Daily Current Capsules

27-28 May 2023

Prelims Factoids

India’s new Parliament

What’s the NEWS

• Prime Minister of India Sunday, inaugurate India’s new Parliament building, part of the revamped Central Vista project.
• The construction of the new building, designed by architect Bimal Patel, began in 2019.

Facts about new parliament

• Triangular in Shape– The new building is triangular in shape, mostly because the plot of land that it is built on is a triangle. The shape is also a nod to the sacred geometry in different religions.
• Built-up area – The Lok Sabha chamber will have 888 seats, up from the existing 543, with the option of expanded seating up to 1,272. The Lok Sabha will be used for joint sittings of both Houses in the absence of a Central Hall, which was the fulcrum of the old building.
• The entrances – The building has three ceremonial entrances on three sides for the President, the Vice-President, the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Prime Minister.
• Environment friendly – The new building is supposed to reduce electricity consumption by 30 per cent, compared to the old one. Rainwater-harvesting and water-recycling systems have been included.
• Earthquake-safe – As per building codes, since Delhi is in seismic zone-V, the building is primed to be earthquake-safe.

Lok Sabha – The new Lok Sabha chamber has a peacock theme, with designs drawn from the national bird’s feathers carved on the walls and ceiling, complemented by teal carpets. The Rajya Sabha chamber has been decorated with the lotus as its theme, with red carpets. In both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, two MPs will be able to sit on one bench and each MP will have a touch screen on the desk

Rajya Sabha – The Rajya Sabha chamber can accommodate 384 Members of Parliament (MPs), as opposed to the existing capacity of 250. The increased capacity of both chambers is meant to cater to any future increase in the number of MPs following delimitation.

Constitution hall – The new building has a Constitution Hall, where the journey of Indian democracy has been documented.

National symbols – The building is replete with national symbols, including the national emblem — the Lion Capital of Ashoka — that weighs 9,500 kg and is 6.5 metres in height, and is visible from a distance.

Galleries in the building – A gallery called ‘Shilp’ will exhibit textile installations from across India, along with pottery items made from the mitti of all Indian states. The gallery ‘Sthapatya’ will exhibit the iconic monuments of India, including those from the different states and UTs.

₹75 coin to commemorate the inauguration of new Parliament building.

• The Union finance ministry announced minting of ₹75 coin to commemorate the inauguration of new Parliament building.
• he coin will have the inscription ‘Parliament Complex’ with the image of the new building.

21 Adheenams participated in inaugural ceremony of new parliament building in Delhi

• The Adheenams, who arrived from Chennai to Delhi, handed over the Sengol to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

About Sengol

• In 1947, when the British transferred power to Indians, the momentous occasion was symbolized by the handing over of a Sengol (sceptre) to first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
• Sri La Sri Thambiran, then Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam seer’s deputy, handed over the Sengol to Lord Mountbatten, who handed it back.
• The golden scepter has its origins in the Chola empire, where it was used as a symbol of power transfer from one king to another. It had a carving of the Nandi atop it, which is said to be a symbol of justice.

About Adheenams

• The adheenam is the hereditary trustee of four temples in Thanjavur District.
• There a number of Aadheenams which are involved in maintaining and propagating Shaiva Siddhanta in Tamil Nadu.
• Of the 18 aadheenams in Tamil Nadu, the oldest one is Thiruvavaduthurai aadheenam in Mayiladuthurai district.
• These aadheenams emerged in the 14th century to spread Saivism
• These Aadheenams are headed by Acharyas. They are also the hereditary trustees of the Siva/Sakthi/Subramanya temples of Mutts inTamil Nadu.
• The rituals in these temples are conducted as per the Agama Sasthras.

Prelims Factoids

EXERCISE AL MOHED AL HINDI 23

What’s the NEWS

• The sea phase of second edition of bilateral exercise ‘Al Mohed Al Hindi 23’, between Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) was held from 23 – 25 May 23 off Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

Know! about the exercise

• INS Tarkash, INS Subhadra and Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft (MPA) participated in the exercise from the Indian side.
• The RSNF was represented by HMS Badr and Abdul Aziz, MH 60R helo and UAV.
• The three-day exercise at sea witnessed a wide spectrum of maritime operations.
• The exercise culminated with debrief at sea followed by traditional steam past.
• The successful conduct of ‘Al Mohed Al Hindi 23’ showcased high degree of professionalism, interoperability and exchanges of best practices between the two navies.
• The bilateral exercise met all its objectives and both sides intend to graduate to more advanced level of exercises in the next edition.

Governance

8th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog

What’s the NEWS

• Prime Minister chaired the 8th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog
• It was attended by Chief Ministers/Lt.Governors representing 19 States and 6 UTs.
• Meeting Highlights
• Prime Minister stressed that the Centre, States and UTs should work as Team India and fulfil the dreams and aspirations of people for a Viksit Bharat @ 2047.

Meeting Highlights

Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).

• Prime Minister mentioned that NITI Aayog is taking multiple initiatives for strengthening cooperative and competitive federalism like the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP) and Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
• Both these programmes showcase the power of working together as Centre, States and Districts, and the impact of data-driven governance in improving the lives of common citizens at the grassroots level.

Shree Anna

• Prime Minister stressed on the need for States and Centre to promote Shree Anna in the International Year of Millets.

Amrit Sarovar programme. 

• He also deliberated on the need for working towards water conservation through the Amrit Sarovar programme.

Gati Shakti Portal

• Prime Minister spoke about the importance of maintaining fiscal discipline at the State levels. He urged the States to proactively use the  Gati Shakti Portal not only for infrastructure and logistics but also for local area development and creation of social infrastructure.

About NITI Aayog

• NITI Aayog was formed via a resolution of the Union Cabinet on 1 January 2015.
• The Governing Council of NITI Aayog, comprising Chief Ministers of all the States and Union Territories with legislatures and Lt Governors of other Union Territories, came into effect on 16 February 2015 via a notification by the Cabinet Secretariat.
• The Governing Council was reconstituted vide a notification dated 19 February 2021 by the Cabinet Secretariat.
• The Governing Council is the premier body tasked with evolving a shared vision of national priorities and strategies, with the active involvement of States, in shaping the development narrative.
• The Governing Council, which embodies the objectives of cooperative federalism, presents a platform to discuss inter-sectoral, inter-departmental and federal issues to accelerate the implementation of the national development agenda.

Prelims Factoids

Kheer Bhawani Mela

What’s the NEWS

• Around 4,500 migrant Kashmir Pandits are on their way to Kashmir for the annual pilgrimage to the Mata Kheer Bhawani temple in Ganderbal and other temples in the Valley on the upcoming Jyeshtha Ashtami.
• Mela Kheer Bhawani is an Annual Festival during which the devotees of the Goddess Mata Kheer Bhawani fast and gather here on the eighth day of the full moon in the month of May/ June when, according to belief, the Goddess changes the colour of the spring’s waters.

Know! about Kheer Bhawani temple

• The temple situated at a distance of 25 kilometres north-east of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, in the village of Tulmul in Ganderbal.
• The temple is dedicated to the Goddess kheer Bhawani.
• The deity is also called as Maharagya Devi, Ragnya Devi, Rajni, Ragnya Bhagwati.
• The term kheer refers to rice pudding that is offered in the spring located in the temple to Please the Goddess.
• This is the most important temple for Kashmiri Pandits. 

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