08 July 2022 – Current Affairs

 Multiple development initiatives in Varanasi

Paper 3- Infrastructure

Why Should You Know?

Recently PM modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives worth over Rs. 1800 crores.

In details –

• On July 7, 2022 The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of multiple projects worth over Rs. 1800 crores at an event at Dr Sampurnanand Sports Stadium, Sigra, Varanasi.
• Governor of Uttar Pradesh Smt Anandiben Patel, and Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath were among those present on the occasion.
• The Prime Minister said the numbers of tourists visiting Kashi are increasing day by day. He appealed to the residents of Varanasi to work for cleanliness as lakhs of devotees are expected to arrive for darshan of Kashi Vishwanath Dham in the upcoming Shravan month.
• The Prime Minister mentioned that the government is working hard for the welfare of the people with an aim to provide pucca house and clean drinking water to citizens. He further said the government has provided free ration and free vaccine to its citizens during the Covid pandemic.
• Addressing athletes present on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the government is giving boost to sports infrastructure. He said the upgraded sports stadium in Varanasi will help the local athletes to enhance their skills.
• The Prime Minister further said the government is also working towards reducing pollution by promoting clean fuel. He said Kashi has India’s first CNG station at Ganga ghat.

multiple development initiatives –

Smart City and Urban Projects –

• During the programme, the Prime Minister inaugurated projects worth over Rs 590 crores. Among these are multiple initiatives under Varanasi Smart City and Urban Projects, including the re-development of Namo Ghat in Phase-I along with the construction of bathing jetty; conversion of diesel and petrol engines of 500 boats into CNG; redevelopment of Kameshwar Mahadev ward of Old Kashi and over 600 EWS flats constructed in village Harhua, Dasepur; new Vending Zone and urban place prepared under Lahartara-Chowka Ghat Flyover; tourist facility and market complex at Dashashwamedh Ghat; and 33/11 KV Substation at Nagwa under IPDS Work Phase-3.

Road projects –

• During the programme, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for projects worth more than Rs 1200 crores. Among these are multiple road infrastructure projects including a six-lane widening of the road from Lahartara – BHU to Vijaya Cinema; a four-lane widening of the road from Pandeypur Flyover to Ring Road; Four lanes of the road from Kuchaheri to Sandaha; widening and strengthening of Varanasi Bhadohi Rural Road; construction of five new Roads and four CC roads in Varanasi rural area; construction of ROB near Babatpur railway station on Babatpur-Chaubeypur road. These projects will significantly help in reducing the traffic load on city and rural roads.
• The Prime Minister also inaugurated various road projects including the construction of Four Lane Road over Bridge (ROB) on Babatpur-Kapsethi-Bhadohi Road; Bridge on Varuna River on Central Jail road; widening of Pindra-Kathiraon Road; widening of Phoolpur-Sindhaura Link Road; strengthening and construction of 8 rural roads; construction of 7 PMGSY roads and widening of Dharsauna-Sindhaura road.

improvement of sewerage and water supply –

• The Prime Minister also inaugurated various projects related to the improvement of sewerage and water supply in the district. These include rehabilitation of Old Trunk Sewer Line in Varanasi City through trenchless technology; laying of sewer lines; over 25000 sewer house connections in Trans Varuna area; leakage repair works in Sis Varuna area of the city; rural drinking water scheme at Taatepur village, etc. Various social and education sector-related projects to be inaugurated include ITI at Village Mahgaon, Phase-II of Vedic Vigyan Kendra in BHU, Govt. Girls Home at Ramnagar, Theme Park in Govt. Old Age Women Home at Durgakund.

Sports related –

• The Prime Minister inaugurated a synthetic athletic track and synthetic basketball court in Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar Sports Complex, Bada Lalpur and various police and safety fire projects including a non-residential Police Station building at Sindhaura, construction of hostel rooms, barracks in Mirzamurad, Cholapur, Jansa and Kapsethi police stations and building of Fire Extinguisher Centre in Pindra.

tourism related –

• To give a fillip to tourism in the region, Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of multiple projects including the development work of the Sarnath Buddhist Circuit under the World Bank-aided UP Pro-Poor tourism development project, construction of Paavan Path for Asht Vinakaya, Dwadash Jyotirling Yatra, Asht Bhairaw, Nav Gauri Yatra, Tourism Development work of five stoppages in Panchkosi Parikrama Yatra Marg and Tourism development various wards in Old Kashi.

Inauguration of Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam

Paper 2 – Education

Why Should You Know?

On July 7, 2022 PM modi inaugurated Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam on implementation of NEP.

In details –

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam on implementation of the National Education Policy in Varanasi on July 7, 2022.
• Governor of Uttar Pradesh Smt Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, Union Ministers Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Smt. Annapurna Devi, Dr Subhas Sarkar, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, State Ministers, educationists and other stakeholders were present on the occasion.
• The Prime Minister said that “the basic premise of the National Education Policy is to take education out of narrow thinking and connect it with the modern ideas of the 21st century.”
• The Prime Minister noted that in areas like space technology, where earlier only the government used to do everything, now a new world is being created for the youth through private players. Sectors that used to be closed to women are now showcasing their talent.
• The Prime Minister highlighted that in the new policy, the entire focus is on making children skilled according to their talents and choices of the children. “Our youth should be skilled, confident, practical and calculative, education policy is preparing the ground for this”.
• The Prime Minister lauded the effort that went into the preparation of NEP, however, he emphasized that the momentum was not let down after the preparation of the policy. There has been constant discussion and work on the implementation of the Policy.

About Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam –

• The Ministry of Education is organising Shiksha Samagam from 7th to 9th July. It will provide a platform for eminent academicians, policymakers and academic leaders to deliberate and share their experiences and discuss the roadmap for effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• The event is being organised as part of capacity building of more than 300 Academic, Administrative & Institutional Leaders from Universities (Central, State, Deemed, and Private), and Institutes of National Importance (IIT, IIM, NIT, IISER) from all over the country.
• Various stakeholders would present the progress of implementation of NEP in their respective institutions and would also share noteworthy implementation strategies, best practices and success stories.
• During the three-day Shiksha Samagam, panel discussions on nine themes identified for Higher Education under NEP 2020 will be conducted.
• These themes are Multidisciplinary and Holistic Education; Skill Development and Employability; Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Capacity Building of Teachers for Quality Education; Quality, Ranking and Accreditation; Digital Empowerment and Online Education; Equitable and Inclusive Education; Indian Knowledge System; and Internationalisation of Higher Education.

Kharchi Puja

Paper 1 – Art & Culture

Why Should You Know?

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has greeted the people on the start of Kharchi Puja.

In details –

• Kharchi Puja is a Hindu festival from Tripura, India. Performed in Agartala in July or August, the festival involves the worship of the fourteen gods forming the dynasty deity of the Tripuri people.
• Kharchi Puja is one of the most popular festivals in Tripura. It’s a week-long royal Puja which falls in the month of July on the eighth day of the new moon and attracts thousands of people.
• This festival is celebrated at Agartala (Puran Agartala) in the temple premises of Fourteen gods. There are many legends associated with this Puja. The celebrations extend until a week and are held in the temple premises which are attended by thousands of people.
• The word “Kharchi” is derived from the word “Khya” which means “Earth”. Kharchi Puja is basically done to worship the earth. All of rituals are of tribal origin, which includes worshipping fourteen gods and Mother Earth.
• The Puja is performed to wash out the sins and to clean the post-menstrual phase of Mother Earth’s menstruation. Thus the Puja is performed for seven consecutive days.
• On the day of the Puja, the fourteen gods are carried to river “Saidra” by the members of “Chantai”. The gods are bathed in the holy water and are brought back to the temple. They are again placed in the temple by performing Puja, offering of Flowers and Vermillion.
• Animal sacrifice is also an important part of this festival and includes sacrificing of Goats and Pigeons. People offer sweets and the sacrificial meat to god. Both tribal and non-tribal people join together and celebrate the festival in a festive mood by becoming a part of it. Plenty of other attractions along with a large fair and cultural programs are organized during this time.
• Kharchi puja is performed after 15 days of “Ama Pechi”. According to Tripuri legends, “Ama Pechi” is the Menstruation of the mother goddess, or Earth mother, and the soil is neither ploughed nor dug anywhere during this time.
• Among Tripuri people menstruation is considered unholy and all significant functions by women are prohibited. The Earth is therefore considered unclean after the menstruation of the earth mother during “Ama Pechi”. The Kharchi puja is performed to wash out the Post-Menstrual uncleanliness of the Earth mother’s Menstruation.

National Conference on Dragon Fruit

Paper 3 – Agriculture

Why Should You Know?

Recently Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare chairs National Conclave on Dragon Fruit.

In details –

• National Conclave on Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) was organized here today under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
• The objective of this conclave was to give thrust to increase the area, production and productivity, marketing, branding of Kamlam (Dragon Fruit) and also to enhance the farmer’s income.
• A Technical Session was also conducted to address the issues related to planting material, cultivation practices, post-harvest & marketing and research on Kamlam (Dragon Fruit).
• Progressive farmers of States namely Haryana, Karnataka, Gujarat and Nagaland shared their experiences during the workshop.
• Additional Commissioner (Hort.) welcomed Chief Guest, Senior Officers of Ministry, State Deptt. Officers and Growers & Marketers of Dragon fruit joined virtually from different States. Around 200 participants joined the programme virtually.

What Is Dragon Fruit ?

• Dragon fruit grows on the Hylocereus cactus, also known as the Honolulu queen, whose flowers only open at night.
• The plant is native to southern Mexico and Central America. Today, it is grown all over the world.
• It goes by many names, including pitaya, pitahaya, and strawberry pear.
• The two most common types have bright red skin with green scales that resemble a dragon — hence the name.
• The most widely available variety has white pulp with black seeds, though a less common type with red pulp and black seeds exists as well.
• Another variety — referred to as yellow dragon fruit — has yellow skin and white pulp with black seeds.
• Dragon fruit may look exotic, but its flavors are similar to other fruits. Its taste has been described as a slightly sweet cross between a kiwi and a pear.
• Dragon fruit contains small amounts of several nutrients. It’s also a decent source of iron, magnesium, and fiber.

 Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention

Paper 2 – International Relations

Why Should You Know?

Recently India gets elected to the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

In details-

• India has been elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 cycle.
• The elections for the Intergovernmental Committee took place during the 9th General Assembly of the 2003 Convention held at UNESCO headquarters, Paris, from 5th to 7th July 2022.
• The announcement to this effect was made by Union Minister for Culture , Tourism and DoNER Shri G.K  Reddy.
• Against the four seats falling vacant within the Asia-Pacific group, six countries, namely, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, and Thailand had presented their candidature. India received 110 votes from the 155 State Parties that were present and voting.
• The Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention consists of 24 members and is elected in the General Assembly of the Convention according to the principles of equitable geographical representation and rotation. States Members to the Committee are elected for a term of four years.
• Some of the core functions of the Intergovernmental Committee include promoting the objectives of the Convention, providing guidance on best practices, and making recommendations on measures for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. The Committee also examines requests submitted by States Parties for the inscription of intangible heritage on the Lists as well as proposals for programmes and projects.
• In the past, India has served two terms as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of this Convention. One from 2006 to 2010 and the other from 2014 to 2018.
• For its 2022-2026 term, India has formulated a clear vision for the protection and promotion of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity. Some of the priority areas that India will focus upon include fostering community participation, strengthening international cooperation through intangible heritage, promoting academic research on intangible cultural heritage, and aligning the work of the Convention with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This vision was also shared with the other State Parties of the Convention prior to the elections.
• India ratified the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in September 2005. As one of the earliest State Parties to ratify the Convention, India has shown great commitment towards matters related to intangible heritage and has actively encouraged other State Parties to ratify it.
• With 14 inscriptions on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, India also ranks high in the listing of intangible cultural heritage. After the inscription of Durga Puja in 2021, India submitted the nomination for Garba of Gujarat to be discussed in 2023.
• As a member of the intergovernmental committee, India will have the opportunity to closely monitor the implementation of the 2003 Convention. With the aim of strengthening the scope and impact of the Convention, India seeks to mobilize the capacity of different actors worldwide in order to effectively safeguard intangible heritage.
• Also noting the imbalance in the inscriptions on the three lists of the Convention, i.e., Urgent Safeguarding List, Representative List and Register of Good Safeguarding Practices, India shall endeavour to encourage international dialogue within the State Parties to the Convention in order to better showcase the diversity and importance of living heritage.

8th meeting of BRICS communication ministers

Paper 2 – International Relations

Why Should You Know?

Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw participates in 8th Meeting of BRICS Communications Ministers.

In details –

• The 8th meeting of the BRICS Communication Ministers was held in a virtual way under the chairmanship of China.
• The Union Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnav attended the meeting and highlighted India’s achievements in the ICT sector. He also outlined the reforms undertaken by the government in the telecom sector.
• The Ministers decided to work in the area of ​​ICT in the areas identified at the 14th BRICS Summit held on 23-24 June 2022.
• The Ministers appreciated the finalized action plans for the Future Networks for BRICS Institute (BIFN), the Digital BRICS Task Force (DBTF) and expressed the hope that these mechanisms would help deepen innovative cooperation among BRICS countries.

What is BRICS Group?

• , whose purpose is to increase economic and other types of cooperation in these countries.

• Previously only Brazil, Russia, India and China were included and South Africa was included in 2010.
• The top leaders of the BRICS countries and other ministerial conferences are held annually.

Importance –

• How important is the BRICS group, it can be gauged from the fact that almost half of the world’s population (47 percent) lives in these countries and its combined GDP is $ 6 trillion, which is 24 percent of the global GDP.
• Apart from this, BRICS countries also have 17 percent share in global trade, while they also have 50 percent share in global economic development.
• China has the highest share of 68 percent of the total GDP of the group.

“Statue of Peace”

Paper 1 – Art & Culture

Why Should You Know?

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah unveils the Peace Statue of Swami Ramanujacharya ji in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir through video conferencing.

In details –

• The Union Home Minister unveiled the statue of Swami Ramanujacharya “Statue of Peace” in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir through video conference on July 07, 2022.
• Swami Ramanujacharya was a Vedic philosopher and social reformer. He traveled across India and emphasized the principles of equality and social justice.
• His teachings inspired the saints of the Bhakti movement and his disciple Ramananda started the Bhakti movement. The works of medieval saint poets Annamacharya, Bhakt Ramdas, Tyagraj, Kabir and Mirabai were influenced by his philosophy.
• Ramanuja was an advocate of social equality among all classes of people centuries ago and encouraged the opening of temple doors to all irrespective of caste or status in society, at a time when people of various castes entered temples. was not allowed.
• He took education to those who were deprived of it. His greatest contribution is the promotion of the concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which is often translated as ‘the whole universe is one family’.

About Swami Ramanujacharya –

• Ramanuja (1077 CE – 1157 CE) also known as Ramanujacharya, was an Indian Hindu philosopher, guru and a social reformer.
• He is noted to be one of the most important exponents of the Sri Vaishnavism tradition within Hinduism. His philosophical foundations for devotionalism were influential to the Bhakti movement.
• Ramanuja was born into a Tamil Brahmin community, in a village called Sriperumbudur (present-day Tamil Nadu) under the Chola Empire.
• His followers in the Vaishnava tradition wrote hagiographies, some of which were composed in centuries after his death, and which the tradition believes to be true.
• Ramanuja’s guru was Yādava Prakāśa, a scholar who according to tradition belonged to the Advaita Vedānta tradition,but probably was a Bhedabheda scholar.
• Sri Vaishnava tradition holds that Ramanuja disagreed with his guru and the non-dualistic Advaita Vedānta, and instead followed in the footsteps of Tamil Alvārs tradition, the scholars Nāthamuni and Yamunāchārya.
• Ramanuja is famous as the chief proponent of Vishishtadvaita subschool of Vedānta,and his disciples were likely authors of texts such as the Shatyayaniya Upanishad.
• Ramanuja himself wrote influential texts, such as bhāsya on the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita, all in Sanskrit.

 Security Advisory Level Meeting of Colombo Security Conference

Paper 2 – International Relations

Why Should You Know?

On July 7, 2022 Sixth Deputy National Security Advisor level meeting of Colombo Security Conference members held in Kochi.

In details –

• The 6th Deputy National Security Advisor level meeting of the Colombo Security Conference members was held in Kochi. India, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka are its member countries.
• The seven-member Indian delegation to the meeting is being led by Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri.
• Delegations from Bangladesh and Seychelles participated in the meeting as observers. The member countries discussed the implementation of the roadmap for cooperation in the year 2022-23.
• Decisions taken in the 5th National Security Advisor level meeting of the conference held in March this year in Maldives were also discussed.
• Discussions were held in the meeting on maritime security and security, combating terrorism, smuggling and transnational organized crime.
• Cyber ​​security, security of critical infrastructure and technology and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief were also discussed in the meeting.

What is Colombo Security Conference ?

• Colombo Security Conference began as a trilateral security framework between India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives in 2011.
• It welcomed Mauritius as a fourth member at the fifth meeting of national security advisers.
• Bangladesh and Seychelles attended as observers and have been invited to join the group.
• It aims to combat regional security issues such as narco-trafficking, human trafficking, piracy, fisheries, counter-terrorism, and violent extremism.
• It considered four pillars of cooperation encompassing maritime safety and security, human trafficking, counter-terrorism, and cyber security.

SVANidhi Mahotsav

Paper 2 – Government Policies

Why Should You Know?

Recently Shri Hardeep S. Puri launches ‘SVANidhi Mahotsav’ – a cultural festival for celebrating the success of PM SVANidhi Scheme.

In details –

• Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the Svanidhi Festival. Svanidhi Mahotsav is a cultural festival being celebrated to commemorate the success of PM Svanidhi Yojana.
• The festival, which runs from July 9 to 31, is being organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It is being conducted in 75 cities across 33 states and union territories.
• Digital transaction training, loan fair and cultural activities will be organized during the festival. Street plays will also be organized to share the benefits, features and experiences of street vendors of PM Svanidhi Yojana.
• Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor Atmanirbhar Nidhi – PM Svanidhi Yojana was launched on 1st June 2020 with the objective of providing working capital loan facility to street vendors.

What is PM SVANidhi scheme?

• The PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs on June 01, 2020 for providing affordable Working Capital loan to street vendors to resume their livelihoodsthat have been adversely affected due to Covid-19 lockdown.
• The duration of the scheme initially was until March 2022. It has been extended till December 2024, with focus on enhanced collateral free affordable loan corpus, increased adoption of digital transactions and holistic socio-economic development of the Street Vendors and their families.
• This scheme targets to benefit over 50 lakh Street Vendors.
• A vendor, according to the scheme guidelines is any person engaged in vending of articles, goods, wares, food items or merchandise of daily use or offering services to the public in a street, footpath, pavement etc., from a temporary built up structure or by moving from place to place. The goods supplied by
• them include vegetables, fruits, ready-to-eat street food, tea, pakodas, breads, eggs, textile, apparel, artisan products, books/ stationary etc. and the services include barber shops, cobblers, pan shops, laundry services etc.

Google Start-up School India Initiative

Paper 2 – Education

Why Should You Know?

Recently Google Start-up School India initiative launched.

In details –

• The Start-up School India initiative was launched by Google on July 6, 2022. The Start-up Schools India Initiative has been set up with the objective of collecting relevant information on start-ups and making it into a systematic curriculum.
• The move will help 10,000 start-ups in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
• The event will be conducted in virtual mode for nine weeks. This will include fireside chats between Google partners and leaders of the start-up ecosystem.
• The Google Start-up Schools India initiative will cover topics including fintech, languages, job search, social media and networking, business-to-consumer e-commerce and business-to-business e-commerce.
• Effective product strategy, app design for users in Indian markets, product user value and user acquisition will also be covered in the instructional module.