The MERITE Scheme (Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education) has been approved by the Union Cabinet to improve the quality and governance of technical education in India. The scheme is a collaborative effort between the Government of India and the World Bank, aimed at enhancing the technical skills and employability of students in government engineering institutions and polytechnics across the country.

Features of the MERITE Scheme

1. Central Sector Scheme:

   • The scheme is a Central Sector Scheme, meaning it will be funded by the central government and implemented across government engineering institutions and polytechnics in all States and Union Territories (UTs) of India.

2. Collaboration with World Bank:

   • The MERITE scheme has been formulated with the assistance of the World Bank to enhance the scope of technical education in the country.

3. Alignment with NEP 2020:

   • The scheme is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focusing on improving quality, equity, and governance in technical education.

Objectives of the MERITE Scheme

The primary objectives of the MERITE Scheme include:

1. Improvement of Quality and Governance:

   • The scheme aims to improve the quality of education, governance in institutions, and promote equity in technical education across India.

2. Enhance Employability:

   • A key focus is on improving students' employability by enhancing their skills through industry-oriented interventions.

3. Strengthen Research and Innovation:

   • The scheme will help boost research and innovation in technical institutions by setting up research hubs and incubation centers.

4. Support for Faculty Development:

   • Faculty development programs will be organized to improve teaching quality and pedagogical skills among educators.

Funding and Financial Details

1. Total Financial Outlay:

   • The total financial implication of the scheme is ₹4,200 crore for the period 2025-26 to 2029-30.

2. External Assistance:

   • ₹2,100 crore of the total funding will come from a World Bank loan, ensuring substantial international support for the project.

3. Central Nodal Agency:

   • A Central Nodal Agency will be responsible for facilitating the fund transfer from the Central Government to the participating institutions.

Key Interventions Under the MERITE Scheme

The scheme will introduce several key interventions to improve technical education in India:

1. Curriculum Updates:

   • The curricula of technical institutions will be updated to better align with industry needs, ensuring that students are equipped with relevant skills.

2. Internship Opportunities:

   • Students will be provided with internship opportunities to gain hands-on experience and exposure to the industry.

3. Research and Development:

   • Research hubs will be established to foster innovation and collaboration with industry partners.

4. Incubation and Innovation Centers:

   • The scheme will provide support to incubation centers, skill labs, maker labs, and language workshops to foster entrepreneurship and creativity among students.

5. Faculty Development:

   • Regular faculty development programs will be organized to enhance the professional skills of educators and improve teaching quality.

Benefits of the MERITE Scheme

1. Impact on 275 Institutions:

   • Around 275 government and government-aided technical institutions are expected to be selected and supported under the scheme. These include National Institutes of Technology (NITs), State Engineering Institutions, Polytechnics, and Affiliating Technical Universities (ATUs).

2. Support for State/UT Departments:

   • The scheme will also provide support to the State/UT departments responsible for managing technical education.

3. Improved Technical Skills:

   • By aligning education with industry needs and enhancing skills, the MERITE scheme will significantly improve the employability of students.

Conclusion

The MERITE Scheme aims to revolutionize technical education in India by providing quality education, fostering innovation, and improving governance in technical institutions. By integrating industry-aligned curricula, supporting research, and enhancing faculty training, the scheme is set to create a pool of highly skilled professionals capable of contributing to India's technological growth.

Recently, Turkey closed the Dardanelles Strait to shipping traffic due to forest fires in the surrounding areas. The Dardanelles Strait is a vital waterway that connects the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and it has strategic significance.

Facts about the Dardanelles Strait

1. Location and Geography:

   • The Dardanelles Strait is located in northwestern Turkey. It forms a natural boundary between Europe and Asia Minor (Turkey’s Asian part).

   • The strait is 61 km long and varies in width from 1.2 to 6.5 km, making it one of the narrowest yet most crucial international shipping routes.

2. Historical Significance:

   • In ancient times, the Dardanelles was known as the Hellespont, named after a mythical princess, Helle.

   • The Dardanelles connects the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara, and through the Bosporus Strait, it provides a sea link between the Black Sea and the rest of the world.

3. Strategic Importance:

   • The Dardanelles Strait, along with the Bosporus Strait, serves as the only maritime route for countries bordering the Black Sea (like Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Romania) to reach the global oceans.

   • The Gallipoli Peninsula, located on the western side of the Dardanelles, is also historically important, especially during World War I.

4. Ports and Shipping:

   • Key ports along the Dardanelles Strait include Gallipoli, Eceabat, and Çanakkale, all located in Turkey. These ports are important for both trade and military activities.

5. Environmental Challenges:

   • The forest fires that led to the temporary closure of the Dardanelles Strait highlight the growing environmental challenges in the region. Forest fires in Turkey have become more frequent due to rising temperatures and drought conditions, exacerbated by climate change.

The Dardanelles Strait remains a crucial geopolitical and economic waterway, not just for Turkey but for countries in the Black Sea region. The closure of the strait due to forest fires underscores the growing importance of climate resilience and environmental preparedness in safeguarding such vital global passages.

Recently, Sikkim celebrated Tendong Lho Rum Faat, a traditional nature-worshipping festival of the Lepcha tribe, marking a significant cultural event for the indigenous community.

Key Facts about the Lepcha Tribe

1. Location:

   • The Lepcha tribe primarily inhabits the eastern regions of Nepal, western Bhutan, Sikkim, and parts of the Darjeeling district in West Bengal, India. They are classified as a Scheduled Tribe in Sikkim.

   • Their habitat stretches across the southern and eastern slopes of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak. The elevation of the region varies from the lowlands (230 m) to the summit of the mountain (8,586 m).

2. Name and Language:

   • The Lepchas refer to themselves as ‘Rongs’ or ‘Rongkups’.

   • They speak Lepcha, a Tibeto-Burman language with its own script based on Sanskrit.

3. Historical Context:

   • The Lepchas are considered to be the earliest inhabitants of Sikkim and are believed to have settled in the region long before the Bhutia people (who arrived in Sikkim from Tibet in the 14th century).

   • Over time, while the Lepchas have incorporated elements of Bhutia culture, they maintain their distinct cultural identity.

4. Population:

   • According to the 2011 Census, the Lepcha population is approximately 42,909, reflecting their status as a vanishing tribe.

5. Livelihood:

   • Traditionally, the Lepcha were hunters and gatherers, but today they are also involved in farming and cattle breeding.

6. Religion and Beliefs:

   • Originally nature worshipers, the Lepchas believed in spirits and witchcraft.

   • Over time, the majority of the Lepcha people embraced Buddhism.

   • The Lepchas traditionally worship Mount Kanchenjunga, considering it their guardian deity.

Tendong Lho Rum Faat Festival

• Tendong Lho Rum Faat is a festival deeply rooted in nature worship and marks the religious and cultural significance of the Lepcha tribe.

• It is celebrated by the Lepchas of Sikkim and involves prayers to Mount Tendong, believed to be the source of all life.

• The festival also focuses on nature conservation and the protection of the environment, with a deep respect for natural elements such as trees, mountains, rivers, and animals.

• Traditional customs during the festival include singing, dancing, and archery contests, reflecting the community’s rich cultural heritage.

Significance of the Festival:

• The festival serves to revitalize and preserve the Lepcha’s indigenous traditions while also promoting awareness about the importance of environmental conservation.

• It highlights the tribe’s deep-rooted connection to nature and their commitment to protecting their environment.

The Lepcha tribe is a unique cultural group with a long history in Sikkim and the surrounding regions. Tendong Lho Rum Faat is not just a festival, but a symbol of the tribe’s spiritual connection to the land and nature.

Iran is reportedly preparing to test or has already developed its first Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), named Khorramshahr-5. This missile is a significant development for Iran's military capabilities and raises concerns globally due to its range and destructive potential.

Key Details About Khorramshahr-5:

1. Type:

   • The Khorramshahr-5 is classified as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), which is designed to deliver nuclear warheads over long distances.

2. Range:

   • It is said to have an operational range of 12,000 kilometers, placing it in the category of ICBMs, which have ranges exceeding 5,500 kilometers.

3. Speed:

   • The missile is reported to be capable of reaching speeds of Mach 16 (approximately 20,000 km/h), which is typical for ICBMs during their mid- or terminal flight phase. This high speed makes the missile harder to intercept by missile defense systems.

4. Payload:

   • The Khorramshahr-5 can carry a heavy warhead, weighing up to two tons. The warhead is likely to be nuclear, as is the norm with ICBMs, though it could theoretically carry other types of weapons (though this is rare).

What is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)?

1. Definition:

   • An ICBM is a long-range missile designed primarily to carry and deliver nuclear warheads to distant targets across continents. These missiles can travel at speeds greater than 20,000 km/h, and have a range of over 5,500 kilometers.

2. Key Characteristics:

   • Range: ICBMs can travel anywhere from 5,500 km to 16,000 km or more, depending on the missile’s design and capabilities.

   • Speed: ICBMs are fast, making interception difficult. Their speed in mid-flight reaches Mach 20 or even higher.

   • Payload: ICBMs are usually equipped with nuclear warheads, although in rare cases, they can carry chemical, biological, or conventional warheads.

   • Deployment: ICBMs can be launched from underground silos, mobile land-based launchers, or submarines.

3. Countries with Operational ICBMs:

   • Several countries possess operational ICBMs, including:

     • Russia, USA, China, India, France, UK, Israel, and North Korea.

   • India’s Agni-V is an example of a solid-fueled ICBM.

Significance of Khorramshahr-5

1. Regional and Global Impact:

   • If successful, the Khorramshahr-5 would enhance Iran’s strategic deterrence capabilities, potentially altering the balance of power in the region.

   • The missile's long-range and speed would enable Iran to target distant locations, including Europe or the United States, thus making it a potential threat on a global scale.

2. Security Concerns:

   • The development of ICBMs by Iran could raise alarms for countries in the region, especially with Iran's history of nuclear ambitions and tensions with Western powers.

3. Diplomatic Implications:

   • The testing or deployment of an ICBM would likely escalate tensions in nuclear non-proliferation talks and could lead to sanctions or other diplomatic actions against Iran from the international community.

The Khorramshahr-5 represents a significant milestone in Iran’s missile development program. While Iran has maintained that its missile development is for defensive purposes, the long-range capabilities and potential for carrying nuclear payloads make the Khorramshahr-5 a missile of global concern.

The Supreme Court recently expressed displeasure over the Allahabad High Court's orders in a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) concerning the Shri Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, particularly questioning the use of "intemperate language" against the Uttar Pradesh government.

About Shri Banke Bihari Temple:

1. Location:

   • Situated in Vrindavan, a town in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, the temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, particularly in his Banke Bihari form.

   Meaning of "Banke Bihari":

   • Banke means bent, and Bihari refers to Vihari, or enjoyer. The name refers to Lord Krishna in a specific posture.

   • In the temple, Lord Krishna is depicted in the ‘tribhanga’ posture, a graceful stance where the body is bent at three angles—neck, torso, and knee—symbolizing his playful and charming nature.

   History:

   • The temple was established by Swami Haridas, the guru of the renowned Indian classical singer Tansen.

   • The current temple complex was constructed in 1864 and is a fine example of Indian architecture.

   Architecture:

   • The temple’s architecture is influenced by the Rajasthani style, with arches, pillars, and intricate oil paintings of deities covering the walls and ceilings.

   • It stands out for its lack of bells or conchs, which is a unique feature compared to most temples.

   Cultural and Historical Significance:

   • The temple played a key role during the Indian freedom struggle and was a center of revolutionary activities.

   • The Bundelkhand Kesari, a revolutionary newspaper, was published secretly from the temple during colonial rule.