SSB PATRIKA
Wednesday Students
8 Jan 2025 Version
India’s First Newspaper Specifically Made For Defence Aspirants
Current Affairs SSB Group Discussions Lecturette topics Vocabulary TAT + PPDT Stories
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Temblor hit mountain terrain
Houses collapse as 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck high-altitude Tingri, 80 km
north of Everest, near China’s border with Nepal, around 9 a.m.; at least 185
injured, of which 28 are in critical condition; Xi Jinping, Dalai Lama express
condolences. A devastating earthquake in China’s remote Tibet region killed at least
126 people and damaged thousands of buildings on Tuesday, state media reported,
with tremors also felt in neighbouring Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and parts of India.
Rescue workers waded through rubble strewn across the ruins in the aftermath,
footage showed, while some gave locals thick blankets to keep warm in subzero temperatures. The quake struck rural,
high-altitude Tingri county, about 80 km north of Mount Everest near China’s border with Nepal, at around 9 a.m. (0630
IST) on Tuesday. “Here the houses are made from dirt so when the earthquake came... lots of houses collapsed,” said
34-year-old Sangji Dangzhi, whose supermarket in Tingri suffered considerable damage. At least 126 people have
been confirmed dead and 188 others injured as of 7 p.m., CCTV said. Twenty-eight people in critical condition were
transferred to hospital for treatment and 3,609 houses had collapsed, it added. The China Earthquake Networks
Center (CENC) measured the quake’s magnitude as 6.8, while the U.S. Geological Survey reported it as 7.1. The area
most affected is surrounded by mountainous terrain on the Chinese side of Mount Everest. Tingri, the epicentre, is
home to around 62,000 people, and is much less developed than urban centres like Tibet’s capital Lhasa. Chinese
President Xi Jinping has called for “all out search and rescue efforts”. The Dalai Lama said he was “deeply saddened”. As
well as Kathmandu, areas around Lobuche — in the high mountains near Everest in Nepal — were also rattled by the
tremor and aftershocks. Some tremors were felt in Bihar state in India but no injuries were reported. Tuesday’s quake
was the most powerful recorded within a 200-km radius in the last five years, the CENC said. A quake in December
2023 in northwest China killed 148 people and displaced thousands in Gansu province. It was China’s deadliest since
2014, when more than 600 people were killed in southwestern Yunnan province
Bangladesh revokes ousted PM Sheikh
Hasina’s passport
Bangladesh on Tuesday revoked the passport of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina and 96 others in connection with their role in the crackdown against
protesters during the uprising of July-August 2024. “The Passports Department
cancelled the passports of 22 people involved in enforced disappearances while
passports of 75 people including Sheikh Hasina were revoked due to their
involvement in the July killings,” said Abul Kalam Azad Majumdar, the Chief
Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary. The official did not reveal the names of the 96
others whose passports were also revoked. The interim government of
Bangladesh had made it clear after the swearing-in of Professor Mohammad
Yunus as the Chief Advisor that the ousted Prime Minister’s passport would be revoked. Cancellation of the passport is
expected to create hardships for India where Ms. Hasina is presently stationed since leaving Dhaka on August 5. Apart
from the cancellation of the passports, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit on Tuesday ordered all banks and
financial institutions of the country to share with it the information and transaction details of Sheikh Hasina, her sister
Rehana and son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul among others.
Trump will not rule out force to take Panama Canal, Greenland
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump refused on Tuesday to rule out using military or
economic action to pursue acquisition of the Panama Canal and Greenland, part of a
broader expansionist agenda he has promoted since winning the Nov. 5 election.
Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, also floated the idea of turning Canada into a U.S.
state, said he would demand far higher defense spending from NATO allies and promised
to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America. Still two weeks away
from taking office, Trump has begun outlining an aggressive foreign policy with little
regard to diplomatic considerations or the concerns of U.S. allies. Asked at a press
conference at his Florida resort whether he could assure the world he would not use
military or economic coercion as he tries to gain control of the Panama Canal and
Greenland, Trump said, "No, I can't assure you on either of those two. But I can say this, we need them for economic security." He
suggested he would impose tariffs on Denmark if it resists his offer to purchase Greenland, which he said is vital to U.S. national
security. Panama's top diplomat also pushed back on the incoming U.S. leader's threat to retake the key global waterway, which the
U.S. had built and owned before handing over control to the Central American nation in 1999.
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SSB PATRIKA
Wednesday Students
8 Jan 2025 Version
India’s First Newspaper Specifically Made For Defence Aspirants
Current Affairs SSB Group Discussions Lecturette topics Vocabulary TAT + PPDT Stories
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
India, U.S. to jointly manufacture interoperable sonobuoys
for Navy
These undersea instruments are niche equipment effective in detecting
submarines lurking deep in the oceans; both countries are cooperating on high-
end technology amid rapid expansion of Chinese naval presence in the Indian
Ocean In a significant development, India and the United States announced
cooperation on co-production of U.S. sonobuoys for undersea domain awareness
(UDA) for the Indian Navy, a high end technology that allows tracking submarines in
the deep seas and oceans. This is the latest in a series of cooperation measures
between the two countries as both grow wary of the rapid expansion of Chinese
naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region. “Welcoming the advancement of
discussions between Ultra Maritime (UM) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to enhance undersea domain awareness
through a first-of-its kind partnership on coproduction of U.S. sonobuoys in support of the U.S. and Indian defence
industrial bases,” said a fact sheet titled ‘The U.S. and India committed to strengthening strategic technology
partnership” issued on Tuesday at the end of U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan’s visit to India on the aspect of
deepening defence innovation and industrial cooperation. Mr. Sullivan, on his final trip to the region as NSA, held a
capstone meeting with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval. “In line with the U.S.-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging
Technologies (iCET) launched in May 2022, the Ultra Maritime and BDL teams will also pursue new sonobuoy
technologies to optimise their acoustic performance in the unique environment of the Indian Ocean, enabling wide
area search through bespoke multistatic active solutions,” Ultra Maritime, a U.S.-based world leader in the design and
production of undersea warfare capabilities, said in a statement. They will jointly manufacture and supply sonobuoys
for the Indian Navy as per U.S. Navy standards, with production split across the U.S. and India, in accordance with
“Make in India” principles, it stated. “The announcement today by NSA Jake Sullivan reflects Ultra Maritime’s
commitment to the Indian Navy in partnering with BDL for production and delivery of world-class sonobuoys, and our
resolute commitment to continue to develop forward leaning.
Dissanayake to visit China next week; India terms its ties with Sri
Lanka ‘buoyant’
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will visit China from January 14 to 17,
the Cabinet spokesman announced on Tuesday, confirming the Sri Lankan
leader’s second state visit abroad, a month after he visited India. Mr.
Dissanayake will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign
Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, and Minister of Transport,
Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Bimal Rathnayake, Cabinet spokesman
Nalinda Jayatissa told media. Debt treatment and bilateral development
cooperation are among key issues expected to be discussed in Beijing. Mr.
Dissanayake’s visit to China marks his second major bilateral engagement
after he rose to the country’s top office in September. In November, his National People’s Power [NPP] coalition swept
the polls with an unprecedented two-thirds majority and soon after, Mr. Dissanayake undertook his first state visit
abroad to India. However, the JVP (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna) has sought to refashion itself in the last decade, in a
bid to widen its appeal while retaining its traditional base. Regardless of the party in power in Sri Lanka, all past
governments have maintained cordial and close ties with China, widely seen by Sri Lankans as a long-term ally, both in
bilateral cooperation and at multilateral fora including UN bodies. Ties with India Meanwhile, addressing Colombo-
based media on Tuesday, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha said India opened the year “being extremely positive
and buoyant” about its Sri Lanka partnership. President Dissanayake’s recent visit added “renewed vigour” to ties, and
deliberations have put the relationship on a “higher plane”, he said. Outlining highlights of the Sri Lankan President’s
December visit to India, including ongoing discussions on possible collaboration in the energy sector and connectivity,
Asked if India held any further discussion with the Sri Lankan government on Chinese research vessels, after
Colombo’s moratorium on foreign research ships expired, and following Mr. Dissanayake’s visit, Mr. Jha said: “We have
not had any further discussions.” Pointing to Mr. Dissanayake’s “categorical” statement in India, as well as the NPP’s
election manifesto, the Indian High Commissioner said: “We take Sri Lanka for its word… we completely trust Sri Lanka
to take the right actions in that regard.” ‘Great importance’ Following his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi
on December 16, 2024, Mr. Dissanayake had said in a statement to the media in New Delhi: “I assured the Indian leader
that Sri Lanka will not permit its territory to be used in any manner inimical to the security of India as well as towards
regional stability,” reiterating the NPP’s position. Sri Lanka “attaches great importance to the continuous development
and deepening of cooperation with India”, he had said.
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SSB PATRIKA
Wednesday Students
8 Jan 2025 Version
India’s First Newspaper Specifically Made For Defence Aspirants
Current Affairs SSB Group Discussions Lecturette topics Vocabulary TAT + PPDT Stories
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
GDP growth projected to fall to four-year low at 6.4%
India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to rise at a four-year low
pace of 6.4% in this financial year, down from 8.2% in 2023-24, the National
Statistics Office (NSO) said on Tuesday in its first advance estimates of GDP for
2024-25. This implies that the country’s economy, that grew 6% in the first half
of this financial year, is expected to rebound with a 6.8% surge in the second half.
The real Gross Value Added (GVA) in the Indian economy is reckoned to rise
6.4% as well, relative to a 7.2% uptick in 2023-24. Just two of eight broad
economic sectors are seen to be clocking a higher growth than last year
Agriculture that is expected to rise 3.8% from 1.4% last year, and Public
Administration, Defence and Other Services, seen growing 9.1% from a 7.8%
increase recorded in 2023-24. Manufacturing GVA growth is expected to nearly halve from 9.9% in 2023- 24 to 5.3%
this year, while GVA in Mining and Quarrying is estimated to rise just 2.9% from 7.1% a year ago. Investment growth A
broader worry is the NSO’s projection that gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), an indicator of fresh investments in the
economy, is expected to grow at a pace of just 6.4% compared with a 9% rise in 2023-24. “Real GDP or GDP at Constant
Prices is estimated to attain a level of ₹184.88 lakh crore in the financial year 2024-25, against the Provisional Estimate
of GDP for the year 2023-24 of ₹173.82 lakh crore,” the NSO said. Crisil chief economist Dharmakirti Joshi attributed the
expected deceleration in 2024-25 to the sharp slowdown in the second quarter, lower fiscal stimulus, high interest
rates and stricter lending norms.
V. Narayanan, spacecraft and rocket propulsion expert,
appointed ISRO Chairman
V. Narayanan has been appointed the new Space Secretary. Dr. Narayanan, who is
currently the Director of Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), will be the new
Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and he will take over
from S. Somanath on January 14. “The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet
has approved appointment of V. Narayanan, Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems
Centre, Valiamala, as Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, Space
Commission for a period of two years with effect from 14.01.2025, or until
further orders, whichever is earlier,” stated an order from the Ministry of Personnel and Training. Dr. Narayanan, who is a
rocket and spacecraft propulsion expert, joined the ISRO in 1984 and functioned in various capacities before becoming
Director of the LPSC. During the initial phase of his career he worked in the solid propulsion area of sounding rockets
and Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV) and Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). He has also contributed
signicantly for the ISRO’s geosynchronous launch vehicles namely GSLV Mk-II & GSLV Mk-III. “As the Chairman of the
National Expert Committee constituted to study the reasons for hardlanding of Chandrayaan-2 landership, contributed
in pinpointing the reasons and corrective actions required to overcome the observations.
Research and development has no relevance if it does not meet
timelines: IAF chief
Research and development loses relevance if it does not meet timelines, Indian Air Force
(IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said on Tuesday, pointing out that the indigenous
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was conceived in 1984 but today in 2025, the first 40 aircraft
were still not available. His comments come amid the crisis the IAF is facing, in terms of
depleting strength in fighter jets and long delays in development and delivery of indigenous
fighter aircraft. “R&D loses its relevance in case it is not able to meet timelines. Technology
delayed is technology denied. There has to be an increased aptitude for acceptance of risks
involved and failures in R&D. There is an amount of risk inherent to R&D and we should cater
to absorb it [to] a certain degree,” Air Chief Marshal Singh said while speaking at the 21st
Subroto Mukerjee seminar organised by the Centre for Air Power Studies. “The world today is in a precarious position
dominated by conflicts and contests. We have our own security concerns on the western and northern borders with
increased militarisation by China and Pakistan. China is investing heavily in its air force — the recent unveiling of its new
stealth aircraft is a case in point,” he said. Referring to the LCA programme that has seen development and
manufacturing delays, he said: “Actually, we should go back to 1984 when we first conceived that aircraft. First aircraft
flew in 2001 – 17 years. Then the induction started another 15 years later, in 2016. Today, we are in 2025, I do not have
the first 40 aircraft also. We need to have competition, we need to have multiple sources available so that people are
wary of losing orders... Otherwise, things will not change.”
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SSB PATRIKA
Wednesday Students
8 Jan 2025 Version
India’s First Newspaper Specifically Made For Defence Aspirants
Current Affairs SSB Group Discussions Lecturette topics Vocabulary TAT + PPDT Stories
EDITOR OF THE DAY
The imperilled life of the district journalist in India
T he brutal murder of an independent young journalist, Mukesh Chandrakar, in Chhattisgarh, has once again highlighted the
threats to life and the precarious nature of journalism at the district and mofussil levels. Journalists at the grass-root level in
many parts of the country face similar challenges. Police and other reports suggest that Mukesh was murdered by a local
contractor who was enraged by the journalist’s reports questioning the quality of a road built by the contractor. This case
brings to mind the killing, in 1988, of another young journalist, Umesh Dobhal, from Uttarakhand’s Garhwal town, who was
allegedly murdered by the powerful and politically connected liquor mafia that was angered by his exposés.
Limitations of the law Mukesh’s murder has also exposed the irony that Chhattisgarh is probably the first and only State to
have enacted a law, namely The Chhattisgarh Protection of Media Persons Act, 2023, to prevent violence and ensure the
safety and the security of journalists while carrying out their duties. This case shows that laws alone are not enough to save
independent and courageous journalists such as Mukesh, who was actively reporting from Bastar, Chhattisgarh, and
exposing wrongdoing and corruption in developmental work in the region. There is no doubt that district-level or mofussil
journalists such as Mukesh and Umesh play a crucial role in bringing “unseen and unheard” stories from the hinterland. They
are truly the “voice of the voiceless” as they belong to local communities, understand their pain, grievances, and struggles,
and are deeply moved by stories of suffering and deprivation. Most of these journalists are not formally trained in journalism
schools. Yet, they pursue their journalism out of a passion and a commitment to raising local issues and exposing corruption
and wrongdoing in developmental work. Despite their dedication, the nature of their job and working conditions for most
mofussil journalists are precarious. Many journalists work as stringers or retainers, with no job security, minimal and
undignified salaries, and extremely hostile working conditions. But they often provide vital leads and act as local guides and
facilitators for journalists from the metro cities and big media houses who occasionally visit these places to cover stories.
However, they rarely receive bylines, recognition, or respect for their contributions. Like their stories, they too are mostly
“unseen and unheard”.
The lifeline However, one cannot imagine flourishing regional language journalism without these stringers and retainers
who feed the regional, district, and local pages and bulletins with their stories. In contrast, most stories in mainstream
language newspapers and news channels revolve around routine crime reports, press releases, press conferences, or sound
bites issued by local administrations and politicians. Occasionally, some manage to cover civic issues and local community
problems. Unfortunately, the space for such stories in mainstream language news media is shrinking due to various factors,
including pressure from local advertisers and increasing dependence on and alignment with State governments. It is well
known that a significant portion of advertising revenue for these outlets comes from the same powerful and vested
interests and their nexus, which have been thriving on the misappropriation of developmental funds. This situation has led
many young journalists such as Mukesh to pursue independent journalism, leveraging the opportunities provided by
technology and platforms such as YouTube, social media, and a few independent digital news sites.
The end note But the role of independent journalists such as Mukesh Chandrakar at the district level is crucial — they are
the watchdogs for developmental projects and social welfare schemes. As routine and limited reporting by mainstream
news media at the district level often avoids covering these issues in a critical way, it is journalists such as Mukesh who take
huge risks to expose the powerful nexus operating at the grassroot level. Their independent, investigative, and critical
reporting challenges this nexus, ensuring transparency and accountability in development projects and welfare schemes,
and empowering local communities. The presence of independent and critical journalists such as Mukesh must be
encouraged and protected, particularly at the local levels where accountability mechanisms are often weaker. Journalists
play a crucial role in uncovering the abuse of power, but their work frequently attracts the ire of powerful vested interests,
resulting in threats, attacks, and even murder. The impunity enjoyed by such attackers not only endangers the lives of
journalists but also fosters a culture of fear and self-censorship, undermining investigative reporting. This erosion of press
freedom jeopardises the public’s right to know, weakening democratic institutions and leaving citizens vulnerable to
unchecked corruption and injustice. It is high time that we ensure that Mukesh Chandrakar’s sacrifice does not go in vain.
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SSB PATRIKA
Wednesday Students
8 Jan 2025 Version
India’s First Newspaper Specifically Made For Defence Aspirants
Current Affairs SSB Group Discussions Lecturette topics Vocabulary TAT + PPDT Stories
Trending Vocabulary
Reprobate (बदमाश)
Synonyms: Rogue, Scoundrel
Antonyms: Upright, Virtuous
Explanation: Reprobate refers to an unprincipled person.
Ardent (उत्साही)
Synonyms: Passionate, Enthusiastic
Antonyms: Apathetic, Dull
Explanation: Ardent means characterized by strong enthusiasm.
Abominate (घृणा करना)
Synonyms: Abhor, Despise
Antonyms: Admire, Approve
Explanation: Abominate means to hate something very much.
Scalding (धधकते हुए)
Synonyms: Blazing, Blistering
Antonyms: Cold, Cool
Explanation: Scalding describes a liquid that is extremely hot.
Breviary (संक्षिप्त विवरण)
Synonyms: Summary, Conspectus, Encapsulation, Outline
Antonyms: Enlargement, Expansion
Explanation: Breviary means a short statement of the main points.
Stodgy (उदासीन)
Synonyms: Uninteresting, Dreary
Antonyms: Exciting, Creative
Explanation: Stodgy means dull and uninspired, lacking originality or excitement.
Pummel (कू टना)
Synonyms: Bash, Batter
Antonyms: Compliment, Fail
Explanation: Pummel means to defeat someone easily, especially in a sport.
Dilatory (धीमा)
Synonyms: Sluggish, Slothful
Antonyms: Fast, Prompt
Explanation: Dilatory means slow to act.
Conflate (मिलाना)
Synonyms: Amalgamate, Converge
Antonyms: Divide, Separate
Explanation: Conflate means to combine two or more sets of information, texts, or ideas into one.
Revulsion (घृणा)
Synonyms: Aversion, Disgust
Antonyms: Fondness, Liking
Explanation: Revulsion means a strong dislike that causes stomach upset or queasiness.
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