Jatra Utsav
Syllabus: GS1/ History and Culture
Context
- Tripura is set to organise a Jatra Utsav with the aim of preserving its traditional art forms, culture, and heritage.
About
- Jatra or Jatrapala is a popular traditional Bengali folk theatre form, usually performed in open-air arenas, allowing interaction with the audience.
- The word ‘Jatra’ means “journey,” indicating its origins as a travelling theatrical performance.
- Region: Jatrapala is popular in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and Tripura, reflecting the region’s cultural and linguistic heritage.
- Features: It combines dramatic storytelling, music, dance, and social commentary.
- Performances are marked by elaborate costumes, dramatic gestures, loud dialogues, and often moral messaging.
- Theme: Mythological stories, historical tales and contemporary social issues.
Source: IE
Mahavir Jayanti
Syllabus: GS 1/History, Famous Personalities
In News
- Mahavir Jayanti is being celebrated with great devotion across India.
Mahavir Jayanti
- It commemorates the birth of Lord Mahavir (the 24th and last Jain Tirthankar)
- It is a significant occasion for followers of Jainism to remember and embrace the core principles taught by Lord Mahavir.
- The celebration involves prayers, meditation, and compassionate deeds, serving as a reminder to lead an ethical life and show kindness to all living beings.
- It is primarily observed by Jains in India, Nepal, the US, and the UK.
Vardhaman Mahavira
- He has been accepted as the founder of Jainism.
- He was the 24th and the last Thirthankara (teacher) of the Jains.
- He was born in 599 BC at Vaishali, the capital of the Vajji tribe.
- His father Siddhartha was the chief of a clan of Kshatriyas
- He left worldly life at the age of thirty and led a very hard life to gain true knowledge.
- After he attained Truth, he was called Mahavira.
- He strongly believed in the importance of celibacy or brahamcharya
Philosophy and Teachings
- He rejected the belief in God, rituals, and the caste system, advocating for equality among all people.
- He taught his followers four vows: non-violence, truthfulness, non-attachment, and non-stealing.
- He emphasized the path of Right Belief, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct as the way to reach Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth.
- His core principle was Ahimsa (non-violence), leading to practices like vegetarianism and extreme care to avoid harming even small life forms.
- Mahavira spent his life preaching in regions like Anga, Mithila, Magadha, and Kosala, and died in 527 BC at Pawapuri.
| Do you know? – The word Jaina is derived from a Sanskrit word jina, meaning the ‘conqueror’, i.e., conqueror of passion and desire. 1. The last tirthankara, Mahavir is called Jina as he conquered his passion after the attainment of the supreme realisation – Mahavira’s teachings were widely accepted due to his use of the common language, Ardha Magadhi. – Jainism later split into two sects: Digambaras (sky-clad) and Swetambaras (white-clad). – Kings like Bimbisara and Ajatsatru adopted Jainism, and Jain art, architecture, and literature flourished under their patronage. |
Source: AIR
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Anniversary
Syllabus: GS 1/History
In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to social reformer Mahatma Jyotirao Phule on his birth anniversary.
Jyotiba Phule
- He was a pioneering social reformer who challenged caste discrimination, promoted education, and worked for the upliftment of women and the oppressed in India.
- Early Life: He was born in a Mali (Gardner) family of Poona in 1827.
- The Malis belonged to’shudra Varna and were placed immediately below the peasant caste of Maratha-kunbis of Maharashtra.
- His resolve to fight casteism solidified after he was humiliated at a Brahmin wedding in 1848.
- He was inspired by social thinkers and missionaries like Cynthia Farrar and Thomas Paine.
- Key Contributions: In 1848, Phule and his wife Savitribai Phule started India’s first school for girls, later establishing 18 more.
- He also started night schools for workers and farmers.
- He founded in 1873, “Society of Truth-Seekers” which was an inclusive, anti-caste movement providing an alternative to upper-caste-led reforms like Brahmo Samaj and Arya Samaj.
Social Reforms
- He opposed upper-caste dominance in reform movements and clashed ideologically with figures like Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
- Yet, he displayed compassion, helping bail out Tilak during imprisonment.
- He saw the Sepoy Mutiny not as a fight for freedom but a threat of return to Peshwa-era Brahminical rule, which oppressed the Dalits.
- In Gulamgiri, he compared caste oppression in India to slavery in America, calling out Brahminical dominance as a system of “selfish superstition and bigotry.”
- He pushed for compulsory primary education and incentives like scholarships and prizes to attract poor families to send their children to school.
- In his writings like Sarvajanik Satya Dharma Pustak, he rejected sectarian religion and emphasized universal human equality, criticizing religious dogma and caste-based supremacy.
- In Shetkaryanche Asud, he urged the government to educate farmers, promote irrigation, improve soil fertility, and involve the military in building infrastructure.
- He argued against polygamy and pointedly questioned double standards in religion regarding gender roles and marriage.
Legacy
- Phule rejected the divine sanction of caste, questioned religious orthodoxy, and envisioned a just, rational, and egalitarian society.
- His fearless and compassionate activism laid the foundation for social justice movements in India and continues to inspire progressive thought today.
Source: PIB
Chittorgarh Fort
Syllabus: GS1/History
Context
- The Rajasthan government informed the Supreme Court that it is “actively considering” a complete ban on mining activities up to 10 kilometres from the outer boundary of the historic Chittorgarh Fort.
About
- Chittorgarh Fort was constructed in the 7th century AD by Chitrangada Mori, a ruler of the Maurya dynasty of Rajasthan.
- In 728 AD, it was captured by the rulers of Mewar, who made it their capital and turned it into a center of Rajput power and resistance.
- The fort gained prominence as a stronghold of Mewar’s pride and sovereignty.
- As per Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s epic poem Padmavat, Alauddin Khilji besieged the fort in his quest to obtain Queen Padmini, the wife of Rana Ratan Singh.
- It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013 under the Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
- The fort is accessed through seven massive gates (pols). It is surrounded by thick stone walls with strong ramparts for defense.
- Internal complex include Vijay Stambh (Tower of Victory) and Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame).
- Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower) – Built by Rana Kumbha to celebrate victory over Malwa; 9 stories tall, intricately carved.
- Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame) – Dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras; adorned with Jain sculptures.
Source: IE
Panama Canal
Syllabus: GS 1/Places in News
In News
- Panama confirmed that the United States recognizes its sovereignty over the Panama Canal, despite recent tough rhetoric from the US.
- The two nations also announced new agreements aimed at deepening U.S. military training in Panama.
Panama Canal
- It is an artificial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
- It is vital for global trade, with 6% of maritime world trade passing through it.
- It was opened in 1914 by the U.S., the canal symbolized American technological and economic power.
- The U.S. controlled the canal until December 31, 1999, when it was handed over to Panama under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
- The U.S. retains the right to defend its neutrality and ensure priority passage during military emergencies.
| Do you know? – The Panama Canal Treaty abolished the Panama Canal Zone and transferred control to Panama, while the Permanent Neutrality Treaty declared the canal neutral, allowing vessels from all nations to use it. |
Source: TH
Vitamin D Deficiency
Syllabus: GS2/ Health
In News
- A recent study has revealed that one in five Indians suffers from Vitamin D deficiency.
More about the News
- The study found that Vitamin D deficiency is particularly severe in the eastern region of the country.
- Urban populations due to their greatly indoor-centric lifestyles and limited exposure to sunlight, are more affected than their rural counterparts.
Vitamin D
- Also known as calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin vital for overall health.
- Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from the sun help the skin produce Vitamin D naturally and other dietary sources include eggs, meat or fish.
- Some dairy products, cereals, and plant-based milks are fortified with Vitamin D.
- It regulates calcium and phosphate metabolism in the body.
- Deficiency of Vitamin D could lead to Osteomalacia (softening of bones), Osteoporosis (loss of bone density) and Rickets in children.
Source: IE
Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP)
Syllabus: GS2/ Governance
Context
- The Maharashtra government has approved the allocation of 256 acres of salt pan land in Mulund, Kanjurmarg, and Bhandup for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP).
Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP)
- Dharavi, located in central Mumbai, is one of the largest informal settlements in Asia, spread over 240 square kilometres.
- The DRP aims to transform the slum into a planned urban settlement with proper housing, sanitation, and infrastructure.
- The redevelopment is being implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Significance
- Decent Housing & Basic Services: Contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by providing better housing, water supply, and sanitation infrastructure.
- Reducing Inequality: By offering housing to ineligible dwellers, the project supports SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), aiming to bridge social and spatial disparities.
- Sustainable Urbanization: The DRP directly contributes to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by turning informal settlements into resilient, inclusive, and well-planned neighborhoods.
Source: TH
Vizhinjam International Seaport
Syllabus :GS 3/Economy
In News
- MSC Türkiye, one of the world’s largest and most fuel-efficient container ships, docked at Vizhinjam International Seaport, marking a major milestone in India’s maritime history.
- This is the first time such a giant container ship has docked at any Indian or South Asian port.
Vizhinjam International Seaport
- It is an International Transhipment Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport and is an ambitious project taken up by the Government of Kerala.
- It is designed primarily to cater container transhipment besides multi-purpose and break bulk cargo.
- It is currently being developed in a landlord model with a Public Private Partnership component on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (“DBFOT”) basis.
- It is India’s first deepwater transshipment port, with a natural depth of over 18 meters, expandable to 20 meters.
Source :IE
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
Syllabus: GS3/Security
Context
- A Delhi court sent 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana to National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody, after his extradition from the U.S.
National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Established under: NIA Act, 2008 after 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
- Function: Central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency.
- Mandate: Investigates offences affecting India’s sovereignty, security, international treaties, etc.
- NIA (Amendment) Act, 2019:
- Jurisdiction extended: Can investigate scheduled offences committed outside India involving Indian citizens/interests.
- Expanded mandate: Covers offences under Explosive Substances Act, 1908 Human Trafficking, Cyber Terrorism Arms Act, 1959.
- Governing body: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Special Courts: Total NIA Special Courts: 51
- Exclusive NIA Courts: 2 (Ranchi & Jammu)
Source: TH
Sea Lions
Syllabus :GS 3/Species
In News
- An algal bloom off the coast of California has caused sea lions to become unusually aggressive towards humans.
Sea lions
- They are pinnipeds (“fin-footed” mammals).
- They are characterized by a coat of short coarse hair that lacks a distinct undercoat
- They have large, elongated, mostly skin-covered fore flippers.
- They are noisy and bark loudly and they can rotate their hind flippers to “walk” on land, making them more mobile on shore.
- They are highly social, forming large groups (herds or rafts) of up to 1,500 individuals.
Latest Study
- Their recent aggression is due to a neurotoxin called domoic acid, secreted by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia.
- This toxin affects sea lions’ brains, causing stress, aggression, muscle spasms, and even permanent brain damage.
- The algal bloom is driven by factors like upwelling, where nutrient-rich waters rise to the surface due to high-speed winds (linked to global warming), and effluent runoff containing nutrients that fuel the growth of toxic algae.
Source: DTE
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