09 Jan 2022: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PM announces 26th December as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ to mark martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar 
Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji
2. PM greets Indian diaspora on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas
3. Centre to organize the FIRST EVER Startup India Innovation Week from 10th -16th of January 
2022

1. PM announces 26th December as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ to mark martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji

Syllabus: GS 1; History, Indian history from the eighteenth century until the present – significant personalities.

Prelims: About Veer Baal Diwas, Sahibzadas and Guru Gobind Singh

Context:

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi on the auspicious occasion of the Parkash Purab of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, has announced that 26th December shall be observed as ‘Veer Baal Diwas’ to mark the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji.

Guru Gobind Singh

• Guru Gobind Singh was born in  Patna in 1666 as the only son of Guru Tegh Bahadur.
• Guru Gobind Singh born was installed as the Sikh Guru aged nine when his father and the ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur was beheaded on the orders of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to embrace Islam.
• His notable contribution to Sikhism is the establishment of the Khalsa in 1699.
• He was educated in reading, writing, and also martial arts, archery and horse riding.
• His literary contributions include the Jaap Sahib, Benti Chaupai, Amrit Savaiye, etc.
• He took part in many battles, particularly against the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.

Read more about Guru Gobind Singh

Char Sahibzade

• Guru Gobind Singh had four sons, called the “Chaar Sahibzade“. 
• Ajit Singh, Jujhar Singh, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh.
• The Sahibzades were initiated into the Khalsa, an elite warrior group among the Sikhs started by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. 
• All four Sahibzades were executed by Mughal forces before the age of 19.
• Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, the two youngest of the Chaar Sahibzade were told by Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind to be bricked alive on 26th December 1705 because they refused to become muslims. 
• Before the Chaar Sahibzade attained Martyrdom, they were captured and kept in a cold tower called “Thanda Burj” with their grandmother Mata Gujari, in the middle of winter.
• The two older Princes, Ajit Singh and Jujhar Singh fought in the Chamkaur  battle, and attained their martyrdom. 

Battle of Chamkaur

• The Battle was fought in 1704 between the Khalsa group led by Guru Gobind Singh and The coalition forces of Mughals led by Wazir Khan, the Nawab of Sirhind.
• While Guru Gobind Singh was crossing  the Sarsa river with his disciples, the mughals and hill chiefs attacked, marking the start of the battle.
• The battle was fought for three days between 21st to 23rd of December, 1704.
• Guru Gobind Singh lost two of his elder sons in a battle.
• The Guru claimed that he was proud that his sons had died fighting in the battle.
• Guru Gobind Singh makes a reference to this battle in his victory letter Zafarnama.

2. PM greets Indian diaspora on Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

Syllabus: GS 2; International Relations, Indian diaspora.

Prelims: Facts about Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas

Context:

Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is celebrated once every two years on January 9. The aim of the event is to strengthen the engagement of the overseas Indian community with the Government of India and reconnect them with their roots. On the Occasion, the Prime Minister has greeted everyone, especially the Indian diaspora.

Details:

• The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is conducted by the Ministry of External Affairs. 
• The convention provides an important platform to engage and connect with overseas Indians.
• The Pravasi Bhartiya Divas is celebrated to commemorate the contribution of the overseas Indians in the development of the land of their origin. 

Know more about Pravasi Bharatiya Divas

3. Centre to organize the FIRST EVER Startup India Innovation Week from 10th -16th of January 2022

Syllabus: GS 3; Technology and Economic Development, Awareness in the fields of IT, Computers, and robotics.

Mains: Details of India’s Startup ecosystem and various initiatives to boost startups in India.

Context:

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is organizing the first-ever Startup India Innovation Week from 10th -16th of January 2022.  
• The virtual week-long innovation celebration aims to commemorate the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ the 75th year of India’s independence and is designed to showcase the spread and depth of entrepreneurship across India.

Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav:

• Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav is a series of events to be organised by the Government of India to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence.
• According to the government, the Mahotsav will be celebrated as a Jan-Utsav in the spirit of Jan-Bhagidari.
• A National Implementation Committee headed by the Home Minister has been constituted to chalk out policies and planning of various events to be undertaken under the Commemoration.
• The 75th anniversary of India’s independence falls on 15th August 2022.

Startup India Innovation Week

• Startups in India
• • The year 2021 has been recognised as the ‘year of unicorns,’ with more than 40 unicorns added in the year.
  • India is emerging as a global innovation hub, and is the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. 
  • DPIIT has recognised more than 61,000 startups till date. 
  • India’s startups represents 55 industries, spread across 633 districts with at least one startup from every State and UT of the country.
  • Startups have created over 6 lakh jobs since 2016. 
  • 45% of the startups are from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and 45% of them are represented by women entrepreneurs. 
  • Startups have the potential to accelerate India’s integration into global value chains and create global impact.

• Details of Startup India Innovation Week
  • The primary goal is to bring together the country’s key startups, entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, funding entities, banks, policymakers, and other national/international stakeholders to celebrate entrepreneurship and promote innovation. 
  • The Objectives of the program are,
    • To exchange knowledge on nurturing startup ecosystems
    • To develop entrepreneurial ecosystem capacities
    • To mobilise global and domestic capital for startup investments
    • To encourage and inspire the youth for innovation and entrepreneurship
    • To provide market access opportunities to startups
    • To showcase high-quality, high-technology, and frugal innovations from India.

Read more about Startup India Campaign

Read previous PIB here.

January 9th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here