Culture

Caste as a ‘Way of Life’: Path to Equality and Inclusion

Context Recent initiatives like the PM Vishwakarma scheme and the National Education Policy (NEP) treat caste as a cultural and occupational identity. While these efforts aim to promote inclusion, they raise concerns about achieving real equality.   Key Concepts Culturalisation of Caste Caste is increasingly seen as part of culture, …

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Women’s Representation in Leadership Roles

Context: According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s report titled “Women and Men in India 2023,” there is a notable shortage of women in executive roles. Below are some key insights from the report: Underrepresentation in the Corporate Sector: Disparity in Senior Management: In 2023, only 34,879 women …

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Gotipua Dance and Its Decline in Odisha

Historical Background: The Gotipua dance tradition began in Odisha during the 16th century under the patronage of Bhoi king Rama Chandra Dev. In the Oriya language, “Goti” means single and “Pua” means boy. This dance form was developed as a male counterpart to the Mahari tradition, which involved ritualistic dances …

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Delay in Nagaland Civic Polls

GS Paper II (Governance): It highlights the concept of special provisions for certain states and the rationale behind them. Essay Paper: Article 371A can be a relevant point for essays related to federalism, special rights for indigenous communities, or the history of the Naga Hills. Why in News ? On …

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The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006

Introduction The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, popularly known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA), is a landmark legislation in India. It aims to address historical injustices faced by Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) and empower them by …

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Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960

Introduction India has a rich history of co-existence with animals. The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 (PCA Act) serves as a cornerstone legislation for safeguarding animal welfare in the country. Enacted in 1960, it aims to minimize unnecessary pain and suffering inflicted upon animals. Objectives of the PCA …

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Dhimsa Dance

The Dhimsa dance is a vibrant and energetic tribal dance form originating from the Koraput district of Odisha, India. While traditionally performed by the Porja caste women, it has transcended boundaries and become a beloved cultural symbol across Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the regions around Araku Valley and Visakhapatnam. Meaning …

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Urbanisation

Urbanisation refers to shifting of population from rural areas to urban areas. Urbanisation Primarily driven by Pull factor. Urbanisation gained pace Particularly after LPG Pull Factors Economic Opportunities Education Health Entertainment Skill Development Job Availability Unsustainability in Urbanisation often lead to various problems in the Society. To tackle this Problem …

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Ladakh stole, iconic pen

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted German Chancellor Angela Merkel an exquisite handloom woollen khadi stole from Ladakh and a Ratnam pen. The stole, known as “Call of Ladakh”, has an intricate traditional Ladakhi border pattern and four corner motifs, in dark wool. The yarn is hand-spun using the finest …

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Assamese Bhaona to make an English debut in Abu Dhabi

Almost 500 years after saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardeva experimented with the literary language of Brajavali, Assam’s Bhaona has now reached foreign shores in an English avatar. Entertainment played a major role in the neo-Vaishnavite movement that Sankardeva started in Assam. He wrote his prose in Sanskrit but used Assamese and Brajavali …

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The Mahatma’s home in Kolkata opened to public

Govt. converts house into Gandhi Bhawan Museum Hyderi Manzil, a single storied house in north Kolkata where Mahatma Gandhi spent August 15, 1947 and a site that has emerged as a symbol of his fight against communalism was on Wednesday thrown open to the public as a full-fledged museum, depicting …

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Vembanad comes alive with Vanchipattu

Practice session for the boat race season in full swing at Kumarakom The people of Kumarakom these days are waking up to the pulsating shouts of mighty oarsmen propelling in unison and blazing past the canals here. The village has turned into the practice venue for the snakeboats from Kottayam …

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Vedas and Thiruppavai

While the Thiruppavai has many commentaries, it itself may be considered a commentary on the Vedas, said Malola Kannan, in a discourse. Every pasuram in Thiruppavai reflects the Vedas in one way or the other. Taking the Azhi mazhai kanna pasuram as an example, one can see how it is …

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U.K. to return looted Iraqi, Afghan artefacts

Looted ancient artefacts from Iraq and Afghanistan seized in Britain will be returned to their country of origin after appraisal by the British Museum, the institution said on Monday. Among the artefacts to be sent back to Afghanistan are Gandharan sculptures illegally exported to Britain in 2002. Another important haul …

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