• Festival Origin: Kharchi Puja is a centuries-old festival celebrated in Tripura, initially a tribal Hindu festival but now observed by all communities and religions.
• Central Deity: The festival is centered around the worship of Chaturdasa Devata, the ancestral deities of the Tripuri people.

Date and Significance

• Date: Kharchi Puja is observed annually on Shukla Ashtami, the eighth day of the lunar month of Ashadha (June-July).
• Significance: The festival is dedicated to the 14 deities, and it signifies the cleaning of the Earth and washing away sins, following the menstruation period of the Mother Goddess, Tripura Sundari.

Deities Worshipped

• Chaturdasa Devata: The 14 deities honored during Kharchi Puja are:
• Shiva
• Durga
• Vishnu
• Laxmi
• Saraswati
• Kartik
• Ganesha
• Brahma
• Abadhi (God of Water)
• Chandra
• Ganga
• Agni
• Kamdev
• Himadri (Himalaya)

Etymology

• Kharchi: Derived from two Tripuri words:
• Khar or Kharta: Meaning sin
• Chi or Si: Meaning cleaning
• Meaning: Thus, Kharchi translates to "cleaning of sins."

Rituals of the Festival

• Construction of Chaturdasha Mandapa:
• Significance: Symbolizes the royal palace of the Tripuri kings.
• Construction: Made by traditional artisans from bamboo and thatched roofs.
• Main Puja Ritual:
• Process: Idols of the 14 deities are transported from the ancient Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala to the holy Saidra River.
• Ceremony: The idols are dipped in the river’s holy waters and then carried back to the temple.

Cultural Context

• Belief: It is believed that during the Ambubachi festival in June, the Earth becomes impure due to the menstruation of the Mother Goddess, Tripura Sundari.
• Purpose: Kharchi Puja is conducted to ritualistically cleanse the Earth and remove the impurities accumulated during this period.

Celebration and Community Impact

• Inclusivity: Although it originated as a tribal Hindu festival, Kharchi Puja has transcended community boundaries and is now celebrated by people from various backgrounds in Tripura.
• Cultural Heritage: The festival reflects the rich cultural and religious traditions of Tripura, combining ancient rites with community engagement and celebration.

Conclusion

Kharchi Puja represents a vibrant blend of tradition and spirituality, highlighting the communal and ritualistic aspects of Tripuri culture. Its observance ensures the continuation of age-old customs while fostering a sense of unity and cultural pride among the people of Tripura.

• Union Home Minister’s Directive: Amit Shah called for stringent actions against drug smuggling syndicates during the 7th apex level meeting of NCORD.
• New Initiatives:
• Toll-Free Helpline: MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) with the number 1933 was launched to provide 24/7 assistance and information related to drug issues.
• Digital Tools: A new web portal and mobile app were introduced to facilitate constant connectivity with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

• Establishment: The NCB is India’s apex drug law enforcement and intelligence agency, created in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1985.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.

Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD)

• Formation: Established in 2016 to improve coordination among states and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Strengthening: Enhanced with a four-tier system in 2019.
• Aim: To improve coordination among central and state agencies combating drug trafficking and abuse.
• Structure:
• Apex Level Committee: Headed by Union Home Secretary.
• Executive Level Committee: Led by Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs.
• State Level Committees: Chaired by Chief Secretaries.
• District Level Committees: Directed by District Magistrates.

India’s Regulatory Framework Against Drug Menace

• Constitutional Basis:
• Article 47: Directs the State to prohibit intoxicating drugs injurious to health, except for medicinal purposes.
• International Conventions:
• Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961 (amended by 1972 Protocol)
• Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971
• United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 1988
• Existing Laws:
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
• Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988
• Institutions Involved:
• NCB: Apex agency for drug law enforcement.
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW): Manages drug demand reduction policies and de-addiction programs.
• Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE): Also involved in drug de-addiction.
• Permanent Inter-Ministerial Committee: Formed with MoHFW and Ministry of Chemicals to prevent misuse of dual-use drugs.
• Technological Interventions:
• NCORD Portal: Facilitates effective information exchange among various agencies.
• MANAS Helpline: Provides 24/7 support for drug-related queries.

Other Government Measures:

• Three-Point Strategy for a Drug-Free India by 2047:
• Institutional Strengthening
• Enhanced Coordination Among Narco Agencies
• Public Awareness Campaigns
• Specific Steps Taken:
• Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF): Established in each state/UT.
• Drug Disposal Drive: Prioritized for effective drug management.
• NIDAAN Portal: Launched for tracking narco offenders.
• Canine Squads: Created for drug detection.
• Forensic Capabilities: Strengthened to support drug law enforcement.
• Special NDPS Courts: Established along with Fast Track Courts for expeditious handling of cases.
• Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA): Public awareness campaign against drug abuse.

These measures and initiatives aim to enhance India’s ability to combat drug trafficking, improve coordination among various agencies, and promote a drug-free society through comprehensive policy and enforcement strategies.

T Coronae Borealis (T CrB):

• Location: T CrB is situated approximately 3,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Corona Borealis (the Northern Crown).
• Binary System: It consists of two stars:
• White Dwarf: A dense remnant of a star that has exhausted its nuclear fuel and collapsed.
• Red Giant: An ancient star that is in the later stages of its stellar evolution and is being stripped of its hydrogen by the white dwarf due to its strong gravitational pull.

Nova Explosion:

• Definition: A nova is a sudden, dramatic increase in the brightness of a star, particularly in binary star systems, caused by a thermonuclear reaction on the surface of a white dwarf.
• Mechanism:
• Accretion: The red giant in the T CrB system transfers hydrogen-rich material onto the white dwarf through an accretion disk.
• Thermonuclear Runaway: The accumulated hydrogen layer on the white dwarf reaches a critical temperature and pressure, leading to a runaway nuclear fusion reaction. This reaction converts hydrogen into helium, releasing a significant amount of energy.
• Explosion and Brightening: The energy from the fusion reaction causes the ejected hydrogen layer to explode outward. This explosion can make the star appear thousands to millions of times brighter than its normal state.

Key Characteristics of Nova Explosions:

• Brightness Increase: The star's brightness can increase dramatically, making it appear as a "new star" in the sky. This is a temporary phenomenon, and the star eventually returns to its normal state.
• No Star Destruction: Unlike a supernova, which involves the catastrophic destruction of a massive star, a nova does not destroy the white dwarf. Instead, it sheds some of the material accumulated on its surface.
• Periodic Events: Novae can recur in binary systems where the white dwarf continues to accrete material from its companion star.

Historical Context and Current Observations:

• T CrB's Last Nova: The last recorded nova explosion of T CrB was observed in 1946. Such events are significant for astronomers as they provide insights into stellar evolution and the dynamics of binary star systems.
• Future Observations: If T CrB undergoes a nova explosion, it would be a notable event for astronomers, offering a chance to study the mechanisms of nova explosions in detail.