#polity
White Paper Vs. Black Paper
In reaction to the Central government’s announcement of presenting a ‘White Paper’ assessing the economic performance of the UPA government over its 10- year tenure (2004-2014), the Congress party has issued a ‘Black Paper.’
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Black Paper:
- Involves a thorough critical analysis and evaluation of prevailing policies, practices, or viewpoints.
- Expresses dissent by challenging existing narratives or perspectives, advocating for alternative viewpoints.
- Typically addresses contentious subjects, presenting alternative interpretations and viewpoints.
- Relies on evidence, data, and logical arguments to support its critical assessment and alternative perspective.
- Often advocates for policy changes, reforms, or alternative approaches to address perceived deficiencies or injustices.
White Paper:
- Offers detailed and comprehensive information on a specific topic, issue, or
- Maintains an objective and neutral tone, presenting information and analysis without strong opinions or biases.
- May include proposals or recommendations for policy changes, initiatives, or reforms based on thorough analysis and research.
- Often cites authoritative sources, research findings, and expert opinions to support arguments and recommendations.
Aims to educate stakeholders, policymakers, and the public about complex issues, providing insights and analysis to facilitate informed decision- making.
#governance
Janaspandana: a Public redressal meeting
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah conducted a ‘Janaspandana’ public redressal meeting at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, attracting people from across the state.
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- The gathering received 11,000 applications from individuals, who brought forward their grievances in hopes of a prompt resolution.
- Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reported that nearly 98 percent of the applications from the first ‘Janaspandana’ program have been successfully
- The primary objective of the program is to bring administration closer to the people, providing immediate solutions on-site or expediting
- Participants highlighted a range of problems, including financial support, health issues, challenges with the revenue department, and job
The Chief Minister emphasized the significance of ‘Janaspandana’ in obtaining firsthand information on people’s concerns and delivering timely solutions.
#infrastructure
KHIR City In 1000 acres near Bengaluru
Karnataka plans to establish a Knowledge, Healthcare, Innovation, and Research (KHIR) city, covering 1,000 acres in the initial phase. The entire investment will be contributed by private players, while the government will provide land equity.
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- On February 8, a consultation meeting was conducted by Karnataka’s major industry and infrastructure development minister MB Patil.
- Boston Consulting Group (BCG) presented a design proposal for the KHIR city, and discussions were held with officials and experts.
- The location, likely within 60 km of Bengaluru, is yet to be finalized, with proximity to Kempegowda International Airport.
Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV): The state is likely to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for effective coordination between the government and the master developer of the KHIR city.
Investment Focus: Focus on research, innovation, and prototype development; manufacturing activities will not be conducted in the KHIR city.
Financial Contribution: Private players will fund the entire investment, while the government’s contribution will be in the form of land equity.
Green Cover and Civic Amenities:
- Recommendation for 35% of the land to be reserved for green cover, with 5% each allocated for roads and civic amenities.
The remaining 55% of the allotted land to be utilized for the KHIR city.
#culture
Tall statue of Renukacharya
A remarkable 36-feet tall statue of Renukacharya has been erected in Kadenandihalli village near Shiralakoppa, Shivamogga.
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- Revanasiddeswara Swamiji of Kadenandihalli Mutt spearheaded the initiative, marking the first instance in Karnataka of constructing such a tall idol.
Symbolism and Design: The statue symbolizes the 36 principles of Veerashaiva doctrine.
- The structure includes a meditation basement, a 24-pillared Shilamantapa, the
towering statue of Renukacharya, and a sanctum sanctorum with an idol of Basavanna.
Model and Construction Materials: Modeled after the Someshwara Lingam in Kolampaka, Telangana, the birthplace of Renukacharya.
Cultural and Religious Significance: The statue holds cultural and religious importance, with its design reflecting the principles of the Veerashaiva doctrine and paying homage to Renukacharya’s birthplace.
Reṇukāchārya – Virasaivism Teacher:
- Reṇukacharya or Revaṇasiddha, was one of the five acharyas in Kali Yuga dedicated to teaching and spreading Virasaivism.
- Born from the Somesvara linga, Reṇukāchārya is believed to have traveled extensively across India, imparting the teachings of Virasaivism.
- Somesvara temples associated with Reṇukāchārya are situated in Kollipāki or Kolanupaka in Aler City, Yadadri district, Telangana, India.
- Ultimately, Reṇukāchārya founded the Rambhāpuri maṭha in Balehonnur, a village in Narasimharajapura taluk, Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka,
- The Reṇuka gotra within the Vīraśaiva community is named in honor of Reṇukāchārya, signifying his enduring influence and legacy.
#Tech
Launch Of UPI at Eiffel tower
The formal launch of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) took place during India’s Republic Day celebration at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
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- This event signifies a significant move towards globalizing UPI and encouraging digital payment adoption.
- UPI, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) in 2016, is an instant payment system that consolidates multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application, simplifying various banking functions, fund transfers, and merchant payments.
- The collaboration between NPCI’s subsidiary, NPCI International Payments (NIPL), and France’s Lyra Collect has resulted in an agreement to introduce UPI in France and Europe.
#misc.
IRS Narendra Kumar Yadav brand ambassador for Fit India Movement
Narendra Kumar Yadav, a 2009 batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, has achieved the distinction of being the first civil servant appointed as a brand ambassador for the Fit India Movement.
- Currently holding the position of ‘Additional Director GST (Goods and Services Tax)’ at the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, Narendra Kumar Yadav has been selected for this role.
The Fit India Movement, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, aims to integrate fitness into the daily lives of individuals. The movement strives to instigate behavioral changes, encouraging a more physically active lifestyle.
#misc
Best Republic Day Tableau: Odisha
“The tableau presented by Odisha has secured the first position in the judge’s choice category, while Gujarat’s tableau has won the top spot in the people’s choice category,” a senior official said. In the judge’s category, Gujarat secured the second position, with Tamil Nadu ranking third.
Odisha’s Victorious Tableau:
- The winning tableau from Odisha prominently showcased women’s active participation in the handicraft and handloom sector through live
- The tableau highlighted women’s adaptation to technology, showcasing aspects such as cashless transactions and e-platform marketing within the handicraft and handloom industry.
- A large umbrella served as a symbol, representing the steadfast support of both the central and state governments for artisans. This support was emphasized under the “Viksit Bharat”
The tableau included a representation of the “War Horse of Konark Temple,” symbolizing Odisha’s swift advancement towards contributing to the development of India.
#science
The Healthy Indian Project in Vaccine Safety Net.
The Healthy Indian Project (THIP) has been included as a member of the World Health Organization’s Vaccine Safety Net (VSN), a global network of health information platforms in India.
More on the topic:
- The Vaccine Safety Net (VSN) is established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and serves as a global network of websites offering reliable information on vaccine safety.
- VSN comprises a diverse group of digital information resources, including websites and social media platforms, located worldwide. These members provide scientifically based information on vaccine safety in various
- The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), established by WHO in 1999, plays a crucial role in the project. It responds promptly, efficiently, and with scientific rigor to vaccine safety issues of potential global importance.
- WHO evaluates electronic resources based on their adherence to the specified criteria for good information practices.
- The Vaccine Safety Net is continually expanding, and currently, 110 websites from 45 countries provide vaccine safety information in 43 languages.
#environment
Tri-state Synchronized Vulture Survey
The inaugural tri-State synchronized vulture survey recorded a total of 320 individual vultures across seven protected areas spanning Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, with the Himalayan griffon being exclusively observed in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.
More on the topic:
- The Himalayan griffon is an Old World vulture belonging to the Accipitridae family, and it stands out as one of the two largest Old World vultures and true raptors.
- These vultures exhibit monogamous behavior, returning to the same nesting and roosting sites consistently from year to year.
- Himalayan griffons are diurnal and predominantly solitary in their
- Distribution:
- They are commonly found along the Himalayas and the adjacent Tibetan region, extending into the Central Asian mountains.
- Occasional migration to northern India occurs, but such migration is primarily altitudinal in nature.
Conservation Status: As per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Himalayan griffon is classified as “Near Threatened.”
