Kashmir's Craft Industry

Kashmir's Craft Industry Recently, artisans from Kashmir and Central Asia reunited after nearly 500 years in Srinagar for a three-day craft exchange initiative. This event celebrated Srinagar’s recognition as a “World Craft City” by the World Crafts Council (WCC) and highlighted the shared heritage and cultural connections between the two regions. Historical Influence

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Sufism

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Sufism A recent petition filed by the Hindu Sena in an Ajmer court has sparked controversy, claiming that a Shiva temple lies beneath the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the mausoleum of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The petition calls for an archaeological survey to investigate this claim. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is widely known for his profound impact on Sufism in the subcontin

Gallantry Awards Overview

Independence Day 2024: The President of India approved 103 Gallantry awards for personnel from the Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces. About Gallantry Awards 1. Order of Precedence: Param Vir Chakra (PVC): India’s highest wartime gallantry award, awarded for acts of conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. Ashoka Chakra (AC): India'

Namdhari Sect Overview

Recent News Incident: A violent clash erupted between two rival groups of the Namdhari sect in Rania, Sirsa district, Haryana. The conflict highlights ongoing tensions within the sect. Historical Background Founder: The Namdhari sect was founded by Satguru Ram Singh on Baisakhi in 1857. Key Ideals: Ram Singh challenged existing social norms and resisted British colonial rule. Hi

Guru Granth Sahib

Recent Development: Return of Saroops: Two saroops (copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib were recently returned to the Indian embassy in Doha, Qatar. The saroops were confiscated by Qatari authorities from individuals accused of running an unauthorized religious establishment. About Guru Granth Sahib: Saroop (Bir): Definition: A physical copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, also known as

Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Recent Tributes Birth Anniversary: The Prime Minister recently paid tribute to Bal Gangadhar Tilak on his birth anniversary, honoring his significant contributions to India’s struggle for independence. Significance Architect of Modern India: Tilak was a key figure in India's independence movement and a staunch advocate of Swaraj (self-rule). Famous Declaration: His dec

Project PARI

Initiation: Project PARI (Public Art of India) was launched by the Ministry of Culture in conjunction with the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting in New Delhi. Executing Bodies: The project is being executed by the Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Gallery of Modern Art. Objective: The project aims to highlight public art that combines millennia of artistic heritage (lok

Devi Ahilyabai Holkar: Celebrating a Legacy

 The 300th birth anniversary of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar was celebrated on May 31, 2024, honoring the remarkable queen of Malwa for her contributions to Indian history and culture. About Devi Ahilyabai Holkar (1725 – 1795) Birth and Early Life: Born in Chondi village, Ahmednagar, in 1725, Devi Ahilyabai was the daughter of Mankoji Rao Shinde. Marriage: She married Khanderao Holk

Kozhikode - UNESCO City of Literature

Recent Recognition UNESCO City of Literature: In October 2023, Kozhikode, located in north Kerala, was officially declared India’s first UNESCO City of Literature. UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN): Kozhikode earned a place in the 'Literature' category of the UCCN, which highlights cities that value creativity and cultural industries as central to their development.

Maratha Military Landscapes

Why in News? Maratha Military Landscapes have been selected as India’s nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage List for 2024-25. The landscapes were included in the Tentative List of World Heritage Sites in 2021. About Maratha Military Landscapes Significance: Represent exceptional fortification systems envisioned by the Maratha rulers. Reflect the military i

Naiyandi Melam

A naiyandi melam is a type of percussion instrument that is unique to Tamil Nadu, Kerala and parts of South India. It is performed by artistes of different communities. The word, naiyandi, means making fun. Naiyandi melam follows a set of tunes, beginning with ‘thooku’.

Practice of Veli

In a fishing village of Andhra Pradesh, the practice of social boycott among the Vaddi community has adverse social and economic consequences. Veli is the practice of social boycott. Those subjected to social ostracisation are not allowed to speak to other villagers and in some cases, compelled to abandon their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. Many times, the veli is motivated by p

Munagapaka

Munagapaka is a village in the Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh, India. Munagapaka, known for sugarcane cultivation, is gearing up to organise the 15th edition of the traditional sports like Horse, bullock cart races during Sankranti. The races were quite different from Jallikattu organised in Tamil Nadu or similar competitions held in Krishna and Guntur.

Soligas & Yeravas – Indigenous people

A recent book has looked into the diets of Soligas and Yeravas communities, who have been living in the Cauvery Basin and the surrounding hills of peninsular India for thousands of years. The book Forgotten Trails: Foraging Wild Edibles was authored by Malemleima Ningombi and Harisha RP. Soligas – They are an indigenous tribe of Biligiri Rangan Hills (B.R. Hills) in Karnataka

Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti

PM presents sacred Chadar to be placed during the Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Ajmer Sharif Dargah Khwaja Chishti is also known by different names as, Khawaja Gharib Nawaz, ‘Sultan-Ul-Hind’ (Benefactor of the Poor). Birth – Sijistan (modern-day Sistan) in Iran in 1141-42 CE. Visit to India – He started living and preaching in Ajm

Classical Languages in INDIA

Classical Language Criteria evolved by Government of India to determine declaration of a language as a Classical language is as under:- High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years; A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers; The literary tradition be original and not

Wine tourism

Over 5,000 tourists visited Sula Vineyard facilities in Bengaluru and Nashik on December 24th 2023, the most on a single day sale of ?85 lakh. Wine – An alcoholic beverage with alcohol content from 12% or more so of distilled spirits (all by volume). Production - India’s shares less than 1% in global production, while France, Italy, Spain and

Geographical Indication (GI)

A geographical indication (GI) is a designation applied to products originating from a specific geographical area, indicating that the qualities or reputation of the products are inherently linked to that particular origin. In India, the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, of 1999 governs the registration and protection of GIs. These tags play a crucia

Guinness World Record in Gujarat

Gujarat set a Guinness World Record recently after more than 50,000 people performed 'Surya Namaskar' simultaneously at 108 venues. Surya Namaskar or sun salutation is an ancient Yogic practice of paying respect to the rising sun and comprises different postures or Asanas.