Topic: history
Nagavi University for Higher education
Nagavi University, considered the oldest in Karnataka, was established during the 9th and 10th centuries CE in what is now Kalaburagi district’s Chittapur taluk. Despite being a hub for higher education that attracted scholars from distant places, the university eventually faded into obscurity.
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Legacy:
- The name “Nagavi” derives from “Nagavavi,” where “naaga” means serpent and “baavi” means well, referring to the abundance of serpent stones in the area.
- Nagavi University thrived during the Kalyani Chalukya rule, as evidenced by stone inscriptions mentioning temple and educational institution construction during the Nizam’s rule in 1927-28.
- Inscriptions indicate 400 students studied various subjects, with specific mentions of Kavisunu, Vyasa, and Manu’s works.
- Historical evidence highlights financial support from rulers, officials, merchants, and common people for Nagavi University.
Curriculum and Features:
- Nagavi served as a university town with residential buildings, gardens, open spaces, and halls.
- Subjects included spirituality, philosophy, vedas, puranas, astrology, law, logic, mathematics, astronomy, time-keeping, defense, war training, cooking, sculpting, music, dance, and drama.
Preservation Efforts:
- The Namma Smaraka initiative by the Ministry of Tourism and the Department of Archaeology and Museums aims to preserve and revive Nagavi University’s legacy.
- The initiative involves public awareness programs, surveys, cleaning, and detailed reports on the structures.
- The recent findings, including unique pillar architecture and fallen stone shasans, highlight the need for protection and preservation.
- Ongoing efforts include immediate surveys, cleaning, and fencing for protection.
Other ancient Educational Universities:
- Nagarjunakonda, situated 160 kilometers from Amaravathi in Andhra Pradesh, was a renowned Buddhist hub. Scholars from Sri Lanka, China, and various nations sought advanced education here. The site featured numerous Viharas, Stupas, and other structures dedicated to Buddhism. The name “Nagarjunakonda” pays homage to Nagarjuna, a prominent Mahayana Buddhist teacher from southern India.
- Formerly recognized as Manyakheta, the present-day Malkhed in Karnataka gained prominence during the era of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. This locale served as a center for scholars in Jainism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, and it is home to a ‘matha’ aligned with the Dwaita school of thought.
Since the first century AD, Kancheepuram has served as a hub for learning, encompassing Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Its significance heightened notably during the rule of the Pallavas.
Topic: Government Schemes
Parvatmala Pariyojana
The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways has unveiled plans for over 200 Ropeway Projects valued at 1.25 lakh crore as part of the Parvatmala Program.
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Parvatmala Pariyojana:
- During the presentation of the Union Budget for 2022-23, the Union Finance Minister introduced the National Ropeways Development Programme called “Parvatmala,” which will be implemented through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
- The primary emphasis will be on PPP, utilizing the Hybrid Annuity Model with a 60% contribution support from the Government of India.
- The initiative aims to offer an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional roads, particularly in challenging hilly terrains. It is specifically targeted for regions such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu-Kashmir, and the North-East. Significance:
The key objective is to enhance connectivity and convenience for commuters, with a concurrent focus on promoting tourism.
Topic: Science and Technology
BharatGPT, India's first indigenous Generative AI
CoRover Private Limited (CoRover.ai), headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has introduced BharatGPT, India’s first indigenous Generative AI (GenAI) Large Language Model (LLM).
This innovative platform is unique in its availability across channels in over 14 Indian languages, supporting generative capabilities in video, voice, and text.
About BharatGPT:
- BharatGPT is distinguished by its integration for voice modality in more than 14 Indian languages and 22 languages for text modality. This integration is achieved through a partnership with BHASHINI (BHASHA Interface for India), a National Language Translation Mission (NLTM) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
- CoRover has collaborated with Google to host BharatGPT on the Google Cloud Platform (GCP), ensuring data sovereignty, privacy, and security.
- The integration with Google’s AI services is facilitated through CoRover’s Conversational AI platform, which is integrated with the Vertex AI.
Additional Information:
- BharatGPT is a joint initiative of CoRover.ai and I-HUB Anubhuti- IIITD Foundation, the tech hub of Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIITD).
- CoRover currently provides AI Virtual Assistants (ChatBots, VoiceBots, VideoBots) to organizations such as Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), Max Life Insurance, Mahindra, and the Government of India.
- CoRover’s capabilities include integrating payment gateways, Aadhar-based authentication for Know Your Customer (KYC), and various AI components like speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and sentiment analysis.
Significance:
- With CoRover’s BharatGPT, developers and business users can swiftly create text and voice-enabled multi-lingual Virtual Assistants.
The platform’s multi-layered Natural Language Processing (NLP) approach reduces computing and memory requirements.
Topic: Social justice
Constitution Awareness Jatha
The Karnataka government has announced the organization of a state-wide ‘Constitution Awareness Jatha’ (mass awareness) from January 26 to February 23, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Indian Constitution.
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- The ‘Constitution Awareness Jatha’ aims to reinforce the significance of the Indian Constitution and unity across the state.
- The Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with various departments, state PSUs, and NGOs, is coordinating the events. An allocated budget of Rs 18 crore has been approved, with each district receiving Rs 25 lakh.
- Events include a Constitution Workshop and Expo on February 24-25, and a Mega Constitution Awareness Convention on February 25.
- The government highlights the need to reflect on the Constitution’s performance as it enters its 75th year and address challenges ahead.
- Concerns are raised about the perceived threats to the Constitution’s embedded values due to misconceptions or vested interests.
- The ‘Constitution Awareness Jatha’ will feature an LED mobile van displaying multimedia content on the essence, preparation, and adoption of the Constitution.
- The jatha will traverse all 31 districts, with LED vans and tableaus providing information specific to each district.
- District administrations have the freedom to design and conduct events, including cycle rallies and on-the-spot competitions on the Constitution.
- The Jatha aims to reach every gram panchayat and involve elected members at the grassroots level.
- District Incharge Ministers will flag off the Jatha on January 26, immediately after the national flag hoisting ceremony.
- A Workshop and Expo will be held on February 24-25 at Palace grounds in Bengaluru, featuring intellectual discourse on constitutional values, equality, liberty, secularism, and social justice.
- The Mega Constitution Awareness Convention on February 25 at Palace grounds will witness public participation from across the state and the presence of intellectuals and public representatives.
Overall, the initiative seeks to create mass awareness, reaffirming the power of the Indian Constitution and addressing contemporary challenges to its foundational values.
Topic: Governance
Tasthik Funds
Muzrai Minister R Ramalinga Reddy swiftly withdrew the recovery notice issued to Kannada writer Hiremagalur Kannan after BJP leaders criticized the government.
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- The minister clarified that Kannan received excess Tasthik funds due to incorrect calculations by tahsildars since 2014. Reddy directed the recovery of the surplus amount from tahsildars appointed during the 2013-2023 period, resolving the issue promptly.
- The department of Religious and Charitable Endowments popularly known as Muzrai administer about 35,000 Hindu religious institutions which receive grants from the Government of Karnataka. The department is operated under the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment (amended) Act, 2011.
Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments temples own inam land, the inam land is been taken over by Government as per Certain Inam Abolition Act and Karnatak Land Revenue Act. As per act Tasdik and Annuity fund is sanction to the temple to meet necessary expenditure of the institution. The annuity amount and Tasdik amount is paid to institution through tahsildars.
Topic: Social justice
Bharat Ratna Award: Karpoori Thakur
Karpoori Thakur, recently posthumously honored with India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, on his 100th birth anniversary, played a significant role in shaping India’s political landscape.
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Before Independence, he was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and actively participated in the Quit India Movement. Post-independence, he entered politics, representing the Socialist Party, and became a champion for workers’ rights and reservations for backward classes.
Contributions:
- Thakur’s contributions were multifaceted. He ardently advocated for social justice, aiming to rectify systemic inequalities in Indian society.
- Recognized as the pioneer of OBC (Other Backward Classes) politics in Bihar, he implemented quotas for backward classes and played a pivotal role in the Mandal Commission recommendations. His emphasis on affirmative action strengthened opportunities for the backward classes.
- Known for his selflessness, as Chief Minister of Bihar, he declined personal benefits from a political leaders’ colony scheme.
- Thakur implemented a landmark alcohol ban in 1970, addressing social issues related to alcohol consumption.
- Additionally, he made significant strides in education by establishing schools and colleges in underdeveloped regions, ensuring accessibility for historically marginalized communities.
Karpoori Thakur’s legacy revolves around the principles of simplicity and social justice, leaving an indelible mark on Indian politics.
Basavaraj Horatti in Limca Book of Records
Basavaraj Horatti, the Chairman of the Legislative Council, has achieved a remarkable feat by entering the Limca Book of Records for winning from the same constituency eight times. This notable accomplishment adds to his impressive political career spanning 43 years as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC), consistently representing the Karnataka West Teachers’ constituency.
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- The 77-year-old veteran, previously associated with the JDS, switched to the BJP before the May 10 Assembly polls but continued his winning streak from the familiar constituency. His feat surpasses that of former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, who was elected 11 times but from different segments.
- Horatti’s inclusion in the Limca Book of Records for 2023 acknowledges his continuous victories since 1980 from the same constituency, an unprecedented achievement lasting for 43 years and 201 days. This remarkable record distinguishes him as the only individual in the country to achieve such a prolonged series of victories from a single constituency.
- In 2022, Basavaraj Horatti’s name also earned a place in the World Book of Records. His illustrious political career includes serving in various ministerial portfolios and holding the position of Council chairman for the third time, setting another noteworthy record.
- The release from the information department highlighted another notable entry in the Limca Book of Records for 2023: former Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pavan Kumar Chamling, was recognized for being the longest-serving chief minister, having held the position for an impressive 24 years and 165 days. This accolade surpasses Jyoti Basu’s tenure as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for 23 years and 137 days.
Limca Book of Records
- The Limca Book of Records is an annual reference book published in India documenting world records held by Indians. The records are further categorized into education, literature, agriculture, medical science, business, sports, nature, adventure, radio and cinema
- The Limca Book of Records is published in English and is a promotional tool of Limca, a soft drink brand, owned by the Coca Cola Company, it is a localised equivalent of the Guinness World Records.
- The Limca Book of Records was first published in 1990, when the Limca soft drink brand was owned by Parle Bisleri. It was started originally by Ramesh Chauhan, who sold it to The Coca-Cola Company in 1993.[4] The book continued to be published by Coca-Cola. The Limca Book of Records is now published with the patronage of Coca-Cola India which manufactures Limca.
The current editor is Vatsala Kaul.
