India's Evening Scroll: From Choking Air to Cosmic Wonders

As another day drew to a close across India, the air in Delhi, regrettably, was far from clear. The capital found itself grappling with an increasingly severe air pollution crisis, prompting the Delhi government to take some truly drastic, albeit necessary, steps. Imagine, half of all government staff are now being asked to work from home, and non-essential construction activities? They’re completely halted. It’s a grim picture, with the air quality index stubbornly hovering in the 'Severe+' category, making every breath a palpable concern for residents.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself convened a high-level meeting to address this choking situation. We've seen primary schools closed, and now there’s a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles. These aren't just minor adjustments; they're critical measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV, all in a desperate bid to clear the smog that’s literally hanging over the city. It really makes you think about the environmental challenges we face, doesn't it?

Shifting gears entirely, the day also brought significant legal news from the Supreme Court. In a landmark decision, the apex court upheld the 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in both admissions and government jobs. This isn't just any ruling; it’s a confirmation that this quota does not, in fact, violate the basic structure of our Constitution. The verdict, delivered with a 3-2 split among the judges, certainly highlights the complex legal and social nuances involved, yet it firmly establishes a path forward for affirmative action based on economic criteria.

Meanwhile, in Gujarat, a crucial development unfolded in the ongoing investigation into the tragic Morbi bridge collapse. Remember that horrific incident? Well, the Managing Director of Oreva Group, Jaysukh Patel, who had been reportedly absconding, was finally arrested. This particular step brings a glimmer of hope for justice for the families of the more than 130 people who lost their lives in that devastating accident. It’s a stark reminder of the accountability that must follow such tragedies.

And for a touch of wonder before we sign off, our very own ISRO provided another delightful update from space. They released a fresh set of images of the Moon's surface, beautifully captured by our Chandrayaan-3 lander. It's a lovely little reminder of the incredible success of its soft landing back on August 23rd, and just how much more we're still learning about our celestial neighbor. A wonderful way to round out a day packed with diverse news, don't you think?