58th Jnanpith Award

Context: Recently, renowned Urdu poet Gulzar and Sanskrit scholar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya have been named the recipients of the 58th Jnanpith Award.

About Jnanpith Award

• Establishment: In 1944.
  • It was instituted in 1961, and the first award was given in 1965. 
• Sponsored by: The cultural organization Bharatiya Jnanpith.
• Eligibility: The Award is open for only Indian citizens.
• The Highest Literary Award in India: The Jnanpith Award is given annually for outstanding contributions to Indian literature. 
  • It is given annually for the best creative literary writing to writers in any Constitutionally recognized 22 Scheduled Languages and, since 2013, in English.
  • Honor: The prize carries a cash award of Rs 21 lakh, a citation, and a bronze replica of Vagdevi (Saraswati), the goddess of learning.

ASI Completes Conservation Work in Lodhi-Era Stepwell

Context: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in collaboration with the World Monuments Fund India (WMFI) and the TCS Foundation, has completed the conservation work of ‘Rajon ki Baoli’.

About Rajon Ki Baoli

• Name Origin: The name “Rajon Ki Baoli” translates to “Stepwell of the Masons,” derived from ‘rajmistris’—the masons who once inhabited the area.
• Location: It is a located in Mehrauli Archaeological Park, New Delhi
• Built In: Rajon ki Baoli was constructed circa 1506 CE by Daulat Khan, a governor during the Lodhi dynasty.
• Purpose: Intended as a resting place for travelers and showcasing Indo-Islamic architectural features.
• Features: It is a U-shaped four-tiered stepwell with Indo-Islamic arches and Lodhi-period plasterwork. 
• Significance: The Baoli highlights the importance of restoring traditional water systems as sustainable solutions for water management in the face of climate change

About World Monuments Fund

• The World Monuments Fund (WMF) is a leading independent nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the world’s most treasured cultural heritage sites.
• Headquarter: New York City

Pushkar Kumbh Begins After 12 Years

Context: The Pushkar Kumbh has commenced at Keshav Prayag located in Mana village of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, after a 12-year interval.

About Pushkar Kumbh

• According to religious tradition, when the planet Jupiter enters the Gemini sign once in 12 years, the Pushkar Kumbh is held at Keshav Prayag.
• Keshav Prayag is at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Saraswati rivers.
• This event is primarily attended by devotees of the Vaishnavite tradition from South India.

Operation AAHT

Context: Recently, the Railway Protection Force’s (RPF) rescued four minor girls from a human trafficking attempt at Raxaul Railway Station.

About Operation AAHT

• Objective: Operation AAHT (Action Against Human Trafficking) is the flagship campaign of the Railway Protection Force’s (RPF) to combat human trafficking across Indian Railways, with a focus on protecting vulnerable individuals, especially children.
  • Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs) are set up across the railway network.
• Impact (2024–25):
  • 929 victims were rescued, including 874 children (50 girls, 824 boys).
  • 274 traffickers arrested through joint efforts and surveillance.
• About Human Trafficking: It is the act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receiving individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation such as sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, or organ harvesting etc.

“Biomanufacturing for mRNA Therapeutics”

Context: Recently, The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India conducted the 14th Webinar under the ‘Webinar Series on Biofoundry and Manufacturing Initiative’.

More about the Initiative

• The session focused on “Biomanufacturing for mRNA Therapeutics”
• Policy Framework: It falls under the BioE3 Policy (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment).
• Goal of BioE3: The policy aims to make India a global leader in sustainable bio-based innovations, including mRNA therapeutics.

About “Biomanufacturing for mRNA Therapeutics”

• Biomanufacturing involves producing biological products using living cells or microorganisms.
  • For mRNA Therapeutics, genetically engineered cells or organisms are essential for large-scale production.
• mRNA Therapeutics: These therapies use messenger RNA to direct cells to produce proteins that triggers an immune response which help treat diseases.
• Advantages of mRNA Therapeutics
  • Faster Development: mRNA treatments can be developed quickly compared to traditional drugs.
  • High Versatility: They can be used to treat a wide range of diseases.
  • Easy Scalability: mRNA vaccines are simpler to produce in large quantities than conventional ones.

About Bio-foundry

• A Bio-foundry is a high-tech facility for biomanufacturing.
• It helps scale up bio-based innovations through collaboration with startups and researchers.

Agamic Temples in Tamil Nadu

Context: Recently, The Supreme Court requested a committee formed by the Madras High Court to identify Agamic temples as against non-Agamic temples in Tamil Nadu in three months.

What are Agamas?

• Agamas are a group of ancient Hindu scriptures and texts based on Tantra.
• The word Agama means “that which has come down” or simply “tradition”.
• These texts discuss topics like: Cosmology and philosophy, Meditation practices, Four types of yoga, Use of mantras, Rules for temple construction, Worship of deities, and Ways to fulfill six types of desires.
• The Agamas temple must have Sthala, Tirtha, and Murti for a place of pilgrimage. 
• Agamas are written in Sanskrit and Tamil.
• Branches of Agamas: Agama texts are classified into three main schools:
  • Shaiva Agamas – Related to worship of Lord Shiva
  • Vaishnava Agamas (Pancharatra Samhitas) – Related to worship of Lord Vishnu
  • Shakta Agamas (Tantras) – Related to worship of Goddess Shakti
• Number of Texts : Shaiva Agamas – 28, Shakta Agamas – 64, Vaishnava Agamas – 108, and Upa-Agamas – Numerous additional secondary texts. 
• Agamas include different spiritual philosophies: Dvaita (Dualism) and Advaita (Non-dualism). 
• Important Agamic Texts – Isvara-Samhita, Narada-Pancharatra, Spanda-Pradipika and Mahanirvana-Tantra
• Notable Agamic Temples in Tamil Nadu: Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur), Meenakshi Amman Temple (Madurai), Ranganathaswamy Temple (Srirangam). 

Reason for Legal Dispute on Agamic Temples in Tamil Nadu

• The legal dispute arises as Agamic temples follow strict traditional norms requiring priests from specific sects, while the Tamil Nadu government’s reform allows trained individuals from any caste to become priests. 
• Critics argue that such reform violates religious customs, expressing concern  that short-term training and inclusion of non-believers could dilute temple sanctity.