Strengthening Asian Bonds: The inaugural Asian Buddhist Summit (ABS) is being held in New Delhi on November 5-6, 2024, aiming to foster unity and cooperation among Asian nations through the shared values of Buddhism.
India’s Act East Policy: The summit reflects India’s Act East Policy, which emphasizes collective and inclusive development in Asia, with Buddhist principles as a guiding force.
Diverse Participation: The event brings together Buddhist leaders, scholars, and practitioners from various traditions across Asia to engage in dialogue and address contemporary challenges.
Buddhism’s Unifying Role: The summit highlights the historical and cultural significance of Buddhism in fostering a common outlook on life and promoting spiritual unity across Asia.
Soft Power Diplomacy: India utilizes Buddhism as a tool for soft power projection, showcasing its rich Buddhist heritage and promoting its role as a bridge connecting different Asian cultures.
Key Themes: Discussions will cover various topics, including Buddhist art, heritage, the dissemination of Buddhist teachings, the role of relics, and the relevance of Buddhist philosophy in the 21st century.
Special Exhibition: A dedicated exhibition titled “India as the Dhamma Setu (Bridge) connecting Asia” will showcase India’s historical and contemporary contributions to Buddhism across the continent.
Successful Mission Completion: Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on November 4th, 2024, after a six-month mission aboard the Tiangong space station. Their capsule landed safely in Inner Mongolia.
Crew Rotation: The returning astronauts welcomed a new three-person crew to the Tiangong last week, ensuring continuous operation of the space station.
China’s Space Ambitions: This mission is part of China’s ongoing efforts to become a leading power in space exploration. The country has achieved significant milestones recently, including lunar sample returns and a Mars rover landing.
Tiangong Space Station: The Tiangong, meaning “Heavenly Palace,” is China’s orbiting space station. It has been operational for two years and serves as a platform for scientific research and technological development.
Space Debris Concerns: The Tiangong has faced challenges with space debris, requiring maneuvers to avoid collisions and even experiencing partial power loss due to debris impact.
China’s Contribution to Space Debris: China is also a contributor to the growing problem of space debris, with incidents like a rocket stage break-up during a satellite launch in August adding to the debris field.
Future Goals: China aims to land astronauts on the moon by 2030, further solidifying its position as a major player in space exploration.
Release on Bail: Hundreds of undertrial prisoners across India are set to be released on bail on November 26 (Constitution Day) under the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) law.
Eligibility Criteria: This provision applies to first-time offenders who have been detained for at least half the maximum possible sentence for their alleged offense. Those accused of crimes with potential death penalty or life imprisonment are excluded.
Exemptions for Serious Crimes: Heinous crimes like rape, murder, acts of terror, offenses under the POCSO Act, and NDPS Act are not covered under this provision.
Decongesting Prisons: The move aims to address the issue of overcrowding in jails by releasing undertrial prisoners who have already served a significant portion of their potential sentence.
Supreme Court Order: The Supreme Court, in August 2024, directed jail superintendents to facilitate applications for bail under the new BNSS provisions, even for cases registered before the law came into effect.
Special Campaign: The Ministry of Home Affairs is launching a special campaign to ensure states and union territories utilize the BNSS provisions to grant relief to eligible undertrial prisoners.
Celebrating Constitution Day: This initiative aligns with Constitution Day celebrations, promoting constitutional values and potentially offering a second chance to individuals awaiting trial.