UPSC GS 1
Ramayan Temple
- News: The second phase of construction of ‘world’s largest Ramayantemple’ has begun in Bihar.
- Definition:
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- The “world’s largest Ramayan temple” is being constructed in East Champaran district of Bihar.
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- Architectural Inspiration:The architecture of the temple is inspired by:
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- Angkor Wat in Cambodia
- Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu
- Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai.
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- Cost:
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- The temple is being built at a cost of ₹500 crore.
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- Features:
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- It will feature the world’s largest Shivling.
- The temple will house a 33-foot-tall Shivling in the arghya (sanctum sanctorum).
- There will be 22 sanctum sanctorum for different deities within the temple complex.
- The temple complex will feature 22 smaller temples dedicated to important deities mentioned in the Ramayana.
- There will be a total of 12 shikhars (spires) in the temple, with the main shikhar being 270 feet tall.
- The Viraat Ramayan Mandir, once complete, will be three times bigger than the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
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- Comparison with Ram Mandir in Ayodhya:
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- With a length of 1080 feet, the Viraat Ramayan Mandir will be three times longer than the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which is 360 feet long.
- The Ayodhya temple’s height is 161 feet, while the Viraat Ramayan Temple will stand at 270 feet tall.
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Read also: India’s Demographic Dividend- Significance and Challenges | UPSC
UPSC GS 2
eSwasthya Dham Portal
- News: Chardham Yatra pilgrims can now create their Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) on the eSwasthya Dham portal.
- Definition:
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- The Uttarakhand Government’s Department of Health and Family Welfare has launched a portal called eSwasthya Dham.
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- Aim:
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- The eSwasthya Dham portal helps in monitoring the health parameters of Char Dham Yatra pilgrims.
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- Char Dham:
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- The Char Dham Yatra or pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites:
- Yamunotri
- Gangotri
- Kedarnath
- Badrinath
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- Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA):
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- ABDM is a “Central Sector Scheme” launched in September 2021 aims to create an integrated digital health infrastructure in India.
- ABHA is a 14 digit unique number which facilitates hassle free access and sharing of health records digitally.
- It enables interaction with verified healthcare providers and makes the process of accessing and sharing of lab reports, prescriptions and digital health records seamless.
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Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme
- News: Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) sanctioned seven new projects under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme.
- Overview:
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- The Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme has been established to promote self-reliance in defence technology as a part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- It is a programme of the Ministry of Defence.
- The programme is executed by the DRDO to meet the requirements of the Tri-Services, Defence Production, and DRDO.
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- Objectives:
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- The Scheme encourages the participation of public and private industries, especially MSMEs and startups.
- It aims to create an ecosystem for enhancing cutting-edge technology capability in the defence sector.
- In addition to providing grants-in-aid for the development of indigenous technology, the scheme offers various benefits to the industry.
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- Funding Support:
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- The project cost of up to INR 50 crore will be considered for funding.
- The funding may cover up to 90% of the total project cost.
- Industry may collaborate with academia or research institutions, with the involvement of academia not exceeding 40% of the total project cost.
- Funding will be linked to mutually agreed milestones.
- Funds will be released either in advance against a bank guarantee of the same amount as collateral or as reimbursement based on milestone completion.
- Subsequent installments will be released upon successful completion of milestones.
- The maximum development period for projects is four years.
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- Eligibility:
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- Eligible entities include public limited companies, private limited companies, partnership firms, limited liability partnerships, one-person companies, or sole proprietorships registered in India, with a focus on MSMEs and startups.
- The industry must be owned and controlled by a resident Indian citizen.
- Entities with more than 49% foreign investment are not eligible.
- Startups must be recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as per Government of India guidelines.
- Startups incorporated for less than three years from the date of application submission are considered nascent startups.
- A nascent startup should be incubated at a Central/State government-assisted incubator.
- Startups should not have received any grants or grants-in-aid from any government scheme for similar technology.
- The startup must be owned and controlled by a resident Indian citizen with a shareholding of at least 51%.
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UPSC GS 3
Dengue
- News: In response to the rising number of dengue cases amid the ongoing monsoon, the Karnataka government has established ‘Dengue War Rooms’ across the state.
- Dengue Overview
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- Dengue, also known as break-bone fever, is a mosquito-borne viral infection common in tropical and subtropical climates, especially in urban and semi-urban areas.
- While many cases are asymptomatic or mild, dengue can occasionally lead to severe illness and even death.
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- Transmission:
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- Dengue is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes.
- There are four types of dengue virus (DENV).
- It is not contagious from person to person except from a pregnant person to their child.
- A person can be infected with dengue multiple times.
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- Common symptoms: High fever, headache, body aches, nausea, dengue hemorrhagic fever,
- Global Presence:
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- Dengue is endemic in more than 100 countries in the WHO regions of Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, South-East Asia and Western Pacific.
- The Americas, South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions were the most seriously affected, with Asia accounting for around 70% of the global disease burden.
- Dengue is spreading to new areas in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and South America.
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Operation Amanat
- News: The Railway Protection Force (RPF) recently conducted a successful operation named “Amanat,” resulting in the retrieval of lost or left-behind luggage and valuable articles.
- Aim:
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- Retrieval and restoration of passenger belongings and valuables, surpassing their conventional duties to assist passengers in need.
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- Procedure:
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- The details of lost luggage along with photos are uploaded by RPF personnel of the respective Divisions.
- The details are uploaded in the web portal https://wr.indianrailways.gov.in/ in the tab of divisions under the link “Mission Amanat – RPF”.
- Passengers can check whether their luggage which went missing or was lost in railway premises or trains is available at the Lost Property Office centres at stations.
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