News In Short 21-1-2025

Konark Temple

Syllabus: GS1/ Art & Culture

Context

• The President of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited the Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha’s Puri district.

Konark Sun Temple

• Deity: Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE temple dedicated to the Hindu Sun God Surya.
• History: The temple was constructed during the reign of king Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty about 1250 CE.
• Cultural Significance: It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. It remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, who gather here every year for the Chandrabhaga Mela around the month of February.
• Other Names: This temple was called the “Black Pagoda” in European sailor accounts because it looked like a great tiered tower which appeared black.
  • Similarly, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the “White Pagoda”.
• Architecture: The temple was designed in the shape of a huge chariot drawn by 7 horses on 12 pairs (total 24) of gorgeously decorated wheels at its base.

Source: TH

Narayana Guru

Syllabus: GS1/ History

Context

• The Narayana Guru Digital Research Resource Platform (NGDRRP), a comprehensive digital archive launched in 2023, is set to go fully online by May 2025. 

About

• Early Life: Narayana Guru was born in 1856 in Chempazhanthy, Kerala, into a family belonging to the Ezhava caste, traditionally marginalized under the rigid caste system.
• Teachings: Narayana Guru emphasized the principles of equality, universal brotherhood, and spiritual upliftment.
  • His famous dictum, “One Caste, One Religion, One God for All,” encapsulates his vision of an inclusive society.

Major Contributions

• Temple Entry Movement: Narayana Guru spearheaded efforts to ensure temple access for marginalized communities.
  • He consecrated the Aruvippuram Shiva Temple in 1888, challenging the orthodox norms that restricted temple entry based on caste.
• Promotion of Social Equality: He actively fought against untouchability, caste discrimination, and social evils, institutionalizing reforms through the SNDP Yogam (Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam).
• Literary Contributions: Texts like Atmopadesa Satakam and Daiva Dasakam reflect his philosophical insights and practical guidance for spiritual and ethical living.

Source: TH

Praja Mandal Movement in Punjab

Syllabus: GS1/History

Context

• January 20 marks the death anniversary of Sewa Singh Thikriwala, who spearheaded the Praja Mandal Movement in Punjab.

About

• It was a self-rule movement against the rulers of Punjab’s erstwhile princely states. 
• Aim: To protect the civil liberties of the masses, protest against oppressive taxes, seek reforms in the peasants’ conditions, open educational institutions, and have a responsible government.
• Areas: The movement was active in the Patiala, Nabha, Jind, Malerkotla and Faridkot princely states initially.

Source: IE

Women in Chola Empire

Syllabus: GS1/ History

Context

• Historian Anirudh Kanisetti’s book, Lords of Earth and Sea: A History of the Chola Empire, sheds light on facets of the Chola empire, including the pivotal role of women like Sembiyan Mahadevi. 

About

• The Chola dynasty, one of the longest-ruling empires in Indian history, flourished from the 9th to 13th centuries CE. 
• Karikala Chola, laid the foundation of the dynasty, however it was during the Vijayalaya Chola, that the dynasty began its significant rise.
• The empire reached its zenith under Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014 CE) and his son Rajendra Chola I (1014–1044 CE).

Chola Administration

• The empire was divided into mandalams (provinces), valanadus (districts), and nadu (villages). 
• The local self-government system in villages, known as the ur, sabha, and nagaram, was a hallmark of their administration.

Contributions to Art and Architecture

• Temple architecture: The Brihadeshwara Temple (Thanjavur) is an architectural marvel built by Rajaraja Chola I and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple and the Airavatesvara Temple are other iconic examples.
• Bronze Sculpture: The Cholas excelled in bronze casting, particularly the creation of Nataraja sculptures, which depict Lord Shiva as the cosmic dancer.

Maritime Trade and Expansion

• The Cholas navy was one of the most powerful in the world at the time.
• Rajendra Chola I undertook successful expeditions to Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and the Srivijaya Empire (modern Indonesia), establishing trade and cultural links. 

Role of Women in the Chola Empire

• Sembiyan Mahadevi, a queen of Gandaraditya Chola ( around 950–957 CE), was a pivotal figure during a transformative period in the Chola dynasty.
  • After the untimely demise of Gandaraditya, she emerged as a regent for her son Madhurantaka Uttama Chola. 
  • She is credited with commissioning the construction of numerous temples, including Kailasanathar Temple in Tamil Nadu.
• Kundavai, the sister of Rajaraja I, was a trusted advisor to her brother and played a crucial role in supporting his administration.
  • She donated generously for the establishment of Vedic schools and medical institutions. 

Source: TH

Ratnagiri Buddhist Excavation

Syllabus: GS 1/Culture 

In News

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) resumed excavations at the 5th-13th Century Buddhist complex in Ratnagiri, Odisha, after 60 years. 

About Buddhist Excavation

• Ratnagiri is part of Odisha’s Diamond Triangle, along with Udaygiri and Lalitgiri, known for ancient Buddhist sites.
• It was a major center of Buddhist learning, rivaling Nalanda, and hosted both Mahayana and Vajrayana sects of Buddhism. 
• Discoveries: The team has unearthed a colossal Buddha head, a massive palm, an ancient wall, and inscribed Buddhist relics, dating back to the 8th and 9th Century AD.
  •  The last excavations occurred between 1958 and 1961, revealing a brick stupa, monastic complexes, and numerous votive stupas.
  • Chinese monk Hiuen Tsang, who visited Odisha in the 7th Century, might have also visited the site.

• Historical Significance: Odisha’s historical relationship with Buddhism dates back to Emperor Ashoka (304-232 BCE), who embraced Buddhism after his Kalinga invasion.
  • Odisha played a significant role in the spread of Buddhism to Southeast Asia, particularly through trade connections.
    • The state flourished under the Bhaumakara dynasty (8th-10th Century).
• Excavation Goals: The goals were to uncover more of the site and find evidence of Odisha’s links to Southeast Asian culture.

Source :IE

Entity Locker

Syllabus: GS2/ E-Governance

In News

• The National eGovernance Division (NeGD), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has developed Entity Locker, a cutting-edge digital platform designed to transform the management and verification of business/organisation documents.

About Entity Locker 

• Entity Locker is a secure, cloud-based digital platform designed to streamline the storage, sharing, and verification of business documents for a wide range of organizations in India.

Key Features

• Target Entities: Large corporations, MSMEs, startups, trusts, societies, and other organizations.
  • Aligns with India’s Digital Public Infrastructure initiative and the Union Budget 2024-25 vision for enhanced digital governance.
• Secure Digital Infrastructure: 10 GB encrypted cloud storage for safe document storage.
  • Legally valid digital signatures for authentication.
  • Aadhaar-authenticated, role-based access management for secure and accountable access.
• Integration Capabilities: Real-time access and verification via integration with government databases.
• Seamless connectivity with systems like:
  • Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)
  • Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN)
  • Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
• Consent-based Sharing: Ensures secure sharing of sensitive business information.

Benefits

• Operational Efficiency: Reduces administrative overhead and document processing times.
  • Streamlines document sharing and compliance processes.
  • Tracks all document-related activities for enhanced accountability.
• Enhanced Integration: Direct integration with government platforms enables efficient compliance and reporting.
• Strategic impact: Entity Locker is part of India’s Digital Public Infrastructure and aligns with the Digital India Programme, reflecting MeitY’s commitment to leveraging technology for improving governance and fostering economic growth.

Source: PIB

Neuromorphic Device

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

In News

• Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru have developed a revolutionary neuromorphic device that emulates the human body’s response to pain. 

Key Features

• Pain Response Simulation: Mimics the function of nociceptors, the sensors in our body that detect pain and trigger protective responses.
  • Emulates the habituation process, where repeated exposure to pain reduces sensitivity over time.
• Adaptability: Learns and adjusts its response dynamically, similar to how the human body adapts to chronic stressors.

Source: TOI

White Goods

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

In News

• The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has selected 24 companies for the third round of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for White Goods.

About 

• White goods refer to large home appliances, typically used for household purposes, such as cooking, cleaning, and refrigeration. They were originally manufactured in white enamel-coated steel, giving them their name, although they now come in various colors.
• For example: Kitchen Appliances, Laundry appliances etc.
• Also, Brown goods are lightweight electronic devices, mainly for entertainment and communication. Examples: TVs, Radios etc

Source: PIB

Vikas Engine

Syllabus :GS 3/Science and Tech

In News

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully demonstrated the restart of its Vikas liquid engine at the Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri .

Vikas Engine

• It is the workhorse engine with a nominal thrust of 80 tonnes.
• It is a key component powering the liquid stages of ISRO’s launch vehicles, including the second stages of PSLV & GSLV, liquid strapons of GSLV, and the core liquid stage of LVM3.
  • Liquid engines that can throttle thrust are crucial for enabling booster stage recovery in future launch vehicles.
• It is developed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.

Source : TH

Exercise La Perouse

Syllabus :GS 3/Defence

In News 

• The indigenously designed guided missile destroyer INS Mumbai is participating in the fourth edition of the Multinational Exercise LA PEROUSE.

About the Exercise 

• The exercise is scheduled from January 16 to 24, taking place in the strategic straits of Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok, which connect the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
• Participating Countries: Australia, Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the U.K., and the U.S. are involved in the exercise.
• Strategic Importance: The exercise focuses on strengthening maritime safety, developing interoperability among navies, and enhancing collective action in maritime crises, particularly in the strategically important straits vulnerable to various risks.
  • India’s participation highlights its strong synergy, coordination, and commitment to a rules-based international maritime order.
  • The exercise aligns with India’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), aiming to enhance maritime cooperation and ensure a safer Indo-Pacific region.

Source :TH