1. Inauguration of the Ram temple
On January 22, 2024, the inauguration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya took place, signifying the conclusion of a saga that spanned 200 years and had a profound impact on India’s socio-political landscape.
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Historical developments:
- Designed in the Nagara Style of Temple Architecture, the Ram temple represents a cultural and historical milestone. The story of Ram, popular not only in India but also across regions such as Laos, Cambodia, Thailand in Asia, Guyana in South America, and Mauritius in Africa, underscores the widespread recognition of the Ramayana outside India.
- The timeline of the Ram Janma Bhoomi Movement traces its roots back to 1751 when the Marathas sought control of Ayodhya, Kashi, and Mathura. The movement gained momentum in the 19th century, with records from 1822 mentioning a mosque on the birthplace of Lord Ram.
Later developments:
Tensions escalated in 1855 with a clash near the Babri Masjid, leading to the capture of Janmasthan by Hindus. The placement of the idol of Ram Lalla in 1949 ignited demands for a grand temple, setting the stage for legal battles in the 1980s. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) initiated a movement for the ‘liberation’ of Ram Janmabhoomi, Krishna Janmabhoomi, and Vishwanath shrine, resulting in significant events such as the foundation-laying ceremony in 1989 and the Rath Yatra led by LK Advani in 1990.
Judicial developments:
- The demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 triggered political repercussions and legal proceedings. In 1993, the Acquisition of Certain Area at Ayodhya Act was passed, allowing the government to acquire the disputed land. The Liberhan Commission in 2009 highlighted the premeditated nature of the events in 1992.
- The Allahabad High Court’s 2010 verdict divided the land in a 2:1 ratio, with the Supreme Court’s 2019 decision awarding the entire disputed land to the Hindu petitioners for a Ram temple and allocating land for a mosque elsewhere.
The historic journey culminated on August 5, 2020, when the Indian Prime Minister performed the Shilanyas of the Ram temple, establishing the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. The formal inauguration of the Ram temple on January 22, 2024, marked the end of this centuries-old saga, leaving an indelible impact on India’s cultural and political landscape.
2. Lakkundi in Ramayana circuit:
According to some historical accounts, Lakkundi was purportedly gifted to pundits and scholars by Lord Ram during his Vanavasa (exile), a claim mentioned in the Srimad Lokkigundi inscription.
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- The village was once a thriving Agrahara, a settlement where Brahmins lived in significant numbers, engaging in spiritual practices such as japa and tapassu.
- One particularly rare sculpture in Lakkundi portrays Hanuman carrying three hillocks, a departure from the more common depiction of Hanuman carrying a single hillock.
- This uniqueness has sparked interest and a demand for further research into the historical and cultural significance of these sculptures.
Retired ASI officer V S Hosamani, referencing inscriptions such as Sri Ram Datti Maha Agrahar and Srimad Lokkigundi, supports the claim that Lord Ram bestowed the village upon pundits and scholars, adding depth to Lakkundi’s cultural and historical tapestry.
3. India to look at Zambia`s Copper mines
India is planning to dispatch an industry delegation to explore copper mining opportunities in Zambia, a country known for its substantial copper reserves.
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- The Mines Ministry has put forth the proposal to engage in discussions regarding potential copper exploration and mining projects in Zambia, a nation where the China Nonferrous Mining Corporation (CNMC) stands as one of the major copper producers.
Copper properties:
- Copper, valued for its conductivity and ductility, finds applications in various industries. It is alloyed with iron and nickel for stainless steel, with nickel for ‘morel metal,’ with aluminium for ‘duralumin,’ with zinc for ‘brass,’ and with tin for ‘bronze.’
- Widely utilized in construction, consumer durables, transportation, and industrial manufacturing, copper also plays a crucial role in clean energy technologies such as solar panels, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy-efficient motors.
Copper reserves:
- In India, copper reserves amount to 46 million tonnes, primarily located in Rajasthan (50%), Madhya Pradesh (24%), and Jharkhand (19%), with smaller percentages in states like Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Karnataka. According to the International Copper Association India, domestic copper demand witnessed a 16% growth in FY2022-2023, with a notable 32% increase in demand for copper in clean energy technologies.
Globally, Chile leads with the world’s largest copper reserves, totaling 190 million metric tons as of 2022, and remains the top copper producer, generating 5.2 million metric tons in 2022. Zambia, possessing about 6% of the world’s copper reserves, ranked as the eighth-largest producer of copper in 2022.
4. Republic Day Fruit and Flower show
The Republic Day Fruit and Flower Show at Lalbagh Botanical Gardens in Bengaluru will center around the theme of Basavanna, a 12th-century Bhakti poet and philosopher, known for his significant contributions to Kannada literature and social reform.
The theme of the show of 2024 is “ the Vishwaguru Basavanna and Vachana Sahitya”.
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- The exhibition, inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on January 18, aims to highlight Basavanna’s legacy and his impact on Kannada literature.
- Basavanna, through his vachanas or poems, conveyed powerful social messages opposing gender and social discrimination as well as superstitions. The exhibition seeks to emphasize the relevance of Basavanna’s life and work in today’s social and political context, underlining the values he championed.
- The floral showcase at Lalbagh features a bust of Basavanna at the entrance and a floral replica of the Anubhava Mantapa, a parliament of philosophers, saints, poets, and thinkers established by Basavanna in the 12th century. This historic assembly had no restrictions based on gender, social background, or
- Various other floral arrangements include depictions of Basavanna reciting verses to listeners and Basavanna’s Aikyamantapa (final resting place). As part of the ‘vachana sahitya’ theme, statues of renowned Kannada poets such as Akka Mahadevi, Ambigara Chowdaiya, Hadapada Appanna, Kumbara Gundanna, and Akka Nagalambike will be installed and adorned with intricate floral designs. The plants for these displays were cultivated in Lalbagh, with saplings nurtured over the past three to four months in preparation for the exhibition.
Basavanna and Anubhava Mantapa
- Basaveshwara (1134-1168) was an eminent Indian philosopher, social reformer, and statesman dedicated to fostering a casteless society while vehemently opposing caste and religious discrimination. Born in Bagevadi, part of the undivided Bijapur district in Karnataka, he is credited with founding the Lingayat tradition. The annual celebration of Basava Jayanthi honors his birth.
- Basaveshwara’s philosophy centered on the principles of Arivu (true knowledge), Achara (right conduct), and Anubhava (divine experience), instigating a revolutionary transformation in the 12th century, impacting social, religious, and economic realms. Around A.D. 1154, Basaveshwara relocated to Kalyana, now known as Basavakalyan, where, in a brief period of twelve or thirteen years, he accomplished remarkable achievements. His visionary approach opened the Gates of Dharma to all, transcending barriers of caste, creed, or gender, establishing a welfare state known as Kalyana Rajya.
Basaveshwara founded the Anubhava Mantapa, a common forum where individuals could openly discuss socio-economic, political, religious, and spiritual matters, as well as personal issues. This forum, akin to the first Parliament of India, facilitated discussions among Sharanas (followers) on the principles of a democratic and socialistic setup.
PRELIMS BITES:
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION
- The International Day of Education was designated by the United Nations General Assembly on January 24, 2018. This day is dedicated to celebrating the significance of education in fostering peace and development, with a goal to enhance awareness regarding the value and influence of high-quality education.
- For the year 2024, UNESCO is placing emphasis on the promotion of anti-racist guidelines and the tackling of racism within educational materials under the theme of ‘learning for lasting peace.’
PARAKRAM DIWAS (DAY OF VALOR)
The Prime Minister is set to engage in an event observing Parakram Diwas (Day of Valor) at the Red Fort. This program is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the Azad Hind Fauj. On January 23, 2024, the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was commemorated.
