Latest news with #MihirDesai
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
NASA's Parker Solar Probe spots powerful magnetic explosion aimed at the sun's surface
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. While making a death-defying dive through the sun's atmosphere, NASA's Parker Solar Probe has directly recorded a powerful plasma explosion heading toward our star's surface in unprecedented detail. Parker's new measurements found protons with about 1000 times greater energy than expected and a plasma jet shooting toward the sun, not away from it. Parker was uniquely positioned between the sun and the particles' source, allowing scientists to easily figure out where they came from. These findings indicate that the complexity and strength of tangles in the sun's magnetic field can accelerate charged particles to much greater speeds than expected from the field's strength alone. The sunward plasma jet was caused by "magnetic reconnection" in the sun's atmosphere — the explosive process in which magnetic fields fracture and reconnect. The powerful phenomenon transforms energy stored in the sun's magnetic field into energy that accelerates the solar wind — the constant stream of charged particles that the sun blasts across the solar system. Understanding magnetic reconnection is critical for making better predictions about space weather, which is driven by the solar wind and other energetic outbursts from our star. Space weather is a primary suspect for what stripped away Mars' atmosphere, turning it from a habitable planet into an icy desert wasteland. On Earth, space weather can trigger geomagnetic storms that cause blackouts, damage satellites, interfere with radio and GPS signals, and even put astronauts at risk. On the bright side, it also gives Earth its signature glorious auroras. The sun's magnetic field is extremely powerful, complex and dynamic. Space weather predictions require complicated computer simulations based on equations that describe how magnetic fields behave — but the sun is so large and convoluted that these equations will always be approximations. To improve the models' accuracy, scientists must collect extremely detailed measurements of the sun. This is where the Parker Solar Probe comes in. The Parker Solar Probe is the first mission to fly into the sun's upper atmosphere, called the corona. It has been directly measuring magnetic fields and particles in and around the corona in unprecedented detail, providing scientific insight into the heliosphere (the sun's atmosphere, which encompasses the entire solar system in a massive, elongated bubble). Related: NASA's daredevil solar spacecraft survives 2nd close flyby of our sun "These findings indicate that magnetic reconnection … is an important source of energetic particles in the near-Sun solar wind," lead study author Mihir Desai, director of the Southwest Research Institute's Department of Space Research, said in a statement. "Everywhere there are magnetic fields there will be magnetic reconnection. But the Sun's magnetic fields are much stronger near the star, so there's a lot more stored energy to be released." Understanding the workings of magnetic reconnection events could help scientists better predict harmful space weather, the researchers said. RELATED STORIES —New 8K-resolution photos of the sun show off incredible details of raging sunspots —Space photo of the week: Pink 'raindrops' on the sun captured in greatest detail ever —Powerful Mother's Day geomagnetic storm created radio-disrupting bubbles in Earth's upper atmosphere "Reports from the American Meteorological Society indicated that the powerful solar events in May 2024 wreaked havoc with farmers when extreme geomagnetic storms disrupted the precise GPS-guided navigation systems used to plant, fertilize and harvest rows of seeds, causing an estimated loss of up to $500 million in earning potential," Desai said. "Parker's access to this new data is critical, particularly as we remain in the midst of a very active solar cycle." The latest measurements of magnetic reconnection, reported in a paper published May 29 in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, are one of many new discoveries Parker has made. In 2023, over 700 peer-reviewed scientific papers were published using data collected in the probe's first four years of operation, and there are still many more discoveries to be made. The spacecraft completed its second ultra-close flyby of the sun on March 22, zooming within 3.8 million miles (6.1 million kilometers) of the sun's surface — matching its own record from December 2024.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
States without protection for inter-faith, inter-caste couples in contempt of SC: Mihir Desai
Prominent human rights lawyer Mihir Desai has said that all States which have failed to put in place mechanisms for the protection of inter-faith and inter-caste couples are in contempt of the Supreme Court. He was referring to the apex court's 2018 Shaktivahini judgment, which directed all States to establish protective measures for such couples, including helplines, special cells, and safe houses. In an interview with The Hindu, Mr. Desai emphasised the urgent need for a national law to protect the rights of individuals entering interfaith and intercaste marriages. 'An overwhelming majority of the States do not have the mechanism to protect such couples. In fact, by not having these mechanisms, they are in complete violation of the Supreme Court orders. They are in contempt,' he said. Mr. Desai drew a parallel with the Vishakha guidelines on workplace sexual harassment, noting that codification into law could provide the much-needed legal framework. 'If a law is properly worded and drafted in the right spirit, it would be very welcome,' he added, while expressing doubt about the political will for such legislation. The lawyer was speaking in the context of a recent order issued by the Maharashtra government, which laid out detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the protection of inter-faith and inter-caste couples. The order followed sustained monitoring by the Bombay High Court in response to a petition filed by Mr. Desai on behalf of a Hindu man and a Muslim woman who were forced to flee to Delhi in 2022 following threats over their decision to marry. The couple approached the Bombay High Court in September 2023, seeking protection and safe housing. After nearly two years of court-monitored proceedings, the Maharashtra government submitted SOPs that satisfied the court, leading to the disposal of the petition. Mr. Desai expressed gratitude to the High Court, stating that the State's response would not have materialised without judicial intervention. 'On its own, the State government would not have acted - especially in a political environment where there is hostility towards inter-faith marriages, and a focus on so-called 'freedom of religion' laws that are effectively aimed at curbing conversions, rather than safeguarding individual autonomy,' he said. Systemic Patriarchy and Social Backlash Reflecting on the broader societal landscape, Mr. Desai said, 'Even today, inter-caste marriages are shunned. Just look at the matrimonial columns. There is fierce resistance to inter-faith marriages not just from families, but also from communal forces across all religions.' He noted that the threats and violence faced by such couples reflect deep-rooted patriarchal and regressive attitudes. 'The idea that an adult woman has the agency to choose her partner is still difficult for many to accept. That is how patriarchy operates in India,' he said. Need for Proactive State Intervention Mr. Desai also criticised the general reluctance of the State to proactively defend the individual's fundamental right to choose a life partner. 'The State needs to step in - even if it means confronting societal pressure - to uphold the rule of law and constitutional rights,' he said. The Shaktivahini judgment, delivered in the context of caste-based violence and khap panchayats in Haryana, recognised that inter-faith couples also face significant threats across the country. The guidelines issued by the Supreme Court in 2018 called for: (1) helplines to report threats and seek immediate assistance, (2) special cells for lodging complaints, and (3) safe houses for couples at risk of violence. This week, Maharashtra became one of the few States to formally implement all three components.
The Hindu
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Maharashtra govt issues SOP to protect inter-faith and inter-caste couples
In response to a petition in the Bombay High Court on the safety of married and unmarried inter-faith and inter-caste couples in Maharashtra and also the increasing cases of attacks on the couples, the Home department of the Maharashtra government has issued Government Resolution (GR) on May 13, 2025, notifying a nine-point standard operating procedure (SOP) for safe housing and protection of inter-faith and inter-caste couples. Senior advocate Mihir Desai, along with advocates Lara Jesani and Rishika Agarwal for the petitioners had pressed for implementation of Supreme Court's 2018 Shakti Vahini guidelines which provides safe house and protection to the couple, but these guidelines were not implemented in Maharashtra. On October 27, 2023, the Bombay High Court had directed the State Government to consider issuing a GR. On April 29, 2025, the Bombay High Court received a draft of the GR that said the State government would be dealing with safe house for inter-faith and inter-caste couples, both married and unmarried. 'We have gone through the said draft GR. Learned counsel for the Petitioner has also gone through the same. Since it covers almost every aspect, it is open for the State Government to issue GR in terms of the said draft GR within two weeks from today,' the court said. The GR says that a special district-level cell, led by the superintendent of police or commissioner as chairman of the cell in which district social welfare officer will be a member and district women and child development officer will be a member secretary. The cell shall take due cognizance of all types of complaints from the couples and shall take immediate action to protect them. The cell will be equipped to provide security and a safe house for couples in danger. The SOP encompasses a helpline, FIR registration procedures, free legal assistance, a district review committee, and mandated reporting to the government. The cell will ensure the couples are not minors before proceeding with investigations upon complaints. If they are adults and need a safe house, it should be provided to them at a low cost initially for a month and if the cell finds potential danger to the couple, the stay can extend to six months with a security guard and police protection upon request. The district collector of the region will coordinate the safe house arrangements, which may include government guest houses or rented private residences, funded by the social justice department. Self-declaration by couples mandatory Couples must submit a self-declaration of voluntary marriage and age verification. If the police finds that either of the couple is a minor, they should check whether he or she has voluntarily joined each other or whether a case of missing or kidnapping or adoption has been registered against the minor. If the minors are involved, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) will be notified for protection. Complaints can be made confidentially via helpline 112, with immediate police response guaranteed for threats to life. If the minor is above 16 but below 18 years, his or her views shall be taken into consideration. Additionally, quarterly reports will be submitted to the state government by the director-general of police. The State or the District Family Services Authority shall provide free legal aid to the couples and if required, the couples should also be provided with counselling and marriage registration services to the adult couples.
Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Indian Express
Badlapur sexual assault case: ‘Cops may be right about having killed someone in self-defence but there must be accountability'
The Bombay High Court on April 25 rapped the state government for failing to transfer probe papers related to the custodial death of the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and not registering an FIR, despite its orders. A 23-year-old janitor arrested for the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls in August 2024, was shot dead by a police team when being transported in a police vehicle for a probe on September 23, 2024. Senior Advocate Mihir Desai, who has dealt with custodial death cases, speaks to Sadaf Modak on the due procedure to be followed in such cases and whether these are complied properly. In light of the High Court rap to the state government in the Badlapur custodial death case, and previous cases where the police have not acted promptly in such cases, what do you think should the response be as per law? Story continues below this ad If the police claim that an accused was killed in an encounter, they are basically saying that they killed somebody in self-defence. Self-defence is a defence taken in a murder case. Therefore, whenever there is an encounter, an FIR must be lodged. An is not an indictment of the people named in it. Once an FIR is filed, a probe can be conducted and if there is no evidence, the police can say so in court or file a chargesheet charging those involved. Once an FIR is filed, the criminal procedure can be followed. The place of the incident should be treated like a crime scene. The weapons involved should immediately be surrendered, there should be finger prints taken, photography and videography done for further investigation by an independent authority. The policemen may be right about having killed someone in self-defence but there must be accountability because ultimately it has caused the death of a person. There have been cases in the past in Mumbai, where encounter deaths have turned out to be cold-blooded killings. There are National Human Rights Commission guidelines as well as provisions in the CrPC, now replaced with the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which lay down procedure in cases of custodial deaths. An inquiry by a judicial magistrate is mandatory. Are these complied with properly? The compliance in such cases is pathetic. A magisterial inquiry is a must. In custodial deaths, the authorities say that the death was caused as the person was already beaten up by the public before his arrest, or that he died while escaping, or that he died by suicide or was unwell. Hence, a magisterial inquiry is necessary as an independent body, who can investigate all these aspects and arrive at a conclusion on the cause for death. It is mandatory for the police to ensure CCTV cameras are installed in all rooms of the police station where the accused will be kept or interrogation will be done for transparency. In cases of custodial deaths at the police station, police often claim that the CCTV cameras are not working. In such cases too, action should be taken against the senior police inspector, as it is their responsibility to ensure that the CCTV cameras are in working condition. If an FIR is filed belatedly in custodial death cases, usually after orders of the High Court or Supreme Court, the police claim that the CCTV footage has been wiped out or not saved. This too will be avoided if the FIR is filed immediately. The magisterial inquiry reports too need to be made accessible by uploading them on a website otherwise they end up being administrative inquiries without any transparency on how they were done and how the conclusion was reached that the death was natural or a suicide or does not involve the police. Unless a family member of the person who has died as certain objection due to any reason, they reports can be made public for transparency. The state government recently announced a policy to grant compensation in cases of custodia deaths. How do you see that decision? I will not say that compensation should not be there. But, it should not allow authorities to wash off their hands or not be held accountable, only on the basis of compensation being paid. The procedures in terms of inquiry into the death and action against erring officers should be priority too.
