally, offering direct-to-cell services to
customers and reducing reliance on traditional terrestrial towers. SpaceX highlights existing
partnerships with providers like T-Mobile, Rogers, KDDI, Optus, One NZ, Salt, and Entel, indicating
global interest in Direct-to-Cell capabilities. SpaceX, amid 2023 challenges, emphasised Starlink's
expansion, boasting over 5,000 active satellites for a growing low-Earth orbit internet network.

INDIA TO USE SPACEX ROCKET TO LAUNCH COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will utilise SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket to deploy its
heavy communication satellite, GSAT-20, in the middle of this year. Weighing 4,700 kg, GSAT-20
exceeds the launch capacity of ISRO's most powerful rocket. Falcon-9, a reusable rocket, has the
capability to carry over 8,300 kg to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), making it a suitable choice.
NSIL, the commercial arm of ISRO, facilitated the collaboration with SpaceX. GSAT-20 aims to
address high-speed connectivity gaps in rural areas and enable in-flight internet services,
contributing to the country's digital connectivity. This launch follows NSIL's successful "demand-
driven" launch of GSAT-24 in the previous year, purchased entirely by Tata Play, a Direct-To-Home
broadcaster.

QUADRANTIDS 2024: FIRST METEOR SHOWER PEAK OF THE YEAR

The Quadrantid meteor shower was visible from New Delhi starting at 12:07 AM and each night,
with the radiant point in the constellation Bootes. The shower was expected to remain active until
the dawn broke at around 6:46 AM. For the best viewing experience, choose a dark and secluded
outdoor location with minimal light pollution and an open view of the horizon. Lie down if possible,
and look in the direction of the radiant point. Allow a few minutes for your eyes to adjust to the
darkness to enhance visibility.
 SCIENTISTS PROPOSED OXYGEN COULD HOLD THE KEY TO FINDING ALIEN 36
TECHNOLOGY

Astronomers proposed that oxygen levels on a planet can indicate the potential for advanced
technology, termed "techno signatures." A study published in Nature Astronomy suggested that not
only is oxygen crucial for life processes, but it plays a key role in technological development. The
researchers highlighted the importance of oxygen in open-air combustion, a fundamental process
for technology on Earth. Interestingly, the levels of oxygen needed for complex biological life and
intelligence are not as high as those required for technology development. They introduced the
concept of an "oxygen bottleneck," suggesting that high oxygen levels may be a prerequisite for
fostering technological civilizations. This perspective may guide the search for extraterrestrial
intelligence.

UNITED STATES TO TEST RADICAL NEW X-65 AIRCRAFT WITH FUTURISTIC

CONTROLS
DARPA plans to build and deploy the experimental X-65 aircraft, featuring a revolutionary design
to test innovative flight controls. Unlike traditional aircraft using movable external control surfaces,
the X-65 will employ jets of air from a pressurised source to shape airflow over its surfaces. This
departure from century-old design paradigms aims to reduce weight, complexity, and potentially
improve performance. The unmanned aircraft, weighing over 3 metric tons with a wingspan of
nearly ten metres, will have both traditional flaps/rudders and active flow control actuators. Aurora
Flight Sciences, a Boeing subsidiary, is building the first X-65, expected to roll out in early 2025 for
its inaugural flight.

JAPAN-LED XRISM MISSION REVEALED ITS FIRST X-RAY PICTURE OF COSMOS

The XRISM (X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission), led by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency, released a preview of the data it aims
to collect during its upcoming science operations. XRISM is designed to detect X-ray radiation with
energy up to 12,000 electron volts, allowing it to study the hottest regions in the universe, large
structures, and objects with strong gravity. The mission's instruments, Resolve and Xtend, focus on
the same X-ray Mirror assembly. Resolve, a microcalorimeter spectrometer, and Xtend, an X-ray
imager, provide valuable insights into celestial sources' compositions, motions, and physical states.

ISRO’S ADITYA L1 REACHED ITS DESTINATION; INDIA CREATES ANOTHER

LANDMARK
The Aditya-L1 spacecraft, India's first space-based solar observatory, is scheduled for a crucial
manoeuvre to enter its final orbit around Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the sun-earth system. Placing the
observatory in a halo orbit around L1, approximately 1.5 million km from Earth, will allow it to
continuously observe the sun without eclipses. The manoeuvre is essential to prevent the spacecraft
from continuing its journey toward the sun. Aditya-L1's mission objectives include studying the
solar upper atmosphere, dynamics of the chromosphere and corona, and the origin of coronal 37

mass ejections (CMEs). The observatory carries seven scientific payloads for these studies.

WHO IS NIGAR SHAJI, THE WOMAN BEHIND ADITYA L-1 MISSION?

Nigar Shaji, the 59-year-old female mission director of Aditya L-1, has played a crucial role in
steering the mission, which aims to enhance our understanding of the Sun. Hailing from Sengottai
in Tamil Nadu, Shaji's curiosity and passion for learning led her to a successful career as a space
scientist at ISRO. With a background in electronics and communications, she joined ISRO in 1987
and has worked on various projects, contributing to the successful launch of Aditya L-1 in
September 2023. Shaji emphasised the supportive environment for women scientists at ISRO, where
recognition is based on merit. The Aditya L-1 mission aims to study the Sun's influence on space
weather dynamics and Earth's climate.

THE EARLY UNIVERSE WAS BANANAS

New images from the James Webb Space Telescope suggest that baby galaxies, contrary to
previous assumptions, might have shapes resembling bananas, pickles, cigars, or surfboards. The
images of around 4,000 newborn galaxies challenge the expectation that they would appear as orbs
or discs. If confirmed, this discovery could significantly alter the understanding of galaxy
emergence and growth, offering insights into the mysterious nature of dark matter. The early
galaxies' peculiar shapes might be linked to the properties of dark matter, affecting how galaxies
form and evolve in the universe.

PEREGRINE MISSION ONE: KEY POINTS ABOUT NASA'S FIRST MOON LANDER
MISSION SINCE APOLLO

The Peregrine Mission One, a lunar lander built by Astrobotic Technology, was scheduled for
launch on January 8, 2024, with an anticipated moon landing by February 23. As part of NASA’s
Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, the private U.S. company will send small robotic
landers to the moon's south polar region to collect lunar resources. The lander will carry 15
commercial payloads and five NASA-sponsored payloads, with a total mass capacity of 90kg.
Astrobotic aims to achieve a soft landing on the moon, and the mission will provide valuable data for
NASA's objectives, including locating water molecules and measuring radiation. The launch was set
for 2:18 am EST from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
 38
ADITYA-L1 DATA TO START POURING IN SOON

India's solar observatory, Aditya-L1, has successfully activated all seven key instruments after
being placed in orbit around Lagrange Point-1. The activation occurred in phases between Saturday
and Sunday. Aditya-L1, launched on September 2, 2023, will observe various aspects of the Sun for
approximately five years. The spacecraft, located about 1.5 million km from Earth, will provide
crucial data for understanding space weather dynamics and the Sun's influence on Earth's climate.
The first set of data is expected to be available by mid-January 2024. Aditya-L1's mission includes
observing the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona of the Sun.

NASA delays Artemis mission; astronauts will not return to Moon till
2026
NASA is delaying its Artemis mission, which aims to land American astronauts on the moon, by
about a year. The Artemis III lunar landing mission is now targeted for September 2026,
demonstrating the challenges NASA faces in meeting ambitious deadlines and navigating technical
complications. The delays are attributed to issues with Lockheed Martin's Orion capsule, which
revealed problems with its heat shield and internal components during the Artemis I mission.
Additionally, challenges with developing new spacesuits and SpaceX's Starship rocket, dependent
on untested propellant transfer capabilities, contribute to the setbacks. The delayed precursor
mission is now planned for September 2025.
 Yash mor news
39

COL(Dr.) BHASKAR GUPTA 40th, Issue 1 January 2024

THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR-BACKGROUND

CEASEFIRE & PRESENT SITUATION IN GAZA
Israel and Hamas have been at war for
more than 8 weeks, as of 10 dec 2023,
with over 18,000 Palestinians killed (as
on date).The Palestine Health Ministry
says it can no longer provide an official
death toll because of the intensity of
fighting and repeated communication
breakdowns. On the contrary,
nearly1,200 people were killed in
Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on Israel, with
almost 250 taken away as hostages by
the rampaging militants. This now
counts as the deadliest day for Jews
since the Holocaust.

BACKGROUND OF THE ATTACK

Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that has

controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007, claimed
the attack was “to free Palestinian prisoners,
stop Israeli aggression on Al-Aqsa Mosque,
and to break the siege on Gaza.” So, on Oct. 7,
it launched an unprecedented cross-border
attack on Israel. In a highly organized stealth
assault, they bulldozed the border fence in
multiple places, caught Israel’s security
apparatus off-guard and overwhelmed
military defenses. Surprised by the lack of
resistance, the attackers turned the operation
into a bloody and chaotic rampage through
civilian areas.
 40

PAGE 02 COL(Dr.) BHASKAR GUPTA

Militants took captives from a swath of as per U.N. data. Most recently, Israel has
territory more than 20 miles wide, coexisted uneasily with Hamas-cycling
reflecting the broad sweep of the incursion between bloody escalations and periods of
across Gaza’s border with southern Israel. relative peace, including times when Gazans
Majority of them were civilians, including were able to work in and export goods to
women/children. Israel.
At the site of a dance festival three miles Hamas -designated by the United States as a
from the border fence, more than 260 terrorist organization since 1997-won
bodies were recovered. Israeli officials said elections in Gaza in 2006, defeating Fatah,
5,400 people were injured in the attack, the main Palestinian party that still controls
and at least 32 U.S. nationals had died.In the Palestinian Authority, the U.S.-backed
retaliation, on that very day, Israel government based in the West Bank, the
declared war on Hamas. Since then, Gaza second Palestinian territory.In 2007, Hamas
has been bombarded with Israeli air and expelled the Palestinian Authority from Gaza
artillery strikes, killing thousands and and seized full control of the enclave.
injuring more than 40,400, many of them Elections have not been held in Gaza since.
children. Hamas, unlike the Palestinian Authority,
does not acknowledge Israel’s right to exist.
THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN
CONFLICT: A CHRONOLOGY The group, supported by Iran, has used
explosives and rockets, along with suicide
Roots of the latest fighting predate the
bombings and kidnappings, to target Israel
establishment of the state of Israel 75 years
since gaining control of Gaza.
ago-and founding of Hamas in 1987.
Palestinians and Israelis alike consider the THE GAZA STRIP AND ITS HISTORY
territory between the Jordan River an the Israel retaliated with a years-long blockade,

Mediterranean Sea as their own. Periodic restricting imports and exports and the

bouts of violence, armed conflict and movement of civilians in and out of the Strip,

displacement followed.. Before Oct. 7, there which covers a tiny 360 sq kms, but houses

were 6,407 Palestinian and 308 Israeli about 2.1 million, in a strategy that rights

fatalities in the past 15 years, groups have decried as collective punishment

January Edition-40 |
2024
 41
PAGE 03 COL(Dr.) BHASKAR GUPTA

and a violation of international law. The power Nearly 1,000 Palestinians were killed in
imbalance and lack of movement toward peace
2019; the death toll in 2014 exceeded 1,500,
and Palestinian statehood (the 2 State Solution)
have kept tensions simmering. In May 2021, including more than 500 children.
Israeli attempts to evict families from a
Palestinian neighborhood in favor of Jewish
What is the situation for people in Gaza?
Israelis in East Jerusalem led to violent clashes,
prompting Hamas to launch rockets at Israeli Aid agencies say the enclave is in the grip
cities. of a humanitarian crisis, which Israel’s
This April 23’, Israeli forces stormed al-Aqsa bombardments and demands for nearly 1
Mosque, a sacred Muslim site in Jerusalem.
million Palestinians living in northern
The following month, a five-day conflict between
Israel and Islamic Jihad, another armed Gaza to flee southward have worsened.
Palestinian faction, killed 22 people in Gaza and Since early Oct, residents of the Gaza Strip
two in Israel. It was a rare summer of quiet in have been largely cut
the Gaza Strip until late August, when Israel
off from internet and cellphone and
halted new work permits and barred workers
with permits from entering the country, blaming landline networks, further isolating them
Hamas for a string of attacks on Israeli settlers in from the rest of the world. U.S. officials
the West Bank.
have directly linked the power and digital

What are Israel’s military objectives in blackouts to Israel and said Washington
Gaza? had applied pressure to have
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, who formed a communications restored.
unity govt. with a political rival, has promised to
Unable to leave the enclave through its
end Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip. Israel’s
military has said a key target of this war is the closed borders, many Palestinians are
militant group’s leadership, and leaders have facing critical shortages of basic resources
said they will collapse its military and amid collapsed infrastructure. A deal was
governmental capabilities to the point that they
eventually reached to allow some
cannot recover.Previous ground offensives into
Gaza, in 2014 and 2019, were more limited in humanitarian aid in through Egypt, and
aim -intending to punish and degrade Hamas but supplies are slowly trickling into Gaza
not remove it completely.
through the Rafah border crossing. Israel
January Edition-40 | page 17
2024
 42
PAGE 04
COL(Dr.) BHASKAR GUPTA
has restricted fuel deliveries, saying they could could not be extended further, amidst
be used by Hamas, while hospitals such as al- mistrust & allegations from both side.
Shifa and others say they have been pushed to What could happen next in the Israel-Gaza
war?
breaking point by lack of power. Limited openi
Israeli leaders, including PM Netenyahu have
ngs at the crossing have also allowed some vowed to continue military pressure on
injured Palestinians and foreign citizens to Hamas to secure the release of the remaining
hostages. Israeli forces have urged civilians in
leave for Egypt. Gaza’s residents thus have no
the south to move to unspecified “safe zones,”
electricity, no water and nowhere to flee. following evacuation calls from the north. The
Journalists on the ground attempting to report White House has cautioned Israel against
on the conflict have also been killed. Since Oct. moving on the south, in the “absence of a
cohesive plan” to protect “a dramatically
7, 50 journalists/other media workers have
increased civilian population” of hundreds of
been killed: the majority Palestinian, besides thousands of Palestinians,
more than 22,000 persons, mostly children & Questions also remain over who will run Gaza
women ! when the war is over. Netanyahu said Israel
doesn’t “seek to occupy Gaza”, but added that
Agreement to a four-day pause in hostilities
Israel would be responsible for the enclave’s
A deal reached on 25th Nov 23 between Israel security “for an indefinite period, which has
and Hamas paused thefighting for four days, in raised red flags in USA. “Gaza cannot continue
to be run by Hamas,” Secretary of State
exchange for the release of 500 of the 240 host- -
Antony Blinken said, adding: “It’s also clear
-ages held inside the enclave, mostly women & that Israel cannot occupy Gaza.” Palestinian
children, including those of other nationalit- - President Mahmoud Abbas’s administration
ies. It marked the first cessation since a six- would return to Gaza only as part of a
“comprehensive solution,” his aides said,
week air and ground assault and capped weeks
though critics bashed the idea.
of tense international talks, mediated by the Will other World Powers Get Involved
Qatari government, with heavy intercession of
the Biden administration. As part of the deal,
each hostage was traded for three Palestinians
held in Israeli prisons. Israel also l allowed
more fuel and humanitarian aid into the
enclave, and the pause was to be extended by a
day for every additional 10 hostages who would
be released above the initial group of 50. Hence
we saw 2 additional days of ceasefire, wherein
20 more hostages were released, but same

January Edition-40 | page 17

2024
 43
PAGE 05
COL(Dr.) BHASKAR GUPTA

There’s a growing risk that the conflict could diplomatic relations with Israel, marking a
draw in neighboring countries or even significant shift, undeterred of the potential
global powers. A potential flash point is fallout with the Arab nations. Despite this,
Israel’s northern border with Lebanon, India continued to voice support for the
where a risk exists of a second front opening Palestinian cause.
up between Israel and Hezbollah-the well- • Balance in National Interest: India's
armed and battle-trained Lebanese Shiite diplomatic decisions are guided by
political and militant group that has fought national interest, necessitating a balance
Israel for decades, from its base in southern between maintaining strong relations
Lebanon. Iran, which backs Hezbollah, has with Israel, supporting Palestine, and
denied having any role in the original developing ties with the Arab world.
Hamas attack. But Tehran has warned that it
• India's relations with Israel have
could take unspecified “preemptive action”
strengthened in recent years, to include
to deter an Israeli assault on Gaza; an
sectors like trade, technology,defence,
Iranian intervention would risk engulfing
and counter-terrorism cooperation.
the region in a wider conflict
Today Israel is India’s 2nd biggest
defence partner and has stood beside
India’s Policy over Israel-Palestine
India as its brother in arms.
Conflict
• India's support for Israel is seen as a
response to its fight against cross-
Background: India's historical stance has
border terrorism, although the
leaned towards Palestine, driven by factors
situations in Israel and India differ
like Mahatma Gandhi's opposition to a
significantly.
Jewish state in Palestine, India's large
Muslim population, and the need to
Stands With Palestine’s Cause : Besides
maintain good relations with Arab
growing relations with Israel, India has
countries. India’s position was also guided
reiterated its stand for Palestine's
by the general consensus in the Arab world,
cause.Amid the ongoing tensions, USD 29.53
the Non-Aligned Movement, and the UN.
million has been contributed by India to the
When the partition of Palestine plan was put
UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for
to vote at the UN, India voted against,
Palestinian refugees. India also sent nearly
along with the Arab countries. India also
6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of
opposed Israel's admission to the UN.During
disaster relief material for Palestinian
the Cold War, India aligned itself with the
people.
Soviet Union, which supported the Arab
India Balancing its Stance
states, thus perpetuating its pro-Palestine
• o In 2017, the first time PM Modi visited
position.
Israel and in 2018 he made an official
Shift in India's Policy visit to Palestine for the first time.
• In 1992, after the end of the Cold War,
India established full

January Edition-40 | page 17

2024
 44

PAGE 06 COL(Dr.) BHASKAR GUPTA

• to encourage both Israel and Palestine to

return to the negotiating table, after
ending the war earliest.
• India must continue to act as a mediator
and provide humanitarian assistance to
the Palestinian people to address the
immediate needs and alleviate suffering
in conflict-affected areas.
• Encourage dialogues and exchanges
between Israeli and Palestinian civil
society groups, academics, and youth to
promote mutual understanding and trust.
• o In 2017, India voted against the U.S.
and Israel for an attempt to declare -by Col(Dr.) Bhaskar Gupta
unilaterally all of Jerusalem as the Israeli
capital.
• o India's policy is-we condemn terrorism,
but do not support indiscriminate
reprisal bombings.

India’s Official Stand : India’s official

position on the Israel-Palestine conflict
remains unchanged, advocating for a two-
state solution with Israel and Palestine as
good neighbors. It was only after the
mediation of the US, in the 1991 Madrid
Peace conference a two-state solution was
agreed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.

Way Forward
• Maintaining a status quo in the Israel-
Palestine conflict is a challenging
endeavor, and India can play a
constructive role by promoting a
peaceful resolution based on a two-
nation theory.
• India should continue its diplomatic
efforts and use its international influence

January Edition-40 |
2024
 50 MCQS
QUESTION
YOU CAN USE
1.‘VARUNA’ IS A BILATERAL NAVAL [C] 75
EXERCISE BETWEEN INDIA AND WHICH [D] 100
COUNTRY?
[A] USA 7.ISRAELI AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES(IAI)
[B] France SIGNED MOU WITH WHICH INDIAN
[C] UAE ORGANISATION TO FORM A JOINT VENTURE
[D] Sri Lanka RELATED TO ARMED FORCES?
[A] HAL
2.Indian Army launched a joint Training [B] ISRO
exercise ‘Cyclone – I’ with which [C] BEL
country? [D] DRDO
[A] USA
[B] Egypt 8.Which country is the host of the
[C] France international multilateral air exercise
[D] Sri Lanka ‘Exercise Desert Flag VIII’?
[A] UK
3.What is the name of the fifth stealth [B] UAE
Scorpene class Submarine, which was [C] Japan
recently commissioned into the Indian [D] Sri Lanka
Navy?
[A] INS Vagir 9.Which country is the host of the
[B] INS Virat ‘Exercise Cobra Warrior 2023’?
[C] INS Vaaman [A] India
[D] INS Vajra [B] Japan
[C] UK
4.The Indian Armed Forces are set to [D] France
procure armed Predator MQ 9A drones
from which country? 10.INS Dronacharya, which recently
[A] France received President’s Colour, is based in
[B] Israel which state?
[C] USA [A] Kerala
[D] Russia [B] Goa
[C] Visakhapatnam
5.India’s largest helicopter [D] Andhra Pradesh
manufacturing facility was
inaugurated in which state? 11.WHAT IS THE TILE OF THE AUTOGRAPHY
[A] Andhra Pradesh OF MAJOR DHYANCHAND?
[B] Karnataka [A] GOAL
[C] Uttar Pradesh [B] HOCKEY DAYS
[D] Maharashtra [C] HOCKEY – MY LIFE
[D] ME & MY HOCKEY
6.What per cent of India’s capital
procurement budget has been 12.IN CONTEXT OF THE INDIAN AWARDS AND
earmarked for domestic industry? HONORS IN SPORTS, WHICH AMONG THE
[A] 25 FOLLOWING IS GIVEN AS LIFE TIME
[B] 50 ACHIEVEMENT AWARD?
 [B] Canada
[A] Dronacharya Award
[C] England
[B] Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award
D] France
[C] Dhyan Chand Award
[D] Arjuna Award
19.Which was the first Summer
Olympic Game which allowed females
13.Which among the following sports
to compete at track and field
have largest number of participants in
athletics?
teams of either side?
[A] 1920 Summer Olympics, Antwerp
[A] Rugby
[B] 1924 Summer Olympics, Paris
[B] Water polo
[C] 1928 Summer Olympics, Amsterdam
[C] Baseball
[D] 1932 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles
[D] Soccer

20.Which country hosted the

14.Which of the following games were
maximum number of Winter Olympic
previously called ‘British Empire Games’
Games?
?
[A] United States of America
[A] East Asian Games
[B] France
[B] Southeast Asian Games
[C] Austria
[C] Olympic Games
[D] Canada
[D] Commonwealth Games
[B] Canada
[C] England
15.Who is the President of Hockey India?
D] France
[A] Mohammad Mushtaq Ahmed
[B] Dilip Tirkey
19.Which was the first Summer
[C] Tapan Kumar Das
Olympic Game which allowed females
[D] Rajinder Singh
to compete at track and field
athletics?
16.When was the Olympic flag created?
[A] 1920 Summer Olympics, Antwerp
[A] 1912
[B] 1924 Summer Olympics, Paris
[B] 1914
[C] 1928 Summer Olympics, Amsterdam
[C] 1915
[D] 1932 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles
[D] 1913

20.Which country hosted the

17.What tennis bodies together
maximum number of Winter Olympic
comprise the Tennis Integrity Unit?
Games?
[A] The ITF
[A] United States of America
[B] The Association of Tennis Professionals
[B] France
[C] Women’s Tennis Association
[C] Austria
[D] All
[D] Canada

18.Which of the following countries has

not participated in every
Commonwealth Games?
[A] Australia
21. Which of the following statement
(s) is (are) true about the heart? (c) They have thick elastic walls, blood flows under
(i) The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from low pressure; carry blood from the
different parts of the body while heart to various organs of the body
the right atrium receives deoxygenated blood from (d) They have thick elastic walls without valves
the lungs inside, blood flows under high pressure
(ii) Left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to and carries blood away from the heart to different
different body parts while the right parts of the body.
ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs
(iii) Left atrium transfers oxygenated blood to the 24. The filtration units of kidneys are
right ventricle which sends it to called
different body parts (a) ureter
(iv) The right atrium receives deoxygenated blood (b) urethra
from different parts of the body (c) neurons
while the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood to (d) nephrons
different parts of the body
(a) (i) 25. he following reaction is an example
(b) (ii) of a
(c) (ii) and (iv) 4 NH3(g) + 5 O2(g) →4 NO(g) + 6 H2O(g)
(d) (i) and (iii) (i) displacement reaction
(ii) combination reaction
22. Consider the following statements (iii) redox reaction
about transportation in human beings (iv) neutralisation reaction
• BLOOD is a connective tissue. (a) (i) and (iv)
• Plasma helps in clotting of blood after a cut or (b) (ii) and (iii)
injury. (c) (i) and (iii)
• Plasma transports food, carbon dioxide and (d) (iii) and (iv)
nitrogenous wastes in dissolved form
• OXYGEN is carried by the white blood 26. Which of the following are
corpuscles. exothermic processes?
Which of the above is/are correct ? (i) Reaction of water with quicklime
(a) 1 only (ii) Dilution of an acid
(b) 2 and 3 only (iii) Evaporation of water
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (iv) Sublimation of camphor (crystals)
(d) 1,2,3 and 4. (a) (i) and (ii)

23. Choose the correct statement

that describes arteries.
a) They have thick elastdic walls, blood flows under
high pressure; collect blood from
different organs and bring it back to the heart
(b) They have thin walls with valves inside, blood
flows under low pressure and carries
blood away from the heart to various organs of the
body
 Question 28. If a few drops of a
(b) (ii) and (iii) concentrated acid accidentally spill
(c) (i) and (iv) over the hand of a student, what
(d) (iii) and (iv) should be done ?
(a) Wash the hand with saline solution
Question 23. The filtration units of (b) Wash the hand immediately with plenty of water
kidneys are called and apply a paste of sodium hydrogen carbonate
(a) ureter (c) After washing hand with plenty of water, apply
(b) urethra solution of sodium hydroxide on the hand
(c) neurons (d) Neutralise the acid with a strong alkali
(d) nephrons
Question 29. Which of the following
Question 24. he following reaction is an statements is not correct ?
example of a (a) All metal carbonates react with acid to give a
4 NH3(g) + 5 O2(g) →4 NO(g) + 6 H2O(g) salt, water and carbon dioxide
(i) displacement reaction (b) All metal oxides react with water to give salt and
(ii) combination reaction acid
(iii) redox reaction (c) Some metals react with acids to give salt and
(iv) neutralisation reaction hydrogen
(a) (i) and (iv) (d) Some non metal oxides react with water to form
(b) (ii) and (iii) an acid
(c) (i) and (iii)
(d) (iii) and (iv) Question 30. Which of the following are
present in a dilute aqueous solution of
Question 25. Which of the following are hydrochloric acid ?
exothermic processes? (a) H3O+ + Cl–
(i) Reaction of water with quicklime (b) H3O+ + OH–
(ii) Dilution of an acid (c) Cl– + OH–
(iii) Evaporation of water (d) unionised HCl
(iv) Sublimation of camphor (crystals)
(a) (i) and (ii) 31.Consider the following statements
(b) (ii) and (iii) about light
(c) (i) and (iv) (1)Light is neither particle nor wave
(d) (iii) and (iv) (2)It can travel in vacuum
(3)It travel fastest in solids
Question 26. Which of the following
(4)Sound waves are faster than light waves
salts does not contain any water of
crystallisation ? Which of the above is/ are correct ?
(a) Blue vitriol (a) One only
(b) Baking soda (b) Two
(c) Washing soda (c) Three
(d) Gypsum
(d) All four
QuestioN 27. Sodium carbonate is a
basic salt because it is a salt of
(a) strong acid and strong base
(b) weak acid and weak base
(c) strong acid and weak base
(d) weak acid and strong base
32.Which is the first European
country to have a Reciprocal [C] Ukraine
Access Agreement with Japan? [D] Turkey
[A] Germany
[B] UK 37.Which country has introduced
[C] Italy a concept known as the “Kill Web”
[D] France in response to the escalating
nuclear threat?
33.A Yeti Airlines with 72 [A] USA
passengers crashed in which [B] India
country, in its deadliest plane [C] South Korea
crash in 30 years? [D] China
[A] Sri Lanka
[B] Nepal 38.Which country has opened
[C] Bangladesh military service to women for
[D] Indonesia the first time in 25 years?
[A] Sri Lanka
34.The US Defence officials have [B] Colombia
shot down a surveillance balloon [C] UK
of which country? [D] Japan
[A] India
[B] China 39.Which country brokered the
[C] Russia ‘Saudi-Iran Détente’ peace deal?
[D] Afghanistan [A] USA
[B] China
35.Which gulf country recently [C] India
announced that it will send its [D] Russia
first ever woman astronaut on a
space mission? 40.India signed MoU with which
[A] Qatar country on semiconductor
[B] Saudi Arabia supply chain and innovation
[C] Bahrain partnership?
[D] Oman [A] UK
[B] France
36.Which country celebrated its [C] USA
Liberation Day on March 3, to [D] Italy
mark its freedom from Ottoman
rule? 41.Which country’s company ALE,
[A] Israel has planned to create an
[B] Bulgaria ‘Artificial Meteor Shower’?
 has planned to create an
‘Artificial Meteor Shower’? scientists joined India’s 43rd
[A] China Antarctic Expedition?
[B] India [A] Singapore and Mauritius
[C] Japan [B] Bangladesh and Bhutan
[D] Australia [C] Mauritius and Bangladesh
42.Who recently became the [D] Nepal and Myanmar
first Indian woman to receive
the Arjuna Award for Equestrian 46.According to the 2024 Henley Passport
Sports? Index, what is the rank of India?
[A] P. V. Sindhu [A] 83rd
[B] Mary Kom [B] 80th
[C] Saina Nehwal [C] 82nd
[D] Divyakriti Singh [D] 90th

47.When is the ‘World Braille Day’

43.Which government observed every year?
department is responsible for [A] January 1
organizing the Startup India [B] January 2
Innovation Week 2024 from 10th- [C] January 4
18th January 2024? [D] January 6
[A] Department of Food and Public 48.What was the primary field of Ved
Distribution Prakash Nanda, who passed away
[B] Department for Promotion of Industry recently?
and Internal Trade (DPIIT) [A] Agriculture
[C] Department of Financial Services [B] Environment Protection
[D] Department of Heavy Industries [C] International Law
[D] Human Rights
44.Which ministry has been 49.Adora Magic City is the first
homegrown cruise ship of which
conferred with the prestigious
country?
1st Prize in the Innovation
[A] Thailand
Sandbox presentation for
[B] China
“Digital Transformation
[C] Japan
Initiatives in Land Governance
[D] South Korea
through SVAMITVA Scheme”?
50.What is the name of the first
[A] Ministry of Panchayati Raj
chemo drug available as syrup form in
[B] Ministry of Finance India?
[C] Ministry of External Affairs [A] Previl
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs [B] Prevall
[C] Privell
45.Which two countries’ [D] Prevall
 TOP 5 SECTIONS
(STAY SMART AND AHEAD )

Top 5 Schemes to know :

1. JAL JEEVAN MISSION

In news - Jal Jeevan Mission marks milestone: 14 crore rural

households,
72.71% now have tap water.
➤ Over 2 Lakh Villages & 161 Districts Are Now 'Har Ghar Jal'.
➤ As of today, six states, namely Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Gujarat,
Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh and three Union Territories of
Puducherry, D&D and D&NH, and A&N Islands have achieved 100%
coverage.
➤Launched by PM Modi on 15th August 2019, Jal Jeevan
Mission, is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water
through individual household tap connections by 2024 to all households
in rural India.

2. Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya

Yojana (PMJAY)
➤ PM-JAY is the world's largest health insurance scheme fully
financed by the government.
➤ Launched in February 2018, it offers a sum insured of Rs.5 lakh per
family for secondary care and tertiary care.
➤ Health Benefits Packages cover surgery, medical and daycare
treatments, cost of medicines and diagnostics.
 3. SVAMITVA Scheme

In news - the SVAMITVA Scheme Receives the 'Best Innovation

Award' at the Public Policy Dialogues Conclave 2024.

About SVAMITVA-
➤ SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised
Technology in Village Areas) launched on the National Panchayati Raj
Day (April 24) 2021.
➤Aim: To provide an integrated property validation solution for rural
India.
4. Production Linked Incentive ( PLI) Scheme

➤ In news - Government Extends Automobile Industry's PLI Scheme

by One Year with Partial Amendments
➤ Announcement made by Ministry of Heavy Industries
➤ Aim - to provide clarity and flexibility to the Production Linked
Incentive (PLI) Scheme
➤ Union Cabinet approved the PLI-Auto Scheme on 15.09.2021 with a
budgetary outlay of Rupee 25,938) crore for a period of 5 years FY
2022-23 to FY 2026-27).

5. PM PRANAM Scheme

➤Ministry of Chemicals & Fertiliser

➤PM-PRANAM stands for (Prime Minister's Programme for
Restoration, Awareness, Generation, Nourishment and Amelioration of
Mother Earth).
➤Aim: To incentivise states to use alternative, non-chemical
fertilisers.
• It was first announced in the 2023-24 Budget with a total outlay of
₹3,70,128.7 crore.
Time Period: 2022-23 to 2024-25
 Top 5 terminology
1.Dark Patterns
Definition: the common term used for false scarcity claims, confirm-
shaming, forced bundling and subscription traps used online; recently
banned in India. Dark patterns endanger the experience of Internet
users and make them more susceptible to financial and data
exploitation by Big Tech firms.

2.Masala Bonds
Definition: Masala Bonds are rupee-denominated bonds. It is a debt
instrument issued by an Indian entity in foreign markets to raise
money, in Indian currency, instead of dollars or local denomination.
Kerala became the first Indian state to issue Masala Bonds.

3.Astroturfing
Astroturfing is the use of fake grassroots efforts that primarily
focus on influencing public opinion and typically are funded by
corporations and political entities to form opinions.

4.Carbon Offset
Definition: Carbon offsets, in simple terms, are like eco-friendly
credits. When you do something that reduces carbon emissions, like
planting trees or supporting renewable energy projects, you earn
these credits. Then, you can use these credits to balance out your own
carbon footprint. It's a way of compensating for the environmental
impact of activities by investing in projects that help reduce or
capture an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases elsewhere.

5.DINK Life
"DINK" stands for "Dual Income, No Kids." "DINK life" refers to a
lifestyle where a couple, typically married or in a long-term
 partnership, enjoys the financial benefits and flexibility that come
with having dual incomes while intentionally choosing not to have
children.

THESE TERMINOLOGIES ARE IMPORTANT TO KNOW AND CAN BE

USED IN VARIOUS FORMS IN WRITING, SPEAKING AND ALSO BEING
ASKED DIRECTLY IN VARIOUS COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS.

Top 5 Quotes to Know-

1. Education:
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change
the world." - Nelson Mandela

2.Geopolitics:
"Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by
understanding." - Albert Einstein

3.Science and Technology:

"The important achievement of technology is to empower people to
do what they want to do. It lets people be creative." - Steve Jobs

4.Women Empowerment:
"Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world." -
Hillary Clinton
5.Environment:
"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time
is now." - Chinese Proverb

THESE QUOTES CAN BE USED IN VARIOUS FORMS IN YOUR

LECTURETTE, PERSONAL INTERVIEW GROUP DISCUSSION AND
ESSAY WRITING.
 Top 5 Idioms to Know-

1.Bite the Bullet:

Meaning: To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage.
Example: "Facing the tough decision, she had to bite the bullet and
accept the consequences."

2. Break the Ice:

Meaning: To initiate a conversation in a social setting to relieve
tension or awkwardness.
Example: "A joke can often break the ice in a room full of strangers."

3. Burn the Midnight Oil:

Meaning: To work late into the night or early morning hours.
Example: "In order to meet the deadline, he had to burn the midnight
oil to finish the project."

4. Cost an Arm and a Leg:

Meaning: To be very expensive or costly.
Example: "Getting my car repaired is going to cost an arm and a leg

5. Piece of Cake:
Meaning: Something very easy to do.
Example: "Solving that math problem turned out to be a piece of cake
for her."

THESE IDIOMS CAN ADD COLOUR AND EXPRESSIVENESS TO

YOUR LANGUAGE WHEN USED APPROPRIATELY.
 SONIT GAUTAM
VASU maps and static ADITI ANAND SHUKLA
graphic designer +Managing Editor defence news
 DEC-JAN
TRAVELING IS 2024
INVESTEMENT
05

MAJ GEN YASH MOR,SM

EDITOR -IN-CHEIF

Maj Gen Yash Mor is a third generation Army officer. Born and brought up in village Bass in Hisar
district of rural Haryana. He is an alumnus of RashtriyaMilitary School, Indian Military
Academy,Defence Services Staff College, Commandand General Staff College, Bangladesh and
NESA Centre,Washington DC.He represented the country in the UnitedNations as a Peace Keeper in
Mozambique in 1993 to 1994.

He has experience of fighting Terrorismin Punjab and J&K. He was awarded the SENA MEDALand
Army Chief COMMENDATION CARD for gallantry during Counter Terroristoperations in South
Kashmir.
He commanded 1 GUARDS and an Independent Armoured Brigade. He was specially chosen to be
the firstGeneral Officer Commanding (GOC) of an important Administrative Headquarters in
Ladakh.Before superannuating, he was Chief of Staff of a Corps in the Desert Sector.

Post superannuating he has dedicated his, “Second Inningsfor the First Innings’ of the youth of the
country. His YouTube channelis one of the fastest growing in the country.He is a motivator, TEDx
speaker, author,editor, Unacademy educatorand Life coach. His articleshave been published in
leading journals, newspapers and web-based news portals

TEAM MOR
SONIT GAUTAM - MAPS & STATIC INFO (GROUP CAPT.)
VASU SAHU - GRAPHIC DESIGN
Aditi Anand shukla - Defence News
Kanishak Kashyap - National News
Akhilesh sonarikar - International News
Devender veer singh - Science Tech & News
Nishay- sports news