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Events and Festivals in Puri

By
Syskool
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puri

Puri is mostly described and defined as a holy place of India. People often come here to experience the holy and divine spirits of Lord Jagannath. This town is considered as one of the most important abodes of Lord Jagannath. Puri is also known as the city of festivals of India. A number of 62 festivals are celebrated in Odisha throughout the year and most of them take place here in Puri. So it is always a place of attraction for those tourists who love to attend festivals in different states and also for those who want to earn spiritual virtues from the almighty god. A huge number of tourists are found every year in Puri from different parts of India and even from abroad. Puri is mostly famous for the Chariot Festival which is also known among the devotees as Ratha-yatra Festival.

An innumerable amount of devotees come here every year during this festival with a wish to get at least a glance of Lord Jagannath and pull the rope of his grand chariot. It is also considered as the largest chariot of Lord Jagannath in the country. This festival is celebrated in the months between June and July. It is one of the largest festivals in India. So before start saying anything about this Chariot Festival let us go through the other important festivals celebrated in Puri.

Must Read: The Sufi Movement: Practices of various orders of Sufis in India

Some major festival and events are celebrated here in Puri all over the year in a large scale where a huge crowd is found attending them. These are some events and festivals among them which worth mentioning

Snana Utsav:

In Odisha, Deva Snana Purnima is celebrated in a grand way and described as one of the most significant days in the year cycle. This festival is also known as the Snana Yatra. It is believed to be the birthday of the Lord Jagannath by the local inhabitants. It is observed on the full-moon day of ‘Jaisthya’ in Hindu calendar which actually comes in the month of May in Gregorian calendar. By the time this day has become an inseparable part of the famous event of Ratha Yatra. This day is also described as the ‘snana Utsav’ by the devotees. On this day the deities of Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra are brought outside near the Shitala temple at the confinement of the Jagannath Temple and bathed by the 108 pitchers. After the bathing ceremony is completed, the deities are dressed up in the Gajanana (the other name of Lord Ganesha) Vesha (attire). Then they are taken to the ‘Snanamandapa’ where the ceremony of the food offering takes place. This particular ceremony is also known as ‘Bhogalagi’ in the local language and it happens right in front of the eyes of the devotees. On this particular day in a year, the virtual differences between the lord and the devotees are completely flown away. A huge crowd of the devotees is found on this day to get a ‘darshan’ of their deities. It is believed that ‘Snana Yatra’ is one of the oldest festivals. It is also said that there is a strong reference in the Skanda Purana where Raja Indradyumna had installed the wooden deities here and started this bathing festival. Not only in Puri, is this ‘Sana Yatra’ also observed in the other major places of the state also.

Must Read: Famous Temples of India

Anasara Utsav:

This festival is celebrated in Puri right after the completion of the ‘Snana Yatra’. The deities are safely kept in the Anasara house during the 15 days of this festival. According to the Skanda Purana, not a single person and not even the ‘pandas’ are allowed to stay inside the Anasara house with the deities during this festival. It is believed that after the bathing festival (Snana Utsav) the deities fell sick and suffered from high fever. The Daitas (referred to the temple sevaks) use to sit in a secret worship of the deities during these 15 days. It has a strong religious connotation and it is believed to be started long back in the 12th century. Anasara Utsav is also considered as the chief epicenter for the legendary festival of Rathayatra. People who has a vivid connection or keen interests in the religious and mythological study come to attend this festival every year.

Dol Yatra:

It is also known by the name of Holi Festival in the different parts of India. It is a festival of love and the colors. Though it is widely celebrated in throughout the country but the taste of the Dol Yatra in Puri is something very different from the others. Puri is described as the residence place of Lord Jagannath and he is one of the many avatars of Lord Krishna, after whom this Dol Yatra is celebrated. Like every other state in the country, this festival is celebrated here in the same time and it comes in the month of March in a Gregorian calendar. Lord Jagannath is also seen celebrating the festival of colors outside his main shrine and this place is known as ‘Dola Bedi’. Thousands of devotees come to this bedi to see Jagannath participating in Dol Utsav.

Pushyavisheka:

This festival is celebrated in the remembrance of the coronation of the Lord Jagannath in this town. The word coronation means ‘abhisheka’ in the local language. Pushyavisheka is observed on the full-moon day in the month of ‘Pausha’ which comes between the months of December to January in Gregorian calendar. This festival heralds the beginning of the annual cycle of Puri festivals. This is very significant for the tourists as this period of time is considered as the peak season to the visitors of Puri.

Don’t Miss: WHY TO VISIT TEMPLES ? Scientific Reason

Akshay Tritiya:

This day is also referred as ‘Akha Teej’ in the local language. It is usually celebrated on the third day of ‘Shukla Paksha’ (the bright half of the lunar month) in the month of ‘Baisakh’ of Hindu calendar which is actually April in Gregorian calendar. This day believed to be the birthday of the great Parasurama who is considered as the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is also believed that on this day Lord Ganesha and Veda Vyas had started writing the greatest Hindu epic ‘Mahabharata’. This day is considered as the holiest day in a year to start a new venture.

Chandan Yatra:

This festival is celebrated at the terminal point of the festive cycle of Odisha. The celebration of ‘Chandan Yatra’ is started from ‘Akshay Tritiya’ and lasts for the next 21 days. As the name is suggesting, the most important and inseparable constituents of this festival are Chandan bibhuti (sandal paste) and water. ‘Chandan Yatra’ is celebrated in the month of ‘Baisakh’. Besides the religious reference, this festival has a scientific logic also i.e. Sandal gives pleasure to human skin in the hot summertime of the month of April.

 

So these are some important festivals mentioned for the tourists among the 62 festivals observed in Puri which bring a huge amount of crowd to Puri throughout the year. But there are some other events and festivals also which deserve at least a mention in this list and those are like Shri Hari Sayan, Utthapan Yatra, Parswa Paribartan, Dakshinayan Yatra, Prarbana Yatra, Uttarayan and etc. Puri is a city of festivals in true sense and that is why people come here throughout the year not only to visit the temples, beaches or to enjoy the scenic spots but also to attend the festivals and events observed here.

Also, Read: 

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Indian Nuclear Tech Research and Development

By
Syskool
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indian nuclear policy

The importance of nuclear energy, as a sustainable energy resource for our country, was recognized at the very inception of our atomic energy program more than six decades ago.

History of Atomic Energy Commission

In August 1948, India set up The Indian Atomic Energy Commission in the Department of Scientific Research.

In August 1954, a separate department called The Department of Atomic Energy was set up under the direct charge of the Prime Minister through a Presidential Order.

Subsequently, in accordance with a Government resolution dated March 1, 1958, The Atomic Energy Commission established in Department of Atomic Energy.

Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Atomic Energy is ex-officio  Chairman of the Commission. Other members of the commission are appointed on the recommendation of the Chairman and approval of Prime Minister.

According to a tradition followed in past several years, following are appointed as other members of the AEC:

  • Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister
  • Cabinet Secretary
  • Finance Secretary
  • CMD of NPCIL
  • Director of BARC

Nuclear Reseach and Development Institutions

There are five major research organizations in the field of Nuclear technologies in India under the Department of Atomic Energy.

  1. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai
  2. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam
  3. The Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT), Indore
  4. Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre
  5. Atomic Minerals Directorate, Hyderabad

India’s Nuclear Energy Policy

India has three-stage nuclear energy power programme, based on closed nuclear fuel cycle, the three stages are:

Natural Uranium fuelled Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)

  • 250 MW / 500 MW Plants
  • Natural Uranium Fuel
  • Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors
  • Plutonium as byproduct

Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) utilizing Plutonium based fuel

  • 500 MW Plants
  • Bast Breeder Reactors
  • Plutonium-Uranium mixed carbide fuel
  • It can convert Thorium into U-233
  • It uses Sodium as coolant

Advanced Nuclear Power Systems for utilization of Thorium.

We are now designing and developing advanced nuclear systems, which will utilize our Plutonium resources in an optimum way to maximise conversion of Thorium into U-233, extract power in-situ from the Thorium fuel. and recycle the bred U-233 in future reactors. The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) project, provides a focal point for a time-bound high-intensity development in the efficient utilization of Thorium.

The work on AHWR will also help in conserving and further enhancing our R&D expertise related to Heavy Water Reactors.

Nuclear Fuel Deposit in India

India has a modest Uranium resource deposit with 54,000 tonnes as the reasonably assured resource and another 23,500 tonnes as estimated additional resource in-situ. We have barely 1 percent of the world’s Uranium deposits.

Mining and processing of Uranium in India are carried out by Uranium Corporation of India Limited, a subsidiary of the Department of Atomic Energy.

Thorium reserve in India is far more abundant. India might have largest reserves of Thorium in the world with over 650,000 tonnes. This is more than one-fourth of the total world deposit of Thorium.

Thorium has many advantages, it is estimated that thorium may be able to generate (through U-233 that could be produced from it) eight times the amount of energy per unit mass compared to natural Uranium.

In the much-debated issue of waste generation also, The thorium has a relative advantage. It produces waste that is relatively less toxic.

How to Read The Hindu Newspaper for IAS Preparation?

By
Syskool
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81
The Hindu

Reading The Hindu or Indian Express is the preferred newspaper as it is crucial and indispensable part of IAS preparation. The importance of reading newspapers for Civil Services has increased tremendously because most of the questions are triggered from there. Out of the many newspapers available in the market, The Hindu and Indian Express cover entire news very well from the national perspectives, international perspectives, science & technology and other issues in a very holistic manner.

When it comes to IAS exam preparation, covering the Current Affairs part is the most difficult what most of the aspirants feel and the frequently asked question is which newspaper to read for the examination and how to make notes of it. The Hindu newspaper is the best source in terms of authenticity and content among other Indian newspapers.

Also Read: How to Improve your Reading Speed?

Here are some of the recommendations to help you realign your strategy on “How to read The Hindu newspaper for IAS Preparation”

  • First, read the very 1st page. Then go to the last page.
  • The starting from the last page move towards the 1st one. The order will be last page, sports page, economy section, science and technology section, International, National and at last editorials page.
  • Do not read after editorials because pages( no. 2 to 5-6), just contain local news of some states.
  • Now, please do one thing: do have a pen/pencil in your hand and underline every specific information you feel will be helpful.
  • Then cut all the important news. Have 5-6 files with titles like national, international, sports, awards, bilateral etc. Then put them accordingly. Initially, it will take much time.
  • Only newspaper studying will take 4 to 5 hours per day. Cutting and putting them in files will take another 1 hour. But slowly you will realize which news is important and which are not.
  • At the time of the exam, you will see that this effort of yours will put you much ahead of others in the GS score.
  • Besides The Hindu, one monthly magazine is a must. You can use any of 3-4 magazines that are available like civil services chronicle, competition wizard, civil services times etc. The magazines are to be studied only to remain updated with respect to current affairs.
  • Another important thing is the analysis. After reading news, do analyze them at your own and try to make your view on that topic. This really helps when you are writing the mains. For analysis, the editorial and op-ed page is a must.

Read Also: Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing Optional Paper for IAS Exam

  • In economy, some technical terms are there which one has to understand to fully understand the news. So, do purchase one good dictionary of economic terms. Also, the special issue of Pratiyogita Darpan (Known as PD) is very helpful.
  • Another important question is whether to make notes or not. The answer is Yes. For GS, notes making is really helpful.
  • At last time, do nothing but revise your own notes and write it down on paper. Notes making really helps but remain updated with your notes.
  • Another thing is to mug up all the international treaties for all the issues like disarmament, global warming, economic meltdown, IPCC, Ramsar convention, G5, G8, G20, NAM, SAARC etc. Here again, do remember their history, year of treaty, purpose and most important current updates.
  • For statistics, there are two resources. One is a book which is for M.Sc. students by Mr Gupta. This book clears the fundamentals in a very nice manner. The other one is the Spectrum statistics book, which contains the previous 10-year papers also.
  • Do read Mr Gupta’s book if you have time in plenty. If in hurry, spectrum book is more than sufficient. But please note, statistics requires lot-lot-lot of practice. You have to take all the arms to solve the problems like calculator, protractor, scale, pencils and graph paper. Practice as if you are sitting in the actual exam and try to reduce time and increase accuracy.
  • Also note that in the exam, never follow the strategy of Stats question first and others last. Doing stats first will kill your precious 1 hour. Moreover, stats weight is decreasing. Instead, do the stats questions at the end. Give half an hour for this. And make sure that you have so much practice to complete it in half an hour.
  • For Science and Technology, there are 2 lines of preparation. One is to prepare all the traditional topics like Nanotech, Biotech, Indian space missions, DRDO military weapons etc. You can prepare these topics from any conventional book or monthly magazine. Special issues of monthly magazines are really helpful. Second is to prepare the latest in Sci and Tech. Now it is a very very vast field.
  • Here, again The Hindu or Indian Express is the most reliable resource. Never miss the Thursday special Science and Technology issue of The Hindu newspaper.

Try to reduce the resources but not to that extent that in the exam you start realizing that your preparation was not up to mark. What you have to put is just optimum. Neither they are too much nor too small in number. This much is a must.

Must Read: How to Write Essay for IAS Exam?

UNFCCC CoP at Cancun and Durban (CoP16 and Cop17)

By
Syskool
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unfccc cop16 cancun

Cancun Summit in Mexico and Durban Summit were very important and notable Conference of Parties (CoP) in climate change negotiations. The world that we see today and will find in future is all about the decisions taken by responsible nations at Kyoto, Bali, Copenhagen, Cancun, Mexico and finally at Paris (so far). Let’s have a look on CoP16 and 17.

Cancun Summit – COP16 

The Cancun agreements incorporated decision under both the convention and Kyoto Protocol negotiating tracks. Under these agreements, all parties (both the developing and the developed ones) had agreed to report their voluntary reduction goals for implementation.

FYI, Cancun is a Mexican city on the Yucatan Peninsula bordering the Caribbean Sea.

At Cancun it was decided to set up a Green Climate Fund, a Technology Mechanism and an Adaptation Committee at actions for adaptation and reduction. Those were the significant decisions because they reflected the political understanding attained by a selected group of countries in the form of the Copenhagen accord in December 2009.

Don’t Miss: Bali and Copenhagen Summits of UNFCCC (CoP 13 and 15)

Cancun Agreements-Cop16

Under the multilateral process, In industrialized countries targets were officially recognised and these countries were to develop low-carbon development plans and strategies and assess how best to benefit them.

– Under the multilateral process developing countries actions to reduce emissions were also officially recognised. A registry was to be formed to record and match developing support from developed nations. It was binding on the developing countries to publish progress reports every two years.

– Governments agreed to enhance to check emission from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries with technological and financial help.

– Partieshad establisheda technology mechanism with a Technology Executive Committee and climate technology centre and Network to enhance technology cooperation to assist action on adaptation and reduction.

Mechnism of COP16

There  were three mechanism which were the outcome of COP16 :

  1. Technology Mechanism.
  2. Green climate Fund
  3. Adaptation Committee

Must Read: Kyoto Protocol – Detailed Analysis

Technology Mechanism

Under the guidance of and accountable to the conference of the parties (COP) , A Technology Mechanism was formed by the 16th session of the COP in Cancun 2010. It was expected to forward the implementation of enhanced action on technology development and transfer to assist action on reduction and adoption to climate change.

Green Climate Fund

Parties, at COp16, set up a green climate fund (GCP) as an operating entity of the financial mechanism of the convention under Article 11.

– It was formed to assist projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing countries. The fund was governed by GCF board.

– A trustee was appointed to administer the assets of the GCF only for the purpose of, and in accordance with, the relevant decisions of the board.

– The COP invited the World Bank to act as the interim trustee of the GCF, subject to a review three years after operationalization of the fund.

– It was also decided by the COP that an independent secretariat would assist the operations of the fund. It was also decided by the COP that the GCF was to be designed by Transitional Committee (TC)

UPDATE

Parties at COP17, Durban, approved the governing instrument for the GCP, about which the agreements between the COP and the Fund were to finalise at COP 18 in order to ensure that it was accountable to and functioned the guidance of the COP.

– The COP would often guidance to the board on matter related to policies, programme priorities and eligibility criteria and matters related there to. The board would summit annual reports to the COP on its activities.

Also Read: Analysis of 13th EU-India Summit

Adaptation Fund

This fund is financed from the portion on proceeds on the clean development mechanism project activities and other sources of funding. The portion of proceeds amounts to 2% of CERs issued for a CDM project activity.

– It was supervised and managed by the adaptation Fund board that existed of 16 members and 16 alternates and met at least twice a year. – The Global Environmental Facility (GEF), upon the invitation from parties, furnished secretariat services to the AFB.

Adaptation Committee

The Adaptation committee was set up as a part of the Cancun Adaptation Framework by the parties to promote the implementation of advance action on adaptation in a coherent way under the convention through the following functions:

– Providing guidance and technical assistance to the parties.

– Sharing of experience, information, knowledge and good practices.

– Promoting synergy and strengthening engagement with regional ,national and international organisations, centres and networks.

-Considering information communicated by the parties on their monitoring and reviews of adaptation actions, assistance provided and received.

Also Read: Nuclear Security Summit (NSS)

Durban Summit – COP17 

– Firm India forced climate breakthrough at Durban.

– Principle of Equity must in future talks.

New Global Climate Change Regime

– India had gone to Durban with two very important demands- in any new climate change regime the principle of equity must remain intact and this global deal be launched after 2020.

Outcome

  • New deal was to be finalised by 2015 and launched by 2020.
  • Second phase KP was secured
  • Green climate fund was launched, though empty as yet green tech development mechanism was put in place.
  • Equity found its place back in future climate talks.
  • Adaptation Mechanism
  • Transparency mechanism

Geopolitical Fallout

– India regained leadership of the developing worlds. European Uunion gained left at cost of US but also generated board relations with developing countries. Small island states lost respect by becoming EU front.

– BASIC grouping looked more fragmented than before with India and China remaining close but Brazil and South Africa drifting.

India’s Gains and losses

– Won on all its major non-negotiable common but differentiated responsibility principle retained.

– Secured 10 years of economic growth without carbon containment, Intellectual Property Rights and technology not as well anchored in new deal.

– For developed world, loopholes were not fully blocked.

– Agriculture was brought in by developed nation under climate change

Also Read: Climate Change, Technology and Energy Sustainability

10 Major Religions of the World – Must Know Facts

By
Syskool
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religions of world

Buddhism

Buddhism was founded by Gautam Buddha (563-483 BC) in 528 BC. He was born in Lumbini of Nepal as Siddhartha. Buddhism is followed in countries like China, Tibet, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Japan, India, Laos, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Bhutan, and Vietnam. Tripitakas are the sacred text for Buddhists, It is a collection of Buddha’s teachings also called Sutras. In Bodh Gaya (Bihar) he received enlightenment, in Saranath (UP) he gave his first sermon, and in Kushinagar (UP) he attained nirvana. In Buddhism Chaitya is a place of worship and Vihara is a place where Monks reside.

Confucianism

King Fu Tsu, better known as Confucius (551-479 BC) born in the State of Lu in China founded Confucianism in 500 BC. It is followed in countries like China, Taiwan, South Korea, Nauru, and Vietnam. The Analects is the sacred text of Confucianism. Peking (Beijing) is considered as a sacred place. There is no particular place of worship in Confucianism.

Christianity

Two centuries ago Jesus Christ founded the Christianity. He was born in 5 BC in Judea and died in 35 AD. It is followed all across the world. Its secret text Holy Bible consisting of the Old Testament (before Christ) and the New Testament (during and after Christ). Jerusalem is a Sacred place where Christ lived and preached. A church is its place of worship. Two important sects are Catholics and Protestants.

Hinduism

Hinduism started in 1500 BC. There is no person regarded as the founder of Hinduism as it is considered of divine origin. Most followers of Hinduism is concentrated in India and Nepal, and also found in Bhutan, Fiji, Guyana, Indonesia, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Surinam, Trinidad and Tobago, Bali. Sacred texts of Hinduism are the Vedas, the Upnishads, the Bhagavad Gita and the epics of Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Its place of worship is known as Mandir (Temple).

Islam

Prophet Mohammed (570-632 AD) born in Mecca (Saudi Arabia). He founded Islam in 622 AD. Islam is followed in West coast of Africa which includes Tanzania, Middle East, Southern part of Russia and China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia and also Part of North Africa. Sacred texts are Quran – words of God, and Hadis – collection of Prophet’s saying. Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia is a sacred place for Muslims. Their place of worship is called Masjid (mosque). Two important sects are Sunni and Shia.

You may also like reading Sources of Islamic History

Judaism

Judaism is religion of Hebrews. It was founded in 1300 BC by Moses. He was born in Egypt. Followers of Judaism are worldwide mainly in Israel and United States. Sacred texts are Hals, found particularly in the five books of the Bible, commentary on Torah known as Talmud and Midrash. Jerusalem is sacred place for Judaism. Place of worship is called Synagogue.

Shintoism

Shintoism began with Japanese culture and developed out of tradition and ancestor worship. There is no specific time of its beginning as it was founded in antiquity and there is no particular founder or specific text. It if followed in Japan. Central Shrine of Isa in central Japan and the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo are sacred places for followers of Shintoism.

Sikhism

Guru Nanak Dev (1469-1539) found Sikhism in 1500 AD. Followers of Sikhism is concentrated in India and also found in Canada. Guru Granth Saheb is sacred text of Sikhism. Golden temple of Amritsar is sacred place for Sikhs. Gurudwara is the place of worship.

You may also like reading Sikhism – An Introduction to Sikh Religion

Taoism

Taoism was established by Lao-tse, a Chinese philosopher in 6th century BC. Followers of Taoism are found in China, Taiwan, Nauru, Brunei, Singapore and Vietnam. Tao-te-Ching is known as a sacred text of Taoism.

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is the Parsi Religion. Its founder Zoroaster was born in Medea (modern Iran) about 660 BC. Zoroastrianism was founded in 500 BC. Most of its followers are concentrated in Iran and North-West India. The Zoroastrians who fled to India during the eighth century are the ancestors of the present Parsi Community in India. Zend Avesta is the sacred text of Zoroastrianism and its place of worship is known as Fire temple.

You may like reading Zoroastrianism-Introduction to Persian Religion

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