25 July 2021: PIB Summary & Analysis

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa Temple)
2. 'PM CARES for Children' scheme
3. I-STEM Portal

1. Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa Temple)

Context:

Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, Warangal, Telangana inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Details:

• The decision to include the Ramappa Temple in the World Heritage List was taken at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO.
• This is India’s 39^th site on the List.
• The nomination to inscribe the temple was given by India in 2019.
• Get the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India in the link.

About the Rudreswara Temple (Ramappa Temple):

• The Rudreswara temple was constructed in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire by Recharla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva.
• The presiding deity here is Ramalingeswara Swamy.
• It is also known as the Ramappa temple, after the sculptor who executed the work in the temple for 40 years.
• The temple complexes of the Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology and decoration exhibiting the influence of the Kakatiyan sculptor.
• The Ramappa Temple is a manifestation of this and often stands as a testimonial to the Kakatiyan creative genius.
• The temple stands on a 6 feet high star-shaped platform with walls, pillars and ceilings adorned with intricate carvings that attest to the unique skill of the Kakatiyan sculptors.
• The distinct style of the Kakatiyas for the gateways to temple complexes, unique only to this region, confirm the highly evolved proportions of aesthetics in temple and town gateways in South India.

2. ‘PM CARES for Children’ scheme

Context:

Ministry of Women and Child Development launches web-based portal pmcaresforchildren.in to facilitate submission of applications, identification of children eligible to receive support under the ‘PM CARES for Children’ scheme.

About the PM CARES for Children Scheme:

• ‘PM CARES for Children’ scheme was announced by the Prime Minister for supporting children who have lost both parents or surviving parent or legal guardian or adoptive parents due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The scheme aims to ensure comprehensive care and protection of children who have lost their parents to the COVID pandemic, in a sustained manner.
• It enables their wellbeing through health insurance, empower them through education and equip them for self-sufficient existence with financial support of Rs. 10 lakh, on reaching 23 years of age.

Read more about the PM CARES Fund in the linked article.

3. I-STEM Portal

Context:

I-STEM enters Phase-II.

Details:

• The national web portal for sharing R&D facilities, I-STEM, was launched in January 2020 under the aegis of Prime Minister Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) mission.
• I-STEM project has been accorded extension for five years, until 2026 and enters its second phase with added features.
• Under Phase II, the portal will host indigenous technology products listed through a digital catalogue.
• The portal will also provide a platform for the various City Knowledge and Innovation Clusters (https://www.psa.gov.in/st-clusters) supported by the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor to enhance effective use of R&D infrastructure through leveraging collaboration and partnership built on a shared STI ecosystem.
• It will also host and provide access to selected R&D software required to undertake research projects by students and scientists.
• The I-STEM portal in its new phase will be designed as a dynamic digital platform that will provide a boost to research and innovation especially for 2 tier and 3 tier cities and also for the emerging start-up ecosystem.

Read more on the I-STEM Portal in the linked article.

Read previous PIB here.

July 25th, 2021, PIB:- Download PDF Here