Is Aditya-L1 India's Next Giant Leap in Space Exploration?

Good Afternoon ☕

ISRO is turning the Sun into the ultimate celebrity with its upcoming mission, Aditya-L1! Move over, red carpets, because this solar star is about to get its close-up. 🌟🛰️ Scheduled for September 2nd, this launch is like the Sun's big debut on the cosmic stage.

It's like ISRO is sending a cosmic paparazzi to capture the Sun's best angles. Aditya-L1 is India's way of saying, "Sun, you've been shining on us for eons, and now it's our turn to learn a thing or two about you!" This space-based observatory is the Sun's equivalent of a reality show – 24/7 coverage, no commercial breaks, just pure solar drama.

Important News of the Day

1. ISRO announces launch details of Aditya L1, India's mission to study Sun

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its first solar mission, Aditya-L1, to study the Sun. The anticipated launch date is September 2. Aditya-L1 will be India's first space-based observatory dedicated to studying the Sun. The spacecraft will be launched using the PSLV-XL launch vehicle. This mission marks a significant milestone for India's space exploration efforts, following the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission. Aditya-L1 aims to gather valuable data and insights about the Sun, contributing to our understanding of solar activity and its impact on Earth.

2. After new directives, Income Tax department may reopen a large number of past cases

The news article titled "Tax department may not get to reopen cases beyond 4 years" discusses the possibility of the Income Tax Department in India being unable to reopen cases that are more than four years old. This comes after the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued new directives stating that reopening cases beyond the four-year limit should be avoided unless there is concrete evidence of tax evasion. The move aims to provide relief to taxpayers and reduce unnecessary litigation. The CBDT's decision is expected to bring more certainty and stability to the tax regime in India.

3. Indian gamers drive $250 million in-app purchases, surpassing OTT revenues

Indian gamers are spending about $250 million annually on in-app purchases in games like Battleground Mobile India and Free Fire, surpassing the revenue from OTT streaming platforms in India. Despite being in its nascent stages, India's gaming industry has around 400 million mobile gamers, a quarter of whom are considered serious gamers. The mobile-first market is seeing strong growth, with gaming content among the most popular categories on platforms like YouTube. However, the industry faced setbacks like the ban of popular games PUBG and Free Fire, impacting gaming platforms like Loco. Loco has still managed to secure $51 million in recent funding, highlighting confidence in the sector's growth. The COVID-19 pandemic, cheaper internet, and social connectivity have been significant drivers for gaming in India.

4. BPCL to invest ₹1.5 trillion in transformative initiative

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has announced a ₹1.5 lakh crore investment plan for Project Aspire, which includes a net-zero roadmap. The company aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and has already set a roadmap to achieve this target by 2040. The investment will fund initiatives under Project Aspire and the net-zero targets. BPCL's net-zero roadmap will require a comprehensive reevaluation of the company's operational strategies and priorities.

5. India, Saudi plan state visit by Prince Md Bin Salman post G20 summit

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit India on a state visit from September 11, 2023, right after the conclusion of the G20 leaders' summit in New Delhi. The visit is expected to focus on strengthening trade and defence cooperation between the two countries. The Crown Prince's participation in the G20 summit comes at a time of strained ties with the United States over energy supplies and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in addition to U.S. concern over growing Gulf ties with China.

6. Reliance AGM 2023: ‘Jio to lead India-specific AI solutions,’ says Mukesh Ambani while speaking on AI revolution

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, announced at the company's annual general meeting (AGM) that Jio Platforms will lead in developing India-specific AI models and AI-powered solutions across domains, delivering the benefit of AI to everyone, everywhere. Jio wants to make AI available to people, companies, and governments, with a focus on AI models and solutions specific to India. The company has decided to build India's AI landscape and is committed to creating 2,000 MW of AI-ready computing capacity.

7. Article 370 case Supreme Court hearing: ‘35A took away fundamental rights’, says CJI Chandrachud

During a Supreme Court hearing on the Article 370 case, Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, stated that the abrogation of Article 35A took away fundamental rights. He urged the court to consider the legislative intent of Parliament and interpret the provisions of the Act to uphold the rights of individuals. Justice Chandrachud emphasised the importance of welfare and inclusion, urging policymakers and economists to devise policies that address the obstacles faced by marginalised and underrepresented groups. He also referenced the court's judgement in the Arnab Ranjan Goswami case, emphasising the importance of journalists speaking truth to power.

8. Govt maps sustainable route to highway building: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted India's focus on sustainable road construction to balance infrastructure growth and ecology. The country has added 86,000 km to its national highways since 2014, creating the world's second-largest network at 1.46 lakh km. Gadkari mentioned eco-friendly materials and bamboo crash barriers. The government aims to save costs and time with a 25% minimum precast component mandate. Delhi's ₹65,000-crore 'Decongestion Plan' is progressing, including the Dwarka Expressway. Gadkari denied corruption allegations, emphasizing transparency and quality in projects.

9. Automobile, pharma, tourism sectors expected to grow at rapid pace: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that the Indian economy is on the path of rapid growth, which has led to the creation of big opportunities. He mentioned that the automobile, pharma, tourism, and food processing sectors are expected to grow at a rapid pace and open up employment opportunities. The tourism sector alone is expected to contribute Rs 20 lakh crore to the economy by 2030 and has the potential to create 13-14 crore jobs.

10. Delhi liquor scam: CBI arrests ED official for accepting bribe of ₹5 crore to help accused

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested an Assistant Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and six other individuals for accepting ₹5 crore in bribes to aid Delhi businessman Aman Dhall in a liquor scam case. The accused include officials from ED, an Air India employee, a Chartered Accountant, and the CEO of Claridges Hotels. Dhall and his father had given the money to the Chartered Accountant, Praveen Vats, who assured help through his contacts. Despite taking the bribe, the officials could not prevent Dhall's arrest. CBI recovered ₹2.19 crore in cash and other relevant documents during the investigation.

World News 🌎

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• AP-NORC Poll: Most US adults find Biden too old for office

• Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan discharged from murder charges: lawyer

• North Korea apparently reopens border due to economic difficulties: Seoul

• China's industrial profits extend slump into seventh month

• China to lift COVID-19 test requirement for incoming travelers, eases strict restrictions

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