Daily Current Affairs for 13th Dec 2021

GS PAPER II NEWS

Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor

Why in News

• • PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor today.

Key point

• • The implementation of this scheme through the Department of Charitable Affairs started with the cabinet meeting held on June 19, 2018.
  • In the same meeting, the Shree Kashi Vishisht Area Development Authority Varanasi Ordinance 2018 was approved, through which it was named Shree Kashi Vishwanath Kshetra Vikas Parishad.
  • After this, in the cabinet meeting held on September 4, 2018, the policy was decided for the exchange of serviced properties in the land and buildings to be purchased under the temple expansion and beautification scheme.
  • Avneesh Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary of Charity Affairs Department and Home Department also played an important role in completing this entire project.
  • In the cabinet meeting held on November 13, 2018, Uttar Pradesh approved 296 proposals related to total land and building purchase under the temple expansion and beautification scheme.
  • These proposals were very necessary for expansion. In the meeting of the state cabinet held on 1st October 2019, the proposals related to the works of the scheme were approved, which were about Rs 318.67 crore.
  • 
    The state government in its cabinet meeting on 22 October 2019 approved the acquisition of Nirmal Math located in Lahori Tola of Varanasi and the proposal for purchase and demolition of 296 buildings in the cabinet meeting on 19 November 2019.
  • The cabinet decided to constitute a committee under the chairmanship of Divisional Commissioner Varanasi for the desired changes in the drawing and design for the second phase of the temple expansion and beautification scheme.
  • This meeting was held on 29 June 2020. Similarly, in the cabinet meeting held on June 25, 2021, it was decided to buy the building under the scheme and to exchange the property Waqfi plot.

Significance

• • In 1780, Ahilyabai Holkar renovated the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Almost three centuries after that, PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of Vishwanath Temple Corridor on March 8, 2019 for the expansion and revitalization of the temple.
  • About 2 years 8 months after the foundation stone, 95 percent work of this dream project has been completed. It is believed that Rs 340 crore has been spent in the construction of this entire corridor. However, no official information has been revealed about the entire expenditure so far.
  • The entire corridor has been built into a large complex of about 50,000 square metres. Its main gate is through Lalita Ghat towards the Ganges.
  • Vishwanath Corridor is divided into 3 parts. The first is the main part of the temple which is made of red sandstone. It has 4 big gates. A circumambulation path has been built around it. 22 marble inscriptions have been installed on that circumambulation path, in which the glory of Kashi is described.
  • 24 buildings are also being constructed in the corridor. These buildings include the main temple complex, Mandir Chowk, Mumukshu Bhawan, three passenger convenience centres, four shopping complexes, multipurpose hall, city museum, Varanasi gallery, refreshment centre, Ganga View Cafe, etc.
  • 5000 different types of lights have been installed to increase the brightness of the Dham. These special types of lights will keep changing color during the day, afternoon and night.
  • PM Patel, CMD of the PSP Company, which is working on the construction of the Dham, says that ‘all the facilities required for the arrangement of this corridor have been taken care of. Like Museum, Varanasi Gallery, Mumukshu Bhawan, Canteen etc. If you want to see spiritual books, they are also there in the Vedic Center. ,

Significance of Kashi Vishwanath Temple

• • Kashi Vishwanath Temple has a special place in Hinduism. Kashi is considered one of the holiest cities.
  • It is believed that Lord Vishwanath resides here as the lord of the universe.
  • Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
  • This Jyotirlinga temple is situated on the Western Ghats of river Ganges. Kashi is considered to be the most beloved place of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati.
• History
  • This new form of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, built from the banks of the Ganges to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, is coming before the world for 241 years.
  • According to historians, the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple was attacked several times from the year 1194 to 1669.
  • Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of the Maratha Empire renovated the temple between 1777 and 1780.
  • PM Modi had laid the foundation stone of this grand court of the temple on March 8, 2019 after two and a half decades.

GS PAPER II

Swarnim Vijay Parv

Why in News

• • Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurates the ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv’ program organized to commemorate the valor and prowess of the Armed Forces and their contribution in the liberation of Bangladesh in the Indo-Pak 1971 war at India Gate Lawns in New Delhi on December 12, 2021. Did.

Key point

• • The event marks the culmination of the year-long celebrations to mark 50 years of India’s victory in the war.
  • Shri Rajnath Singh began his address at the event by paying tributes to the country’s first Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat, who died in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu on December 08, 2021.
  • He said, “In the untimely death of General Rawat, India has lost a brave soldier, an able advisor and a lively personality. He was very much looking forward to participate in the Swarnim Vijay Parv.”
  • Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described the ‘Swarnim Vijay Parv’ as a celebration commemorating the glorious victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 war that changed the history and geography of South Asia. Paying tributes to the brave Indian soldiers, sailors and air force warriors and their families who ensured victory in the 1971 war, he said that the country will always be indebted to their sacrifices.
  • Shri Rajnath Singh remembered the determination, coordination and valor of the Indian Armed Forces during the war. He said, “Our armed forces supported the ‘Mukti Vahini’, helped lakhs of refugees and prevented any aggression from the western and northern region. They ensured that India’s commitment to peace, justice and humanity in the world community Let the credibility of the commitment prevail.”
  • Defense Minister said that the 1971 war is a classic example of India’s morality and democratic traditions.
  • Shri Rajnath Singh also told that India has a history of fighting a war against barbarism, inhumanity and irresponsible forces from the era of Ramayana, Mahabharata to Kargil war of 1857, 1947, 1965, 1971 and 1999.
  • Most of the military operations in the history of India have been named ‘Operation Vijay’.
  • From the recapture of Jhangar by Brigadier Usman in 1948 and the liberation of Goa, Daman and Diu in 1961 to the spectacular victory in the Kargil War of 1999, which is celebrated as ‘Kargil Vijay Diwas’, also named as Operation Vijay Gone.
  • Swarnim Vijay Parv is not about any specific campaign, but it is a celebration of the spirit of victory of the Armed Forces and the entire nation.
  • He said, “This war tells us that the partition of India on the basis of religion was a historical mistake. Pakistan was born in the name of one religion but it could not remain one. After the 1971 defeat, he has been fighting a proxy war continuously. Pakistan wants to disturb peace in India by promoting terrorism and other anti-India activities. The Indian Army had thwarted its plans in 1971 and the work of rooting out terrorism is still going on. We live in a one-on-one war and victory will be ours in this indirect war as well.”
  • Shri Rajnath Singh said that anti-India sentiment in Pakistan can be seen in the fact that they name their missiles after the invaders like Ghori, Ghaznavi, Abdali who attacked India while the names of Indian missiles The sky is the earth, the fire. Now one of our missiles has also been named Sant. He congratulated the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for the successful flight test of the indigenously designed and developed Helicopter-Launched Stand-off Anti-Tank (SANT) missile from the Pokhran range on December 11, 2021.

Better alliance and integration between the three services

• • The Defense Minister described the 1971 war as a shining example of better collaboration and integration between the three services, underlining the importance of planning, training and fighting together. He said that the government is leaving no stone unturned to strengthen the armed forces.
  • The post of Chief of Defense Staff and creation of the Department of Military Affairs are some of the reforms that will meet the future needs of the Armed Forces.
  • All efforts are being made from procurement to production to make the Armed Forces more efficient, efficient and self-reliant.
  • Private sector participation in defense research, development and manufacturing is being promoted. Efforts are being made to promote self-reliance in the defense sector through the Self-reliant India campaign.
  • Our aim is to keep our armed forces ready for any eventuality.
  • Recalling the struggle for the liberation of Goa in 1961, the Defense Minister said that that struggle was a witness to the fact that the more someone tries to divide us, the more we unite and face our enemies.
  • Video messages of Bangladesh Liberation War Affairs Minister Mr. Mozammel Haque and Mukti Jodha were screened during the event.
  • This was followed by the unveiling of the Wall of Fame and a campaign through the major weapons and equipment used during the 1971 war.
  • Light and sound show, dog show, hot air ballooning besides cultural programs like Kalaripayattu, Gatka and Khukri dance performances are planned over the next two days.
  • War films and a grand war exhibition depicting major operations on the Eastern and Western Fronts of the 1971 War will also be screened.

GS PAPER III

Stand-off anti-tank missile

• Why in News

• Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test-fired indigenously designed and developed Helicopter Launch Stand-off Anti-Tank (SANT) missile at Pokhran range on 11 December 2021.

Key point

• The test has been successful in all respects and has met all the objectives. All the aeronautical systems with missile release mechanism, advanced guidance system, tracking algorithm and integrated software performed satisfactorily and the tracking system monitored all the events related to the mission. The missile is equipped with a state-of-the-art MMW technology that provides strike capability with high precision while maintaining a safe distance.
• This weapon has the ability to destroy the target at a range of up to 10 km.
  
• The stand-off anti-tank missile has been designed and developed in coordination with the Research Center (RCI) of Hyderabad and laboratories of DRDO and with industry participation.
• This is the third missile in the series of indigenous stand-off weapons to be tested in recent times after the long-range warhead and the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon, making the Indian Air Force’s firepower stronger.
• Indigenous development of all these systems for various applications with advanced technologies is another important step towards ‘Self-reliant India’ in the defense sector.