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India’s Aditya  mission begins solar wind research, shares first photo  

The space agency also shared an image  depicting  the  change in  energy  of the number of protons  and alpha  particles  captured by the new payload.  

 New Delhi: Aditya L1, India’s ambitious  solar research mission, took  a giant  step forward today  and has now started observing  the  solar  wind.  The Indian Space Research  Organization  (ISRO), sharing the  development,  said  the Aditya Solar  Wind  Particle Experiment (ASPEX) payload  on  the satellite has commenced  operations and is  functioning  normally. 

 ASPEX  consists of  two  instruments:  the Solar  Wind  Ion Spectrometer (SWIS) and STEPS  (Superthermal  and Energetic Particle Spectrometer). While STEPS  became operational  on September 10, the SWIS  tool  was activated on Saturday and  showed  optimal performance, ISRO said.  The space agency also shared an image on X (formerly Twitter)  illustrating  the energy  change  in  the number of protons  and alpha  particles  captured by the new payload. 

  The mission  took  off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on September 2.  The main  objectives of  the  mission include  studying  the physics of  the  solar corona and its heating mechanism,  acceleration of  the solar  wind, coalescence The composition  and dynamics of the solar atmosphere,  the distribution of the  solar  wind,  and temperature  anisotropy. ,  and  the origins  of  coronal mass ejections (CMEs)  and  near-Earth space weather  and  explosions.  

  Other  projects  underway in India  include a human spaceflight program that aims to  send  astronauts into orbit for the first  time,  possibly by 2025. 

  For more  information,  visit at https://happenrecently.com/zepto/?amp=1

ISRO  returns the  Chandrayaan-3  booster  module to  Earth  orbit 

 This reflects ISRO’s  preparations  for future missions that  require  spacecraft to not only  successfully  land  on the  Moon  but also take off from  there  and  return  to Earth.  The Indian  space agency is  about  to  return  samples  from the  Moon  or  meet  Prime Minister Narendra  Modi’s goal  of  sending Indians to the Moon  by 2040.  Propulsion  module used to  transport  the  Lunar Lander  moon for  the  Chandrayaan-3 mission has been  returned  to  orbit around  Earth, the Indian Space Research  Organization  (Isro) announced on Tuesday.  

 The propulsion module will remain in orbit around  Earth for  one  year.  

 This experiment, which began with the first  orbital pass  on October 9, helped Isro plan and execute  the return orbit  to Earth.  Although  the space agency has successfully  put  spacecraft  into  orbit around the  Moon  three times, this is the first time it has  reported anything.  

 This,  along with  the  Hop  experiment conducted  towards  the end of  the  life of the Chandrayaan-3 lander,  provides insight into Isro’s preparations  for future missions that  require the spacecraft to not only land successfully  took off  on the  Moon  but also  had to  take off from  there  and make  the return route  to Earth.  

 The current experiment is also the first time the space agency has demonstrated a  gravity-powered flight  not around Earth but  around  another celestial body.  Gravity-assisted  flyby is a technique  in which the  gravity of a planet or celestial body is used to redirect,  accelerate,  and  launch  a spacecraft  toward  Earth.  

 The experiment  also helped Isro test software  capable of planning  such  an operation. Returning  the propulsion module  to Earth  not only  prevents it  from  falling to  the  Moon  at the end of its life, but also  prevents it  from entering geostationary orbit and colliding with other satellites.  “Taking into account  fuel availability and the  estimated  safety  of the  GEO  spacecraft, an  optimal  return trajectory  to Earth is  designed for October 2023,” the space agency said. 

  The first  maneuver  of the propulsion module was performed on October 9, increasing the orbit around the  Moon from 150 km  to 5,112  km. This  increases  the time it takes the spacecraft to  orbit  the moon from 2.1 hours to 7.2 hours. Another  maneuver  was  carried out  on October 13 to increase the orbit to 1.8  lakh  x 3.8  lakh  km. The propulsion module  circled  the  Moon  four times before  leaving  its sphere of influence on November 10. 

  Currently,  the propulsion module  orbits  the Earth at an altitude of about 1.54 lakh km, reaching  an  altitude of 1.15  lakh km  at its  closest point.  The orbit is  about  13 days.  “According to  current  orbital forecasts,  there is no threat  from  close approach  to an active satellite  orbiting  Earth,”  the space agency said. 

  The payload  on  the propulsion module, called SHAPE, will continue to conduct spectroscopic  studies  of  Earth’s  atmosphere from its new orbit. The payload  is  designed to try to pick up signals that will help scientists understand  signs  of life on  planets  other  than  our solar system.  

For more information visit at https://happenrecently.com/zepto/?amp=1

Meta is betting on  India’s ‘Gen Z’  Instagram users to drive  the trend by  2024 

  The content  shared by  Indian  Instagram users  is expected to spark conversations around  career,  sports, gaming and fashion.  This is not surprising as  India leads  in terms of Instagram users globally.  

 Tech giant Meta is  looking  ahead  to 2024 and expects  India’s ‘Gen Z’  users to dictate global trends on Instagram.  “Generation Z”  is broadly defined as the demographic  group  of people born between 1996 and 2010.  Given  their  current age, they are  expected to be  social media  enthusiasts. Meta’s  Instagram is betting big on this demographic.  This expectation  of  setting trends and driving  conversations is not surprising.  India is  Instagram’s largest market to date. Figures released  by research firm Statista  earlier this year  indicate  that nearly  230 million (and counting) daily active users  come  from India,  followed by  the  United States  (143.35 million), Brazil (113.5 million) and Indonesia (89.15 million), countries that  track data. Graphics.  

  “The optimistic  and entrepreneurial spirit  of India’s Generation Z  stands out as they  enthusiastically  explore new interests and trends  in various fields.  Their dedication to  their  chosen  fandom  and commitment to self-improvement  is evident  through  this information.  And, while in many  ways, India’s  Gen  Z is  similar to their  peers around the world,  these trends also  reveal  specific areas where they are different and unique,”  ​​said  Paras Sharma,  Meta’s  director of  content  and  community partnerships  in India,  said.  in a  press release.  

  Instagram’s  Trend Talk survey indicates  that  43% of  respondents  hope that 2024 will mark  a milestone  in their  era of personal development,  a year  in which  they  invest in  growth and  your personal  development. More than  in  other countries,  Gen Z social media users  in India believe  that starting and running their own business is the best  way  to  make money.  

 Meta expects Indian users to drive the trend of “more content  on  life advice, more  daily  content and content  on  their  careers”. It involves  celebrities, athletes or even  other creative people. India’s Generation  Z  creates a buzz  on social  media that goes  beyond career  choices. The aspect of relatability also promotes  the  feeling  of  being  part of a “fandom”. Meta  claims that  India has the highest  proportion  of  avid  sports  fans  compared to Gen Z  in  other countries,  including  cricket and football, countries, clubs and  franchises, accounting for most conversations.  

 Meta  named  the Indian  cricket team,  Barcelona,  ​​​Real  Madrid, Royal Challengers  Bangalore  and Chennai Super Kings as the most  popular and  they expect  this to  continue in 2024.  Among the sports  highlights that  you are waiting for, let’s talk about  the next edition of the Indian Premier League T20  cricket.  tournament, the ICC T20  Cricket World Cup  and  the Africa  Cup of Nations.  Apart from  cricket, football and sports in general,  Meta  data indicates  that  BTS  Army,  Swifties, AR Rahman, Shreya  Ghoshal  and Anirudh  stand out. Just like  Minecraft, Fortnite, Call of  Duty  and Roblox  game  enthusiasts.  

 In other trends  expected to  gain momentum  in 2024, a third of  India’s  Gen Z Instagram users are turned off by  what many consider “poor meme taste”, with nearly  half  said they were  interested in do-it-yourself (DIY)  fashion.  and  have  a general interest  in  trying new  foods  and ingredients. 

  According to Meta, this insight  comes from a survey of  about 5,000 people  conducted by trend forecasting  company  WGSN  in collaboration  with  Instagram  in the US, UK, Brazil,  India  and  Korea.  Coverage focuses on Generation Z’s  perception of work, relationships, fashion, beauty, food and social  media  in the context of the  year ahead. 

 For more  information,  visit at https://happenrecently.com/zepto/?amp=1

S&P predicts  India  will  become  the third  largest economy by  2030  

 In its Global Credit Outlook 2024, S&P  sees  GDP growth  of 6.4%  in the  financial  year  to  March 2024  (2023-24),  compared  with 7.2%  in the previous financial  year there. 

 India will become the  world’s third-largest  economy by 2030, S&P Global Ratings said on  Tuesday, projecting its  GDP growth  to reach 7%  in  the  2026-27  financial  year.  

 In its Global Credit Outlook 2024, S&P  sees  GDP growth  of 6.4%  in the  financial  year  to  March 2024  (2023-24),  compared  with 7.2%  in the previous financial  year there. 

 The growth rate will remain at  6.4%  in the next  financial year  (2024-25) before  increasing  to  6.9%  in the  following year  and  7%  in 2026-27, the  agency said.  

 “We  expect  India  to reach 7%  in  FY 2026-27. “India is  on track  to become the  third largest  economy by  2030  and we expect it  to  be the fastest growing major economy  over  the next three years,” S&P said.  India  is  currently  the  world’s  fifth largest economy  after  the US, China, Germany and Japan. 

  “The first  test will be whether India can become the next  great  global manufacturing hub,  which is a huge  opportunity. Developing a strong logistics framework will be key  to  transforming India from a services-dominated economy  to  a  manufacturing-dominated economy, he  said. 

  Unleashing labor  market potential will  depend  largely  on improving workers’ skills  and increasing  women’s  participation in the  labor market.  

 “Success in these two areas will  help  India  realize its demographic dividend,”  he  said.  S&P said  the  booming domestic digital market could also  drive the  expansion  of India’s  high-growth startup ecosystem  over  the next decade, especially in  the finance  and consumer  technology sectors. use.  

 In the  auto  sector, India is poised for  growth by leveraging  infrastructure,  investment  and innovation,  he  added.  

For more information visit at https://happenrecently.com/zepto/?amp=1

“Zha” – A Malayalam Bromantic Thriller Unveils the Unpredictable Dynamics of Friendship

Zha

“Zha,” the latest Malayalam bromantic thriller directed by Girish P C Palam and produced by Rajesh Babu K Sooranad under VOC Media, offers a fresh perspective on friendship dynamics. The film explores the intricate balance between camaraderie and familial responsibilities, unveiling the challenges faced by a young individual torn between love for a friend and duty towards family.

Featuring a stellar cast, “Zha” stars Manikandan Achari and Nandu Anand in pivotal roles, supported by an ensemble including Santhosh Keezhattoor, Laxmi Priya, Rajesh Sharma, Shyni Sara, Ajitha, Vijayan Karanthoor, and others. Girish P C Palam, renowned for his work in theatre, brings his unique storytelling style to the film, promising audiences a captivating and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

The film’s logline sets the stage for an intriguing narrative: “After a long acquaintance through letters, Christy comes to meet his pen-pal Hari and becomes a liability to Hari and his family. When Christy, a victim of bipolar disorder, escapes from police custody after murdering his own father and visits Hari again after six years, his life becomes highly precarious.”

Adding depth to the storytelling is an emotive soundtrack featuring the voices of Vidyadharan Master, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Najim Arshad, P K Sunil Kumar, and Ganga. Composed by Rajesh Babu K Sooranad, the songs are penned by K Jayakumar, Balachandran Chullikkad, Sudhi, Ali Kozhikode, and Girish P C Palam, enhancing the emotional resonance of the narrative.

The synopsis unfolds a rollercoaster of emotions and unforeseen challenges. Christy, portrayed by Manikandan Achari, disrupts the lives of Hari and his family with his unpredictable behaviour. His revelation of suffering from bipolar disorder adds a layer of complexity to the plot. The narrative weaves through Christy’s arrest, escape from a mental hospital, and his return after six years, injecting uncertainty into the lives of Hari and his family.

“Zha” is poised to be a cinematic tour de force, exploring the fragility of relationships and the unpredictable nature of the human psyche.

“Take It Easy” — A Malayalam Psychodrama Triumphs Globally at International Film Festivals

Take It Easy

“Take It Easy,” a Malayalam Psychodrama directed by A K Sathar and produced by Gireesh E Thalasseri and Rajesh Babu K Sooranad, has garnered international acclaim. The film explores the application of psychological tools like Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Transactional Analysis (TA) to prevent marriage breakdowns and relationship failures. Notably, Rajesh Babu, also the writer and music director of the movie, received accolades for his multifaceted contributions.

The film’s success extends to various international film festivals, including the Satyajit-Ritwik-Mrinal International Kolkata Film Festival and Cult International Film Festivals. “Take It Easy” was adjudged the best film, securing over ten awards, including those for the best story, screenplay, and direction at the Satyajit Ritwik Mrinal International awards.

The narrative follows Anjali, portrayed by Dyuthi N Sudheer, who files for divorce after almost nine years of marriage with Rammohan, played by Anand Surya, a renowned music director and screenwriter in Malayalam movies. Mandated by the family court, they seek counselling from Dr. Satheesh Chandran, who introduces them to transformative psychological techniques rooted in NLP and TA.

Inspired by the counselling, Rammohan invites Anjali to a remote location to relive their courtship days, exploring extreme fantasies based on a script he has written. This transformative experience leads to a profound awakening, as they rediscover the potential for a blissful life and a marriage that is resilient against divorce.

The film features an outstanding cast, including Anand Surya, Dyuthi N Sudheer, K B Nallalan, and Siddiq Thamarasseri, who deliver compelling performances under A K Sathar’s direction.

“Take It Easy” boasts a captivating soundtrack with two original songs, “Mazhayazhake” and “Thanichirikkumbole,” penned by P K Gopi and Prakash Nandi, respectively. Additionally, the film incorporates the Carnatic composition “Orajupuchu,” invoking Lord Rama, to represent the perspective of the heroine, drawing parallels to Sita in the Epic Ramayan. The composition of Swati Thirunnal is also used in a roleplay scene featuring the protagonists.

Director A K Sathar expressed his joy, stating, “We are thrilled by the overwhelming response ‘Take It Easy’ has received globally. It was a collaborative effort, and I am grateful to the talented cast and crew for bringing this vision to life.” Producer Gireesh E Thalasseri added, “This film is not just a cinematic experience but a journey into the human psyche. We are proud to have created a work that resonates with audiences worldwide.”

The success of “Take It Easy” at international festivals reinforces its impact and relevance on a global scale. The film stands as a testament to the power of cinema to explore and illuminate the human experience.

Cyclone Michaung: Educational  institutions and government  offices  will be  closed in  Chennai and  these districts tomorrow 

 Cyclone Michaung  Update:  Tamil  Government  has announced  closure of schools, colleges, educational  institutions  and government offices in Chennai Tiruvallur,  Kancheepuram  and Chengalpattu districts  tomorrow i.e.  December  5,  due to  Typhoon  Michaung. 

  Live updates on Typhoon  Michaung  

  Additionally,  the state government  also  asked  private  companies and  establishments  in  these districts to allow their employees to work from home tomorrow due to heavy  rain  and its  effects.  

 The IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy  rain  on  December 4  and  5  in north  coast  Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.  Moderate rain in  most places and heavy to very heavy  rain in some  places with extremely heavy  rainfall  at isolated  locations in  coastal Andhra Pradesh  and  Yanam  on  December 4  and  5. 

  Heavy  rains  in Chennai  have  led to severe waterlogging in  many places in  Chennai and  surrounding  areas. Several areas  in  Chennai were  flooded  due to heavy  rains. Rainwater accumulates  to the  point where  vehicles  are  completely submerged in water.  Heavy  rain  lasting overnight  caused  flooding  in the  state, causing  traffic jams  in  some areas  of the city.  Severe  traffic  congestion on  Chennai’s Chrompet GST Road following heavy  rains  in the  area.  

  Previously,  Chennai airport announced  the suspension  of departures and arrivals due to severe weather conditions  until 11pm  today. As many as 70 flights  to and  from the airport were  canceled due  to  continuous rain.  Around 33 flights from Chennai were diverted to  the  Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on  Monday  as heavy  rain  continued to  fall.  

According to officials of Bangalore International Airport Limited  (BIAL), which  operates KIA,  domestic  and  international  flights,  including  those  of Indigo, SpiceJet, Etihad, Lufthansa and Gulf  Air, have been  diverted to the  city.  city  ​​from  Chennai. 

  Southern Railway  also shared  updates on train  cancellations. Eleven  express trains from Chennai Central were  canceled  on Monday after  water  levels  reached  dangerous levels  at Bridge No. 14 between Vyasarpadi and Basin Bridge  due  to heavy  rain. 

For more information visit at https://happenrecently.com/zepto/?amp=1

India agrees to pull out soldiers from Maldives, says Muizzu

“We also agreed to set up a high level committee to solve issues related to development projects.” Muizzu made the remarks following engagements on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday that the Indian government has agreed to withdraw its soldiers from the island nation.

Hours later, sources in New Delhi said the issue was briefly discussed in Dubai where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussions on how to keep the Indian helicopters and operational aircraft were “ongoing” and “the core group that both sides have agreed to set up will look at details of how to take this forward”.

“In the discussions we had, the Indian government has agreed to remove Indian soldiers,” Muizzu told reporters in Male.

“We also agreed to set up a high level committee to solve issues related to development projects.” Muizzu made the remarks following engagements on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit.

The island nation has two helicopters and an aircraft provided by India to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for emergency medical evacuations and disaster relief operations. There are 77 Indian military personnel in Maldives to operate these platforms.

Muizzu won the presidential election in September, having campaigned to change the Maldives’s “India first” policy and promised to remove a small presence of these 77 personnel.

While there was no official response from the Ministry of External Affairs in India, a source said, “We have seen reports about the status of Indian platforms in Maldives engaged in HADR (humanitarian and disaster relief) activities. The continued usefulness of the Indian platforms, as it was recognised in discussions, needs to be looked at from a proper perspective.”

Agrees to pull out soldiers from Maldives, says Muizzu

“We also agreed to set up a high level committee to solve issues related to development projects.” Muizzu made the remarks following engagements on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit.

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu, Indian government, Indian Navy, Navy Chief, cooperation with Maldives, india maldives ties, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Indian express news, current affairs

PM Narendra Modi with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu in Dubai on Friday. ANI file

Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday that the Indian government has agreed to withdraw its soldiers from the island nation.

Hours later, sources in New Delhi said the issue was briefly discussed in Dubai where he met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussions on how to keep the Indian helicopters and operational aircraft were “ongoing” and “the core group that both sides have agreed to set up will look at details of how to take this forward”.

“In the discussions we had, the Indian government has agreed to remove Indian soldiers,” Muizzu told reporters in Male.

“We also agreed to set up a high level committee to solve issues related to development projects.” Muizzu made the remarks following engagements on the sidelines of the COP28 climate summit.

The island nation has two helicopters and an aircraft provided by India to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) for emergency medical evacuations and disaster relief operations. There are 77 Indian military personnel in Maldives to operate these platforms.

Muizzu won the presidential election in September, having campaigned to change the Maldives’s “India first” policy and promised to remove a small presence of these 77 personnel.

While there was no official response from the Ministry of External Affairs in India, a source said, “We have seen reports about the status of Indian platforms in Maldives engaged in HADR (humanitarian and disaster relief) activities. The continued usefulness of the Indian platforms, as it was recognised in discussions, needs to be looked at from a proper perspective.”

“The Maldivian side has acknowledged the utility of these platforms. The fact that it is an important segment of our bilateral development partnership is recognised by both sides,” the source said.

“Discussions on how to keep them operational are ongoing. The core group that both sides have agreed to set up will look at details of how to take this forward,” the source said.

The two sides decided to form a core group after the Modi-Muizzu meeting in Dubai.

A day after he was sworn in as President of Maldives last month, Mohamed Muizzu had “formally requested” the Indian government to “withdraw its military personnel” from the island nation.

For more information visit at https://happenrecently.com/zepto/?amp=1

How  did the global  media  react  to  Prime Minister  Modi’s victory in three  states?  

The  BJP’s  victory  in  the  three states  is  seen as an  extension  of  Prime Minister  Modi’s dominance and  strengthens  his chances in the 2024  general election.  

 Global media hailed the victory as  “an extension  of  Prime Minister  Modi’s  dominance”  after  the  BJP won three  out  of  four states declared on Sunday, adding that the  result was ” very important”  ahead of the  2019  Lok Sabha  elections.  

 The Washington Post praised the BJP’s huge  victories  in Madhya Pradesh,  Chhattisgarh  and Rajasthan, calling them  “very momentous”. 

  “This  crucial poll  pits  India’s opposition against  Prime Minister Narendra  Modi’s ruling party  ahead of  a crucial national election  next  year,”  the Washington Post  said  in its report.  

  International  media  said  that  Prime Minister  Modi’s  victory  in three states  will  give him a chance  to score  a hat-trick of  victories  and a third  consecutive term.  Al Jazeera  published  a report  titled  “India’s BJP wins three  out  of four state polls months before  national election”,  calling  the BJP’s  election victory  “historic and  never happend”.  

  British  news  agency Reuters called  the  election victory  a  “big boost”  for  Prime Minister  Modi ahead of  next year’s general election, with  the  article headline: “To motivate  Modi,  the  BJP  won wins  polls in three Indian states.” 

  “The  election results  show  the  mood  of voters  ahead of the national  election  in  May,  in which Modi is  aiming for  a third consecutive  term,” he said  in  his  report.  

 During the counting  of the  four Hindi-speaking states that voted in their assemblies last month, a saffron tsunami swept  across  the Hindi heartland. The BJP’s  astonishing run  in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan  has  not only  its opponents  but also some pollsters  predicting  tight races.  

 The election results  in the  four states, especially the  defeats  in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh,  have contributed significantly  to the Congress’s hopes for 2024 as  the party  is now out of power  in  a  wide area. big in  the Hindi heartland.  The  vote count  in Rajasthan showed  a  very  different picture than  some  polls  predicted, with 115 seats going to the BJP and 69  to  the Congress.  

 Chhattisgarh has 90  parliamentary  constituencies,  of which  54 belong to  the BJP and 35  belong to  the Congress.  

 Elections for Mizoram will be held on Monday, where the incumbent party is the Mizo National Front, a regional ally of the BJP. 

  One in six Indian voters cast ballots  in five state  legislative  elections last month, with more than 160 million people registered to vote.

  For more  information,  visit at https://happenrecently.com/zepto/?amp=1

Ensuring  national  security and prosperity requires a larger Indian  navy  

 The 1971 war saw the  full  participation of the Indian Navy in combat for the first time since independence. 

  The then Royal Indian Navy  first  celebrated Navy Day  on 21 October 1944. Since 1972, the Indian Navy (IN) has celebrated December 4 as Navy Day.  This  day was chosen to commemorate the  daring  and successful attack by IN missile boats on Karachi  port during  the 1971 Indo-Pak war  during  Operation Trident. The 1971 war saw the  full  participation of the Indian Navy in combat for the first time since independence. It was an unfortunate and short-sighted  decision by the  government  that prevented  the  IN from  demonstrating  its  strength  in the  war of 1965.  The actions of  the  IN on  the  West  and  East coasts  in 1971 made the world  aware  of our naval  power.  Over the  decades,  IN has grown  strongly  in  both  quality  and  quantity.  It is to the credit of  visionary naval  leaders  of the past who steadfastly led IN to become a capable and  influential  force, often  overcoming all  odds. 

  John Dalberg-Acton, the great historian and  philosopher, said: “History is not a burden to the memory but an enlightenment to the soul.” Unfortunately,  in the Indian context, our maritime history  has been pushed aside,  despite  our  glorious past dating back to 3000  BC.  

  Considerable  maritime activity  was  recorded  during  the Vedic  era  and the era of  the  Nandas, Mauryas,  Ashokas,  Guptas, Satavahanas, Cheras, Cholas, Pandyas, Zamorins and Marathas. Many of these kingdoms were  supported  by powerful navies. The defeat of the Marathas  put an end to  our glorious  navigation and  maritime  capabilities.  It  took nearly  two centuries  for India to  consider  itself  a  “maritime nation.”  However, the importance of the maritime  sector  for trade and security was not lost on some,  such as  Pandit Nehru and KM Panikkar, who advocated  having  a strong navy. The group of industrialists who  proposed  the Bombay Plan in 1944 also proposed a  powerful  navy. However,  Pakistan’s  invasion of Kashmir  soon  after independence had  the adverse  effect of  diverting  our attention and energies to the continental  domain  at the  expense  of the maritime  domain.  Even the fact that we are the only  country named  after  an ocean  has not really awakened  our maritime consciousness.  It is not surprising that  the Indian Navy was never considered a major instrument in our strategic  calculations until  the 1971 war. 

  India’s  naval power declined and  fell  into oblivion when foreign  powers, i.e. Europe,  came  to establish  control over the seas and trade routes  to  India, especially from  18th century onwards. Despite  the  brave and  persistent efforts of  the Indian Navy to  revive  our maritime culture and overcome  “maritime blindness”,  the nation and its strategic community  remain  largely  take the continent as the center.  

 Call it a twist of fate or  irony, but it was a foreign  power, specifically  China, that  partly revived  maritime consciousness  in  the strategic community in  India, when its strength, China’s growing maritime capabilities  and  power are becoming increasingly apparent.  In 1999,  not a single  ship  of the  People’s  Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)  had called  ports in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). These  currently affect  around  20 people a  year. While port visits by  military  ships  themselves  are  harmless, the PLAN’s  IOR  operations  are  designed  to  advance  their strategic interests,  but they are  not all  harmless.  IOR  currently has about 1,700  Chinese ships of all  types  in a month.  China’s growing presence  in the IOR includes PLAN warships, fishing vessels, survey  vessels,  and  intelligence gathering  vessels.  Similar  to  their behavior  in the South China Sea (SCS),  PLAN warships have  displayed aggressive behavior  even in the Indian Ocean. 

  Chinese satellite  tracking ships  regularly operate  in the IOR. Despite the COVID pandemic,  their average deployment  time in 2020-2021  was 82 days. On  average,  there are  about 240 Chinese fishing vessels  present in  the  IOR at any  time.  What is worrying is that  the Chinese maritime militia is also  operating  in the IOR.  

For more information visit at https://happenrecently.com/zepto/?amp=1