Bihar

• 28 Jan 2025

Bihar Tableau at Republic Day

Why in News? 

Bihar's tableau at the Republic Day parade showcased the rich cultural heritage of the region, symbolically representing the revered Bodhi Tree and the legendary Nalanda University.  

• The display highlighted Bihar's historical identity as the 'land of Buddha' and a center of ancient wisdom. 

 

Key Points 

• Bihar's Tableau: 
  • Bihar's tableau made its presence at the 76^th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path after a gap of eight years. 
  • The tableau was aligned with the central theme 'Swarnim Bharat: Virasat Aur Vikas' and stood out with the ruins of the ancient Nalanda University as the dominant element. 
  • The tableau featured an installation of a Lord Buddha statue in a meditative Dharmachakra Mudra, symbolising peace and harmony. The statue's original location is at the Ghora Katora reservoir in Rajgir. 
  • Bihar's tableau highlighted the state's tradition of knowledge and peace, emphasizing its historical identity as a land of knowledge, salvation, and peace. 
• Depictions of Historical and Cultural Landmarks: 
  • The tableau included representations of the sacred Bodhi Tree from Bodh Gaya, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, and the ancient ruins of Nalanda University, established in 427 CE by Emperor Kumaragupta. 
  • The tableau emphasized Nalanda University's role as the world's first residential university, which was a global hub for knowledge, attracting scholars from China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and beyond. 
• Murals and Modern Innovations: 
  • Murals on the tableau's side panels depicted the contributions of Chanakya, who mentored Chandragupta Maurya, and scenes from ancient Vedic assemblies, showcasing democratic governance and judicial systems. 
  • Another mural highlighted the 'Guru-Shishya' tradition and Aryabhata's contributions to mathematics. 
  • An LED screen displayed the newly constructed Nalanda International University campus, designed with carbon-neutral and net-zero sustainability goals, reflecting modern educational progress. 

Padma awards 2025

Why in News? 

Seven people from Bihar were selected for the prestigious Padma awards, including noted singer Sharda Sinha, former Deputy CM Sushil Kumar Modi, and eminent social worker Acharya Kishore Kunal. 

 Key Points 

• Announcement of Winners: 
  • The Union government announced the names of the Padma award winners on the eve of Republic Day. 
  • A total of 139 people from across the country were selected for the highest civilian awards in various categories. 
• Padma Vibhushan Award: 
  • Sharda Sinha, the renowned singer known as ‘Bihar Kokila,’ will be posthumously honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, the highest civilian award, for her exceptional and distinguished service. 
• Padma Bhushan Award: 
  • Sushil Kumar Modi, the former deputy CM of Bihar, has been selected posthumously for the Padma Bhushan in the field of public affairs. 
  • He is the sole recipient from Bihar among the 19 recipients of the Padma Bhushan nationwide. 
• Padma Shri Award: 
  • Kishore Kunal, a noted social worker and founder of Mahavir Sansthan, will receive the Padma Shri. 
• Other recipients of the Padma Shri from Bihar include: 
  • Bhim Singh Bhavesh in social work, 
  • Hemant Kumar for his work in medicine, 
  • Nirmala Devi for her contributions in the art field, 
  • Vijay Nityanand Surishwer Ji Maharaj in spiritualism.