Category: Life & Style

This year’s World Environment Day stands out as an example of conservation innovation with the Rajaji Raghati Biosphere (RRB) and a future initiative in the Western Ghats. Entrepreneurs Jai Dhar Gupta and Vijay Dhasmana are in charge of these initiatives, which focus on reforestation, community involvement, and ecosystem regeneration.

A new Delhi businessman, Jai Dhar Gupta, was diagnosed with bronchial asthma and went on to become a champion for clean air.

In Rajaji National Park, Jai and environmentalist Vijay Dhasmana are currently establishing India’s first private biosphere. This 35-acre project in Uttarakhand tries to stop mining and poaching while restoring natural vegetation. The area first deteriorated and became arid because of agroforestry practices that focused on monoculture and soil erosion.

The group changed the topography, removed eucalyptus trees that weren’t native, and planted thousands of native plants. They brought 80 new species in 2023, and during the upcoming monsoon season, they intend to bring another 35 to 40.

Their initiatives include forbidding combustion-engine vehicles from operating within the biosphere and collaborating with nearby tribes, especially the Gujjars. As part of the effort, a second biosphere with a focus on distinctive local flora would be established above the Western Ghats, close to Pune.

On Thursday, Sri Lanka granted Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite-based ISP, a preliminary licence to deliver internet services in the island nation.

Officials from Sri Lanka’s President’s Media Division (PMD) made the announcement via an X: “State Technology Minister @kanakadh announced that TRCSL (Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka) has granted preliminary approval for @Starlink to provide satellite-based internet services in Sri Lanka, following a formal public consultation process.” Following that, the PMD stated, “The details of the public consultation will be published tomorrow.”

Last month, during the 10th World Water Forum in Indonesia, Musk met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and as a result, the permission process was accelerated. This announcement is the result of that meeting. Wickremesinghe pledged to speed up Sri Lanka’s application to join the global Starlink network during their meeting.

Musk made Starlink accessible in Fiji the day after he debuted it in Indonesia last month, with the goal of improving internet connections in distant corners of the archipelago. In an X-cast, Elon Musk said that “Starlink is now available in Fiji.”

Sri Lanka is the latest country to receive preliminary clearance to use Starlink’s satellite internet service, which aims to increase connections across the country.

The historic Shore Temple in Mamallapuram, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has become India’s first Green Energy Archaeological Site. The Green Heritage Project, a partnership between Hand in Hand India and Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India, is responsible for this significant achievement.

The installation of three 10-kilowatt solar power plants has made it possible for the Shore Temple to run entirely on solar power. By recharging the grid with excess energy, these plants can help meet future energy demands while reducing their negative effects on the environment. Using solar power, the initiative improves the tourist experience while decreasing the negative impact of tourism on the environment.

Three water kiosks provide purified water from a solar-powered reverse osmosis (RO) facility, which is an important installation. Electric buggies, operated by local women, provide environmentally friendly transportation for the elderly, those with impairments, and pregnant women; they also help reduce carbon emissions and promote inclusion.

A parking structure equipped with three charging stations has been set up to facilitate the transition to electric vehicles. The Shore Temple’s conversion to a green energy facility honours its cultural and historical importance while demonstrating the need for sustainable heritage conservation practices.

The largest optical astronomy digital camera ever constructed is going to be hosted in Chile. It weighs approximately three tonnes and has a resolution of 3.2 gigapixels. The camera and ground-based telescope of the Vera C. Rubin Observatory have been moved to Cerro Pachón in the Coquimbo area, which is 565 kilometres north of Santiago.

According to Stuartt Corder, assistant director of the NOIRLab facility and chief science officer of the AURA organisation, “Everything needed for operations is now on the summit and ready for checkout and hopefully for installation later this year.”

Along with the camera and an automated data processing system, the Rubin Observatory has an eight-meter wide-field telescope. Over a period of ten years, it will produce a catalogue of fifteen petabytes, or twenty terabytes of data per night.

Studying possible collisions between Earth and asteroids or neighbouring stars and planets is a major goal, in addition to understanding dark energy and dark matter. Speaking about the importance of the research, Corder stated, “In ten years, we hope to answer fundamental questions about the universe’s origin and evolution.”

The Atacama Desert in Chile is the driest on the planet, and due to its exceptionally bright skies, it is perfect for astronomy.

According to Tuesday’s announcement by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the Chang’e-6 spacecraft has begun its return to Earth after launching from the moon’s far side. The goal of China becoming the first nation to return lunar samples from the far side—the side of the moon that is continuously facing away from Earth—is getting closer with each passing day.

After collecting samples from June 2–3, the probe departed the moon at 7:38 a.m. local time (2338 GMT). According to CNSA, Chang’e-6 “passed the litmus test of high temperature on the far side of the moon.” Operating independently of Earth, Chang’e-6 differed from its predecessor, Chang’e-5, which procured samples from the near side. Rather, it depended on the April-launched relay satellite Queqiao-2.

Soil samples were collected from both the surface and depths of the moon by Chang’e-6 using a robotic arm and drill. After taking a sample, it proudly flew the Chinese flag for the first time. With the samples transferred to a return module, the probe will meet with another spacecraft once it reaches lunar orbit.

After returning to Earth, this module is scheduled to touch down in Inner Mongolia around June 25.

India’s rich culture is reflected in its 1,500+ mango varieties. Indian farmers cultivate Japan’s Miyazaki mangoes, among the world’s most expensive fruits. These red or purple mangoes sell for roughly ₹2.5 lakh per kg, significantly higher than the average ₹100-₹200 per kg for regular mangoes.

Miyazaki mangoes originated in Japan during the Meiji Period (1868-1912), with widespread cultivation beginning in the 1970s. Their creamy texture, aromatic smell, and juicy flesh provide a unique, rich sweetness that distinguishes them from traditional mangoes. These mangoes thrive in sunny areas such as Miyazaki City, which is known for its warm temperature and long daylight hours.

In addition to Miyazaki mangoes, the city produces Hyuganatsu, Kinkan (kumquat), and lychee. The first Miyazaki mangoes were planted in 1984 on a small 8-unit farm. Over time, cultivation techniques for this uncommon fruit have been refined, ensuring their remarkable quality and rarity, which contributes to their high price.

Miyazaki mangoes were featured at a mango festival in Siliguri and Raipur, demonstrating their growing appeal in India. This superb kind remains a luxury because of its distinct flavour and strict growing conditions.

On May 31, a 12-year-old Indian-American, Bruhat Soma, from Tampa, Florida, won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in a thrilling tiebreaker. Soma, whose parents are from Telangana, India, properly spelt 29 words in the tiebreaker, outscoring Faizan Zaki by nine words. The winning word was “abseil.” Soma won a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.

The seventh-grader had previously won three straight spelling bees. Thursday’s competition began with eight finalists and featured lengthy commercial breaks in which contestants connected with their fans. During the tiebreaker, Soma’s steady pace helped him win by correctly spelling 30 words. Zaki, who had spelt 25 words but missed four, was unable to catch up.

Soma shared his excitement and said, “It didn’t matter if I won all the other bees. This is what I aimed for. So I’m absolutely thrilled that I won.” Soma previously won the Words of Wisdom bee, the SpellPundit bee, and the first online bee hosted by last year’s Scripps champion, Dev.

According to the Associated Press, Soma’s most recent loss occurred in September 2023 at the WishWin senior spelling bee, where he misspelt “Gloucester.” Since then, he has had a winning streak.

Santosh Sivan, a renowned Indian cinematographer, has been awarded the prestigious Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens in Cinematography at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Asian to earn this honour. Actor Preity Zinta presented him with a prize at the Palais de Festivals, recognising his ‘career and excellent quality of work.

Santosh, an FTII Pune graduate and founding member of the Indian Society of Cinematographers, has worked on over 55 films and 50 documentaries. His famous works include “Roja,” “Dil Se,” “Iruvar,” and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.” He has also directed over 15 films, including “Asoka” and “The Terrorist.”

Santosh joins a remarkable group of previous honorees, which includes Edward Lachman and Roger Deakins. Actor Mohanlal congratulated him, expressing his delight at witnessing this historic event. Santosh is now working on Mohanlal’s forthcoming film, “Barroz.”

Previously, he also won 17 National Awards and six Filmfare Awards and is the only Indian member of the American Society of Cinematographers. His overseas efforts include “Bride and Prejudice” and “Meenaxi,” and he has been awarded the Padma Shri.

Celebrities including Shah Rukh Khan and directors Shekhar Kapur and Mira Nair paid tribute to Santosh. Aditi Rao Hydari, from Mani Ratnam’s “Chekka Chivantha Vaanam,” was a special guest at the occasion.

Nearly a year after the catastrophic implosion of the OceanGate Titan submersible, a new expedition aims to safely examine the Titanic ruins in the North Atlantic. Larry Connor, a billionaire from Ohio, is spearheading this effort, which aims to demonstrate that such dives can be safely completed with competent engineering.

Connor, a 74-year-old seasoned explorer, revealed his ideas to The Wall Street Journal, emphasising the importance of strict safety precautions. The tragic Titan catastrophe in June 2023, which resulted in the immediate deaths of everyone onboard, piqued his interest in this industry.

In pursuit of his aim, Connor contacted Patrick Lahey, the CEO of Triton Submarines. Lahey, who previously criticised OceanGate for its weak safety precautions, is now working with Connor on this project.

The expedition will use Triton Submarines’ advanced Triton 4000/2 “Abyss Explorer.” This modern two-person submersible, priced at $20 million, is known as the world’s deepest diving acrylic sub, capable of descending beyond 13,000 feet.

Lahey, a co-founder of Triton with Bruce Jones, will accompany Connor on this risky dive. While the exact date of this mission has not been announced, Connor and Triton Submarines hope to set new benchmarks for deep-sea exploration and safety.

The White House announced over $900 million in grants to 530 school districts to replace ageing, gas-powered school buses with cleaner, primarily electric alternatives. This financing is part of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) $5 billion clean school bus programme, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021.

This current batch of money will go towards the acquisition of 3,400 school buses, with 92% being electric. Approximately 67% of the cash will go to school districts in low-income, indigenous, and rural communities.

The EPA’s clean school bus effort is an important part of President Joe Biden’s overall strategy to improve public school facilities and minimise pollution from outdated buses. It is consistent with Biden’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, divert government climate investments to underprivileged regions, and increase demand for American-made electric vehicles.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan emphasised the initiative’s broader implications, saying, “This news is more than just clean school buses. It is about improving air quality for our children, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening our country’s leadership in the development of clean automobiles.” He also stated that the increasing demand for electric school buses will result in the establishment of new manufacturing jobs and investments in local firms.