Prerana Program

Prerana Program was recently launched by the Department of School Education & Literacy to provide an experiential and inspirational learning program for students with the best-in-class technology.

• Prerana Program aims to offer a meaningful, unique and inspiring experience to all participants, thereby empowering them with leadership qualities.
• It is a week-long residential program for 20 selected students of class IX to XII.
• It is an Experiential Learning Program to empower students with leadership qualities.
• The program comes with the best-in-class technology where heritage meets innovation.
• It was launched by the Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education.
• It is driven by a strong commitment to integrate principles of Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education which is a corner stone of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Prerana program will run from a Vernacular School which was established in 1888 at Vadnagar, Gujarat. Vadnagar is one of the oldest living cities of India.
• The Prerana stands as a tribute to Vadnagar's indomitable spirit, a living city that has triumphed over challenges like earthquakes and natural calamities.
• The curriculum of Prerana School prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar is rooted in 9 value based themes that include:
  1. Swabhiman and Vinay
  2. Shaurya and Sahas
  3. Parishram and Samarpan
  4. Karuna and Sewa
  5. Vividhta and Ekta
  6. Satyanishtha and Shuchita
  7. Navachar and Jigyasa
  8. Shraddha aur Vishwas
  9. Swatantrata and Kartavya
• The day-wise program schedule will feature yoga, mindfulness, and meditation sessions, followed by experiential learning, thematic sessions, and hands on interesting learning activities.

Wetland City Accreditation

The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change recently selected Indore, Bhopal and Udaipur to get accredited for Wetland City Accreditation under the Ramsar Convention.

• Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) aims to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
• The Accreditation seeks to encourage cities that are close to and dependent on wetlands, primarily Wetlands of International Importance.
• The Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved this voluntary WCA system that recognizes cities that have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands.
• This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition.
• No Indian city have been formally accredited in the Wetland City Accreditation.
• Criteria – A city to get accredited formally for Wetland City Accreditation should satisfy the standards used to implement each of the 6 international criteria mentioned Operational Guidance for WCA of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• Recently Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) have selected Indore, Bhopal and Udaipur to get accredited formally in Wetland City Accreditation.
• Indore – Founded by Holkars, is the cleanest city in India and the recipient of India’s Smart City Award 2023 for its best sanitation, water and urban environment.
• Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar Site in the city, has been recognised as an important site for water bird congregation and is being developed as a Bird Sanctuary.
• Bhopal – One of the cleanest cities in India that has proposed conservation zones around the wetlands in its draft City Development Plan 2031.
• Bhoj Wetland, Ramsar Site is the city’s lifeline, equipped with the world-class wetlands interpretation centre, Jal Tarang.
• Udaipur – Located in Rajasthan, the city is surrounded by 5 major wetlands, namely, Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
• These wetlands are an integral part of the city’s culture and identity, help maintain the city’s microclimate and provide a buffer from extreme events.
• The Amrit Dharohar – Is an initiative of the MoEF&CC that aims to achieve similar goals by promoting unique conservation values of Ramsar Sites.

Thalaiyatti and Uruttu Dolls

In recent times the makers of Thalaiyatti and Uruttu Dolls are having tough time due to the stiff competition from electronic toys and e-commerce platforms.

• Thalaiyatti and Uruttu Dolls are traditional Indian dolls modelled on the human form that is predominantly made in Thanjavur of Tamil Nadu.
• The art of making these dolls was introduced by Maratha rule Raja Serfoji in the early 19th Century.
• Thalaiyatti and Uruttu Dolls are also known as Thanjavur dolls which received Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2009.
• Earlier the dolls were heavier as they were made of terracotta.
• At present, all the dolls have a lightweight body which are made of tapioca flour, papier mache and plaster of Paris cooked and kneaded to the consistency of roti dough.
• Papier mache is a material made from paper, water, glue and other substances that hardens as it dries.
• These dolls reflect a unique combination of modern aesthetics and ingenious engineering.
• Each Doll pass through at least 7 stages from mould to assembly before they are packed for despatch, with each step, requiring a skilled artisan’s attention.

Kadambas

A 10th century Kadamba inscription written in Kannada, Sanskrit was recently discovered in the Mahadeva temple at Cacoda in southern Goa.

• The Satavahana Empire declined around the 3rd century CE and was replaced by the Ikshvakus, followed by Pallavas in Andhra and the Kadambas in northern Karnataka.
• Kadambas ruled over the northern part of Karnataka.
• Banvasi was also the ancient capital of this rulers.
• King Ravivarma ruled the kingdom from 485-519 AD and Banavasi in Uttar Kannada district (now) was the capital then.
• Their inscriptions can be found in the languages of Kannada and Sanskrit.
• Halasi town is known for some old temples built in the 5th century during the Kadamba period.
• Kadambas of Goa were the subordinates of Chalukyas of Kalyana.
• Chalukyan emperor Tailapa II appointed Kadamba Shasthadeva as mahamandaleshwara of Goa for his help in overthrowing the Rashtrakutas.
• The recently found Kadamba inscription was written in Kannada and Sanskrit languages that belongs to 10th century.
• The epigraph is engraved in Kannada and Nagari characters.
• It is in the literary style of Talangre inscription of Jayasimha I of the same period.

Kerman, Beirut and Haifa

• Kerman – Recently Islamic State claimed the responsibility for Iran bombings in Kerman. Kerman is a city in Iran.
• Beirut – The Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri was recently killed in a drone strike at Beirut, Capital of Lebanon.
• Haifa – Recently a Hezbollah drone was intercepted over Haifa area in Israel. Haifa is a bay-side suburban of Israel.