Context: A district court has recently accepted a petition claiming that a Shiva temple lies beneath the shrine of the revered Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. Life and Legacy Alternate Names: Also known as Moinuddin Hasan Chishti, he is venerated with the title Ghareeb Nawaz (Benefactor of the …
Read More »Indian Culture
Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Context: Guru Nanak Jayanti in 2024, celebrated on November 15, coincided with Kartik Purnima. Also referred to as Gurpurab, it honors the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the revered founder of Sikhism. Guru Nanak Dev Ji (c. 1469–1539 CE) Birth: Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in Talwandi …
Read More »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, …
Read More »ILO Report on Women’s Labour Force Participation (WLFP)
Background: The ILO report titled ‘The Impact of Care Responsibilities on Women’s Labour Force Participation (WLP)’ highlights the barriers that caregiving responsibilities pose to Indian women’s participation in the workforce. Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): Represents the proportion of individuals within a population who are either employed or actively seeking …
Read More »Child Marriage in India
Context: Recent Supreme Court rulings have brought attention to the high prevalence of child marriage in India, despite the enactment of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) nearly two decades ago. India remains home to one-third of the world’s child brides. Historical Background of Child Marriage Laws in India …
Read More »Right to Free Food and the National Food Security Act (NFSA):
Context The global food insecurity situation is critical, with the FAO reporting that approximately 2.33 billion people worldwide face moderate to severe food insecurity. In India, the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 was introduced as a crucial step toward ensuring food security. However, concerns have been raised regarding the …
Read More »Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005
Context The Satark Nagrik Sangathan’s 2023-24 report has brought attention to issues with the RTI Act, highlighting the pressing need for reforms. Overview of the RTI Act 2005 The RTI Act, enacted in 2005, grants citizens the right to request information from public authorities, promoting transparency, accountability, and participatory governance …
Read More »Prakrit and Pali Languages
Context: Prakrit and Pali have been recognized as Classical languages due to their historical and cultural significance. Prakrits: The Language of the People The term ‘Prakrit’ is derived from ‘Prakriti’, which means ‘source’ or ‘origin’. Most scholars believe that Prakrit languages evolved from Sanskrit, the language of the Vedas and …
Read More »India’s Approach to Refugees
Context: India has granted refuge to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her forced departure from Bangladesh, despite the absence of an official refugee policy in the country. Defining Refugees: Refugees: Individuals compelled to leave their home country and seek safety in another due to the threat of persecution, …
Read More »Unlocking Rural Women’s Economic Potential
A higher female labor force participation rate can significantly enhance family income and welfare, particularly in rural India. Women and Employment According to The India Employment Report (IER) 2024, the Female Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in India is notably low compared to the global average (53.4%, 2019). The rate …
Read More »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 …
Read More »Republic Day 2024 Tableaux
The Republic Day 2024 Parade at Kartavya Path promises a wide and lively show with themes ranging from education and empowerment to traditional arts and athletic achievements. Each tableau adds to the rich tapestry of India’s unity in diversity by capturing the distinct cultural, social, and technological characteristics of the …
Read More »Ayodhya Ram Mandir- Art & Culture
Ayodhya, a city in Uttar Pradesh, India, is steeped in art and culture, deeply intertwined with the Hindu epic Ramayana and the worship of Lord Rama. A grand temple dedicated to Lord Rama. Ram Mandir: Architecture: The temple is being built in the Nagara style, characterized by its towering shikhara (spire) …
Read More »The Forest Rights Act (FRA)
The Forest Rights Act (FRA) – This landmark legislation, officially known as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, is a crucial piece of Indian forest law. It aims to address the historical injustices faced by tribal and other traditional forest-dwelling communities by …
Read More »Criminalization of Adultery on a Gender-Neutral Basis
The story so far The criminalization of adultery on a gender-neutral basis was recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs last month after reviewing the three new criminal law Bills that will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and Indian Evidence Act. This …
Read More »When Onam Was A Big Festival In Tamil Lands
Syllabus: Indian culture Snapshot Today Onam is a festival only identified with Malayalis and Kerala. However it was once a big festive occassion across Tamil speaking regions as well. There are multiple ancient Tamil literary works that speak of grand celebrations of Onam nearly two millennia ago. Padmanabhan beautifully describes …
Read More »28-ft Nataraja sculpture
Context: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. Why in NEWS A 28-foot Nataraja statue, meant to be placed at the venue of the G-20 Leaders’ Summit to be held next month in New Delhi, was sent by road …
Read More »Murugan idol from Pallava-era.
Syllabus: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. Context The Idol Wing CID, with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations, U.S., has traced a stone idol of Lord Murugan, which was stolen from a 7th Century Pallava-era temple at …
Read More »Harappans were best civil engineers
Syllabus: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. Context Harappans knowledge in Construction Harrapan Planning The Harappans have taught us how to make beautiful, well-planned cities which are hygienic and the scientific construction methods introduced by them, and are …
Read More »Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri
Syllabus: Art & Culture Why in NEWS Crack in the temple About the temple Called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ and ‘White pagoda’ One of the four dhamas i.e. Puri, Dwarika, Badrinath & Rameswar, in India Constructed by a famous king of Ganga Dynasty Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva (12th CE) Kalinga architecture
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