Dokra Artwork
Syllabus :GS 1/Art and Culture
In News
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted French President Emmanuel Macron a traditional Dokra artwork depicting musicians playing Indian instruments.
Dokra art
- Dokra art from Chhattisgarh is a traditional metal-casting craft using the ancient lost-wax technique.
- It is also practiced in states like Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana.
- The artwork, depicting musicians in dynamic poses, emphasizes the cultural significance of music in Indian heritage.
- Made from brass and copper, it features fine detailing and is enhanced with lapis lazuli and coral.
- The labor-intensive process showcases the artisans’ skill and dedication, making the piece a celebration of India’s tribal traditions and artistic excellence.
| Lost-wax technique – It involves patterning a clay core intricately with wax ribbons and then coating it carefully with a mix of clay and hay. The wax is subsequently melted off, and the cavity formed is filled with molten metal. |
Source :IE
Saroijini Naidu
Syllabus: GS 1/History
In News
- India celebrates Sarojini Naidu’s birth anniversary on February 13 as National Women’s Day, marking her 146th birth anniversary in 2025.
About Sarijini Naidu
- Sarojini Naidu, born on February 13, 1879, in Hyderabad, was an inspiring poet and political activist.
- She is famously known as the Nightingale of India.
- She became the first female governor of independent India when she was appointed as the Governor of Uttar Pradesh in 1947.
- Major Contributions : She played a key role in India’s struggle for independence and was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
- As a member of the Constituent Assembly, she helped in drafting the Indian Constitution.
- She participated in the 1930 Round Table Conference with Mahatma Gandhi.
- Poetry and Recognition: Naidu began writing poetry at a young age, penning her first long poem, The Lady of the Lake.
- She was elected as fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1914 after publishing her first poetry collection.
- Naidu’s poetry collection Golden Threshold (1905) earned her the title “Bul Bul e Hind” and recognition worldwide.
- Multilingual Abilities: She spoke multiple languages, including Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, and English. Her eloquence in English captivated audiences both in India and abroad, making her a powerful voice in the Indian freedom movement.
- Legacy: Sarojini Naidu passed away in 1949, leaving a lasting legacy as a woman of substance and dignity.
Source: PIB
NAMASTE Scheme
Syllabus: GS2/ Welfare Scheme
In Context
- The distribution of PPE kits and Ayushman health cards under the NAMASTE scheme is a crucial step towards ensuring dignity, safety, and social empowerment of Safai Mitras.
About NAMASTE Scheme
- Objectives: Eradicate manual scavenging by promoting mechanized sanitation.
- Enhance the safety and dignity of sewer & septic tank workers.
- Formalize the workforce and provide skill development opportunities.
- Implemented By: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) & Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
- Implementation Timeline: FY 2023-24 to 2025-26 (3 years).
- Target Group: Initially focused on sewer and septic tank workers (SSWs).
- Wastepickers were added in 2024 to further expand coverage.
Source: PIB
U.S.-India TRUST Initiative
Syllabus :GS 2/IR
In News
- India and the US have launched the “Transforming Relationship Utilizing Strategic Technology” (TRUST) initiative.
About TRUST Initiative
- It builds on national programs like the US Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM) program and India’s National Critical Minerals Mission to boost exploration, recycling, and R&D in critical minerals.
- It focuses on cooperation in the recovery and processing of critical minerals, including lithium and rare earth elements (REEs).
- It aims to reduce barriers to technology transfer, address export controls, and enhance high-tech commerce between the two countries, particularly in critical minerals and advanced materials.
- Importance: It will promote collaboration among governments, academia, and the private sector to drive innovation in sectors like defense, AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, energy, and space.
- It aims to counter China’s dominance in critical minerals supply chains.
Source :IE
India-US 123 Agreement
Syllabus: GS2/IR
Context
- India-US 123 Agreement of 2007 could finally achieve its full potential.
About
- India and the United States affirmed their commitment to furthering a bilateral Energy Security Partnership.
- The announcement signals their commitment to “fully realise” the US-India 123 Civil Nuclear Agreement, alongside a pledge to move forward on plans to work together to build American-designed nuclear reactors in India.
123 Agreement of 2007
- Also known as the U.S.-India Civil Nuclear Agreement, it aims to facilitate civilian nuclear cooperation between the two countries.
- Key Features:
- Nuclear Trade: It allows the U.S. to supply India with nuclear fuel, technology, and reactors for civilian energy purposes.
- Non-Proliferation Commitment: India, in exchange, agrees to separate its civilian and military nuclear programs and place its civilian reactors under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
- No Restrictions on Military Programs: Unlike the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the agreement does not require India to forgo nuclear weapons development, as India is not a signatory to the NPT.
- Energy and Economic Cooperation: The agreement aims to enhance energy security, support India’s growing energy demands, and promote economic cooperation between the two nations.
Source: IE
Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDKY)
Syllabus: GS2/ Welfare Scheme, GS3/Agriculture
Context
- The Finance Minister while presenting the Union Budget announced the launch of the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDKY).
About
- PMDKY will cover 100 districts based on three broad parameters: low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit parameters.
- Cropping intensity is a measure of how efficiently land is used, and it is defined as the percentage of the gross cropped area to the net area sown.
- Aim:
- Enhance agricultural productivity;
- Adopt crop diversification and sustainable agricultural practices;
- Augment post-harvest storage at panchayat and block level;
- Improve irrigation facilities;
- Facilitate availability of long- and short-term credit.
- Under this scheme, 1.7 crore farmers will receive support. The scheme will be implemented in partnership with state governments.
- Benefits: Provides quality seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals to boost crop production.
Source: IE
Ongole Breed
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
In News
- Viatina-19, a cow of the Ongole breed, has made history in Brazil by being auctioned for a staggering ₹41 crore.
About Ongole Breed
- The Ongole breed, also known as the Nellore breed, originates from Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh, India.
- Characteristics of the Ongole Breed: Broad forehead, elliptical-shaped eyes, highly adaptable to extreme climatic conditions.
Other Important Indigenous Cattle Breeds in India
- Gir (Gujarat)
- Hallikar (Karnataka)
- Khillari (Maharashtra)
- Tharparkar (Rajasthan)
- Deoni (Andhra Pradesh)
Source: TOI
Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Launches J. C. Bose Grant (JBG)
Syllabus: GS3/ Achievements of Indians in S&T
In News
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) has announced the launch of the J. C. Bose Grant (JBG)—a prestigious new scheme aimed at recognizing the outstanding contributions of senior Indian scientists and engineers.
About ANRF
- The ANRF serves as India’s apex body for scientific research, providing strategic direction as per the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP). It aims to:
- Seed, grow, and promote R&D across disciplines.
- Foster a culture of research and innovation.
- Support capacity-building at all levels to strengthen India’s research ecosystem.
About the J. C. Bose Grant (JBG)
- Objective: To support senior-level researchers with exceptional achievements in science, technology, agriculture, medicine, humanities, and social sciences at the interfaces of S&T.
- Eligibility: Active senior Indian scientists or researchers.
- Holding at least a Professor-level position or equivalent at a recognized Indian institution/university.
- Proven track record of excellence in research through publications, patents, technology transfers, awards, and grants.
- The grant can be availed until the age of 68.
- Key Features:
- Funding Amount: ₹25 lakh per year for five years to support research activities.
- Institutional Support: ₹1 lakh per year for the implementing institution.
- Multi-Disciplinary Scope: Supports research across science, technology, agriculture, medicine, humanities, and social sciences.
Source: DST