Today in History (September 27th, 1980)
On this day, in 1980, United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) observed 27 September as World Tourism Day. The theme of World Tourism Day 2023 is “Tourism and green investment”.
Summary of Today’s News
Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur awarded veteran Bollywood actor Waheeda Rehman with the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award for 2021, honouring her stellar contribution to Indian cinema. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is a prestigious honor in the Indian film industry, forming a part of the National Film Awards. Named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, the pioneering filmmaker of India’s first film ‘Raja Harishchandra’ in 1913, it recognizes outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Indian cinema. Established by the government in 1969, the award includes a ‘Swarna Kamal‘ (golden lotus), a cash prize of INR 10 lakh, a certificate, a silk roll, and a shawl. The award is presented by the President of India, with key figures from the film industry in attendance. Devika Rani Roerich was the first recipient in 1969.
Stubble Burning
Stubble burning is the deliberate ignition of leftover straw stubble after harvesting grains like rice and wheat. This practice was prevalent until the 1990s, but government regulations have since limited its use. Stubble burning in northern India has been a significant contributor to air pollution, particularly in Delhi, where the air quality frequently reaches hazardous levels during winter. Alternatives to stubble burning include Turbo Happy Seeder for simultaneous seeding and stubble removal, Pusa Bio-decomposer for rapid residue conversion to manure, in-situ mixing of stubble into soil, ex-situ collection efforts, and promoting diverse crops through subsidies, reducing reliance on paddy. These methods mitigate pollution and benefit agriculture.
AdityaL1 spacecraft
ISRO is assessing the space situation around the Lagrange Point 1 (L1) to ensure the safety of its AdityaL1 spacecraft, India’s first dedicated sun-studying mission. Launched on September 2, 2023, AdityaL1 is en route to L1 and expected to reach there by January 2024. It will operate in a halo orbit around L1, about 1.5 million km from Earth. There are currently four operational spacecraft at L1, i.e., WIND, Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) and Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVER).
