Today Current Affairs 22 & 23 Jan 2025

By | 23 January 2025

ISRO Successfully Demonstrates Vikas Engine Restart Capability

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) recently made significant progress with its liquid engine the Vikas. Enhancing the reusability of launch vehicles is made possible by the successful demonstration of engine restart capability. ISRO’s dedication to developing space technology and commercial operations is in line with this development.
Vikas Engine Overview
The Vikas engine is a family of hypergolic liquid-fuel rocket engines developed by ISRO. It provides power to the liquid stages of several launch vehicles such as the LVM3, GSLV and PSLV. Originally created in the 1970s the engine has since undergone a number of improvements.
Recent Testing Milestones
ISRO successfully showed how to restart the Vikas engine on January 17, 2025. During the test, the engine was started for 60 seconds, turned off for 120 seconds and then started again for seven more seconds. Shorter shut-off times were used in earlier tests conducted in December 2024.
Engine Specifications
Nitrogen Tetroxide (N2O4) is used as an oxidant and Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) as fuel in the Vikas engine. It can generate up to 725 kN of thrust. For PSLV and GSLV Mark I and II the propellant loading is 40 tonnes, while for LVM3 it is 55 tonnes.
Types of Vikas Engines
The Vikas engine comes in a number of variations, including:

Today Current Affairs

HTVE (High Thrust Vikas Engine): A modified engine with 800 kN thrust for the GSLV.
HPVE (High Pressure Vikas Engine): Being developed for future GSLV boosters.
Throttling Tests: The first throttling test of the Vikas engine occurred in January 2023 achieving a 67% thrust level for 43 seconds. During missions throttling enables accurate speed and trajectory control.
Applications in Gaganyaan Mission
India’s first manned space project, the Gaganyaan mission will heavily rely on the Vikas engine. Successful testing was done on a high-thrust variation to make sure it would withstand harsh circumstances.
Commercial Launch Operations
The LVM3 launch vehicle’s L110 core liquid stage has been signed off for commercial use by ISRO. This mission is part of a commercial deal to launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite which strengthens ISRO’s position in global space commerce.

Kalaripayattu Controversy Ahead of 38th National Games

The ancient Kerala martial art known as Kalaripayattu is at the center of a controversy as the 38th National Games draw near. The Indian Olympics Association (IOA) demoted the Indian Kalaripayattu Federation to a demonstration event which angered the organization. Discussions concerning the sport’s future in competitive settings have been triggered by this decision which has disappointed athletes.
Background of Kalaripayattu
Originating in Kerala, Kalaripayattu is a traditional Indian martial technique that dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries CE.
It blends fighting skills with special weapons and healing techniques.
The term derives from “kalari” (training ground) and “payattu” (martial arts practice).
Recent Developments
Kalaripayattu was changed from a competitive event to a demonstration before the 38th National Games. About 200 athletes from 18 states are impacted by this move. When the decision was announced in December 2024 it caused a great deal of unhappiness.
Legal Intervention
On January 15, 2025, the Delhi High Court stepped in and ordered that Kalaripayattu’s standing at the National Games be reviewed. It is anticipated that the IOA will base its determination on this decision.
Historical Significance
Kalaripayattu is deeply ingrained in Keralan culture and has long been associated with military training and discipline. It was crucial in Kerala’s feudal system with each village having its own kalari for combat training.
Decline and Resurgence
The art form waned in the 17th century due to the introduction of guns and colonial rule. However, a renaissance emerged in the twentieth century as a result of notable gurukkals’ efforts to maintain and promote the practice.
Training and Techniques
Kalaripayattu training includes intense physical conditioning, weaponry and healing skills. Classes follow the guru-shishya tradition, which emphasizes respect and discipline. Strikes, grappling and the use of various weapons are all examples of techniques.
Current Status
Kalaripayattu is gaining international attention, with practitioners combining it into dance and performance arts. The Kalaripayattu Academy in Kerala aspires to promote and preserve this traditional fighting technique.

Reviving Bison Population in Jharkhand

The number of Gaur, or bison, in Jharkhand has decreased recently. The state’s final stronghold for this species is still the Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR). Due to factors including poaching, habitat loss, and disease transfer from domestic cattle the Jharkhand Forest Department has launched a thorough investigation to restore the bison population, which is down to 50–70 individuals.
Key Facts About Indian Bison
The Indian bison, often known as the Gaur (Bos gaurus), is found in South and Southeast Asia.
It is found in evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous woods with open grasslands.
It favors steep terrains below 1,500-1,800 meters, with undisturbed forests and plentiful water supplies.
Bison are among the tallest and largest wild cattle.
It is a gregarious mammal that lives in groups of 30-40 individuals.

Conservation Status:

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.
CITES: Appendix I.

Bison Population Status
The bison population in PTR has declined from approximately 150 in the 1970s to 50-70. They were once common in Jharkhand, but have since been extinct in other areas. Their existence is crucial to the ecosystem, especially for the local tiger population.
Threats to Bison
Poaching, habitat degradation, and infections caused by domestic cattle are also major risks. Over 150,000 local cattle intrude on bison habitats competing for food and bringing diseases such as foot-and-mouth.
Conservation Efforts
The PTR is doing research into bison behavior habitat requirements and preferred vegetation. A comprehensive plan will be developed to enhance their population.
Tiger Population Dynamics
The tiger population in PTR has just risen to five from zero in 2018. Bison are an important food source for tigers hence their survival is critical to the ecosystem’s general health.
Vaccination Initiatives
To prevent zoonotic illnesses, a vaccination campaign for 150,000 domestic cattle is underway. This effort seeks to safeguard bison and other wildlife from diseases spread via water sources.
Anti-Poaching Measures
To safeguard wildlife, the PTR has created 32 anti-poaching centres staffed by guards. These initiatives are yielding positive effects, with evidence of a growing bison population.
Relocation of Villages
There are plans to relocate eight settlements from the PTR core region in order to prevent human-wildlife conflict. This relocation is critical to establishing a safe habitat for bison and other species.
Geographical Overview
Palamu Tiger Reserve spans 1,129.93 km² with a core area of 414.08 km² and a buffer zone of 715.85 km². It is located in the Palamu, Latehar and Garhwa districts and is one of India’s first nine tiger reserves created in 1974.
Historical Context
The PTR was recognized as a wildlife sanctuary in 1960 and became a tiger reserve in 1973. Over the years it has encountered obstacles such as Naxal control and environmental degradation but conservation efforts continue.

ALH Helicopter Grounding Update

The Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) fleet was suspended in early January 2025 after a terrible incident that claimed three Indian Coast Guard lives. Although 39 additional aircraft are anticipated to participate in the forthcoming Republic Day flypast, Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that the ALH will not.
ALH Grounding Reason
On January 5, 2025 a crash grounded the entire ALH fleet. Two pilots and one crew member perished in the event which entailed a training sortie. The Flight Data Recorder and the helicopter’s transmission system are the main subjects of an investigation by a Board of Inquiry into the crash.
Republic Day Parade Details
There will be 12 formations of 39 aircraft in the Republic Day parade on January 26. The parade will still have a military feel but it will place more of an emphasis on cultural and community involvement.
Daredevils’ World Record
By building the largest human pyramid on moving motorcycles the Indian Army’s Motorcycle Rider Display Team also referred to as the “Daredevils” broke the previous world record, standing at 20.4 feet. With this accomplishment they now own an astounding 33 world records.
About Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) created the ALH sometimes referred to as the Dhruv as an indigenous helicopter. It is a multi-role utility aircraft with twin engines. It was first flown in 1992 after development started in 1984 and it went into service in 2002. There are various variations of the ALH, such as Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III, and Mk-IV.

Pangsau Pass Festival 2025

The Pangsau Pass International Festival (PPIF) 2025 honors the area’s historical significance during World War II and its cultural legacy. It is hosted in Arunachal Pradesh. Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted the festival’s contribution to economic development and cross-cultural interaction by announcing plans to improve tourism by rehabilitating World War II artifacts in Nampong. This year’s celebration marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the war.
Key Facts about Pangsau Pass
Location and Altitude:
At 3,727 feet (1,136 meters) above sea level, Pangsau Pass (also known as Pan Saung Pass) is situated on the boundary between India and Myanmar.
Situated on the Patkai Hills’ crest, it is a segment of the well-known Ledo Road (also known as Stilwell Road).
It takes its name from the hamlet of Pangsau in Myanmar which lies two kilometers east of the pass.

Geographical Importance:
One of the simplest ways to enter Myanmar from the Assam plains is via the pass.
Northeast of Pangsau Pass, in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh is Chaukan Pass, the easternmost point of India.

Historical Significance:
13th century: Used by the Ahoms, a Shan tribe, to reach Assam.

British Era:
The pass was surveyed for a potential railway connection connecting India and Myitkyina in north Burma via the Hukawng Valley but no railway was built.
British engineers examined and prospected the Patkai Range for a road connecting Assam and northern Burma.

World War II:
The Stilwell Road (Ledo Road) was built to connect British India with Nationalist China in support of their war against Japanese forces.
The first major barrier on the trip was Pangsau Pass, dubbed “Hell Pass” due to its high grades and muddy terrain.
Ledo (Assam) and Pangsau Pass were connected by the Stilwell Road which ran 61 km (38 mi).

Present Day:
Pangsau Pass Winter Festival:
Since 2007, it has taken place every year in the third week of January in Nampong, Arunachal Pradesh.
Promotes cultural exchange between Northeast India and Myanmar.
The Tangsa Naga tribe and other local populations’ culture is showcased through traditional sports, arts, crafts, ethnic cuisine and folk dances (such as the Bihu, Bamboo and Tangsa Rongrand War dances).

Historical Significance
An important location for World War II history is Nampong. For Allied forces the area was a vital supply line. Two important sites connected to wartime events are the Lake of No Return and the Stilwell Road.
World War II Cemetery
There are more than 1,000 graves in the Jairampur cemetery which the Assam Rifles found in the 1990s. At three acres it is the biggest WWII cemetery in India. It acts as a moving reminder of the effects of the conflict.
Tourism Development
To increase tourism, the state administration intends to repair battle remains. Enhancing connection and infrastructure in the districts of Tirap, Changlang and Longding is one initiative. The goal of this is to draw more tourists to the area.
Cross-Border Cultural Exchange
Passports are not required to enter Myanmar during the celebration. This strengthens links within the community and promotes trade and cultural interchange between the two countries.
International Participation
A 150-member delegation from Myanmar was drawn to the festival which encouraged cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. The festival’s activities promote linkages between communities and emphasize shared history.
Memorialisation Efforts
A wartime tank has been erected at the cemetery entrance as a sign of memory. The festival encourages visits to sites of historical significance enhancing awareness of the region’s wartime legacy.

Cardiovascular Risk in HIV

Recent research has revealed disparities in the way that people with HIV are assessed for cardiovascular risk. Existing risk models frequently overestimate risks in low- and middle-income nations while underestimating cardiovascular events especially among women and people of African origin in high-income countries according to research from Massachusetts General Hospital. These findings have significant implications for improving cardiovascular disease preventive efforts in the HIV population.
Study Overview
The study examined data from the REPRIEVE experiment and was published in Lancet HIV on January 17, 2025. It evaluated the cardiovascular risk of people with HIV who were between the ages of 40 and 75 across all socioeconomic brackets worldwide.
Key Findings
Risk Underestimation – In high-income countries women and black individuals cardiovascular risk was underestimated.
Risk Overestimation – In poor and middle-income nations, the danger for all HIV-positive people was overstated.
Calibration Adjustments – The PCE risk score was adjusted for greater accuracy by multiplying scores for specific demographics.

Research Methodology
The study involved 3,893 participants from 12 countries. Researchers assessed the effectiveness of pooled cohort equations (PCE) and data collecting on the adverse effects of anti-HIV medications (D:A:D) risk scores.
Global Context
The REPRIEVE experiment is the first large-scale study designed to prevent HIV-related cardiac disease. It emphasizes the increased cardiovascular risks encountered by HIV patients particularly women and black people.
HIV and Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disorders are the major cause of death globally. HIV patients frequently face elevated risks due to a variety of variables including inflammation and lifestyle.
Implications for Future Research
The study recommends additional research to establish more reliable cardiovascular risk assessments for HIV patients particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
Current Treatment Landscape
Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) exists for managing HIV. Maintaining an undetectable viral load reduces health risks including cardiovascular diseases.

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