19 Nov 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Kashi Tamil Sangamam
2. Network Readiness Index

1. Kashi Tamil Sangamam

Syllabus: GS 1, Indian Heritage and Culture.

Prelims: Kashi Tamil Sangamam.

Mains: Indian Culture- Varanasi and Tamil Nadu.

Context: Prime Minister inaugurates ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Details:

• ‘Kashi Tamil Sangamam’ is being organized in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It is a month-long programme. 
• The aim of the initiative is to celebrate, reaffirm and rediscover the age-old links between two of the country’s most important and ancient seats of learning – Kashi and Tamil Nadu.
• The objective of the programmme is to provide an opportunity for people from all sectors like scholars, philosophers, students, artisans, traders, artists, etc. from the two regions to come together, share their knowledge, culture, and best practices, and learn from each others’ experiences. 
• The initiative is in line with National Education Policy 2020’s emphasis on integrating the wealth of Indian Knowledge Systems with modern systems of knowledge.
• A book ‘Tirukkural’ with translation into 13 languages was also released by the Prime Minister.
• Kashi-Tamil Sangamam will become a source of energy to strengthen national unity and help citizens realize their duties.
• It was also highlighted that the legacy of Tamil, the world’s oldest language should be preserved and enriched.

For more information on Thirukkural, read here: What is the Tolkappiyam and the Thirukkural? Explore the Answer at BYJU’S UPSC Preparation

Connection between Kashi and Tamil Nadu:

• Prime Minister threw light on the connection between the two regions during his speech. Kashi is the cultural capital of India whereas Tamil Nadu and Tamil culture is the centre of India’s antiquity and pride.
• It was underlined that in terms of art, music, and literature Kashi and Tamil Nadu were important source regions.
• During the speech the contributions of various important personalities that were commonly related to both regions were mentioned like: Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, Pattaviram Shastri, Vedic scholar Rajeshwar Shastri, a great poet and revolutionary Subramania Bharathi who were born in Tamil Nadu but served Kashi.
• It was also informed that the Kashi Kaam Koteshwar Panchayatan Mandir is a Tamilian temple on the banks of Harishchandra Ghat.

2. Network Readiness Index

Syllabus: GS 3, Science and Technology.

Mains: Developments in the field of Science and Technology.

Context: Network Readiness Index 2022 was released.

Details:

• Network Readiness Index 2022 (NRI 2022) has placed India at 61st rank. The position has improved by six slots as compared to NRI 2021.
• The report is prepared by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit, nonpartisan research and educational institute located in Washington DC.
• The Report assesses the network-based readiness landscape of 131 economies in four different pillars:
  • Technology
  • People
  • Governance
  • Impact covering a total of 58 variables
• India has also improved its score from 49.74 in the year 2021 to 51.19 in 2022.
• The 2022 report highlights that India has a greater network readiness than expected considering its income level.
• India’s performance in various indicators:
  • India achieved 1st rank in AI talent concentration.
  • It secured 2nd rank in “International Internet bandwidth” and “Mobile broadband internet traffic within the country”.
  • It garnered 3rd position in “Domestic market size” and “Annual investment in telecommunication services” 
  • It further secured 4th rank in “ICT Services exports”, 
  • It achieved 5th rank in “domains like AI scientific publications” and “FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions”.
  • India is placed 3rd in a group of 36 lower-middle-income countries after Ukraine (50) and Indonesia (59).  
  • It was also pointed out that India has a score higher than the income group average in all pillars and sub-pillars.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

November 19th, 2022, PIB:- Download PDF Here