Q4(c). Why were the following persons, places etc. in news recently ? Mahinda Rajapakse; M.S. Swaminathan; Jayant Vishnu Narlikar; Athens; Al Hoceima; Dinajpur; Varuna, 2004; Saras

Mahinda Rajapakse

Mahinda Rajapakse, former President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, remained in news recently owing to the island nation’s unprecedented economic and political crisis (2022–23).

Key reasons:

• His family, including President Gotabaya Rajapakse, was blamed for economic mismanagement, forex depletion, and debt crisis.
• Widespread nationwide protests forced his resignation as PM in 2022.
• International institutions, including IMF, highlighted policy failures under Rajapakse that contributed to bankruptcy.
• Investigations into corruption and calls for accountability kept him in headlines.

Thus, Rajapakse symbolised Sri Lanka’s governance failures and the crisis that shook South Asia.

M.S. Swaminathan

Professor Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, known as the “Father of India’s Green Revolution”, was in news due to:

• His passing in September 2023, prompting national tributes.
• Renewed debates on MSP reforms referencing his National Commission on Farmers Report (2006), which recommended MSP is equal to C2 + 50% as the ideal formula.
• Government announcements to honour his legacy through agricultural innovation programmes.

Swaminathan’s work transformed India from a food-deficit to food-surplus nation.

Jayant Vishnu Narlikar

Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, a distinguished Indian astrophysicist, was in news for:

• Being honoured with lifetime awards for contributions to cosmology.
• His pioneering work with Fred Hoyle on the Quasi-Steady State Cosmology, challenging the Big Bang theory, resurfaced in academic discussions.
• His popular science writings gained renewed attention as ISRO’s achievements rekindled interest in astrophysics.

He is a globally respected figure in theoretical astrophysics.

Athens

Athens, the capital of Greece, featured prominently in international news due to:

• Severe heatwaves and wildfires linked to global climate change in 2023–24.
• Economic restructuring as Greece exited bailout programmes and returned to financial stability.
• New archaeological findings and tourism recovery post-pandemic.
• Diplomatic developments involving Greece–Turkey tensions in the Aegean Sea.

Thus, Athens remained central to environmental, economic, and geopolitical news.

Al Hoceima

Al Hoceima, a coastal city in northern Morocco, was in the news due to:

• The Rif Movement (Hirak) protests demanding jobs, development and justice, beginning around 2016 and continuing through the decade.
• Police crackdowns and human rights concerns drawing international criticism.
• Its proximity to areas impacted during Morocco’s recent earthquakes, bringing relief efforts into focus.

Al Hoceima symbolises Morocco’s socio-economic and political challenges.

Dinajpur

Dinajpur, located partly in Bangladesh (Rangpur Division) and partly in West Bengal (India), appeared in news because:

• Seasonal flooding, erosion and riverbank breaches affecting agriculture and migration.
• Discovery of ancient artefacts and Buddhist remains during archaeological excavations.
• Border security concerns along India–Bangladesh frontier, including smuggling and illegal crossings.

It has both historical significance and contemporary relevance.

Varuna, 2004

Varuna is the annual bilateral India–France naval exercise. The “2004” iteration is significant because that year the exercise became a fully integrated, comprehensive naval drill, laying the foundation for a robust Indo-French maritime partnership.

Recent relevance:

• Upgraded editions in 2022, 2023 and 2024 featuring aircraft carriers, nuclear submarines, and maritime surveillance.
• Strengthened cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation.

Saras

SARAS is India’s first indigenous multirole light transport aircraft, developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). It was in news because:

• Successful test flights of Saras Mk-II in 2023–24.
• Plans for induction into IAF, paramilitary forces, and regional civilian aviation under UDAN.
• It represents India’s growing self-reliance in aerospace, aligned with Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Saras marks a major milestone in Indian aeronautics.