07 Apr 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Gaj Utsav 2023
2. Seven Liberation destinations (Saptha Moksha Puri)
3. Trans-Asian Railway- Rail Digital Transformation
4. Kaushambi Mahotsav-2023

1. Gaj Utsav 2023

Syllabus: GS 3, Environment and Ecology.

Mains: Project Elephant.

Prelims: Gaj Utsav 2023.

Context: Gaj Utsav was inaugurated in Kaziranga National Park.

Details:

• The Gaj Utsav-2023 was inaugurated by the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu at the Kaziranga National Park.
• Elephants are considered the symbol of prosperity in Indian tradition. 
• It is a National Heritage Animal of India.
• Additionally, elephant reserves are very effective carbon sinks. 
• During her speech, the President highlighted the importance of the conservation of elephants. She also raised concerns about the issue of the Human-Elephant Conflict.
• The President also mentioned Project Elephant which emphasizes on the objectives of:
  • Protection of elephants
  • Conservation of their natural habitats
  • Keeping elephant corridors free from obstruction
• Kaziranga was chosen as a place of launching Gaj Utsav-2023, as Assam has the second-largest population of wild elephants in the country.

Also read: Asian Elephant: Characteristics and Conservation Status

2. Seven Liberation destinations (Saptha Moksha Puri)

Syllabus: GS 1, Indian Culture.

Mains: Initiatives by the Ministry of Tourism.

Prelims: Seven Liberation Destinations.

Details:

• In a reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North-Eastern Region Shri G Kishan Reddy said that the Ministry of Tourism promotes seven liberation destinations(Saptha Moksha Puri).

• The promotions of such destinations are undertaken through domestic and global promotional campaigns.
• The government also provides financial assistance through ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’. 
• Its aim is to promote the integrated development of the identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
• Moreover, the Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped to SD 2.0 for the development of sustainable and responsible tourist destinations.
  • Dwarka has been selected for development under SD 2.0.

Also read: Tourism Statistics in India – Roles & Functions of Tourism Statistics

3. Trans-Asian Railway- Rail Digital Transformation

Syllabus: GS 2, International Relations.

Mains: Regional agreement of Trans-Asian Railways.

Prelims: Trans-Asian Railways.

Details:

• A high-level conference was held in New Delhi to Accelerating Rail Digital Transformation in Asia and the Pacific region.
• It was organized by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Railways.
• The conference was attended by members from 18 countries including Russia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Armenia, etc.
• It was informed by the Chairman of Indian Railways that India is expanding its digital footprints in every aspect of rail transport and is ready to share its experience and expertise with the member of the Trans-Asian railway network.
• The Head of the UN ESCAP also emphasized the need to leverage digitalization to further augment the operational performance of rail and realize sustainable development goals.
• The proposed strategy intends to provide coherence and momentum to existing initiatives on rail digitalization. It fosters an ecosystem to harness the full potential of rail digitalization.
• The two-day conference ended with a recommendation to adopt the regional strategy on accelerating rail digital transformation.

Trans-Asian Railways:

• The Trans-National Railways was formalized through an Inter-governmental Agreement on the Trans-Asian Railway network. It entered into force in 2009.
• It is a 128000-kilometer-long rail network that passes through 28 countries.

Also read: Indian Railways: Establishment and Brief Facts for UPSC Exam

4. Kaushambi Mahotsav-2023

Syllabus: GS 1, Indian Culture.

Prelims: Kaushambi Mahotsav 2023.

Details:

• The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah inaugurated the Kaushambi Mahotsav-2023 in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh.
• The Minister also launched various development projects in the region. He also paid tribute to Durga Bhabhi, the great freedom fighter of Kaushambi.
  • Durga Bhabhi along with Bhagat Singh fought bravely against the British.
  • The State government of Uttar Pradesh has renamed the Karenti Bridge of Kaushambi as Durga Bhabhi Bridge.

Kaushambi:

• Kaushambi was the capital of Vats Janpad (one of the 16 janpads).
• It was one of the 6 most important and prosperous towns in India during Buddha.
• The district was carved out from Allahabad district on 4 April 1997.

For more information on Janpads, read here: 16 Mahajanapadas – Know Details for UPSC Prelims (Ancient Indian History Notes)

Read the previous PIB articles here.

April 7th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here