1. Making The Case For North Bengal To Be Made A Union Territory
Several factors, including demand from the locals, demographic change, and national security, present a case for West Bengal to be bifurcated and the northern region to be declared a UT.
The UT demand arises due to underdevelopment in the area and pressing national concerns that are only going to intensify in the future.
North Bengal remains backward in terms of human development indices, physical and social infrastructure, healthcare and education facilities, and even representation in the state cabinet.
Thirty-four years of communist rule followed by 11 years of Trinamool in power have wrecked the region.
The 3Ts of the area — tea, tourism, and timber — were used for development elsewhere while the region's potential for horticulture, floriculture, aquaculture, medicinal plants, pharmaceuticals, and small hydel power generation plants was ignored.
2. Ram Setu As A National Heritage Monument? SC To Hear Plea On 26 July
The SC will consider the question of recognising the Ram Setu as India's national heritage.
Context. The apex court will hear the petition seeking a direction to the Centre to declare the "Ram Setu" as a national heritage monument.
The matter will be heard on 26 July.
The plea is by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.
What's Ram Setu? It's a chain of shoals between Pamban Island (Rameswaram Island), off the south-eastern coast of India, and Mannar Island, off the north-western coast of Sri Lanka.
3. Space Sector Reforms Take Effect — Entrepreneurs Come Forward For Space Activities
The opening up of the space sector to private players is delivering results, as around 60 startups have registered with ISRO for space exploration.
Context: Union Minister Jitendra Singh revealed this after inaugurating the 'ISRO System for Safe & Sustainable Space Operation and Management' (IS4OM) in Bengaluru on 11 July.
Singh said these startups are working on proposals varying from space debris, nano-satellites, launch vehicles, ground systems, and research.
Quite a few startups are said to be working on space debris management.
Modi has broken "many taboos of the past" by allowing private players in the space sector through ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), he added.
4. What Is Controversial About Lions On Top Of The New Parliament Building?
Modi government was blamed for changing the state symbol and hence, insulting it after a few people argued that the lions on top of the new parliament building, have been depicted baring their fangs and, consequently, look too aggressive.
Is this criticism justified? The most obvious thing to check is whether or not the original Mauryan lions of Sarnath bare their fangs and one can see them showing their teeth.
The Mauryans were unapologetic empire builders and the lions stood at the place where ancient India’s most important highways met – the Uttarapath and the Dakshinapath.
It was a proclamation of the power of the State to be carried in all directions. This is why it was chosen as the emblem of the Indian Republic.
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