TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. 14th Aero India, 2023
2. AMRITPEX, 2023
3. Delhi - Mumbai Expressway
4. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, 2023
5. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati

1. 14th Aero India, 2023

Syllabus- GS3, Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology.

Prelims – 14th Aero India.

Context – Asia’s largest Aero Show- Aero India, 2023 to be inaugurated by the PM, Shri Narendra Modi on February 13, 2023.

Details –

• Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 14th edition of Aero India, 2023 in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 13, 2023.
• The five day event- Aero India, 2023 on the theme “The runaway to a billion opportunities’ ‘ will reflect the rise of a strong and self-reliant New India by displaying India’s growth in aerospace and defence. The event will contribute immensely to the development of the aerospace and aviation sector of the country.
• The event comprises a Defence Ministers’ Conclave; a CEOs Round Table; Manthan start-up event; Bandhan ceremony; breath-taking air shows; a large exhibition; India Pavilion and a trade fair of aerospace companies.
• The event is organised at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, and is expected to witness participation from 98 countries. The defence ministers of 32 countries, Air Chiefs of 29 countries and 73 CEOs of global and Indian OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are likely to attend the event. 809 defence companies, including MSMEs and startups will showcase the advancement in niche technologies and the growth in aerospace and defence sector.
• The aim is to promote export of indigenous air platforms like Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, HTT 40, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), Dornier Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). It will attract foreign investment and integration of MSMEs and start-ups in the global supply chain.
• The Defence Ministers’ Conclave will be held on february 14 on the theme “Shared Prosperity through Enhanced Engagements in Defence (SPEED)”. This conclave aims to deepen cooperation for capacity building, training, space, artificial Intelligence (AI), maritime security to grow together
• The Bandhan ceremony will be held on 15th February and is expected to witness 251 MoUs ( Memorandum of Understandings), with an expected investment of Rs 75,000 cr, to be signed between Indian/ foreign defence companies and organisations.
• Aerospace, 2023 will have a separate ‘Karnataka Pavilion”which will showcase to the participants the opportunities available in the state. The presence of many defence related companies and R&D institutions like DRDO, ISRO, IISC, Airbus, Boeing makes Karnataka a leading state of aerospace industry in the country.

Also read – Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) .

2. AMRITPEX, 2023

Prelims – AMRITPEX – A National Philatelic Exhibition.

Context – 2nd day of AMRITPEX, 2023 witnessed a huge crowd.

Details –

• The five day Mahakumbh of stamps (11 – 15 February) is being organised as a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations.
•  AMRITPEX-2023 being organised by India Post, which has been the backbone of the country’s communication for over 150 years. AMRITPEX, 2023 commenced with the launch of commemorative postal stamps on Bridal Costumes of India  at the Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The launch depicted the socio-cultural trends of the era of the stamps.
• AMRITPEX is the national platform to highlight and display the 5000 years old rich history and culture of this great nation.
• The themes of exhibition consist of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and New India, Nari Shakti, Yuva Shakti, Nature and Wildlife, and India’s Culture and History, which mark the celebrations of the diversity of the country and its growing Atma-Nirbharta in all sectors and rising statute in the world. 

3. Delhi – Mumbai Expressway

Syllabus – GS3, Infrastructure-Roads.

Prelims – Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, Delhi – Dausa – Lalsot – (first phase).

Context – Shri Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation 246 km long Delhi – Dausa -Lalsot section of Delhi – Mumbai Expressway.

Details –

• The 246 km long stretch will reduce the travel time between the national capital and Jaipur from the existing five hours to 3.5 hours.
• The Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section, first phase of the Delhi Mumbai Expressway has been built at a cost of more than Rs 12,150 crore. The expressway will boost the economic growth of the region by creating numerous employment opportunities and attracting business and investors.

About Delhi – Mumbai Expressway

• Delhi-Mumbai Expressway will be the longest expressway of India with a length of 1,386 km.
• It will pass through six states -Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
• It will reduce the travel distance between Delhi – Mumbai by 12% ( from 1424 km to 1242 km) and travel time by 50% (from 24 hours – 12 hours ). 
• The expressway will also serve 93 PM Gati Shakti Economic Nodes, 8 major airports, 13 ports and 8 multimodal logistic parks (MMLP) along with spurs to new greenfield airports such as Jewar Airport, Navi-Mumbai Airport and JNPT port.

4. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, 2023

Syllabus – GS1, Indian Art Forms.

Prelims – Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, 2023

Context – Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, 2023 was inaugurated by Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra and G. Kishan Reddy, the Union Minister of Culture in Mumbai.

Details –

• The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav, 2023 has been organised by the Ministry of Culture, GoI to promote National Unity and integrity through exchange of culture from 11 – 19 February, 2023.
• The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav conveys the enduring message of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, which signifies that despite the numerous diversities in language and cultural expressions, India is united and one. 
• The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is a celebration of India’s rich cultural heritage and an opportunity for people to come together and experience the best of India’s cultural traditions.
• The Mahotsav is organised by the Ministry of Culture every year in different states of India. It was held in Madhya Pradesh in 2019, in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2022.
• All the seven zonal Cultural Centres and academies under the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, are participating in this event. 
• About 350 folk and tribal artists from all over India along with about 300 local folk artists, some transgender and differently abled artists, renowned classical artists as well as famous star artists would entertain and inspire the audience with their enthralling performance. 

5. Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati

Syllabus- GS1, Important Personalities, Modern Indian History.

Prelims –  Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati

Context – Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates 200th Jayanti celebrations of Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati in New Delhi.

Details –

• Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the year-long celebrations commemorating the 200th birth anniversary of Dayananda Saraswati , at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and also released a logo for commemoration. 

About Maharishi Dayanand Saraswati-

• Swami Dayanand Saraswati was born on 12th February 1824 in Tankara, Gujarat in a Brahmin family. 
• He was an Indian philosopher, social leader and founder of the Arya Samaj.
• The first Arya Samaj unit was formally set up by him at Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1875 and later the headquarters of the Samaj were established at Lahore. Arya Samaj has played a crucial role in the cultural and social awakening of the country through its emphasis on social reforms and education.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

February 12th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here