UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 09-07-2024

Project PARI (Public Art of India)

Recently, the Ministry of Culture launched Project PARI at the 46^th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting in Delhi.

• Aim - It seeks to bring forth public art that draws inspiration from millennia of artistic heritage (lok kala/lok sanskriti) while incorporating modern themes and techniques.
• Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Culture.
• Executed by – The Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art.
• The first intervention under Project PARI is taking place in Delhi.
• The project aims to provide a platform to uplift the aesthetic and cultural outlook of Delhi while adding grandeur to the rich historical legacy of our national capital.
• The artworks and sculptures draw inspiration from World Heritage Sites such as Bhimbetka and the 7 natural World Heritage Sites in India find a special place in the proposed artworks.
• Traditional art forms as well as sculptures, murals, and installations have been created under this beautification project.
• More than 150 visual artists from all over the country have come together to create the various wall paintings, murals, sculptures, and installations being prepared under this project.
• Women artists have been an integral part of Project PARI and their participation in large numbers is a testimony of Bharat’s NARI SHAKTI.

References

PIB | Project PARI

Lalit Kala Akademi | Project PARI

Anand Marriage Act

Recently, the National Commission of Minorities held a meeting with states and Union Territories to discuss the implementation of the Anand Marriage Act.

• About- The Anand Marriage or Sikh Marriage Act is legally recognizing and protects Sikh marriages conducted through the Anand Karaj ceremony.
• Emergence – It dates back to 1909 when the British Imperial Legislative Council passed a legislation for the recognition of the Sikh wedding ceremony Anand Karaj.
• Legal Recognition- In 2012, the Parliament passed the Anand Marriage (Amendment) Bill, bringing Sikh traditional marriages under the purview of legal recognition.
• While the central government approved the amendments, it was left for individual states and Union territories to frame respective rules for the registration of Anand marriages.
• It also protects the rights and responsibilities of Sikh couples within the framework of legal marriage.
• Objective- To address concerns from the Sikh community regarding the validity of their marriages under existing Hindu marriage laws.
• Implementation- States including Jharkhand, Maharashtra, and Meghalaya have reported implementing the Anand Marriage Act.

References

1. PIB | Anand Marriage Act
2. Indiacode | ANAND MARRIAGE ACT

Astrophysical jets

Recently, a team of scientists have traced the effect of plasma composition on dynamics of astrophysical jets from celestial bodies.

• About- An astrophysical jet is an astronomical phenomenon where outflows of ionised matter are emitted as extended beams along the axis of rotation.
• Formation- They are believed to form due to complex interactions involving magnetic fields and the accretion disks around compact objects.
• Composition- It consist of charged particles (plasma), which can include electrons, protons, and other atomic nuclei.
• These particles are accelerated to relativistic speeds, approaching the speed of light.
• Velocity- Jets associated with stars are composed of ionized gas moving away from the star with velocities of a few hundred kilometres per second.
• Findings of the recent study- Scientists have studied how the plasma composition of astrophysical jets are streams of ionized matter from celestial objects like black holes, neutron stars, and pulsars affects their behaviour.
• The study demonstrated that altering plasma composition affects jet propagation velocities, despite identical initial parameters.

Reference

PIB | Astrophysical jets

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement

Recently, the Union Cabinet of India approves to sign of the Biodiversity beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.

• The BBNJ Agreement, or the ‘High Seas Treaty’, is an international treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
• Aim- To address the growing concerns over the long-term protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas.
• It sets precise mechanisms for the sustainable use of marine biological diversity through international cooperation and coordination.
• SDG Goal- It contribute to achieving SDG14 (Life below Water).
• Pillars- The BBNJ Agreement consists of the following 4 pillars:
  • Marine genetic resources, including the fair and equitable sharing of benefits
  • Measures such as area-based management tools, including marine protected areas
  • Environmental impact assessments
  • Capacity-building and the transfer of marine technology.
• Members - As of now, 91 countries have signed the BBNJ Agreement, and eight Parties have ratified it.
• It aims to protect biodiversity and achieving the objective to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030.

References

1. PIB | BBNJ Agreement
2. GEF | BBNJ Agreement