Prelim Bits 24-10-2023 | UPSC Daily Current Affairs

Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan (MSJA)

National Institute of Fisheries Post Harvest Technology and Training (NIFPHATT) organized a workshop on Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan recently.

• MSJA - It is an outreach programme that aims to reach fish farmers and 3477 coastal villages and ensures last mile connectivity.
• It disseminates information and knowledge about 9 years of achievements in the fisheries sector.
• Duration - 6 months Campaign
• Organized by - Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• PMMSY - It is a flagship scheme for focused and sustainable development of fisheries sector.
• Aim - To double the income of fish farmers and fishers in the country and to bring about Blue Revolution.
• Launched - 2020.
• The PMMSY is an umbrella scheme with 2 separate Components namely
  • Central Sector Scheme (CS) and
  • Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
• PMMSY is implemented in all the States and Union Territories for a period of 5 years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

References

1. PIB |  Matsya Sampada Jagrukta Abhiyan
2. PMMSY | Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

Bedouin Arabs

A video on social media shows local Israelis expressing their gratitude to a Bedouin commander for putting up an effective defence against Hamas fighters recently.

• About - The Bedouins are a nomadic Muslim Arab people who live mainly in the Negev desert of southern Israel.
• Occupation - They have traditionally been pastoralists with no powerful or exclusive national affiliation.
• Before the formation of Israel, groups of Bedouin were employed by early Jewish settlers to guard clusters of their communities in Palestine.
• During the Arab-Israeli war of 1948-49, many Bedouin provided valuable intelligence to the Jewish militias and the newly formed Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
• In the 1950s, Israel recognised a large number of Bedouin as its citizens, and subsequently helped build settlements for them in the Negev.
• Many Bedouin continued to serve in the IDF, primarily in scouting or tracking units.

Click here to know more about Israel-Palestine Conflict

Hezbollah

• Hezbollah (Party of God) - It is a Shiite Islamic militant organisation from Lebanon.

According to Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Hezbollah’s are the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor.

• Origin - During the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990)
• Cause of origin - Discontent with presence of armed Palestinian in Lebanon and inspiration from theocratic Islamic government of Iran in 1979.
• Funding and Training - Iran and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
• Aim - It opposes Israel and Western influence in West Asia.
• Conflict with Israel - Israeli forces invaded southern Lebanon in 1978 and again in 1982 to expel Palestinian guerrilla fighters.
• It fought a war with Israel in 2006.

References

1. The Indian Express | Bedouin Arabs in the Israeli army
2. The Indian Express | Hezbollah
3. Hindustan Times | Hezbollah

Dogra architecture

Srinagar Smart City Limited and the Kashmir chapter of INTACH have joined hands to conserve vernacular elements of Kashmiri architecture recently.

• Dogra architecture is a distinct culture that formed in Jammu, where cultures mixed together.
• Dynasty - The Dogra dynasty was a dynasty of Hindu Rajputs who ruled Jammu & Kashmir from 1846 to 1947.
• Examples - Some examples of Dogra architecture include:
  • Mubark mandi - A hub of Dogra culture until 1947, with a jharokha style of balcony.
  • Maharaj Gunj - A market area with a variety of colonial and vernacular architecture.
  • Rani Charak Mahal - A mahal with phenomenal architecture and interiors.

Maharaj Gunj

• It was established by Maharaja Ranbir Singh to provide fillip to Kashmir’s trade and commerce.
• The [Maharaj Gunj market] area has a rich mix of vernacular and colonial architecture.
• Most residential buildings constructed in the taq or dhajji dewari styles.
• The market once housed Khatri businesspeople, who introduced a different lifestyle to the city.
• Maharaj Gunj’s strategic location along the banks of the Jhelum river rendered it an attractive destination for traders from diverse locations within Kashmir.

References

1. The Hindu | Dogra architecture gets a revival
2. Abhipedia | Dogra and Jammu architecture

RBI on Floating Rate Savings Bonds (FRBs)

Individual investors can now subscribe to FRSBs through Reserve Bank of India's Retail Direct Portal.

• RBI has expanded the basket of products offered through its Retail Direct Portal by allowing individual investors to subscribe to Floating Rate Savings Bonds (FRBs), 2020 (Taxable).
• Currently, individual (retail) investors can invest in Central Government Securities, Treasury Bills, State Government Securities and Sovereign Gold Bonds through the Retail Direct Portal.

FRSBs are interest bearing, non-tradeable bonds, issued by the Government of India, which are repayable on the expiration of 7 years from the date of issue.

• Until recently, these bonds were exclusively accessible at select branches of the State Bank of India, nationalized banks, private sector banks authorized by the RBI.
• The subscription of bonds will be in the form of cash (up to Rs.20,000 only)/drafts/cheques or any electronic mode.

RBI-Retail Direct Scheme (RDS)

• The scheme was launched on November, 2021.
• Under the Scheme, individual investors are permitted to open Retail Direct Gilt account with RBI through which investments in Government Securities can be made in primary and secondary market.

References

1. Livemint | Individual investors can now subscribe to FRSBs
2. The Hindu Business Line | Floating Rate Savings Bonds
3. CNBCTV | Floating Rate Savings Bonds via RBI's portal

Puri Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar

Demands to open the Ratna Bhandar gained strength after the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) gave a requisition for repair/conservation of the chamber.

• The Ratna Bhandar is the treasury of the Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha, India.
• The precious ornaments of sibling deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra given by devotees and erstwhile kings over centuries, are stored in this 12^th century shrine.
• It is located within the temple and has two chambers
  • Bhitar Bhandar (inner chamber) and
  • Bahara Bhandar (outer chamber).
• The last inventory of the gems and jewelry in the Ratna Bhandar was made in 1978.
• The outer chamber is opened regularly to fetch ornaments for the deities but the inner chamber has not opened in the past 38 years.

Puri Jagannath Temple

• Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is a revered temple where Lord Krishna is worshipped as Lord Jagannath.
• Lord Jagannath is present in this temple along with elder brother Lord Balbhadra and younger sister Goddess Subhadra.
• It's a circular temple that was built during the Kachchhapaghata Dynasty. It's the only circular temple in India.
• It's known for its annual Ratha Jatra, or chariot festival. The temple is one of the 4 great 'Char Dham' pilgrimage sites.
• The temple's design is believed to have inspired the Indian Parliament building.
• The temple is called the "White Pagoda". A sign at the Lion's Gate (main entrance) of the Temple states: “Only Hindus are allowed”.

References

1. The Indian Express | Ratna Bhandar of the Puri Jagannath Temple
2. Economic Times | Puri temple's Ratna Bhandar
3. Times now | Jagannath temple ratna bandhar