13 Jul | UPSC Current Affairs: Ramayan Temple, eSwasthya Dham Portal, Dengue, Operation Amanat

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UPSC GS 1

Ramayan Temple

  • News:  The second phase of construction of ‘world’s largest Ramayantemple’ has begun in Bihar.
  • Definition: 
      • The “world’s largest Ramayan temple” is being constructed in East Champaran district of Bihar. 
  • Architectural Inspiration:The architecture of the temple is inspired by:
      •  Angkor Wat in Cambodia 
      • Ramanathaswamy Temple at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu  
      • Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai. 
  • Cost:
      • The temple is being built at a cost of ₹500 crore.

Ramayan Temple

  • Features: 
      • 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. 
  • Comparison with Ram Mandir in Ayodhya:
      • 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.

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:
      • The Uttarakhand Government’s Department of Health and Family Welfare has launched a portal called eSwasthya Dham.
  • Aim: 
      • The eSwasthya Dham portal helps in monitoring the health parameters of Char Dham Yatra pilgrims.
  • Char Dham:
      • The Char Dham Yatra or pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites:
      •  Yamunotri 
      • Gangotri 
      • Kedarnath  
      • Badrinath 
  • Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA):
      • 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. 

eSwasthya Dham Portal

Technology Development Fund (TDF) Scheme

  • News:  Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) sanctioned seven new projects under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme.
  • Overview:
      • 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.
  • Objectives: 
      • 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.
  • Funding Support:
      • 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.
  • Eligibility:
      • 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%.

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
      • 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.
  • Transmission: 
      • 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.

Dengue

  • Common symptoms: High fever, headache, body aches, nausea, dengue hemorrhagic fever, 
  • Global Presence: 
      • 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.

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: 
      • Retrieval and restoration of passenger belongings and valuables, surpassing their conventional duties to assist passengers in need.
  • Procedure: 
      • 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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