Good News

---

India Is Getting a New Research Station Called ‘Maitri 2’ in Antarctica

India is all set to enter a new phase of polar exploration with the advent of 'Maitri 2,' a cutting-edge research station slated to replace the aging facility of Maitri in East Antarctica. This strategic initiative aims to elevate India's scientific presence in the Antarctic realm. The upcoming station, strategically positioned near the existing Maitri research base, is poised to redefine the country's scientific footprint in the "white continent." Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju disclosed in a statement to Rajya Sabha that the Indian government has pinpointed the station's location and is currently conducting preliminary topographical surveys for the approach road. Recognizing the need for a modernized research facility, the Ministry of Earth Sciences emphasized the urgency for constructing the new station as the current station is nearly three decades old. As per the government's proposed timeline, the construction is scheduled for completion by January 2029. The move to introduce 'Maitri 2' echoes longstanding concerns regarding the aging infrastructure. Former discussions in 2017 among authorities had highlighted the necessity to replace Maitri within the subsequent years. India's engagement with Antarctica commenced in 1981, culminating in the establishment of the first permanent research station, "Dakshin Gangotri," in 1983. Over time, operational stations like "Maitri" and "Bharati" have been pivotal in facilitating scientific expeditions and contributing significantly to India's Antarctic legacy. With 'Maitri 2' poised to advance India's exploration in Antarctica, the country's scientific community anticipates a new chapter in their quest for unravelling the mysteries of the icy continent.

28 Dec 2023

Good News

Star Citizens

---

Breaking Barriers and Bridging Continents: The Inspiring Story of Divya Nawale, the Climate Warrior

Meet Divya Nawale, a climate activist and eco-advocate from Hyderabad who has accomplished what many only dream of – visiting all seven continents on Earth, including Antarctica, not once but twice! Her aim was to educate people on the pressing issue of climate change and motivate them to take meaningful action to preserve our planet. In an interview with TNIE, Divya shared that her first trip to Antarctica was with the 2041 ClimateForce team when she was just 23 years old. The purpose of the trip was to educate young people about greenhouse emissions and the melting of Antarctic ice. Divya was so moved by the beauty and fragility of the polar regions that she decided to pursue a career in climate change. Today, she works with the UN Climate Change Secretariat to curb global warming and has carried out climate change projects in various parts of the world. Divya had added difficulties because she was a young woman and people doubted her intelligence. She continued to educate herself on global politics and had a good outlook, though. In addition to her work with the UN, she also interacts with local groups like the Nirmaan Organisation in Hyderabad on environmental initiatives. The biggest hurdle is that people are pessimistic and believe that the damage has been done and cannot be reversed. As an optimist, Divya believes that innovative ideas, mindful consumption, changing lifestyle habits, and even something as simple as carrying a cloth bag can make a significant impact. She looks forward to engaging young minds to create more eco-champions and formulating better and stronger government policies worldwide to avoid climate crises and global warming. Divya Nawale's story is an inspiration for all of us to take action and do our bit to preserve our planet. She has shown that anyone, regardless of age or gender, can make a difference by having a positive attitude, educating oneself, and taking action.

19 Apr 2023

Star Citizens

Positive Reads

---

Why Penguins Can't Fly

Penguins are flightless birds that are native to the Southern Hemisphere. Despite their inability to fly, they are excellent swimmers and divers, able to swim underwater at speeds of up to 15 miles per hour. But why can’t penguins fly?   One reason is their physical structure. Penguins have a heavy, dense body and short wings that are adapted for swimming, not flying. Their wings have become flippers that are used to propel them through water, not to lift them into the air. The bones in their wings are thick and strong, which makes them more efficient for swimming, but also makes them too heavy for flying.   Another reason is their habitat. Penguins live in areas where there is no need for them to fly, such as the cold waters of the Southern Ocean, where they hunt for fish, squid, and krill. In these environments, swimming and diving are more important for survival than flying. Flying would also expose them to the cold air and increase their energy expenditure, making it less efficient for them to fly than to swim.   Additionally, penguins have evolved to conserve energy, which is especially important in their cold environments. Flying requires a lot of energy and would increase their need for food, making it harder for them to survive. By not flying, they can conserve energy and use it for other important activities, such as swimming and mating.   While penguins may be cute and curious birds, their inability to fly is a result of their physical structure, habitat, and energy conservation strategies. They are perfectly adapted to their environments, and their unique adaptations make them successful in their roles as underwater hunters and divers.  

30 Jan 2023

Positive Reads

Global News

---

Scientists Have Made a Startling Discovery in Antarctica

Scientists have made the astonishing discovery of a major river in Antarctica that was concealed by thick sheets of ice. A team of glaciologists researching how climate change is affecting glaciers came upon the river during a recent airborne radar survey. According to experts, the river extends 460 kilometers beneath the ice, a longer distance than the river Thames, which flows across southern England and through London. The journal Nature Geoscience carries a published article on the study of the waterway and its offshoots. According to glaciologists, the river may have a significant impact on the flow and melting of the glacier ice above it. It is known to scientists that water flows beneath ice sheets. However, this new research demonstrates that rivers are being formed as a result of the melting of ice. As the glacier's base loses stability, it is claimed that these freshwater channels could hasten the ice-melting process. Scientists discovered the river by combining the data from water flow modeling and airborne radar surveys. They studied a sizable area, which included ice from the Antarctic's east and west sheets as well as water flowing into the Weddell Sea. The study's base region has enough ice to increase the sea level worldwide by 4.3 meters. How quickly and how much of this ice melts depends on how slippery the ice base is. According to Martin Siegert, a glaciologist at Imperial College London in the UK and a co-author of the paper, the recently discovered river system "may greatly affect this process."  

23 Nov 2022

Global News