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  • Thwaites glacier at mercy of sea warmth increase

    thwaites

    The new research suggests that even low amounts of melting can potentially push Thwaites glacier further along the path toward eventual disappearance.

    Thwaites Glacier

    • Called the Thwaites Glacier, it is 120 km wide at its broadest, fast-moving, and melting fast over the years.
    • Because of its size (1.9 lakh square km), it contains enough water to raise the world sea level by more than half a meter.
    • Studies have found the amount of ice flowing out of it has nearly doubled over the past 30 years.
    • Thwaites’s melting already contributes 4% to global sea-level rise each year. It is estimated that it would collapse into the sea in 200-900 years.
    • Thwaites is important for Antarctica as it slows the ice behind it from freely flowing into the ocean. Because of the risk it faces — and poses — Thwaites is often called the Doomsday Glacier.

    How is Thwaites glacier melting?

    thwaites

    • Thwaites Glacier is melting due to a combination of warming ocean currents and a weakening of the ice shelf that acts as a barrier between the glacier and the ocean.
    • The cause of the melting is thought to be the influx of relatively warm bottom water drawn in from the wider ocean.
    • In the 1990s it was losing just over 10 billion tonnes of ice a year. Today, it’s more like 80 billion tonnes.

    Why is this glacier so important?

    • Huge size: Flowing off the west of the Antarctic continent, Thwaites is almost as big as Great Britain.   It is one of the largest and most important glaciers in Antarctica, as it acts as a gateway to a vast area of the continent.
    • Melting faster: It’s a majestic sight, with its buoyant front, or “ice shelf”, pushing far out to sea and kicking off huge icebergs. But satellite monitoring indicates this glacier is melting at an accelerating rate.
    • Seal level rise: Thwaites’ ice loss contributes approximately 4% to the annual rise in global sea-levels, with the potential to add 65cm in total should the whole glacier collapse.  Its melting could also destabilize the entire West Antarctic Ice Sheet, leading to a further rise in sea levels.

     

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  • Folk dance in news: Lavani

    lavani

    Central idea: The article is based on the controversy surrounding the Maharashtra folk dance form, Lavani, which has come under criticism for being ‘vulgar’ and ‘obscene’.

    What is the Lavani folk art form?

    • The word Lavani comes from ‘lavanya’ or beauty.
    • Lavani is a traditional folk art form in which women dancers wearing nine-yard-long sarees in bright colours, make-up, and ghunghroos perform on dholak beats on a stage before a live audience.
    • As an indigenous art form, Lavani has a history going back several centuries, and it attained particular popularity in the Peshwa era in the 18th century.
    • Traditionally, performances were held in front of kings or lords, and for the entertainment of tired soldiers resting during breaks in fighting.

    Genres of Lavani

    • There are several types of Lavani, of which the most popular is the Shringarik (erotic) kind, in which the lyrics are often teasing, with sensuous dance steps and delicate gestures employed to convey erotic meaning.
    • Over the years, Lavani has gained more acceptability among the people, even though certain taboos around it continue.
    • The audience has historically been all-male, but in recent years, some women too have begun to attend performances.

    Why is it under fire these days?

    • Lost its original form: Some also argue that the commercialization of Lavani has led to a loss of authenticity and cultural significance.
    • Objectifying women: The criticism of Lavani dance centres on the traditional dance form’s alleged objectification and commodification of women’s bodies.
    • Public obscenity: It has been accused of promoting obscenity and vulgarity and reinforcing patriarchal attitudes towards women.
    • Communalizing/Stereotyping: Critics have also argued that the dance form perpetuates negative stereotypes of women from marginalized communities, such as the notion that Dalit women are “loose” or sexually promiscuous.

     

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  • India’s first Law Minister Dr. Ambedkar’s resignation letter missing from records

    ambedkar

    Dr. BR Ambedkar was India’s first Law Minister after independence. The letter of his resignation is now missing from official records.

    Dr Ambedkar as Law Minister

    • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar served as Independent India’s first law minister.
    • He was an Indian jurist, economist, politician, and social reforme, who was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990.
    • It is believed that Sardar Patel and Mahatma Gandhi proposed Dr. Ambedkar’s name for the post of Law Minister in the Nehru Cabinet.

    Why was he selected for the post?

    • Being father of our Constitution: Sardar Patel, then deputy PM, had a high regard for Dr. Ambedkar’s intellectual abilities and his contributions to the drafting of India’s Constitution.
    • Political urge for inclusivity: Additionally, Dr. Ambedkar’s role in the Dalit movement and his fight against caste discrimination also made him a significant political figure.
    • Representation of the marginalized: His appointment as the Law Minister was seen as a symbol of inclusivity and representation of marginalized communities in the government.

    Why did Dr. Ambedkar resign?

    • Political differences with Nehru: He resigned as Law Minister, due to differences with the then PM, Jawaharlal Nehru, over the Hindu Code Bill. He specifically wanted to reform Hindu Personal Laws and not every personal laws in India.
    • Row over reforming Personal Laws: The bill aimed to reform Hindu personal laws related to marriage, divorce, and inheritance, but Dr. Ambedkar believed that it did not go far enough in granting women’s rights and wanted more radical changes.
    • Injustice to women: Ambedkar had proposed a more comprehensive set of reforms that would have given women greater rights in matters such as property ownership and inheritance, but his proposals were met with resistance from Nehru and other members of the government.

    Efforts to locate his resignation letter

    • The letter was not found in the National Archives of India and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
    • The Maharashtra government has also been unable to locate the letter in its archives.
    • RTI (Right to Information) requests were also unsuccessful.

    Significance of his letter

    • The missing letter is a matter of concern as it is an important historical document.
    • Ambedkar’s resignation was a significant event in India’s political history and the reasons behind it are still relevant today.
    • The letter could shed light on the differences between the visionary Dr. Ambedkar and then mainstream politicians.

     

     

    India’s first Provisional Government (Constitutionally)

     

    • Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India after the country gained independence in 1947.
    • The members of his first cabinet, which was sworn in on August 15, 1947, were as follows:
    1. Jawaharlal Nehru – Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs
    2. Vallabhbhai Patel – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs
    3. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar – Minister of Law and Member of the Viceroy’s Executive Council
    4. C. Rajagopalachari – Minister of Industry and Supply
    5. John Mathai – Minister of Railways
    6. Liaquat Ali Khan – Minister of Finance
    7. Baldev Singh – Minister of Defence
    8. Sardar Baldev Singh – Minister of Communications
    9. Sardar Swaran Singh – Minister of Works, Mines and Power
    10. Jagjivan Ram – Minister of Labour and Rehabilitation
    11. Dr. Rajendra Prasad – Minister of Food and Agriculture
    12. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad – Minister of Education
    13. Sardar K.M. Panikkar – Minister of States
    14. Rafi Ahmed Kidwai – Minister of Communications (Independent Charge)
    15. Asaf Ali – Minister of Railways (Independent Charge)
    • It is worth noting that this was a provisional government, and the first general election to form a permanent government was held in 1952.

     

    Note: Azad Hind was not India’s first provisional government. The credit for establishing that – formally known as the ”Hukumat-i-Moktar-i-Hind” – in Kabul on 1st Dec, 1915, goes to Raja Mahendra Pratap and Maulana Barkatullah.

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  • Who was Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati?

    dayanand

    PM inaugurated celebrations commemorating Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati’s 200th birth anniversary.

    Dayanand Saraswati (1824-1883)

    • Dayanand Saraswati (born Mool Shankar Tiwari) was a religious leader and founder of the Arya Samaj, a reform movement in the nineteenth century.
    • He was a profound scholar of the Vedic lore and Sanskrit language.
    • Dayanand was a great scholar, and was well-versed in the Vedas and the Upanishads.
    • He was also proficient in Sanskrit grammar, philosophy, religion, politics and other sciences.

    Notable works

    (1) Literary works

    • He wrote several books, including the Satyarth Prakash, which became the moral and spiritual foundation of the Arya Samaj.
    • This book was translated into many languages, including Hindi, English and Urdu.

    (2) Freedom movement

    • He was the first to give the call for Swaraj as “Indian for India” – in 1876, a call later taken up by Lokmanya Tilak.
    • Subsequently, the philosopher and President of India, S. Radhakrishnan, called him one of the “makers of Modern India”, as did Sri Aurobindo.

    (3) Religious reform

    • Denouncing the idolatry and ritualistic worship prevalent in Hinduism at the time, he worked towards reviving Vedic ideologies.
    • He believed that the Vedas should be interpreted in the light of reason and not of blind faith.
    • He also campaigned against animal sacrifice and the worship of idols.

    (4) Social reform

    • Dayanand was a staunch advocate of women’s rights.
    • He believed in the equality of all human beings and advocated the abolition of the caste system.

    (5) Education

    • Dayanand was an ardent believer in the power of knowledge and education.
    • He established the Gurukul system of education, which provided free education to all, irrespective of caste or gender.
    • Based on his teachings, in 1885 the first DAV School was established at Lahore which was subsequently upgraded to become the first DAV College.
    • In 1886 the DAV College Trust and Management Society was established and registered.

     

    Try this PYQ:

    Which among the following event happened earliest?

    (a) Swami Dayanand established Arya Samaj

    (b) Dinabandhu Mitra wrote Neeldarpan

    (c) Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote Anandmath

    (d) Satyendranath Tagore became the first India to succeed in the Indian Civil Services Examination.

     

    [wpdiscuz-feedback id=”m4telm58he” question=”Please leave a feedback on this” opened=”1″]Post your answers here.[/wpdiscuz-feedback]

     

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  • Today in History: Treaty of Alinagar

    alinagar

    Signed on February 9, 1757, the Treaty of Alinagar between the Nawab of Bengal and the East India Company raised the curtains for British colonial expansion in India.

    Treaty of Alinagar, 1757

    • Signed on February 9, 1757, the Treaty of Alinagar was signed between Robert Clive of the East India Company and Mirza Muhammad Siraj Ud Daula, then Nawab of Bengal.
    • It is said to be one of the key events leading up to the Battle of Plassey later that year.
    • Plassey was where the English laid a significant blow, defeating the nawab. It paved the way for the East India Company’s takeover of Bengal.
    • The name Alinagar was a short-lived reference to modern-day Kolkata, and the treaty came about after the nawab was faced with both the British and Afghan forces.
    • He compromised with the former; however, the peace was short-lived.

    British advent in India: A quick backgrounder

    • After the Anglo-Mughal War which took place between 1686 and 1690, the British began consolidating their presence in the subcontinent.
    • It had established the Fort St. George in what was Madras, Fort William in then Calcutta and Bombay Castle by the beginning of the 18th century.
    • The British initially helped local princes and nawabs quell uprisings or revolts and they, in turn, gave them concessions.

    Course of the treaty

    • In January 1757, the British attacked the town of Hooghly, close to then Calcutta, with over 700 men.
    • The Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-daulah, who had just come to power a year earlier in his early 20s, mobilised forces.
    • His troops would overpower the British and reach Calcutta on January 10, 1757, having lost over 600 men.
    • However, the losses sustained in the war had resulted in the nawab losing confidence.
    • He signed what came to be known as the Treaty of Alinagar with Robert Clive – who became the first British Governor of the Bengal Presidency – on February 9, 1757.
    • Siraj-ud-daulah agreed to the restoration of the company’s factories and allowed for the fortification of Calcutta.

    Aftermath of the battle

    • The British then moved on to wrest the remaining territories in Bengal from the French, laying siege to Chandannagar.
    • However, the move did not go down well with the nawab.
    • But, Daulah was also wary of Afghan forces under Ahmad Shah Durrani and the Marathas.
    • Traders in his kingdom were already wary of him and there was a conspiracy led by the likes of his military general, Mir Jafar.
    • Events would later culminate in the Battle of Plassey on June 23, 1757.
    • It resulted in the East India Company gaining hold of Bengal and was a significant event in its rise to power in the subcontinent.

    Try this question.

    Q.For most Indians, the history of British colonial rule in India begins in Plassey. However, the roots of it were sown long back. Discuss. (250W)

     

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  • In news: Kingdom of Vijayanagara

    vijay

    A British author has published a book telling of the fictionalised story of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. He took accounts of the poet named Pampa Kampana, who witnessed Vijayanagara’s many victories and defeats.

    Who was Pampa Kampana?

    • Pampa Kampana was a 15th-century ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, who reigned from 1484 to 1490.
    • He is known for his military campaigns against the Bahmani Sultanate and the Gajapati kingdom of Orissa.
    • He was a great patron of the arts and literature, and his court was home to illustrious poets and scholars such as Vyasatirtha.

     

    About Vijayanagara Kingdom

    • The Vijayanagara kingdom has long been a subject of historical and political interest.
    • From their capital, now known as Hampi, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, the kings of Vijayanagara at the peak of their power ruled over a territory of more than 360,000 sq. km.
    • Founded in 1336, the kingdom of Vijayanagara lasted for more than three centuries, a period in which it withstood multiple political stresses, and saw significant advances in art and economy.
    • It was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the sub-continent.

    Its foundation

    • Over the course of its existence from 1336 to 1646, the kingdom saw various ups and downs.
    • Founded by Harihara I of the Sangama dynasty, Vijayanagara expanded from a strategic position on the banks of the Tungabhadra River.
    • By the 15th century, it had become a force to reckon with.

    Rise under Krishna Deva Raya I

    • The kingdom reached its peak under Krishna Deva Raya (reign 1509-1529).
    • It is a period in which Vijayanagara enjoyed military superiority to its rival kingdoms such as the Bahmani Sultanate, the Golconda Sultanate and the Gajapatis of Odisha.
    • At its peak, the kingdom stretched from Goa in the Konkan coast to parts of southern Odisha in the east and all the way to the very tip of the subcontinent in the south.

    Why the Vijayanagara history is so much celebrated?

    Ans. Economic Prosperity

    • Monetized economy: Coins were minted by the state as well as by merchant guilds using gold, silver, copper and brass, and their value depended on material weight.
    • Control over key commodities: The Empire’s principal exports were pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, myrobalan, tamarind timber, anafistula, precious and semi-precious stones, pearls, musk, ambergris, rhubarb, aloe, cotton cloth and porcelain.
    • Maritime trade: While the economy of the kingdom was largely dependent on agriculture, trade thrived in its many ports on either coast. Traveller Abd al-Razzaq Samarqandi chronicled how the ports of Mangalore, Honavar, Bhatkal, Barkur, Cochin, Cannanore, Machilipatnam, and Dharmadam saw traders from Africa, Arabia, Aden, the Red sea, China and Bengal and also served as ship building centres.

    Vijayanagara’s contributions to culture and architecture

    (1) Literary development

    • The Vijayanagar Empire was also known for its flourishing culture and literature.
    • The court was home to many poets and scholars, who wrote in both Sanskrit and Kannada.
    • The emperor Krishnadevaraya was himself a noted poet, authoring works such as the Amuktamalyada and the Jambavati Kalyanam.
    • The Vijayanagar Empire also patronized the arts, which led to a flourishing of music, dance, and painting.

    (2) Architectural development

    • Vijayanagara’s capital Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site today, known for its sophisticated fortifications as well as innumerable temples and other architectural marvels.
    • From accounts of foreign travellers, by the beginning of the 16th century, Hampi-Vijayanagara was probably the second largest urban settlement on the planet (after Beijing) and among the most prosperous.
    • The most impressive architectural feat of the Vijayanagar Empire was the iconic Vitthala temple complex in Hampi.
    • This complex consists of a temple dedicated to the god Vitthala, a large audience hall, and a stone chariot shrine.
    • The Prasanna Virupaksha temple of Bukka I and the Hazara Rama temple of Krishna Deva Raya are striking examples of Vijayanagara’s characteristic style and intricate artistry.

    Causes of its decline

    • Military defeats: The first major defeat for the empire was the Battle of Talikota in 1565, in which the Vijayanagara Empire was defeated by a coalition of Muslim sultanates. This major defeat drastically weakened the Vijayanagara Empire and led to a period of political instability and civil war.
    • Economic disruption: This was further worsened by the Deccan Sultanates’ policy of destroying Vijayanagara’s economy and trade networks. This ultimately resulted in the loss of the empire’s political power and reduced its ability to defend itself from further attacks.
    • Internal conflict: Other contributing factors included internal divisions between the ruling families and the rise of local governors who declared their independence.

    Various travellers details of Vijayanagara kingdom

    • Vasco da Gama: The first encounter with the Vijayanagara Empire by a European traveller was by the Portuguese explorer, Vasco da Gama, who visited the kingdom in 1498, and was the first to recognize its wealth and power. After this, Krishnadevaraya in 1510 signed a treaty with the Portuguese to permit Albuquerque to construct forts in Bhatkal.
    • Nicolo Conti: The Italian traveller Nicolo Conti visited the kingdom in 1420 and documented his journey in a book titled “Viaggio in India”. He wrote about the grandeur of the cities and the wealth of the kingdom.
    • Jan Huyghen van Linschoten: The Dutch traveller Jan Huyghen van Linschoten visited the kingdom in 1583 and wrote a book describing his journey titled “Itinerario”. He wrote about the impressive forts, the magnificent temples, the thriving markets and the grand palaces.
    • Jean-Baptiste Tavernier: The French traveller Jean-Baptiste Tavernier visited the kingdom in 1665 and wrote a book about his journey titled “Les Six Voyages de Jean-Baptiste Tavernier”. He wrote about the fine architecture, the grandeur of the palaces, and the wealth and prosperity of the kingdom.
    • Robert Orme: The English traveller Robert Orme visited the kingdom in 1770 and wrote a book about his journey titled “Military Transactions in India”. He wrote about the size and scope of the empire, the grandeur of its cities and the advanced military technology used by the kingdom.

    Try this PYQ:

    Building ‘Kalyaana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of

    (a) Chalukya

    (b) Chandela

    (c) Rashtrakuta

    (d) Vijayanagara

     

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  • Sarna Religion of the Tribals

    sarna

    West Bengal Assembly has tabled a motion to recognize Sarna Religion of the tribals and have a Sarna Code.

    Sarna Religion

    • The followers of Sarna faith believe pray to nature.
    • The holy grail of the faith is “Jal (water), Jungle (forest), Zameen (land)” and its followers pray to the trees and hills while believing in protecting the forest areas.
    • Jharkhand has 32 tribal groups of which eight are from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
    • While many follow Hindu religion, some have converted to Christianity — this has become one of the planks of demanding a separate code “to save religious identity”— as various tribal organisations put it.

    Demand for Sarna Code

    • Tribal groups in the region have long demanded the Sarna code, a separate religious classification in the census, recognising their status as independent religious communities.
    • It is believed that 50 lakhs tribal in the entire country put their religion as ‘Sarna’ in the 2011 census, although it was not a code.
    • The resolution will seek a special column for followers of the Sarna religion in the Census, 2021.
    • At present, they are not classified as a separate entity.

    Politics around the tribe

    • Many of the tribals who follow this faith have later converted to Christianity—the state has more than 4% Christians most of whom are tribals.
    • Some who still follow the Sarna faith believe the converted tribals are taking the benefits of reservation as a minority, as well as the benefits, are given to Schedule Tribes.
    • They also believe that benefits should be given specifically to them and not to those who have converted.

    What sense does a separate code make?

    • The protection of their language and history is an important aspect of tribals.
    • Between 1871 and 1951, the tribals had a different code. However, it was changed around 1961-62.
    • Experts argue that when today the entire world is focusing on reducing pollution and protecting the environment, it is prudent that Sarna becomes a religious code as the soul of this religion is to protect nature and the environment.

     

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  • Urban space for women: India can show the path

    Urban

    Context

    • More than half of the population worldwide lives in cities, making urban centres critical to socioeconomic growth and development. However, rampant urbanisation has led to unequal distribution of resources and a lopsided development approach that ignores the specific needs of women. Despite projections of two-thirds of the population living in cities by 2050, urban development remains exclusive of women’s perspectives and needs.

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    Gender inequality in cities

    • Primary reason: One of the primary reasons behind gender inequality in cities is that modern cities are planned mainly by men and for men, thus sidelining the needs of women.
    • Designed assuming that the role of women is confined to household: The cities have been traditionally designed on the premise that a woman’s role is primarily confined to the household, barring their need to access the immediate neighbourhood.
    • Patriarchal approach has taken away the Fundamental rights: This patriarchal approach, while shaping the power dynamics between men and women, has also taken away the fundamental right of women to live and thrive in a safe and inclusive outdoor environment.

    Urban

    Role of women and the challenges they face in urban spaces

    • Women one of the most vulnerable groups in society: Women, one of the most vulnerable groups in society, face violence in physical and cyber mode, making it difficult for them to access opportunities that come with urbanisation.
    • For instance: Due to poorly lit streets and a lack of women-friendly mobility systems, women cannot actively participate in the workforce. Only 27 percent of women participate in the workforce in India as compared to 79 percent of men.
    • Male dominated nature of job opportunities available in the cities: Most of them are male-dominated, such as the platform economy jobs of delivery agents and those at vast construction sites, leaving less space for women to intervene.
    • Women professionals are burdened with dual work responsibilities: Moreover, with an increase in the number of households in cities, women are devoting most of their time to home and caring work, thus, leaving less time for them to do a job. In this scenario, women professionals are burdened with dual work roles, impacting their physical and mental well-being.
    • Discouraged drop outs: Furthermore, the social tendency to discourage urban women from working after marriage has generated a trend of ‘discouraged drop-outs’, leaving them out of the workforce.
    • Role in urban planning and governance is abysmally low: Women’s participation in urban planning and governance has been abysmally low. Women hold only 10 percent of the highest ranks globally in architecture and urban planning offices. With women left out of city planning institutions, city planners ignore the needs of women and the challenges they face.

    Urban

    Do you know: The concept of a 15-minute city?

    • The concept of a 15-minute city, i.e., where everything needed will be available within a walkable distance of 15 minutes, is attracting the interest of planners even in India.
    • However, for stray examples such as Magarpatta, a city in Pune, the concept has failed to move beyond rhetoric.

    Focus areas of development

    • City society intervention is a prerequisite: The intervention of civil society and policymakers on specific parameters can help build gender-responsive cities that accommodate the concerns of all citizens.
    • Building safer cities: Better street lighting, women-friendly transport systems, and behavioural change programmes that help people understand that the onus of safety is not on women but on society as a whole will surely improve women’s access to safer cities.
    • For instance: Building technology systems such as the Safetipin app helps women map safe areas and take necessary actions in emergencies by collating a list of important contacts, GPS tracking and so on, thus, trying to make streets safer.
    • Changing the attitude and mindset of society at large: Counselling sessions for men, sensitising them about how women feel if a certain social behaviour is practised, can trigger an eventual change in their mindset towards women’s needs.
    • Building gender-inclusive jobs: Data suggests that 10 percent increase in women’s workforce participation rate can add US$ 770 million, approximately 18 percent, to India’s GDP. Teaching men to shoulder family responsibilities, making workspaces women-friendly, promoting women to leadership positions, and diversifying the availability of jobs can go a long way in improving the situation.
    • Role of women in urban governance: Having women at the top can have a domino effect in society, making other women aspirational of the positions they can reach and the impact they can create.
    • For example: Cities like Athena, Bogota, Nairobi, Dakar, and San Francisco that have had female leadership have witnessed greater socio-economic and sustainable development.
    • Developing gender-sensitive infrastructure: Globally, one in three women do not have access to safe toilets. Building toilets for women and places to breastfeed and baby changing stations improves the turnout of women on the streets. Improving access to clean water will also improve overall health for women as globally.

    Urban

    Way ahead

    • Need a paradigm shift in approaches to policymaking: Including more women in decision-making roles to identify shared concerns and build integrated solutions will need a paradigm shift in approaches to policymaking. This calls for a policy focus on optimum resource allocation and equitable distribution, ensuring easy, safe, and affordable access to all.
    • Feminist approach in policymaking: Policymakers need to adopt a feminist approach to urban development.
    • Feminist urbanism: Feminist urbanism seeks to understand and integrate the concerns of women and other gender and sexual minorities across caste, class, age differences, disabilities, etc.
    • Developing cities on the lines of feminist urbanism: Creating a city on the lines of feminist urbanism refers to constructing compact and mixed-use neighbourhoods, inclusive streets focusing on pedestrian needs and building other critical urban infrastructure.

    Conclusion

    • Building global partnerships to aid gender mainstreaming in urban spaces can prove fruitful. India has a chance to further this cause as it assumes the G20 presidency. The Urban 20 grouping can bring urban policymakers from the -20 nations to deliberate on women’s rights and evolve gender-inclusive development processes to help cities attain the 2030 agenda for sustainable development holistically.

  • In news: Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

    The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to form a special committee to trace and certify 24 protected monuments that have gone “missing”.

    Why in news?

    • PMO has in a report last month said there was an urgent need to “rationalise” the list of monuments of national importance.

    Sites in news

    • Barakhamba Cemetery temple ruins, Mirzapur (UP) dating to 1000 AD
    • Kos Minars – one at Faridabad’s Mujesar and
    • Inchla Wali Gumti at Mubarakpur Kotla in the capital

    Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 

    • Founded by Alexander Cunningham, who is also revered as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”
    • He was the protege of James Prinsep.
    • It was Lord Canning who helped pass a statute for ASI’s establishment in 1861.
    • Post-Independence, it is a Statutory body that now works under Ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains act (AMASR Act), 1958.
    • It works as an attached Office of the Ministry of Culture.
    • ASI has 3678 protected monuments and Archaeology sites of National Importance + 29 cultural under the World Heritage List by UNESCO.

    Initiatives by ASI

    1. Museums
    • ASI’s museums are customarily located right next to the sites that their inventories are associated with “so that they may be studied amid their natural surroundings and not lose focus by being transported”.
    • A dedicated Museums Branch maintains a total of 44 museums spread across the country.
    1. Publications by ASI
    • Epigraphia Indica
    • Ancient India
    • Indian Archaeology: A Review (Annually)
    1. Library
    • Central Archaeological Library in the National Archives building in Janpath, New Delhi

     

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  • What are Shaligram Stones?

    shaligram

    Two sacred Shaligram stones arrived in Ayodhya for crafting the idols of Lord Ram and Janaki at the Ram Temple.

    What is a Shaligram Stones?

    • Shaligram stones are fossils of ammonite, which is a type of mollusk that lived between 400 million and 65 million years ago.
    • They are found in the Shaligram Pilgrimage in the Nepal Himalayas.
    • They date specifically from the Early Oxfordian to the Late Tithonian Age near the end of the Jurassic Period some 165-140 million years ago.
    • Mostly found in riverbeds or banks of the Kali Gandaki, a tributary of the Gandaki River in Nepal, this stone is revered as a representation of Lord Vishnu.
    • The stone is considered to have divine powers and is seen as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.

    Mythological significance

    • Historically, the use of shaligrama shilas in worship can be traced to the time of Adi Shankara through the latter’s works.
    • Specifically it finds mention in the Taittiriya Upanishad.
    • The statue of Vishnu in the Padmanabhaswamy Temple of Thiruvananthapuram and Badrinath Temple of Garhwal region, and that of Krishna in Krishna Matha of Udupi and Radha Raman Temple of Vrindavana are also believed to be made from shaligrama shilas.

     

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