Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 22 Feb 2023
- 6 min read
Announcement of Opportunity (AO)
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has made an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to allow scientists and researchers to analyse data from the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission, AstroSat.
The space agency has made the AO soliciting proposals for 13th AO cycle observations from AstroSat. This AO soliciting proposal for the Thirteenth AO cycle is for Indian as well as international proposers as Principal Investigators (PIs) to utilise AstroSat observatory time. The observations will be carried out between October 2023 to September 2024.
This announcement is open to Indian scientists, researchers residing and working at institutes, universities and colleges in India for 55% of observing time and to non-Indian scientists, researchers, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), working at space agencies, institutes, universities and colleges around the globe for 20% of observing time.
AstroSat is the first dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray and UV spectral bands simultaneously, providing a space astronomy observatory operated by ISRO. AstroSat was launched in 2015 and completed seven years in orbit at the end of September 2022.
Read More: AstroSat, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
Live Transcription of Courtroom Proceedings
Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) started a first-of-its-kind project to transcribe its proceedings live using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The SC transcription is using Teres, which is a platform used often for transcribing arbitration proceedings. The transcript will also be shared with lawyers who argued cases for verification and is likely to be uploaded on the SC website every evening.
It is the second major decision towards making the court more transparent after the SC’s decision to livestream its proceedings before Constitution Benches.
In 2022, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) launched the digital platform FASTER (Fast and Secured Transmission of Electronic Records) to communicate interim orders, stay orders, bail orders, etc, of the Supreme Court to authorities concerned through a secured electronic communication channel. The Supreme Court has also launched other programmes involving technology like AI based portal ‘SUPACE’ in the judicial system aimed at assisting judges with legal research.
In the United States, court transcripts are available to litigants and the public. The US’s SC provides audio and text transcripts of the proceedings. In the United Kingdom, a litigant can ask for a transcript of the court proceedings for a fee if the hearing is recorded.
Read More: Artificial Intelligence, Live-Streaming of the Supreme Court's Proceedings
World Day of Social Justice
Every year, February 20 marks the World Day of Social Justice across the globe.
The General Assembly determined that in 2007, February 20 will be observed annually as World Day of Social Justice. In 2008, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) endorsed the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for Equitable Globalization. This is the ILO's third major declaration of principles and policy since the ILO's Constitution of 1919.
This day promotes awareness of social injustice and breaking down barriers based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture, or handicap. Several schools, colleges, and universities hold numerous activities and events on this particular day. So that people across the world understand the need to uphold social justice values.
The theme for this year focuses on the recommendations available on the common agenda prepared to strengthen global solidarity and to rebuild trust in government by "Overcoming Barriers and Unleashing Opportunities for Social Justice".
Read More: International Labour Organisation (ILO)
"Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe." -Frederick Douglas
Anubhuti Inclusive Park
Recently, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways laid the Foundation Stone of the world's largest and unique Divyang Park - Anubhuti Inclusive Park in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
This is the world's first inclusive disabled park that is made by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Various projects have been conceptualized for the disabled as well as for the general public and senior citizens. The park will have adapted facilities for all 21 types of disabilities, it will have facilities like a touch and smell garden, hydrotherapy unit, water therapy, and independent room for mentally challenged children, and mothers.
In 2016, the central government passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act for the rights of persons with disabilities. This law is to give the disabled the right to live with dignity. Taking initiative under this, the Central Government has created some Divyang Parks in South India and Madhya Pradesh.
Read More: Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, Initiatives for the Empowerment of Disables
