Whatsapp 93125-11015 For Details
1. South Korean author Han Kang has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature for her "intense poetic prose" that delves into historical traumas and the fragility of life. Born in 1970, she is the first South Korean writer to receive this honor, marking a significant moment in the country's literary history. Han's notable works include The Vegetarian (2007), which won the 2016 Man Booker International Prize, and Human Acts (2016), which addresses the 1980 Gwangju massacre and explores trauma and collective memory. The Nobel Prize recognizes her unique blend of lyricism and narrative, redefining contemporary literature. Previous Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, awarded in 1913, was celebrated for his sensitive poetry, while the 2023 prize went to Norwegian author Jon Fosse for his innovative plays and prose.
2. A 19th-century "horned Naga skull" was withdrawn from a UK auction following strong protests from authorities in Nagaland and India, highlighting the contentious issue of Indigenous human remains and colonial legacies. Valued at £3,500-£4,500, the skull was part of a collection alongside remains from Papua New Guinea, Borneo, and various African countries. Nagaland's Chief Minister and civil society groups condemned the auction, viewing it as an extension of colonial violence and perpetuation of harmful stereotypes labeling the Naga people as "savages" and "headhunters." The sale of such remains, particularly those acquired during colonial rule, was deemed an ethical violation, infringing upon Article 15 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The Naga community is actively working to repatriate ancestral remains from the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, which houses approximately 6,500 Naga artifacts collected during British colonialism.
3. A recent study reveals that the rise in medical colleges has led to increased demand for cadavers, forcing these institutions to depend more on unclaimed bodies due to a shortage of voluntary donations in India. Cadaver donation allows individuals to donate their entire body for medical education, helping train doctors in human anatomy and surgical practices. Anyone over 18 can legally consent to donate, with next of kin able to donate if there was no prior consent. However, bodies of organ donors, those with infectious diseases like tuberculosis or HIV, and those involved in medico-legal cases may be excluded. Colleges utilize unclaimed bodies under the state’s Anatomy Act, which mandates that relatives must claim the body within 48 hours. This reliance raises ethical concerns, as unclaimed bodies often belong to marginalized or economically disadvantaged individuals. Unlike organ donations, there is no national body to oversee whole-body donations; this responsibility typically lies with the anatomy departments of medical colleges, while organ transplants are managed by the National Organ & Tissue Transplant Organization.
4. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has recently approved Phase 3 of the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) mission, aimed at enhancing land and maritime domain awareness for both civilian and military purposes. This phase will involve the launch of at least 52 satellites in low Earth and geostationary orbits, with 21 satellites developed by ISRO and the remaining 31 by private companies. The mission is overseen by the National Security Council Secretariat and the Defence Space Agency under the Ministry of Defence. Each branch of the armed forces will receive dedicated satellites for land, sea, and air operations. The SBS initiative follows the previous phases: SBS 1 launched four satellites in 2001, and SBS 2 deployed six satellites in 2013. The SBS 3 mission will be bolstered by India's acquisition of 31 Predator drones from the U.S., joint military satellite development with France, and anti-satellite missile capabilities. This mission aims to enhance India's ability to detect enemy submarines in the Indo-Pacific and monitor adversarial infrastructure along its borders.
5. On October 9, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) observed World Habitat Day 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Established by the UN in 1985, World Habitat Day is celebrated on the first Monday of October to emphasize the collective responsibility in shaping urban futures. The event originated in Nairobi, Kenya, in 1986, focusing on improving urban living conditions. The 2024 theme, "Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future," addresses the challenges and opportunities of rapid urbanization by encouraging youth participation in urban planning and decision-making to foster inclusive, resilient, and sustainable environments. The day also raises awareness of the fundamental right to shelter, emphasizing that everyone deserves a safe and comfortable home, while underscoring the need for environmental preservation in the face of growing urbanization.