16 May 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Prime Minister’s Address at 2566th Buddha Jayanti and Lumbini Day 2022 event in Nepal
2. PM greets the people of Sikkim on their Statehood Day
3. Shilanyaas of India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini, Nepal
4. PM offers prayers at Mahaprinirvana Stupa at Kushinagar
5. Kanheri Caves

1. Prime Minister’s Address at 2566th Buddha Jayanti and Lumbini Day 2022 event in Nepal

Syllabus: GS 2: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Mains: India’s bilateral relationship with Nepal

Context:

PM Modi addressed an event in Nepal on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti.

Buddha Jayanti:

• Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha.
• Buddha Jayanti is celebrated each year on the day of Vaishakh Purnima.
• Gautam Buddha was born in Lumbini, Nepal, and died in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh.
• Vaishakh Purnima is a very auspicious day for Buddhists. The birth, the realization, and the Mahaparinirvana, all happened on the same day.

India’s cultural relations with Nepal:

• India and Nepal share a very close relationship with each other. The common heritage, common culture, common faith, and common love are the valuable assets of the relationship.
• Many pilgrimages from India and Nepal have given momentum to the vast tradition of civilization, culture, and knowledge over the centuries.
• The relationship has now spread from food, music, festivals, and customs to family ties to new areas like science, technology, and infrastructure. 
• From Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar in India to Lumbini in Nepal, these holy places symbolize the shared heritage and shared values of India and Nepal.

Know more about Buddhism in the link.

Significance of India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage:

• PM Modi said that India and Nepal relations are unshakeable like the Himalayas. He also said that India and Nepal’s ever-strengthening friendship will benefit all of humanity in the emerging global situation.

Other projects between India and Nepal:

• Lumbini Museum in Nepal is an example of joint cooperation between India and Nepal.
• Babasaheb Ambedkar’s chair for Buddhist studies at Lumbini Buddhist University will be established.
• The governments have also taken decisions like creating integrated check posts in Bhairahawa and Sonauli. Its work has also started. After the completion of these posts, the facility for the movement of people on the border will increase. International tourists coming to India will be able to come to Nepal more easily. Also, this will speed up trade and transportation of essential items.

2. PM greets the people of Sikkim on their Statehood Day

Syllabus: GS 1: Significant events, personalities, issues.

Prelims: Statehood Day of Sikkim.

Mains: The story of the 22nd state of India.

Context:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of Sikkim on their statehood day.

Statehood Day:

• Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on 16 May 1975. On 16th May 2022, when Sikkim celebrated its 47th statehood day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted its people.
• Under independent India, Sikkim continued to be a ‘protectorate’ state, which was ruled by the Chogyals with limited democratic rights. It was only in 1975 that Sikkim became a full Indian state.

PM’s Greetings:

• PM Modi has greeted the people of Sikkim on the occasion of their statehood day. He said that the people of Sikkim are found in diverse fields and giving their contributions to the national progress. 
• He wished the people health and happiness.

3. Shilanyaas of India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in Lumbini, Nepal

Syllabus: GS 2: India and its neighbourhood- relations.

Prelims: India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage.

Mains: Discuss the soft power policy of India with regards to Nepal.

Context:

PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage.

Background:

• PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the India International Centre for Buddhist Culture and Heritage in the Lumbini Monastic Zone.
• The construction of the centre will be done by the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC), New Delhi.

Features of the centre:

• It will be a modern building.
• It will be Net Zero compliant in terms of energy, water, and waste handling.
• It will have prayer halls, meditation centres, library, exhibition hall, cafeteria, offices, and other amenities.

Significance of the centre:

• It will be a world-class facility welcoming pilgrims and tourists from all over the world to enjoy the essence of the spiritual aspects of Buddhism.
• It will strengthen India-Nepal cultural ties.

4. PM offers prayers at Mahaprinirvana Stupa at Kushinagar

Syllabus: GS:1: Significant events, personalities, issues.

Prelims: Mahaparinirvana Stupa.

Mains: Discuss the life of Gautam Buddha and throw light on his principles.

Context:

PM Modi visited Kushinagar and offers his prayers at Mahaparinirvana Stupa at Kushinagar.

Mahaparinirvana Stupa:

• Excavated in 1867, Mahaparinirvana Stupa is a huge stupa made of brick. The stupa has a Brahmi inscription on its walls and a reclining Nirvana statue of Buddha inside it. 
• The statue is placed on a brick pedestal and the face of Buddha is towards the west. 
• As per the Brahmi inscription, the cremated remains of Buddha are buried here, making it an important religious destination for people following Buddhism. 

PM’s Visit:

• Prime Minister Modi offered his prayers on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti at Kushinagar. 
• PM Modi offered prayers at Mahaparinirvana Stupa in UP’s Kushinagar on Buddha Purnima. He said that we should recall the principles of Lord Buddha and reiterate our commitment to fulfilling them.

Development at Kushinagar:

• The Government is making numerous efforts to boost infrastructure in Kushinagar so that more tourists and pilgrims can come here.

Read previous PIB here.

May 16th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here