05 May 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Buddh Purnima
2. Project Dantak
3. Bastille Day
4. Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project

1. Buddh Purnima

Syllabus: GS01-Ancient History

Prelims: Gautama Buddha; Buddhism; Vesak Day

Context:  PM Modi conveys Buddh Purnima greetings

Key Details: 

• Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak or Buddha Jayanti, is the most sacred festival for Buddhists worldwide, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha.
• It is also known as Vesak. In 1999, it became a UN-designated day, to acknowledge the contribution of Buddhism to society.
• The day falls on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Vaishakha (April-May) and is observed in many countries, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
• The significance of Buddha Purnima lies in the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha, who was born as Prince Siddhartha Gautama in Lumbini, Nepal, in 563 BCE.
• On Buddha Purnima, Buddhists offer prayers, chant mantras, and perform rituals at temples and monasteries. They also decorate their homes and streets with colourful flags, flowers, and lanterns.
• The most famous celebration of Buddha Purnima takes place at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, where thousands of Buddhists from all over the world gather to meditate and offer prayers.

2. Project Dantak

Syllabus: GS03-Security

Prelims: Border Roads Organisation

Context: PM Modi praises initiative by Border Roads Organisation – Project Dantak to commemorate its 64th Raising Day.

Key Details: 

• Project DANTAK was established on 24th April 1961.
• It was a result of the visionary leadership of the third King of Bhutan and then Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru.
  • It was established under the provision of the Indo-Bhutan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, 1949.
• The project is involved in identifying the most important aspects of connectivity and in spurring the socio-economic development and growth of Bhutan.
• It is tasked to construct and maintain roads suitable for motorized transportation in Bhutan.
• Over the years, the Project has completed approximately 1600 km of blacktopped roads and 120 km of tracks in Bhutan with 5000 meters of bridges over them.
• Other Projects include the construction of Paro Airport, Yonphula Airfield, Thimphu – Trashigang Highway, Telecommunication & Hydro Power Infrastructure, Sherubtse College, Kanglung and India House Estate.

Read more on India-Bhutan Relations.

3. Bastille Day

Syllabus: GS01-World History

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance.

Context: PM Modi thanks the President of France H.E. Emmanuel Macron for the invitation as Guest of Honour at France’s Bastille Day celebrations.

Key Details:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the guest of honour at France’s Bastille Day celebrations on July 14. 
• An Indian armed forces contingent will also participate in the parade along with their French counterparts.

What is France’s Bastille Day parade?

• French National Day on 14th July celebrates the Storming of the Bastille and the unity of French people during the French Revolution. 
• Celebrations are held throughout France, including the oldest and largest military parade in Europe on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. 
• The parade is attended by the President of the Republic, other French officials, and foreign guests.
• As per the French embassy in India, “It’s a moment for the French to celebrate what binds them together, especially the values of “liberty, equality, fraternity” – which, by the way, are also in the Preamble to India’s Constitution!”.
• Every Bastille Day, Paris’ famous avenue des Champs-Elysées hosts a military parade – similar to India’s Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path.

4. Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project

Syllabus: GS03-Economy

Prelims:  Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port; Sittwe Port 

Context: First run of a vessel from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port to Sittwe Port Myanmar developed under Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project.

Key Details: 

• Prime Minister Modi has hailed  the inaugural run of vessel from Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port to Sittwe Port Myanmar developed under Kaladan Multi Modal Transit Transport Project.
  • Kolkata Port, officially known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust (formerly Kolkata Port Trust), is the only riverine major port of India. 
• According to an official statement, cargo ship MV-ITT LION (V-273) carrying 20,000 bags containing 1,000 metric tonnes of cement will reach Sittwe Port on May 9, 2023.
• The port has been built under grant assistance from India as part of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP).
• The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), as a project development consultant for the implementation of the Port and IWT components of the work, has successfully completed the work.
• Sittwe Port has been developed under a framework agreement between India and Myanmar for the construction and operation of a Multimodal Transit Transport Facility on the Kaladan River, connecting Sittwe Port with Mizoram in India.
• The cost and time of transportation of goods between Kolkata and Agartala and Aizwal are expected to decrease by more than 50 per cent.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

May 5th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here