These current affairs are written in a easy to remember format and are useful for competitive exams like - UPSC Civil Services, UPPSC, BPSC, MPPPSC, State PSCs and other competitive examinations.
12-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya
PM Modi unveiled a 12-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath, where the acharya is believed to have attained samadhi at the age of 32 in the ninth century.
The Adi Shankara story is a remarkable saga of travel and adventure, philosophical inquiry, conflicts in faith, exegesis, establishment of lineage, organisation and mobilisation, etc.
Adi Shankara is said to have been born in Kaladi village on the bank of the Periyar, the largest river in Kerala.
He was a disciple of the scholar Govindacharya.
He is said to have visited all the important spiritual centres of the time - from Kanchi (Kancheepuram) to Kamrup (Assam), and Kashmir and the Kedar and Badri dhams, as well as Sringeri, Ujjain, Kashi, Puri, and Joshimath.
Adi Shankara is generally identified as the author of 116 works - commentaries (bhashyas) on 10 Upanishads, the Brahmasutra, the Gita, Vivekachudamani, Maneesha Panchakam, and Saundaryalahiri.
He is believed to have established the ritual practices at the Badri and Kedar dhams.
Shankara's great standing is derived from his commentaries of the prasthanatrayi (Upanishads, Brahmasutra and Gita), where he explains his understanding of Advaita Vedanta.
Art & Culture
18th Century Annapurna idol
An ancient idol of Goddess Annapurna, brought back to India after over a century from Canada. TThis idol was stolen from a temple of Varanasi and smuggled out of the country around 100 years ago.
Annapurna is the goddess of food.
The 18th century idol, carved in the Benares style, was part of the collection at the MacKenzie Art Gallery at the University of Regina, Canada.
It is scheduled to be placed in its original location - the Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Art & Culture
Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) - 2021
The third edition of Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC) - 2021 is being hosted by the Indian Navy under the aegis of Naval War College, Goa.
The theme for this year's edition of GMC is "Maritime Security and Emerging Non-Traditional Threats: A Case for Proactive Role for IOR Navies".
At the GMC 2021, Indian Navy is hosting Chiefs of Navies/Heads of Maritime Forces from 12 Indian Ocean Region countries comprising Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Defence
Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)
In 2015, India unveiled it's strategic vision for the Indian Ocean i.e. Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Through SAGAR, India seeks to deepen economic and security cooperation with its maritime neighbours and assist in building their maritime security capabilities.
For this, India would cooperate on the exchange of information, coastal surveillance, building of infrastructure and strengthening their capabilities.
Further, India seeks to safeguard its national interests and ensure Indian Ocean region to become inclusive, collaborative and respect international law.
Defence
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) was established in 1997 and is a regional forum that seeks to build and expand understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation through a consensus-based, evolutionary and non-intrusive approach.
IORA has 22 member states, including Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, UAE, and Yemen.
Its Secretariat is based in Cyber City, Eb?ne, Mauritius.
It manages, coordinates, services and monitors the implementation of policy decisions, work programmes and projects adopted by the member states.
Defence
Kaho, a village on China border
Arunachal Pradesh's Department of Information, Public Relations and Printing has sent a 12-member team to Kaho in Anjaw district for filming a documentary on the village and its people.
The documentary is a part of the celebrations of Azadi ka Amrut Mahotsav.
Kaho had weathered the Chinese attack in 1962. Its people had assisted the Indian soldiers who had been outnumbered.
Kaho is the first village from the China border.
According to the 2011 census, Kaho has only 65 residents and a literacy rate of 64.15%.
A similar publicity event was organised at Dipa village in Lower Siang district a month ago.
Social Issues
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)
The Editors Guild of India (EGI) expressed shock over the Tripura Police action of booking 102 people, including journalists, under the Unlawful Activ ...
Read More: Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)
Defence
Paris Agreement on Climate Change (COP 21) : UNFCCC
Paris Agreement on Climate Change (COP 21) : UNFCCC Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change whi ...
Read More: Paris Agreement on Climate Change (COP 21) : UNFCCC
Environment
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection
Currently close to 90 persons, including 17 children, have tested positive for the virus from the State. In July 2021, a single Zika virus (ZIKV) infe ...
Read More: Zika virus (ZIKV) infection
Science & Tech
Chinese space station : Tiangong (Heavenly Palace)
China had launched the Shenzhou-13 spaceship in October 2021, sending three astronauts on a six-month mission to the under-construction space s ...
Read More: Chinese space station : Tiangong (Heavenly Palace)
Science & Tech
UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Srinagar as a part of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN ...
Read More: UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)
Art & Culture