The Indian Navy has embarked on an ambitious outreach program called “Julley Ladakh” (Hello Ladakh) to engage with the youth and civil society in Ladakh. Drawing from the Navy’s successful initiatives in the Northeast and coastal states, the program combines several objectives, from celebrating the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence to promoting career opportunities in the Indian Navy.
Julley Ladakh: An Outreach Program
The program, which means “Hello Ladakh,” is conceived as part of the celebration of the “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,” commemorating the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence. A central aim of the initiative is to provide young people and academic institutions in Ladakh with information about the possibilities for careers in the Indian Navy, particularly through the Agnipath Scheme. Another objective is to inspire young people to join the Navy by presenting examples of Nari Shakti, including female officers and spouses.
U.S. and Papua New Guinea Security Pact
In a pointed response to China’s growing influence in the Pacific region, the United States has entered into a ground-breaking security pact with Papua New Guinea. The pact gives U.S. troops access to strategic ports and airports in Papua New Guinea, including the Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island and facilities in Port Moresby. The notable Lombrum Naval Base has historic significance from World War II and offers deep-water port capabilities. The U.S. hopes to counterbalance China’s increasing presence in the Pacific and enhance defense abilities in the region through this agreement.
Bio-Stimulants Registration
India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has published draft guidelines for the registration of bio-stimulants. These substances, which boost plants’ physiological processes, thereby improving nutrient uptake, growth, yield, nutrition efficiency, crop quality, and stress resilience, must be listed under Schedule VI of the inorganic, organic or mixed Fertiliser Control Amendment Order 2021. Bio-stimulants differ from pesticides or plant growth regulators, seeing as they don’t typically provide nutrients directly, but rather enhance the plant’s own processes.
Discovery of Phosphorus on Saturn’s Moon Enceladus
Scientists have recently made the exciting discovery of phosphorus, an essential element for life, on Saturn’s moon Enceladus. This discovery, based on data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, adds Enceladus to the list of potentially habitable locations in the solar system. Phosphorus is a critical component of DNA and RNA, cell membranes, and energy-carrying molecules, marking this finding as a significant step forward in astronomy and astrobiology.
