Piprahwa Relics

Context: The sacred Piprahwa relics of Bhagwan Buddha have been returned to India followed by  government intervention  after 127 years, marking a proud moment for the nation’s cultural heritage.

About the Piprahwa Relics

• The Piprahwa relics are ancient Buddha artefacts, discovered within a stupa at Piprahwa, Siddharthnagar district, Uttar Pradesh , an archaeological site near the India-Nepal border.
• Discovery : In 1898, William Claxton Peppé, a British colonial landowner and engineer, excavated a stupa at Piprahwa in present-day Uttar Pradesh, believed to be ancient Kapilavastu, the capital of the Shakya republic.
• Relic Collection: The relics include bone fragments, soapstone and crystal caskets, a large sandstone coffer, and a range of offerings such as gold ornaments, nearly 1,800 pearls, rubies, topaz, and sapphires.
• Cultural Significance: These relics are believed to be part of the original eight stupas that received portions of the Buddha’s cremated remains.
  • The Piprahwa stupa was likely built by the Buddha’s own Shakya clan to honour him.
  • The Piprahwa gems date back to the Mauryan Empire, circa 240 to 200 BC.

Project 17A Frigate Himgiri

Context: The Indian Navy received the advanced guided-missile frigate Himgiri, marking a major step towards self-reliance in warship design and construction.

About Himigri

• Project Classification: Third ship of Nilgiri Class (Project 17A); first of its class built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• It is designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Team (Kolkata).

Design & Capabilities

• Multi-Mission Platform: Equipped for anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare.
• Strike & Defence Systems: Features BrahMos cruise missiles (anti-ship and land-attack) and Barak 8 surface-to-air missiles.
• Surveillance & Combat Systems: Integrated with AESA radar and advanced combat management systems.
• Propulsion System: Uses combined diesel and gas turbine propulsion for operational flexibility.
• Crew Capacity & Aviation: Accommodates 225 personnel and supports full helicopter operations.

Significance

• Indigenous Contribution: 75% indigenous content achieved in construction.
• MSME Involvement: Over 200 MSMEs engaged by GRSE in the project.
• Reincarnation: Named after the earlier INS Himgiri (Leander-class frigate), decommissioned on May 6, 2025, after 30 years of service.
• Self-Reliance: Milestone achievement for Indian Navy’s warship building and strategic autonomy.

Project 17A (P-17A) Frigates

• Project 17A is the advanced follow-on to the Project 17 (Shivalik-class) frigates, featuring enhanced stealth, upgraded sensors, modern weapons, and an integrated platform management system.
• Some key ships under this project include INS Nilgiri, INS Udayagiri, and INS Taragiri.

Shaheed Udham Singh

Context: PM Modi paid  tribute to the immortal son of Mother India, Shaheed Udham Singh, on his  86th Martyrdom Day.

About Shaheed Udham Singh

• Born: 1899 in Sunam, Sangrur district, Punjab
• Honorific: Revered as Shaheed-i-Azam Sardar Udham Singh
• Turning Point: Deeply affected by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (April 13, 1919), which became the driving force behind his revolutionary path
• Ideological Influence: Inspired by the ideas of Bhagat Singh
• Organisation: Joined Ghadar Party in 1924, to mobilize Indians abroad against British rule
• Early arrest: In 1927, arrested for illegal possession of firearms while returning to India with weapons, and sentenced to five years in prison
• Historic Act: On March 13, 1940, Udham Singh assassinated Michael O’Dwyer (former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab) at a meeting in Caxton Hall, London.
• Execution: He was tried, sentenced to death, and hanged on July 31, 1940 at Pentonville Prison, London
• His martyrdom day, July 31, is observed as a public holiday in Punjab and Haryana, commemorating his sacrifice for India’s freedom.

Right to Safe & Motorable Roads

Context: In UMRI Pooph Pratappur Tollways Pvt. Ltd. vs. M.P. Road Development Corporation Case the Supreme Court upheld the right to safe and motorable roads under Article 21.

About the Right to Safe & Motorable Roads

• The Right is integral to citizens’ dignity and safety, forming part of their daily existence and mobility.
• Constitutional provision : This right is constitutionally protected under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
  • The Court stated that poor road conditions directly affect this right.
• Obligation of the State: The Court held that the State has a primary duty to construct, develop, and maintain road infrastructure directly, without outsourcing such core responsibilities to private entities.
  • The right to access any part of the country is also protected under Article 19(1)(g), the State must uphold this right by ensuring road safety and accessibility.

“Grant in aid to NCDC” Scheme

Context: Recently, the Union Cabinet approved a Central Sector Scheme titled “Grant in aid to National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)”.

About “Grant in aid to NCDC” Scheme

• Aim: To strengthen the cooperative sector by enabling long-term and working capital financing for cooperatives across key sectors like dairy, fisheries, textiles, and women-led cooperatives.
• Objective: To support cooperatives in setting up new projects, expanding existing units, modernizing infrastructure, and meeting working capital needs, thereby enhancing productivity, profitability, and employment.
• Budget Outlay: A total of ₹2000 crore will be granted as aid to NCDC for 4 Years (FY 2025–26 to 2028–29) at ₹500 crore per year.
  • This will help NCDC raise ₹20,000 crore from the open market to fund cooperative loans over four years.
• Beneficiaries : The scheme will benefit 2.9 crore members of 13,288 cooperatives.
• Implementation
  • Executing Agency: NCDC will be the implementing agency responsible for disbursing loans, project monitoring, follow-up, and recovery.
  • Funding Mechanism: Loans will be provided either directly to cooperatives or through State Governments, based on eligibility under NCDC’s direct funding guidelines.
  • Loan Use and Target Sectors: Loans will support cooperatives in modernization, technology upgrades, capacity expansion, and working capital for sectors like dairy, livestock, sugar, storage, and women-led enterprises.

About National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC)

• NCDC is a statutory body that promotes and finances the development of cooperatives across various sectors in India, including agriculture, dairy, fisheries, textiles, and storage.
• Establishment: NCDC was established in 1963 under the National Cooperative Development Corporation Act, 1962.
• Nodal Ministry: The NCDC functions under the Ministry of Cooperation.

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