UPSC: Ramayan Temple, eSwasthya Dham Portal, Dengue, Operation Amanat

Table of Contents

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.

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.

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.

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.