World Heritage Day 2023

Every year on April 18th, International Day for Monuments and Sites (IDMS), popularly known as World Heritage Day, is celebrated. ‘Heritage Changes’ is the theme of World Heritage Day 2023. 

In 1982, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) announced 18 April as World Heritage Day. 

This was approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 1983, to enhance awareness about the importance of cultural heritage, and monuments and conserving them.

World Heritage sites

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has a total of 1,154 monuments designated as world heritage sites from all over the world.
• Apart from India only Italy, Spain, Germany, China and France have 40 or more World Heritage sites.
• Telangana's 13th-century Ramappa Temple and the Harappan city of Dholavira in the Bhachau taluka of Kutch district in Gujarat have recently been added to the list of World Heritage sites in India. 
• Built in 1213 AD during the reign of the greatest Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva (ruled 1199–1262) by his general Recharla Rudra, the Ramappa Temple is located in a valley at the village of Palampet, approximately 77 km away from Warangal and 200km north-east of Hyderabad.  
• Dholavira is the first Indus Valley Civilisation site in India to be bestowed the coveted title by UNESCO. 
• With the addition of Dholavira, India now boasts 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

 

B. R. Ambedkar's Birth Anniversary

Today is the birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar who was a leader of the depressed classes throughout his life. He worked for the moral and material progress of the 'untouchables'.

B. R. Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow (now officially known as Dr Ambedkar Nagar) in Madhya Pradesh. He belonged to the 'untouchable' Mahar caste.

Ambedkar was a great scholar who studied economics at Columbia University and the London School of Economics. 

In 1924 Ambedkar founded the Depressed Classes Institute (Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha) in Bombay. Three years later in 1927 he established the Samaj Samta Sangh to propagate the gospel of social equality between caste Hindus and worked for the uplift of the 'untouchables'.

In December 1927, he led a satyagraha in Mahad to fight for the rights of the 'untouchables' to draw water from public wells and tanks.

In 1928 he organized temple entry movement named  Parvati temple satyagraha. He started Kalasam temple satyagraha during 1930 and 1935. 

In 1936, Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party for protecting the interest of the labour classes. That year he wrote seminal work Annihilation of Caste which strongly criticizes the caste system. 

In 1942 he founded Scheduled Castes Federation to campaign for the rights of the Dalit community.

Sarbat Khalsa: A gathering of Believers

The Sarbat Khalsa is a term meaning “all congregation.” It refers to a traditional assembly of all factions of Sikhs to discuss social, political, and religious issues of great importance to the community.  

The Sikh religion provides this gathering of believers in times of extreme crisis. Sarbat Khalsa was convened regularly in the 18th century, when the Mughal empire was trying to exterminate the Sikhs. The Sarbat Khalsa got discontinued in the beginning of the 19th century when the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh officially abolished Sarbat Khalsa in 1805.

Sarbat Khalsa was called just twice in the 20th century. 

Sarbat Khalsa literally means the 'entire Sikh nation'. Sarbat Khalsa - a congregation of the faithful, The Sikh religion provides for a gathering of the faithful, the Sarbat Khalsa, in times of great crisis.

The Sarbat Khalsa was called on a number of occasions during the 18th century when the Mughal empire was trying to exterminate the Sikhs.

The Sarbat Khalsa got discontinued in the beginning of the 19th century when the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh officially abolished Sarbat Khalsa in 1805.

In the 20th century Sarbat Khalsa was called twice. In 1920 it was called to discuss control over gurdwaras, and again in 1986 against the backdrop of the Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star in the Golden Temple and the subsequent killing of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In 1986, a panthic committee was formed that gave a call for their own Khalistan (land of the pure).

The idea of a deliberative assembly of Sikhs originated in the 18th century and was convened twice a year. The first Sarbat Khalsa was called by the tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh before his death in 1708.  

Current Affairs March 2023

Sevalal Maharaj 

For the first time the Indian Government is celebrating the birth anniversary of Banjara community leader Santh Sevalal Maharaj on a national scale. The yearlong celebrations are being organized under the aegis of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

Santh Sevalal Maharaj is the spiritual & religious leader of Banjara Community. This year his 284th birth anniversary is being celebrated.

About Sevalal Maharaj

• Santh Sevalal Maharaj was born on 15 February 1739 at Surgondankoppa in Shivamogga district of Karnataka. 
• He is considered a social reformer and spiritual teacher of the Banjara community. 
• His final resting place or Samadhi is situated at Pohradevi in Maharashtra’s Washim district, also known as Banjara Kashi.

Key Takeaways

• Santh Sevalal Maharaj was born on 15 February 1739 at Surgondankoppa in Shivamogga district of Karnataka.
• He is considered a social reformer and spiritual teacher of the Banjara community. 
• The Banjara community has a population of around 10 to 12 crore across the country. 
• The Samadhi Sthal of Saint Sewalal Ji is situated in Manora Taluka of Washim District of Maharashtra at Pohradevi which is also known as Banjara Kashi.
• Sant Sevalal died at the age of 33 in Maharashtra. 
• Today he is revered as a spiritual guru and social reformer by the Banjara community
• The Banjaras are included in the Scheduled Castes category in some states.
• Sant Sevalal's mastery in Ayurveda and Naturopathy was phenomenal. This helped him to dispel and eradicate myths and superstitions prevalent in the tribal communities and bring about reforms in their way of life. 

India celebrates National Science Day 2023

National Science Day was observed on February 28, 2023. 'Global Science for Global Wellbeing' is the theme of this year National Science Day The theme highlights the need for a coordinated, global approach to scientific research and innovation.

National Science Day or Rashtriya Vigyan Divas is a famous annual event in India, celebrated on February 28th to commemorate the world famous discovery by Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman. The discovery popularly known as Raman Effect ( a phenomenon in spectroscopy) was made on February 28th in 1928. It was for this discovery that C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. 

Key Takeaways 

• National Science Day or Rashtriya Vigyan Divas is a famous annual event in India
• It is celebrated on February 28th to commemorate the world famous discovery by Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman.
• The discovery popularly known as Raman Effect ( a phenomenon in spectroscopy) was made on February 28th in 1928.
• C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930
• Global Science for Global Wellbeing theme has been chosen for the purpose of raising public appreciation of the scientific issues in global context which is having a bearing upon global wellbeing.
• In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the Government of India to declare February 28 as National Science Day.
• Since 1987, India has been celebrating this day as National Science Day to pay tribute to the great scientist.
• This year’s theme highlights India’s emerging global role and rising visibility in the international arena.

Objectives of Celebrating National Science Day

Following are the objectives of celebrating National Science Day:

National Science Day is celebrated 

• to spread a message about the importance of science used in the daily life of the people. 
• to display all the activities, efforts and achievements in the field of science for human welfare. 
• to discuss all the issues and implement new technologies for the development in the field of science. 
• to give an opportunity to the scientific minded citizens in India. 
• to encourage the people as well as popularize science and technology.

 

World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day is celebrated on March 3 by the United Nations. The main objective of this international day is to celebrate and raise awareness of world’s wild flora and fauna.

World Wildlife Day commemorates the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. The theme for 2023 for World Wildlife Day is "Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation".

3 March 2023 is also a very special date because this year CITES is celebrating its 50th anniversary. 

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora was adopted on March 3, 1973. Under this multilateral treaty, an agreement was written to limit the amount of rare animals and plants traded across the world. 

The main objective of CITES is to make sure trade didn't lead to making animals and plants endangered or extinct.

CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

About World Wildlife Day
World Wildlife Day is a celebration of our wild animals and plants. One in eight of all wildlife species is threatened with extinction .Animal populations are declining at unprecedented rates. It is a global crisis. 

In 2013 the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) had proclaimed 3 March as UN World Wildlife Day.

Why March 3

3 March is the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973. 

The CITES Secretariat is administered by UNEP (The United Nations Environment Programme) and is located at Geneva, Switzerland.

In accordance with this convention, UN agencies, private sector organizations, philanthropies and non-governmental organizations must keep working for conservation, the sustainable use of wildlife and in the fight against illegal trade and the depletion of wildlife.

Key Takeaways

• United Nations organises World Wildlife Day. 
• World Wildlife Day takes place every year on 3 March. This year, the theme is “Partnerships for wildlife conservation ". This year’s theme will provide the opportunity to honour the people who are making a difference. 
• In 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species was signed. It is a multilateral treaty.
• 3 March 2023 is also a very special date because because this year CITES is celebrating its 50th anniversary. 
• Today, this Convention grants varying degrees of protection to more than 37,000 species of animals and plants

 

Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple

Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple / Image Credit

Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple is a shrine at Yaganti of Banaganapalle mandal in the Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh. Located in the Erramala hills, the Yaganti is one of the most sacred places in the state.

This Vijayanagar era temple is dedicated to Shiva. The Yaganti Temple is perhaps the only famous shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, where he is worshipped in the form of an idol, instead of Shiva Linga. 

Nandi at the Yaganti Temple / Image credit

The fact that the Nandi idol at the Sri Yaganti Uma Maheswara Temple is growing in size is a matter of debate among the historians and archaeologists.

Basava's Veerashaivism or Lingayatism

Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently unveiled the statue of Basavanna or Basava in the premises of the Karnataka State Assembly.

Basava was the founder of Veerashaivism or Lingayatism, an important Shaivite sect. This sect is famous more for its cult and social doctrines than for its theology, which is a “qualified monism”.

Basava was a minister of King Bijala Kalchuri who had founded a new dynasty after usurping the throne of the Chalukyas of Kalyani in A. D. 1156. 

Basava opposed idolatry. In Lingayatism the only scared symbol is the linga of Shiva, a specimen of which is always carried on the person of the believer. 

Radical in his view, Basava completely rejected the Vedas and authority of the Brahmin class, and priesthood.  

Apart from opposing pilgrimage and sacrifice he instituted complete equality among his followers, even to the equality of women who were permitted to remarry on the death of their husbands. 
Among other Aryan practices which Basava condemned was cremation, and his followers are still buried. 

Their sacred literature of the the Lingayats is mainly in Kannada and Telgu.

Revolutionary martyr Sohan Lal Pathak

Born in 1883 at Patti (now in Tarn Taran district) in Punjab, Sohan Lal Pathak was a revolutionary who was hanged at the Mandalay Jail in Burma on 10 February 1916 for organizing an uprising against the British. 

In 1901, Sohan Lal Pathak got married to Laksmi Devi who died after giving birth to their son who also died with a week of his birth.  

Sohan Lal Pathak came in contact with Lala Lajpat Rai under whom he became the editor of an Urdu journal, Bande Mataram. Bande Mataram was being run by Lala Lajpat Rai in Lahore. 

Sohan Lal Pathak went to the USA in 1913 to join the Ghadar Party in California. He was the first revolutionary of the Ghadar Party who went to gallows outside India.