UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 22 January 2024

GS Paper 1

 Syllabus: Architecture

Source: IE

 Context: The Nagara style of temple architecture, observed in Ayodhya’s Ram temple construction, emerged in the fifth century CE during the late Gupta period in northern India.

Key features of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya:

1. Constructed in the traditional Nagara style with a length of 380 feet, width of 250 feet, and height of 161 feet.
2. Houses the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (Shri Ram Lalla) in the main sanctum sanctorum and a Shri Ram Darbar on the first floor.
3. Includes five mandaps (halls): Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prathana Mandap, and Kirtan Mandap.
4. The compound has four Mandirs dedicated to Surya Dev, Devi Bhagwati, Ganesh Bhagwan, and Bhagwan Shiv, along with Mandirs for Maa Annapurna and Hanuman ji.
5. Surrounded by a Parkota (Rectangular compound wall) with a length of 732 meters and a width of 14 feet.
6. Features a historic Well (Sita koop) and a restored ancient Mandir of Bhagwan Shiv at Kuber Tila.
7. Utilizes traditional construction materials, avoiding the use of steel or iron.
8. The main temple structure was built with Bansi Paharpur Pink Sandstone, granite stones in the plinths, and white Makrana marble and coloured marble for inlay work.
9. Incorporates special bricks known as “Ram Shilas” with the inscription “Shri Ram” for symbolic significance.
10. Constructed entirely using traditional and indigenous technology, emphasizing environmental conservation with 70% of the area left green.

Nagara and Dravida styles are considered “the two great classical languages of Indian temple architecture” rather than mere ‘styles’.

Nagara temples, distinguished by towering shikhara (mountain peaks), have a raised plinth with the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum) as the most sacred part. The shikhara represents the natural and cosmological order in Hindu tradition. Nagara architecture has five modes: Valabhi, Phamsana, Latina, Shekhari, and Bhumija. The Ayodhya Ram temple exhibits a ‘hybrid’ feature, lacking an elaborate gopuram but featuring a boundary wall.

While the Nagara and the Dravidian styles of temple architecture belong to the Northern and Southern regions of India respectively and exhibit uniqueness, they also share some common features in their design and appearance.

Common Features of both the style:

• Dravidian or Chola style of temple architecture:
  • The Dravidian style of temple architecture of South India flourished roughly from the 8^th to about 13^th-14^th century A.D.
  • It developed under the patronage of the Chola rulers, but was a continuation of the previous Pallava architecture, with some variations.
  • g., Brihadeeswara Temple, Gangaikondacholapuram Temple.
• Nagara temple architecture:
  • The Nagara temple architecture developed as a distinct style in the Northern part of India from the 5th century AD onwards.
  • g., Sun Temple at Konark, Kandariya Mahadev Temple at Khajuraho.
• Common features:
  • Temple plan:
    • The panchayatan style with a principal temple and four subsidiary shrines is a common feature.
  • Decorative features:
    • Decoration of the walls and vimanas through sculptures and engravings is an important feature of both styles.
  • Halls:
    • There are assembly halls or mandaps in front of the principal shrine for cultural and spiritual events in both styles of temples.
  • Also, the other aspects such as the Sanctum Sanctorum, Vimana and Shikara are present in both styles.

Distinctive features of the Dravidian and the Nagara Styles:

Conclusion

The Nagara and Dravidian styles of temple architecture largely resemble the common structures such as the plan, towers, spires, etc. However, they also differ in their approach to the minute features of expression that these structures carry, thereby preserving their uniqueness.

A hybrid of these two is the Vesara style found mostly in the Deccan regions. E.g., the Virupaksha temple in Pattadakal, and the Durga temple in Aihole.

Other styles of Temple architectures:

Mains Links:

How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? (UPSC 2022)

Prelims Links:

Content for Mains Enrichment(CME)

Source: PIB

 Context: PM inaugurated the Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru, and the launch of the Boeing Sukanya Program to promote the entry of girls into India’s aviation sector.

The program aims to empower girls and women in STEM fields, offering training for aviation jobs. It includes creating STEM Labs at 150 locations to foster interest and providing scholarships for women training to be pilots. India boasts a noteworthy 15% of female pilots, three times the global average. While female enrollment in STEM courses has risen to over 42% in 2021-22, workforce participation remains at a modest 14% in 2021.

Usage: The example can be used to show how foreign investments can help drive economic as well as social changes in India

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE

 Context: The Soligas and Yeravas, indigenous groups living in the Western Ghats, forage foods from the biodiversity-rich region, forming a significant part of their diets.

• The recently launched book “Forgotten Trails: Foraging Wild Edibles” chronicles the diverse foods foraged by these tribes, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional knowledge and addressing the impact of land use changes and shifting policies on their food sources.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ET

 Context: India launched the “Alliance for Global Good- Gender Equity and Equality” at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024 in Davos.

More about the initiative:

Led by the Union Minister of Women & Child Development, the alliance aims to promote women-led development globally. The alliance focuses on global best practices, knowledge sharing, and investments in women’s health, education, and enterprise. Aligned with G20 Leaders’ Declaration, it reflects India’s commitment to women-led development. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership, WEF acts as a ‘Network Partner,’ and Invest India as an ‘Institutional Partner.’

The initiative reinforces India’s commitment to global cooperation and the overarching WEF theme, ‘Rebuilding Trust.’ The launch was complemented by a women’s leadership lounge (We Lead lounge) at WEF, featuring discussions and showcasing products by women entrepreneurs.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DH

 Context: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has instructed schools and higher education institutions, including regulators like UGC, AICTE, NCERT, NIOS, IGNOU, and prominent educational institutions, to provide digital study material for all courses in Indian languages within the next three years.

The National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes multilingualism at all education levels. Article 350 A of the Constitution mandates education in the mother tongue for children from linguistic minority groups at the primary stage. The Right to Education Act 2009 recommends using the mother tongue as the medium of instruction whenever possible.

Initiatives in Education:

Mains Links

How have digital initiatives in India contributed to the functioning of the education system in the country? Elaborate on your answer. (UPSC 2020)

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: The Print

 Context: India has been appointed as the first vice-chair of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Committee on Fisheries (COFI) Sub-Committee on Fisheries Management, marking the first time in 59 years.

Significance:

• This appointment comes as various countries raise concerns about China’s illegal fishing practices in international waters. China has faced criticism for its illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing practices, fishing in the exclusive economic zones of over 80 countries.
• India’s inclusion in this committee is seen as bringing balance and perspective to global narratives on fisheries governance and management.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Deccan Herald

 Context: Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and a leading biopharmaceutical company in India, has launched India’s first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine called ‘Havisure’.

• This vaccine is expected to play a crucial role in preventing Hepatitis A, a highly contagious liver infection transmitted through contaminated food or water.
• Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can cause a range of health problems and can be fatal. It’s caused by swelling that occurs when tissues of the body are injured or infected.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: The Guardian

Context: Scientists have mapped the largest known deep-sea coral reef off the US Atlantic coast, stretching about 310 miles from Florida to South Carolina.

• Unlike tropical coral reefs, deep-sea coral must filter food particles from the water for energy.
• The newly discovered reef, which provides habitat for various marine species, has been called “breathtaking in scale” and covers nearly three times the size of Yellowstone National Park.

Sports

Source: PIB

 Context: PM inaugurated the Khelo India Youth Games 2023 in Chennai, marking the 13th edition.

The Khelo India initiative was introduced by the Indian government in 2017 and serves as a dynamic platform to nurture sports talent and revive the sporting culture of India. It encompasses the:

1. Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) (commenced 2018): Annual national competition for youngsters representing states
2. Khelo India University Games (KIUG) (commenced 2020): Showcases university students’ talent in sports
3. Khelo India Winter Games (Commenced 2020):Promotes winter sports in India

Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) scheme: It aims to enhance sports infrastructure by supporting existing training facilities. It provides financial aid, staff, equipment, and resources at the grassroots level.

Mapping:

Source: TNIE

 Context: The Odisha government plans to introduce Sambar deer and Gaur (bison) in the Chandaka-Dampara wildlife sanctuary, following the relocation of deer from Cuttack. Also, the Forest department is launching a ‘nocturnal trail’ for wildlife enthusiasts, particularly students and researchers.

About the sanctuary:

Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Khurda district, Odisha, marks the northeastern limits of the Eastern Ghats. Designated in 1982, it houses threatened wildlife and birds. The tropical climate exhibits distinct seasons—summer, rainy, and winter. The flora, a mix of evergreen and deciduous elements, has been influenced by biotic factors. Notable species include Dhaman, Bankapasia, Jamu, Gandhana, Kansa, Kusum, Marua, Sidha, Karanja, and Thorny bamboo. The sanctuary’s fauna includes elephants, Chital, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkey, Pangolin, Sloth Bear, Indian Wolf, Hyena, and various mammals.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TH

Context: End-to-end encryption (E2E) is a method of protecting digital information by transforming it into an unreadable format, and it has significant implications for privacy and security.

• Encryption fundamentally involves changing consumable information into an unconsumable form based on specific rules.

There are two main types of encryptions: symmetric and asymmetric.

• Symmetric Encryption: In symmetric encryption, the key used to encrypt information is the same key needed for decryption. Notable examples include the Data Encryption Standard (DES) and the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
• Asymmetric Encryption: Asymmetric encryption uses different keys for encryption and decryption. A public key encrypts the information, and a corresponding private key decrypts it. The length of the key influences the level of protection. Asymmetric encryption is useful when the sender and recipient are different, providing a higher level of security.

Issues with E2E encryption:

• E2E encryption is not foolproof. It can be vulnerable to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, where an attacker intercepts the key and decrypts the message.
• E2E encryption may induce user complacency, and other vulnerabilities like malware or backdoors installed by service providers could compromise security.