The world celebrates multiple occasions that not only commemorate significant historical moments but also inspire future endeavors. Among these key events is National Youth Day, which is observed in India on the 12th of January every year to honor Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary. As a stark contrast, International Youth Day is celebrated on the 12th of August. Meanwhile, the space exploration agency has set up the Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru. This article seeks to explore these topics and more in detail.
National Youth Day
Established with the first celebration dating back to 1985, National Youth Day serves as a tribute to Swami Vivekananda, a revered spiritual leader known for his philosophical insights. The event is seen as an opportunity to refuel the young minds of the nation with Vivekananda’s teachings and philosophies.
Human Spaceflight Centre
Stepping into the realm of space exploration, The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has launched the Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru. This new administrative structure within the organization will oversee all human-related activities within ISRO. The most notable project that falls under its purview is the Gaganyaan mission, aiming to send three astronauts into Earth’s orbit. The mission has planned two unmanned flights for December 2020 and July 2021, respectively, followed by a manned flight scheduled for December 2021.
| Unmanned Flight 1 | Unmanned Flight 2 | Manned Flight |
|---|---|---|
| December 2020 | July 2021 | December 2021 |
Starship Hopper
In the arena of private space expeditions, SpaceX is no stranger. The corporation has recently revealed a spacecraft named the “Starship Hopper.” This 8-meter diameter ship is designed to transport humans to Mars and Moon in the future.
Vijay Mallya & Fugitive Economic Offenders Act
In the legal world, Vijay Mallya has been recognized as the first person to be declared a ‘fugitive economic offender’ under the Fugitive Economic Offenders’ Act, 2018, by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court. Consequently, a designated FEOA court can now order the seizure of a FEO’s properties, both direct investments (including ‘benami’) and crime proceeds, within and outside India. After confiscation, the Union government has ownership rights over the properties and has authority to dispose of them post 90 days.
Phuti Masjid: The Unfinished Legacy
Delving into historical archives brings us to Phuti Masjid, located in Murshidabad, West Bengal. This mosque, whose construction was initiated by Sarfaraz Khan, could never be finished due to his untimely demise. Sarfaraz Khan, the maternal grandson of the illustrious Murshid Quli Khan, began this project with grandiose plans, but only two of its five proposed domes were completed. Murshid Quli Khan, the founder of Nasiri dynasty and the city Murshidabad, was born a humble Deccani Odia Brahmin before life took a turn, leading him to slavery. From 1717 to 1740, the Nasiri dynasty held reign over Bengal, marking the first of three Islamic rulerships – Nasiri, Afshar, and Najafi. Due to its incomplete state, the mosque earned its name, Phuti Masjid or broken mosque, also known as Fouti Masjid, with ‘Fout’ signifying death.