• 24 Jan 2024

Ram Temple Consecration: States that Declared a Holiday

Why in News?

To commemorate the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya on January 22, several States declared a public holiday, or gave a half day off to Government employees.

Key Points

• All Central government offices remained shut till 2.30 p.m. Several States also declared January 22 as a ‘dry day’.
• Central government establishments, Public Sector Banks, insurance companies, financial institutions and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across the country remained closed for a half day.
• Central educational institutes such as Jamia Millia Islamia and its schools along with Delhi University also remained closed for half day till 2.30 p.m.
• National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) also observed a trading holiday on January 22.

Ayodhya Ram Temple

• The 3-storey temple, built in the traditional Nagara style.
• Makrana Marble and Pink sandstone, granite stone, and colored Marble are used in the construction.
• Iron has not been used anywhere in the construction.
• The main Garbh Griha holds the idols of Ram Lalla, accompanied by multiple mandaps, including Rang Mandap & Nritya Mandap.

National Stock Exchange

• The National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) is India's largest financial market.
• Incorporated in 1992, the NSE has developed into a sophisticated, electronic market, which ranked fourth in the world by equity trading volume.
• NSE was the first exchange in India to provide modern, fully automated electronic trading.
  • The NSE is the largest private wide-area network in India.
• The NIFTY 50 is the flagship index on the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (NSE).

Uttar Pradesh Approves Rs 16,000 Crore for Rapid Rail Corridor

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh government has approved a Rs 16,000 crore rapid rail corridor project, aimed at seamlessly connecting multiple airports in the region.

• The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) is preparing a detailed project report for this corridor, expected to be finalized by March 2024.

Key Points

• Once initiated, the project, with an estimated completion time of four years, will link two major airports and various parts of Delhi.
• This is expected to help the upcoming Noida airport to capture the overflow of passenger traffic from the Delhi Airport.
• The proposed Noida airport link will stem from the Ghaziabad station, acting as an interchange point for the Delhi Meerut Rapid Rail Transport.
• Passengers will also have the option to connect to the in-progress Delhi-Alwar Rapid Rail through Sarai Kale Khan, the starting station of the Delhi-Meerut Rail.
• The Delhi-Alwar rail, expected to conclude by mid-2025, will include a station at Indira Gandhi International Airport and Aerocity.
• Noida airport authorities are also working on developing other public transportation modes, including high-speed bus corridors, to establish a comprehensive multi-modal transport connectivity network with Delhi and Gurgaon.

BHISHM Cube in Ayodhya

Why in News?

Recently, the BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri) Cube, a state-of-the-art indigenous mobile hospital, was deployed in Ayodhya. It is part of Project Arogya Maitri.

• It emerged as a crucial lifesaver during a medical emergency at the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya.

Key Points

• The Aarogya Maitri project involves India supplying vital medical resources to any developing nation facing the impact of natural disasters or humanitarian crises.
• BHISHM cube is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care.
  • The Aid Cube is equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support during emergencies.
• It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field.
• The success of BHISHM Cube underscores the importance of mobile hospital units in delivering immediate and effective medical assistance during emergencies.

Places Linked with Lord Ram to be Developed as Tourist Spots

Why in News?

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister announced that places connected with Ram Lalla in the state will be developed as popular tourist spots.

• He watched the consecration ceremony virtually from the Ram Raja Temple in Orchha town in Niwari district.

Key Points

• The Ram temple idol consecration ceremony was a historic event.
  • Nearly 142 crore people stood by the government and demonstrated an example of communal harmony.

Ram Raja Temple

• The Ram Raja Temple is a temple in Orchha, Madhya Pradesh.
• It is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage and receives devotees in large numbers regularly and is also commonly known as Orchha Temple.
• The Idols which were supposed to be installed in the magnificent Chaturbhuj Temple were kept on the ground where this temple now stands.
  • But once kept on the ground, the idols could not be budged.
  • This marked the place holy and a temple was constructed where the idols were kept.
• Ram Raja Temple has a serene architecture, adorned with a marble courtyard and colorful walls.

Republic Day Parade Tableau: 'Developed Uttarakhand’

Why in News?

The Republic Day parade tableau representing Uttarakhand in 2024 will showcase the theme of 'Developed Uttarakhand'.

• This decision follows the success of the state's tableau 'Manaskhand' which secured first prize in the Republic Day Parade of 2023.

Key Points

• According to the officials, the front section features a Kumaoni woman dressed in traditional attire, extending a warm welcome.
• The tableau also showcases the cultivation of traditional crops such as Maduwa, Jhangora, Ramdana, and Kauni, along with the state bird, Monal. In the central part of the tableau, homestays form a major part.
• The concluding segment of the tableau depicts crucial elements of the state's developmental projects such as the all-weather road of the Chardham route, the Rishikesh-Karnprayag rail project, ropeway systems, and enhanced road connectivity to Mana.

Jhangora

• It is ethically sourced from the farmers of Uttarkashi Valley, Uttarakhand. It is one of the oldest grains known to mankind, almost 3000 years old.
• It is commonly known as Shyama in Bengali, Moraiyo in Gujarati, Sanwa rice in Hindi, Udalu in Kannada and Telgu and Kuthiraivali in Tamil.

Ramdana

• It is handpicked and ethically sourced from the Himalayan Valley. It grows in abundance between the altitudes of 1,000-3,000 metres in the Himalayan region, stretching from Kashmir to Bhutan.
• It is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids, and at 14% protein. It is also known as Amaranth, Chua, Chaulai and Pungikiri.

Monal

• The Himalayan Monal, also known as the Impeyan monal, Impeyan pheasant, is a bird in the pheasant family, Phasianidae.
• It is the state bird of Uttarakhand. It has been selected as the mascot for the 38^th National games that were held in Uttarakhand in 2018.
• Himalayan monal is a Schedule – I bird, according to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Chhattisgarh Republic Day Tableau

Why in News?

Chhattisgarh's 'Bastar Ki Adim Jan Sansad: Muria Darbar' tableau was displayed at the National Theatre in New Delhi on 22 January, ahead of the Republic Day parade on 26 January.

Key Points

• The tableau was praised for showcasing the tribal society's democratic consciousness since primitive times.
• Chhattisgarh Chief Minister praised the team responsible for creating the tableau, stating that the theme was important for tribal society and will acquaint the world with their democratic traditions.
• The 'Bastar Ki Adim Jan Sansad: Muria Darbar' tableau that will be a part of the Republic Day parade at New Delhi's Kartavya Path, features Muria-Darbar and Limau-Raja, part of the Bastar-Dussehra tradition from Jagdalpur.
  • It features terracotta crafts, symbolising people's power, and showcases the cultural development in Bastar.
  • It also showcases the 600-year-old tribal tradition of community decision-making in Bastar, a district in Chhattisgarh.

Muria-Darbar

• The Muria Darbar in Bastar was started on March 8, 1876, in which the Deputy Commissioner of Sironcha, Make George, addressed the Manjhi-Chalkis.
• Later, according to the convenience of the people, it was made an integral part of Bastar Dussehra, which continued for 145 years as per tradition.

Limau Raja

• It is the natural stone throne symbolizing Bastar's democratic roots and is situated within Bade Dongar,Gadirao Dongri.
• In ancient times, when the region lacked a ruling monarch, the community would gather around this stone "throne" to deliberate on important matters.
• A ritual unfolded where a lemon, placed atop the symbolic throne, became the focal point of decision-making.