GS PAPER: I

Santiniketan: Received World Heritage Tag

Why in the news?

Recently, the Santiniketan has been awarded the UNESCO World Heritage status.

• This is a welcome recognition of its unique legacy as a global institution of higher education.

Tagore’s vision for Santiniketan

• Tagore founded Santiniketan in 1901 with the vision of creating a place where the world would make its home in a nest, unhindered by the territorial imagination of the nation-state.
• He believed that only a recognition of diversity could help one overcome the constraints of parochiality.
• His idea of the university differed from the Western model in its emphasis on the relationship between the individual and the community, between the natural world and the world that existed beyond national boundaries, between teachers and students, and among colleagues and neighbours.

About the Shantiniketan:

• The area, originally called Bhubadanga, was renamed Santiniketan by Debendranath Tagore due to its conducive environment for meditation.
• In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore chose a significant portion of land and established a school based on the Brahmachary Ashram model. This school later evolved into Visva Bharati University.

Analysis:

Challenges to Tagore’s vision

• In recent years, the Tagorean vision has been imperilled by walls closing in on Visva-Bharati — literally and figuratively.
• In 2017, Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas, called for the removal of Tagore’s thoughts on nationalism from NCERT textbooks.
• In 2020, the decision of the university administration to build a boundary wall around the campus to distinguish the university from its surroundings reinforced a disjunction from its original vision of openness.

Relevance of Tagore’s vision today

• In a world that is increasingly divided and polarized, Santiniketan’s vision of a global university that transcends narrow nationalisms is more relevant than ever.
• Santiniketan reminds us that education is not just about acquiring knowledge and skills, but also about developing a sense of empathy, compassion, and understanding for others.
• It reminds us that we are all interconnected and that our future depends on our ability to live together in harmony.

GS PAPER – I

Hoysala Architecture: UNESCO’s World Heritage

Why in news?

Recently, the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, which includes three temples in Karnataka, has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

• The Hoysala Temples, as they are also known, will be India’s 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site.

About the Hoysala Temples:

The three temples that make up the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas are:

• • Chennakeshava temple in Belur
  • Hoysaleswara temple in Halebidu
  • Keshava temple in Somanathapura
• The Hoysala Temples were built in the 12th and 13th centuries by the Hoysala kings and are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.
• The temples are known for their intricate stone carvings and are considered to be masterpieces of Hindu architecture.

Key features of Hoysala architecture:

• Stellate plan: Hoysala temples are often characterized by their star-shaped ground plans. This is because the temples are made up of multiple shrines arranged around a central pillared hall.
• Intricate stone carvings: Hoysala temples are known for their intricate stone carvings, which can be seen on both the exterior and interior of the temples. These carvings depict a variety of subjects, including Hindu deities, religious scenes, and geometric patterns.
• Soapstone construction: Hoysala temples are typically made of soapstone, which is a relatively soft stone. This allowed the artists to carve the temples with great detail.
• Multiple shrines: Hoysala temples often have multiple shrines, each dedicated to a different deity. This is in contrast to many other Hindu temples, which have a single main shrine.
• Hybrid style: Hoysala architecture is sometimes described as a hybrid style, as it incorporates elements of both Dravida and Nagara architecture.

Conclusion:

The inscription of the Hoysala Temples on UNESCO’s World Heritage List is a recognition of their global significance and will help to ensure their preservation and protection for future generations.

GS PAPER – II

As Parliament turns 75, the story of its ‘backbone’ — the Secretariat

Why in news?

The Parliament Secretariat is the professional body that advises the Presiding Officers of the two Houses of Parliament, provides Members of Parliament (MPs) with information to aid their legislative interventions, and ensures the smooth functioning of the legislature.

• It is also the custodian of procedure, precedent, legislative knowledge, and their transfer across parliamentary terms.

History of the Secretariat

• The idea of a separate Secretariat for the legislature was championed by Vithalbhai Patel, the first elected Speaker of the Central Assembly in 1925.
• Maheshwar Nath Kaul, a lawyer who joined the legislative assembly office in 1937 and rose to become secretary of the Constituent Assembly, played a vital role in professionalizing the Secretariat and establishing its standard operating procedures.

Key functions of the Secretariat

• The Secretariat provides MPs with information on a wide range of topics, including legislative proposals, parliamentary procedure, and government policies.
• It also provides research and reference services to assist MPs in their work.
• The Secretariat is responsible for the smooth functioning of both Houses of Parliament, including the preparation of agendas, the recording of proceedings, and the publication of reports.
• It also provides security and other support services to the Parliament complex.

Recruitment and conditions of service

• The Constitution specifies that Parliament can make a law to regulate the recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to the secretarial staff of Parliament. However, Parliament has not made such a law.
• As a result, the recruitment and conditions of service of Secretariat staff are governed by rules made by the presiding officers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

Conclusion

The Parliament Secretariat plays a vital role in the functioning of the Indian Parliament. It is a professional body that provides essential support to MPs and helps to ensure the smooth running of the legislature.

GS PAPER – II

India Club: Shut Down After Seven Decades

Why in news?

The India Club, a popular Indian restaurant in London, closed down on September 17 after decades of operations.

History of the India Club:

• Founded in 1951 by the India League, an organization that campaigned for Indian independence.
• Located in the Strand Continental Hotel in London, on a busy street.
• A meeting place for Indians in the UK, as well as British people with connections to India.
• Prominent Indian politicians and leaders, including Nehru and VK Krishna Menon, visited the club.

Why did it have to shut down?

• • The coronavirus pandemic hit many restaurant businesses.
  • Increased rent.
  • Rising cost of living.

The India Club was a popular and historic institution that will be missed by many. Its closure is a reminder of the challenges that businesses are facing in the current economic climate.