GS PAPER: I

Naik Yeshwant Ghadge

Why in the news?

Recently, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tributes at the VC Yeshwant Ghadge Sundial Memorial in Montone, Italy.

• Defence Minister’s visit to the memorial is a reminder of the shared military history between India and Italy from World War II, and the participation of Indian soldiers in the campaign to liberate Italy.

About Naik Yeshwant Ghadge

• Naik Yeshwant Ghadge was a Victoria Cross (VC) recipient, Britain’s highest military honour. He was awarded the VC for his devotion to duty during the Italian campaign of World War II.
• On July 10, 1944, Naik Ghadge’s section came under heavy machine gun fire at close range, with literally no one to provide covering fire, Naik Ghadge, without fear for his own life, charged to the machine gun post, braving a barrage of bullets. He lobbed a grenade into the post, which immobilised the gun, and emptied the clip of his Thompson submachine gun into one crewman. Not having time to change the magazine, he took hold of his gun by the barrel and beat the remaining two Germans to death with the butt of his weapon.
• All the while, enemy snipers pumped bullets into his back and chest, wounding him mortally. But he breathed his last only after he had captured the post.

Naik Yeshwant Ghadge was a true hero who laid down his life for the country. His bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

GS PAPER: I

Jayaprakash Narayan

Why in the news?

Prime Minister of India has recently paid tribute to Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan on his birth anniversary.

About Jayaprakash Narayan

• Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly known as JP, was an Indian independence activist, social reformer, and political leader. He was born on October 11, 1902, in Sitabdiara, Bihar.
• JP was influenced by both Marxist ideas in the US and Gandhian ideology. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1929 and participated in the civil disobedience movement and Quit India Movement.
• After independence, JP devoted his life to the Bhoodan Yajna Movement, advocating land redistribution to the landless, inspired by Vinoba Bhave.
• In 1974, JP led the movement against the Indira Gandhi Regime in response to electoral law violations, promoting a program of ‘Sampoorna Kranti’ or total revolution. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1999.
• JP was a visionary leader who dedicated his life to fighting for social justice and equality.

GS PAPER: III

GIANT OZONE HOLE FOUND OVER ANTARCTICA

Why in the news?

Recent, satellite measurements over Antarctica have detected a giant ‘hole’ in the ozone layer above the frigid continent.

• The ‘hole’ spans an area of 26 million sq km, roughly three times the size of Brazil.
• The recordings were made by the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite of the European Space Agency (ESA).

About the Ozone Layer:

The ozone layer is a region of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

• It contains high concentrations of ozone (O3) relative to other parts of the atmosphere, although still small in relation to other gases in the stratosphere.

What is an ozone ‘hole’?

• An ozone ‘hole’ is a region of significantly reduced ozone concentration in the ozone layer.
• The largest and most well-known ozone hole is located over Antarctica. Ozone holes are more common in the spring (August–November) when the ozone layer is weakest.

Why is the ozone layer important?

The ozone layer is important because it protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. Ultraviolet radiation can cause skin cancer, cataracts, and immune system suppression.

What caused the ozone hole?

The ozone hole was caused by the release of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) into the atmosphere. ODS are chemicals that break down ozone molecules.

• The most common ODS are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which were used in a variety of products, including refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays.

What is being done to protect the ozone layer?

In 1987, the international community signed the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which phased out the production and use of ODS.