Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 09 July 2024 | Download PDF

• A 35-year-old female elephant was found dead at Mavathuru, Bailuru wildlife range of Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT) recently.

About BRT:

• Location: Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka
• Bio-geographical Habitat: Situated between the Western and Eastern Ghats
• Name Origin: Derived from ‘BILIGIRI‘, the white rocky cliff with a temple of Lord ‘VISHNU’, locally known as ‘Rangaswamy’
• Tiger Reserve Status: Declared in 2011
• Vegetation:
  • Primarily dry deciduous forest
  • Interspersed with moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen, and shola patches at varying altitudes.

• The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister of India, has recently approved the signing of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement by India.

About BBNJ Agreement:

• Treaty Under UNCLOS:
  • An international treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
  • Aims to protect marine biodiversity in the high seas.
• Objectives:
  • Addresses long-term protection of marine biodiversity.
  • Ensures sustainable use of marine biological diversity.
  • Promotes international cooperation and coordination.
• Regulations:
  • Prohibits sovereign claims over marine resources from the high seas.
  • Ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
  • Minimizes impacts on the marine environment using area-based management tools.
  • Establishes rules for conducting environmental impact assessments.
• Contribution to SDGs: Contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG14 (Life Below Water).

• The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) recently launched an integrated tribal development programme in the Kulathupuzha grama panchayat, Kerala.

About Integrated Tribal Development Programme:

• Based on the ‘Wadi’ Model: Evolved with the support of national and international development agencies.
• Funding: Projects funded through the Tribal Development Fund.
• Objectives:
  • Integrated Development:
    • Create replicable models of integrated development of tribal families on a participatory basis.
    • Focus on sustainable income-generating activities based on the area’s potential and tribal needs.
• Strengthen Tribal Institutions:
  • Build and strengthen tribal institutions.
  • Enable communities to participate in policy formulation and program execution.
  • Improve social and economic status.
• Build and strengthen producers’ organizations.

• The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, has initiated Project PARI (Public Art of India) on the occasion of the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting. 

About Project PARI:

• The Project PARI (Public Art of India) aims to stimulate dialogue, reflection, and inspiration, contributing to the dynamic cultural fabric of the nation.
• It provides a platform to uplift the aesthetic and cultural outlook of Delhi while adding grandeur to the rich historical legacy of our national capital.
• The representation of Art in public spaces is particularly significant as it showcases the nation’s rich and diverse cultural heritage. 
• The proposed sculptures being created for Project PARI include wide-ranging ideas such as 
  • Paying tributes to nature, 
  • Ideas inspired by the Natyashastra, Gandhi ji, 
  • Toys of India, 
  • Hospitality, 
  • Ancient knowledge, 
  • Naad or Primeval Soun, 
  • Harmony of life, 
  • Kalpataru – the divine tree, etc.
• Women artists have been an integral part of Project PARI and their participation in large numbers is a testimony of Bharat’s NARI SHAKTI.
• This initiative is being executed by the Lalit Kala Akademi, an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Culture.

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has recently released draft rules for the Digital Bharat Nidhi, aiming to enhance telecom connectivity in rural areas, in a fresh attempt by the central government.

About Digital Bharat Nidhi:

• Replacement of USOF:
  • The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) replaces the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
  • USOF was funded by a 5% Universal Service Levy on the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of all telecom operators.
• Purpose of Funds: The funds are used for the expansion of telecom networks in remote and rural areas.
• Contribution Process:
  • Telecom companies contribute to the DBN as per the Telecom Act.
  • Contributions are first credited to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI).
  • The Central government periodically deposits collected funds into the DBN.
• Usage of DBN Funds:
  • Support universal service by promoting telecommunication access and delivery in underserved areas.
  • Fund research and development of telecommunication services, technologies, and products.
  • Introduce new telecommunication services, technologies, and products.
  • Provide targeted access to telecommunication services for underserved groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and economically and socially weaker sections.

President Droupadi Murmu, speaking at Jayadev Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, emphasized the enduring legacy of Pandit Gopabandhu Das.

Key points:

She highlighted his profound contributions across various domains such as social service, literature, education, and journalism. 

Murmu remarked that the impact of Pandit Gopabandhu Das’s work remains indelible in these fields.

Pandit Gopabandhu Das’s Educational Vision:

• Murmu praised Pandit Gopabandhu Das’s educational philosophy, noting his establishment of Muktakash School (Van Vidyalaya) in Satyabadi, Puri. 
• She underscored his belief in holistic education that integrated nature with learning, fostering physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual development among students.

Pandit Gopabandhu Das’s Nationalism and Literary Contributions:

• President Murmu highlighted Pandit Gopabandhu Das’s commitment to nationalism and democratic values through his literary works. 
• She noted that his poetry and prose resonated with messages of patriotism and global welfare, reflecting his dedication to Odia pride and Indian nationalism.

About:

• Gopabandhu Das (1877-1928) was an Indian freedom fighter, poet, social reformer, and journalist from Odisha.
• He founded the Satyabadi School in Odisha, which was aimed at providing education to the poor and the downtrodden.
• He was also the founder of the “Utkal Sammilani” which worked for the cultural and linguistic unity of Odisha.

• The Brutang Irrigation Project in Odisha’s Nayagarh district has received final forest clearance from the Centre.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted approval for the use of forest land for non-forest purposes to facilitate the project.

About:

• The Centre has sanctioned the irrigation of 1,524.17 hectares of forest land under the project.
• In compensation, the state government has committed to undertake afforestation on an equal area of land.
• The Brutang project aims to irrigate approximately 23,000 hectares of cultivable land.
• Farmers in Nayagarh and Daspalla are expected to benefit significantly from this initiative.

• Every year during Rath Yatra, the sibling deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra from Kankana Sikhari temple in Odisha’s Khurda district embark on a unique journey. 
• Instead of the traditional road procession, these deities are transported in a chariot boat.

Historical Significance:

• This distinctive Rath Yatra tradition has been observed for a decade, commemorating an ancient legend. 
• In 1731, Kankana Kuda (now Kankana Sikhari) served as a sanctuary for the idols from Jagannath temple in Puri, safeguarding them during troubled times.

Cultural Practices:

• During the chariot boat procession, devotees participate by tying their boats to the chariot boat and pulling it across the water. 
• The atmosphere is filled with the sounds of conch shells, cymbals, trumpets, and devotional songs, echoing with chants of ‘Jai Jagannath’.

Historical Background:

• In the late 17th century, when the Jagannath temple at Puri faced threats from Mughal attacks under Taqi Khan, the idols were temporarily relocated to various places around Chilika Lake. 
• Kankana Kuda, then densely forested and teeming with wildlife, played a crucial role as one of these sanctuaries. 
• After months of concealment, the idols were eventually brought back to Nairi village, marking a significant chapter in Odisha’s religious history.

• The Orissa High Court recently declined to intervene in the replacement of the Jayadev Award.

Key points:

• Initially conferred for exceptional contributions to Odia cinema since 1980.
• Replaced by the Mohan Sundar Dev Goswami Award for lifetime achievement in Odia cinema.

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