Didi ki Libraries

Context: The Community Library and Career Development Centres (CLCDC) in Bihar popularly known as ‘Didi ki Libraries’ are emerging as a local support system for learners in higher education

About The “Didi ki Libraries”

• Didi ki Libraries are free-of-cost libraries set up by the Bihar government under its JEEViKA initiative and is spread across 100 blocks in the State
• Head: Each library is headed by a Vidya Didi (a dedicated cadre of community workers) who are also received honorarium. 
• Aim:  To bridge the inequality gap between disadvantaged rural youth and their urban peers. There is a special focus on empowering girls who face barriers to higher education.
• The Education Department of Bihar supports the initiative by providing books.

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About the JEEViKA Initiative

• JEEViKA or The Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (BRLP)  is a World Bank-supported initiative under the Bihar government’s Rural Development Department, to promote rural livelihood.
• JEEViKA for Education: It started education-related initiatives in 2018.
• Partnerships: JEEViKA has partnered with Pratham Education Foundation and other non-profit organisations like i-Saksham (focuses on young women’s leadership), and Turn the Bus (working in the digital education space).

Makaravilakku

Context: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) has invited expressions of interest for manufacturing gold lockets of Lord Ayyappa weighing 2, 4, 6, and 8 grams.

• These lockets were  introduced to commemorate the Makaravilakku festival.

About Makaravilakku

• It is an annual event celebrated at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, India, during Makar Sankranti.
• Features a procession of Thiruvabharanam (Lord Ayyappan’s precious jewels) and 
• It is celebrated in honor of Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala temple.
• The festival lasts for seven days and begins on Makar Sankranti, the day when the sun moves to a new phase.
• The main event is the appearance of Makarajyothi, a bright star seen above the Kantamala Hills on Makar Sankranti.
• The festival ends with a ritual called Guruthi, which is an offering to the deities of the forest.
• Connection with Tribal Traditions
  • The rituals of Makaravilakku were first performed by the Malayaraya tribe in the forests of Ponnambalamedu.
  • The Ponnambalamedu temple, where these rituals were performed, is now managed by the Kerala Forest Department and is not open to the public.
  • Tribal Rituals at Ponnambalamedu
    • Tribes perform rituals at the Ponnambalamedu temple on Makaram 1st, when the Sirius star is visible in the sky.
    • Rituals include performing Arathi (a fire ritual) around the idol by circling it three times with camphor and ghee.
      • This ritual resembles the one performed at the Sabarimala Temple.
• Makaravilakku and Makara Jyothi
  • The lamp or light seen in Sabarimala Temple is called Makara Jyothi.
  • Makaravilakku symbolizes the divine encounter of Rama and Dharmashasta (another name for Lord Ayyappan) at Sabarimala.

Veer Bal Diwas

Context: The Ministry of Women & Child will be celebrating and commemorating Veer Baal Diwas and Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar on 26th December, 2024.

About The Veer Bal Diwas

• It has been observed on December 26 since 2022.
• The day is dedicated to honour the courage and sacrifice of children as a tribute to the martyrdom of Baba Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh (Sahibzadas) the four young sons of Guru Gobind Singh.
• 2024 Event: The national program of Veer Baal Diwas will be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi 
  • Focus: The focus of the event will be to nurture young minds, foster creativity, and inspire contributions to the vision of Viksit Bharat.
  • The Prime Minister will inaugurate the Suposhit Panchayat Scheme at the event.

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About the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMRBP)

• The PMRBP is India’s highest civilian honour for children as is formerly called the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement.
• It is annually awarded by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• It is awarded annually to children in the age group of 5-18 
• The award is presented to children for exceptional achievements in seven categories ie.
  • Art & Culture, Bravery, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service, Sports, and Environment. 
• Award: Each awardee will receive a medal, certificate and citation booklet.

Golden Visa programme

Context: Spain has officially terminated its Golden Visa programme, which allowed non-EU citizens to gain residency by investing in Spanish real estate. 

What is the Golen Visa Programme?

• Introduced in 2013 to boost foreign investment during the financial crisis.
• Allowed non-EU nationals to obtain residency by investing a minimum of €500,000 in Spanish real estate.
• Supported economic recovery post-crisis but faced criticism for its impact on housing affordability.
• It allows individuals and their families to obtain residency or citizenship in a foreign country by making significant investments in its economy. 
  • These investments may include real estate, government bonds, or other approved assets.

Reasons for Ending Spain’s Golden Visa Programme

• Rising Housing Prices : The program increased property demand, particularly in big cities, making homes unaffordable for many Spanish citizens.
• Risk of Misuse; There are Concerns about the program being used for illegal activities like money laundering.
• Shift in Priorities: The government is focusing on addressing local housing needs and social issues over foreign investment.

Lion-Tailed Macaque

Context: A recent study highlights the growing threat to the endangered lion-tailed macaque, endemic to the Western Ghats, due to rising human interaction.

About Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)

• An Old World monkey: Often referred to as bearded monkeys.
• Distinguishing features: Males mark the boundaries of their home ranges using vocal calls.
• Communication: Their communication system includes as many as 17 distinct vocalizations.
• Appearance: A grey mane surrounds their face and they have a lion-like, long, thin, and tufted tail giving them their name.
• Habitat:They are endemic to small and severely fragmented rainforests in the Western Ghats, specifically in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
  • They are native only to India.
• Threats: The primary threat is the destruction of their rainforest habitat.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Listed as Endangered.
  • CITES: Included in Appendix I.
  • The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I.

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National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

Context: President of India recently appointed former Supreme Court judge Justice (retd) V Ramasubramanian as the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

About National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• NHRC is a statutory body that protects and promotes human rights for citizens of India
• Established: It came into existence after India enacted the Protection of Human Rights Act in 1993.
• Selection Committee: The President of India appoints members of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) based on a recommendation of the selection committee, which includes:
  • Prime Minister (Chairman)
  • Speaker of Lok Sabha
  • Union Home Minister
  • Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
  • Leaders of the Opposition in both Houses of the Parliament
• Membership: It consists of a chairperson, five full-time Members, and seven deemed Members.
  • A person who has been the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the Supreme Court will be a chairman.
  • Two Members: One who is, or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court of India and one member who is, or has been, the Chief Justice of a High Court.
  • Three Members: One shall be a woman from amongst persons having knowledge of, or practical experience in, matters relating to human rights.
  • Seven Deemed Members: Chairpersons of the National Commission for SC/ST/Minorities/Backward Classes/Women/Protection of Child Rights and the Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities serve as ex officio members.
• Tenure: They serve for a term of three years or until they attain the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier.
• Removal: The members can be removed by the President.

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