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GS Paper I- Art and Culture
1. Pran Pratishtha in Sanctum Sanctorum ( Ayodhya Temple Architecture)
GS Paper II- Important International Institutions.
2. Davos WEF meeting 2024
GS Paper II- Internal Security, Paramilitary Forces
3. BSF jurisdiction
GS Paper III: Conservation-related Issues
4. Female rhino killed in Kaziranga
Prelims Booster:-
5. Pradhanmantri Suryoday Yojana
6. Kumki elephants
7. Social Audit Advisory Body (SAAB)
8. Exercise CYCLONE
9. Exercise KHANJAR
GS Paper I- Art and Culture
Context:
The pran pratishtha, or consecration, of the idol of Lord Ram at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya was performed inside the sanctum sanctorum during the Abhijeet muhurta (a highly auspicious period in Vedic astrology).
- Ram Temple symbolizes the peace, patience, harmony, and maturity of Indian society.
- The temple is being built in the Nagara style of temple architecture.
Details of Ram Mandir -:
The Ram Mandir is a Hindu temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
It is located at the site of Ram Janmabhoomi, the birthplace of Lord Rama.
No iron or steel has been used in the construction of the grand structure. Stones have been sourced from Rajasthan's Bansi Paharpur area.
The temple complex, built in the traditional Nagara style, will be 380 feet long from the east to the west, 250 feet wide, and 161 feet high.
Each floor of the temple will be 20 feet high and have a total of 392 pillars and 44 gates.
Around the grand temple is a rectangular periphery called percota, a feature found in temples in south India, but not generally in north India.
The percota will be 14 feet wide and the periphery span 732 metres. The temple will be nestled within the percota periphery.
Images of Lord Hanuman, other deities, peacocks, and flower patterns have been carved onto the stones, lending the structure a divine look.
Ornate statues of elephants, lions, Lord Hanuman, and Garuda were installed at the main entrance.
Nagara style of temple architecture:
The Nagara style of temple architecture emerged in northern India and is characterized by an entire temple built on a raised stone platform with steps leading up to it.
Unlike other styles, Nagara temples generally do not feature elaborate boundary walls or gateways.
Instead, the garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) is always located directly beneath the tallest tower.
There are many variations of Nagara temples, depending on the shape of the shikhara (tower).
One distinctive feature of this style is the Amalaka or Kalash, which sits atop the shikhara.
The Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Madhya Pradesh is a classic example of Nagara temple architecture.
Other notable examples include the Sun Temple in Konark, the Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarat, and the Ossian Temple, also located in Gujarat.
Sub-schools of Nagara style of temple architecture:
GS Paper II- Important International Institutions.
Context:
This year’s edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting was held from January 15 to January 19.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) was a significant topic at the WEF meet, with discussions on its benefits for human welfare, need for regulation, risks of job losses, impersonation, misinformation, and potential for worsening inequalities.
Despite concerns, the general sentiment was that the positives outweigh the negatives, and AI does not pose a significant threat to human intelligence.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed that humans will continue to have better tools and remain focused on each other.
Business leaders at the World Economic Forum expressed concerns about geopolitical risks, Middle East and European wars, threats to supply chains, and food security.
However, there were no plans or roadmaps offered to address the Israel-Gaza violence.
The head of the Palestine Investment Fund estimated that $15 billion would be needed to rebuild houses in Gaza, but Arab states are unwilling to fund reconstruction without lasting peace.
Climate change was discussed as an urgent and existential crisis that requires businesses to adopt sustainable practices and countries to unite despite their differences.
Leaders urged a sense of urgency, and the importance of developed countries assisting in financing climate action in developing countries to reduce inequality.
China's GDP growth in 2023 is 5.2%, still below pre-pandemic levels, and it faces challenges in attracting investment from the West.
American attempts to isolate China are ongoing, and the semiconductor trade standoff is a recent example.
China's structural economic challenges are significant, but even 3-4% growth is meaningful for many companies attending the World Economic Forum, according to Ian Bremmer, president and founder of Eurasia Group.
India's potential as one of the fastest-growing large economies in the world was a major topic at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2021.
The discussion also included how investing in women's health could boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040.
It is resulting in the launch of a Global Good Alliance for Gender Equity and Equality supported by the WEF and the Indian government.
World Economic Forum:-
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a renowned international organization for public-private cooperation that brings together political, business, cultural, and other societal leaders to shape global, regional, and industrial agendas.
Foundation:-
The organization, which was founded by Klaus Schwab in 1971, was initially called the European Management Forum.
Schwab, a German professor with a background in mechanical engineering and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard, introduced the concept of "stakeholder capitalism."
Stakeholder capitalism is a form of capitalism in which companies seek long-term value creation by considering the needs of all their stakeholders and society at large, rather than solely focusing on short-term profits for shareholders.
The WEF is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and continues to advance discussions and initiatives that promote responsible and sustainable economic growth.
Major Reports:
The World Economic Forum (WEF) is renowned for its regular publications of widely recognized reports, including the Global Competitiveness Report, the Global Gender Gap Report, the Energy Transition Index, the Global Risk Report, and the Global Travel and Tourism Report.
Related Search:
Global Gender Gap Report
Energy Transition Index
Global Competitiveness Report
Prelims Specific:
Major key takeaways of Davos WEF meeting
About World Economic Forum
Its Foundation
Major Reports of WEF
GS Paper II- Internal Security, Paramilitary Forces.
Context:
The Supreme Court decided to examine if all border States have to be treated alike while demarcating the area of jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF).
GS Paper III: Conservation-related Issues
Context:
Poachers struck at the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve after almost a year to kill an adult female rhino, and her horn was sawn off.
Related Search:
World Rhino Day
Rhino reintroduction
Manas National Park
Prelims Specific:
About Greater One-Horned Rhino
Why Rhino reintroduction/ Reasons for translocation
Issues/ Challenges
Habitat
Protection Status
Context:
Hours after the consecration of the Ram idol in Ayodhya, the Prime Minister announced the launch of ‘Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana’.
About Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana:
The Pradhan Mantri Suryodaya Yojana is a centrally sponsored scheme.
It strives to install rooftop solar panels on over 1 crore houses, providing people with a clean energy source.
Additionally, one of its primary objectives is to increase self-reliance in the energy sector.
This initiative targets poor and middle-class individuals, aiming to include them in the rooftop solar program.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be permanent residents of India.
The applicant's annual income must not exceed Rs 1 or 1.5 lakh.
All required documents must be submitted or uploaded correctly.
The applicant should not have any affiliation with government service.
Present solar capacity of India:
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy's website reveals that India's solar energy capacity could reach 73.31 GW by December 2023, with rooftop solar capacity expected to hit 11.08 GW.
The World Energy Outlook projects that India will experience the most significant increase in energy demand over the next 30 years, surpassing all other countries or regions worldwide.
Implementing these programs can help meet India's growing energy requirements.
Context:
The Odisha government has sought assistance from Tamil Nadu for making Kumki elephants and mahouts available in the wake of worsening human-elephant conflict in the eastern State.
Odisha's human-elephant conflicts:
925 people died and 212 were disabled in human-elephant conflicts in the state in the past 10 years, from 2012-13 to 2021-22.
As many as 784 elephants also died in the state during that period.
In Odisha, there have been 230 encounters between humans and elephants in the financial year 2023-24.
About Kumki Elephants:
Kumkis are trained captive elephants used in operations to trap, rescue and tranquilise wild elephants.
They can be deployed strategically to help manage and drive wild elephants, thereby reducing damage to crops, human habitation and the potential loss of both human and elephant lives.
These elephants can also be deployed for forest patrolling and rescue operations.
T.N. model:
Tamil Nadu has a successful and commendable programme in place, whereby kumki elephants are trained and utilised for wildlife conservation purposes.
These elephants will serve as an invaluable asset to TN State’s wildlife organisation, aiding efforts to minimise conflicts and safeguard both human and wildlife interests.
Context:
The 1st meeting of the Social Audit Advisory Body (SAAB) was held recently, at the conference hall, Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi.
Details:
The Meeting was chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment.
This advisory body, a first of its kind, has been established to guide the Ministry in institutionalizing social audits for its various schemes.
Members of the SAAB provided valuable inputs to strengthen the social audit process and align it more closely with the principles of social justice.
It was decided in September 2020 that a Social Audit Advisory Body (SAAB) would be set up in NISD ( National Institute of Social Defence).
What is Social Audit:
A social audit is a process in which an organization evaluates its performance, impact, and adherence to social and ethical standards.
It involves assessing the organization's social, environmental, and community-related practices to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has taken a pioneering step by establishing the National Resource Cell for Social Audit (NRCSA) to ensure social audits through dedicated Social Audit Units at the state level.
The NRCSA team presented the approach of social audit processes developed and implemented by the department and their significant impact on the schemes' effective implementation.
Benefits of Social Audit:
Context:-
The Indian Army contingent reached Egypt to take part in the 2nd edition of India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise CYCLONE.
About Exercise CYCLONE:-
The Exercise will be conducted at Anshas, Egypt from 22nd January to 1st February 2024.
The first edition of the exercise was conducted last year in India.
The Exercise aims to acquaint both sides with each other’s operating procedures in the backdrop of Special Operations in desert/semi-desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Exercise CYCLONE is designed to develop bilateral military cooperation and strengthen the bond between two armies through the conduct of discussions and rehearsal of tactical military drills.
The Exercise will involve the planning and execution of special operations in the sub-conventional domain and conducted in three phases.
While the first phase will include Military Exhibitions and Tactical Interactions, the second phase will focus on training on Improvised Explosive Device (IED), counter IED and Combat First Aid.
The third and final phase will encompass a Joint Tactical Exercise based on Fighting in Built-up Areas and Hostage Rescue Scenarios.
The Exercise will provide an opportunity for both the contingents to strengthen their bond and share best practices.
It will also act as a platform to achieve shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations between two friendly nations.
Context:
The 11th edition of India-Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise KHANJAR has commenced at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
It is an annual event conducted alternatively in both countries.
The exercise aims to exchange experiences and best practices in Counter Terrorism and Special Forces Operations in Built-up Areas and Mountainous Terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
The exercise will emphasise developing Special Forces skills and advanced techniques of insertion and extraction.
The exercise will provide an opportunity for both sides to fortify defence ties while addressing common concerns of international terrorism and extremism.
The exercise will also accord an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of cutting-edge indigenous defence equipment besides achieving shared security objectives and fostering bilateral relations.