|
One Liners 02-04-2025
|
|
History, Art and Culture
|
|
Dadasaheb Phalke
Born April 30, 1870, in Trimbak (now Maharashtra), Dadasaheb Phalke was a pioneering Indian producer-director-screenwriter.
- A Visionary Filmmaker - Widely recognized as the "Father of Indian cinema," Phalke laid the foundation for the country's film industry.
- Trailblazing Contributions - His groundbreaking work as a producer, director, and screenwriter shaped the early landscape of Indian movies.
- Legacy and Recognition - In honor of his immense contributions, the Government of India established the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
- Enduring Impact - Phalke's legacy continues to inspire filmmakers and remains a cornerstone of Indian cinematic history.
- First Indian Film was – Harish Chandrachi Factory (Marathi Movie) directed by Dadasaheb Phalke.
|
|
Basava Jayanti
Recently, on Basava Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Jagadguru Basaveshwara, the 12th-century philosopher and social reformer. He paid tribute to Basaveshwara's deep wisdom and lasting legacy.
- Born in - 1131 AD, Basaveshwara, a revered poet-philosopher from Karnataka, founded Lingayatism. His followers wear the linga, symbolizing Shiva.
- Prime Minister and Visionary - Serving as PM under King Bijjala, Basaveshwara advocated for a society without caste, emphasizing equal opportunity and hard work.
- Spiritual Philosophy - stressed Arivu (knowledge), Achara (conduct), and Anubhava (experience), promoting Lingangayoga – a union of devotion, knowledge, and action.
- Socio-Economic Principles - Basaveshwara introduced Kayaka (divine work), advocating sincere labor, and Dasoha (equal distribution), urging fair wages and selfless sharing of surplus wealth.
- Lasting Impact - His spiritual and social reforms, including the Anubhava Mantapa, a forum for discussion, continue to influence and inspire generations.
- Important works - Shat-sthala-vachana, Kala-jnana-vachana, Mantra-gopya, Ghatachakra-vachana, and Raja-yoga-vachana.
|
|
Polity & Governance
|
|
Hi-Tech Toilets for Women in Bidar
Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) recently announced its initiative to establish hi-tech community toilets exclusively for women in 60 villages across Bidar district to improve sanitation access.
- Modern Toilet Features - Each Rs 25 lakh unit includes 11 washrooms (Indian and Western styles), a waste conversion system for fertilizer, water and electricity supply, and an inverter for nighttime use, wash basins, and laundry platforms.
- Wide Coverage Across Taluks - Sixty units are approved across Bidar's taluks, with the first model established in Chatnalli village, Bidar taluk, spanning 600 sq. ft in a safe, accessible location.
- Safety and Health Benefits - These toilets aim to reduce risks of snakebites and drowning associated with open defecation, while also improving overall hygiene and health in rural areas.
- Ensuring Functionality - Adequate water supply will be ensured through connections from the Jal Jeevan Mission, addressing a common issue with rural community toilets.
|
|
Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha: Constitutional Mandate
The continued absence of a Deputy Speaker in the 18th Lok Sabha, mirroring the 17th, has sparked concerns regarding adherence to constitutional mandates and established parliamentary conventions
- Article 93 - The Indian Constitution mandates the Lok Sabha to elect a Deputy Speaker "as soon as may be," alongside the Speaker.
- Election and Convention - Lok Sabha members elect the Deputy Speaker from among themselves. The Speaker sets the election date post his own election. Conventionally, the Deputy Speaker is chosen from the Opposition, though not legally required.
- Powers and Functions - The Deputy Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha in the Speaker's absence, exercises a casting vote in ties, and automatically chairs any appointed parliamentary committee. They are independent and directly responsible to the Lok Sabha.
- Relevance: Continuity and Neutrality - The Deputy Speaker ensures uninterrupted House proceedings and maintains institutional neutrality, balancing legislative debates.
- Symbol of Bipartisanship - Historically, appointing the Deputy Speaker from the Opposition fosters cross-party cooperation and trust, symbolizing bipartisanship.
- Crisis Management - The Deputy Speaker plays a crucial role in crisis management, especially during unforeseen Speaker vacancies, ensuring smooth functioning of the House.
|
|
International Relations and Issues
|
|
India and Egypt Discuss Skill Development Cooperation
Recently, a high-level Egyptian delegation engaged in crucial discussions with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in New Delhi.
- Strengthening Bilateral Ties - Meeting, facilitated by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), builds upon the Strategic Partnership established in 2023, further solidifying the strong India-Egypt relationship.
- India's Skilling Vision - MSDE, emphasized India’s ambition to become the “Skill Capital of the World” through the Skill India Mission (SIM), highlighting significant achievements in advanced skilling and entrepreneurship.
About SIM
- Launched in 2015 under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Skill India Programme is a national initiative focused on skill development.
- The programme has positively impacted over 2.27 crore individuals, including rural youth, women, and marginalized communities.
- Courses and certifications offered through the Skill India Programme adhere to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
- The programme is integrated with DigiLocker and the National Credit Framework (NCrF), ensuring formal recognition of skills and facilitating transitions to employment and further education.
- The Skill India Programme aims to empower a large segment of the population with relevant skills for improved livelihoods.
|
|
Military Spenders of 2024-25
Recent Escalating geopolitical tensions, notably the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Middle East instability, have spurred a surge in national defense budgets report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
- Rise in Global Military Expenditure (2024-25) - As nations allocated substantial portions of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) towards defense. This notable increase reflects the escalating geopolitical tensions worldwide.
- India's Ascendancy as a Major Military Power - Among the world's largest military spenders, India firmly established its position as the fifth-highest globally.
· Fifth Largest Military Spender - In 2024, India ranked fifth globally in military expenditure, allocating $86.1 billion, a 1.6% rise from 2023. This accounts for 3.2% of total global military spending.
- Top 4 countries are – USA, China, Russia and Germany.
|
|
Environment
|
|
Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR)
The Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) of STR in Rajasthan is expected to expand by approximately 4,500 hectares.
The development and refinement were driven by the breeding trends and movement behaviors of tigers at STR.
About STR
- Location & History - Nestled in the ancient Aravalli range, Sariska spans 800 sq. km. Formerly the Alwar Maharaja's hunting grounds, it became a reserve in 1955 and a national park in 1979.
- Tiger Relocation - Sariska holds the distinction of being the world's first successful tiger relocation site.
- Historical Significance - The reserve is dotted with old temples, palaces, and picturesque lakes like Siliserh and Jai Samand.
- Landscape & Vegetation - Characterized by rocky terrain, scrub thorn and semi-deciduous forests, Sariska features Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous and Thorn Forest vegetation, dominated by dhok trees.
- Wildlife - Besides tigers, Sariska is home to diverse fauna including leopards, sambhar, chital, nilgai, and wild boar.
|
|
Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH)
CTH denotes core zones within tiger reserves, vital for tiger survival.
- Purpose - These inviolate areas, often National Parks or Sanctuaries, ensure undisturbed breeding and thriving.
- Sariska Declaration - Sariska Tiger Reserve's CTH was officially declared in December 2007.
- Inviolability - Human disturbances are minimized within CTH to protect tigers.
- Conservation Goal - CTHs are crucial for the long-term conservation of tiger populations.
|
|
Bone Collector" Caterpillar
A newly discovered carnivorous caterpillar on Oahu, Hawaii, has recently been dubbed the "bone collector" due to its peculiar behavior.
- Protective Case - This caterpillar constructs a protective casing using silk and the remains of its prey, such as ant heads and fly wings.
- Carnivorous Diet - Unlike many caterpillars, the "bone collector" feeds on insects it catches in spider webs.
- Ancient Lineage & Habitat - Found in a small, isolated mountain forest on Oahu, its evolutionary lineage dates back at least six million years. This fragile habitat faces threats from invasive species.
- Hawaiian Context - Hawaii, a US state in the Pacific, is an archipelago of volcanic origin with diverse landscapes. Oahu is one of its eight main islands.
- Conservation Significance- The discovery underscores the unique biodiversity of Hawaii and the importance of protecting its vulnerable ecosystems from invasive threats.
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
|
Padma Awards 2025
Recently, President of India presented the Padma Awards 2025 at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-I, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. This prestigious event honored individuals for their exceptional contributions across various fields.
- Instituted in - 1954
- Categories -Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for exceptional and distinguished service.
- Padma Bhushan -Awarded for distinguished service of a high order.
- Padma Shri - Awarded for distinguished service in any field.
- Eligibility - All individuals, without distinction of race, occupation, position, or sex, are eligible.
- Government servants, including those in Public Sector Undertakings (excluding doctors and scientists), are not eligible.
- The awards are usually not conferred posthumously, but exceptions can be made in highly deserving cases if the person died recently (within one-year preceding Republic Day).
- A higher category of Padma Award can only be conferred if at least five years have passed since the previous Padma Award, although this can be relaxed in exceptional cases.
|
