General Studies- I
Topic– Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Khajuraho – Temples of Architectural Splendour
Context:
A webinar on “Khajuraho – Temples of Architectural Splendour” under Dekho Apna Desh was held by Ministry of Tourism.
About Khajuraho Temples:
- Khajuraho Temples were built between 950-1050 AD by the Chandela Dynasty.
- The temples are categorised into three groups that is Eastern, Western and Southern.
- In present, only about 20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and Jainism.
- They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture.
- The Temple of Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.
- These Temples got the status of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in 1986.
- The Khajuraho temples are made of sandstone, with a granite foundation that is almost hidden.
- The temples are famous for their Nagara-style architectural symbolism and erotic sculptures.
General Studies- III
Topic- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS)
Context:
The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) was recently launched by Union Commerce & Industry minister.
What is the Startup India Initiative?
It was launched on 16th January, 2016.
- The Startup India Initiative has rolled out several programs with the objective of supporting entrepreneurs, building a robust startup ecosystem and transforming India into a country of job creators instead of job seekers.
- These programs are managed by a dedicated Startup India Team, which reports to the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion (DPIIT).
What is Startup India Seed Fund Scheme?
The Scheme was announced on 16th January 2021 in the ‘Prarambh: StartupIndia International Summit’, marking the five-year anniversary of the Startup India initiative.
- It is a scheme to make easy availability of capital that is essential for entrepreneurs at the early stages of growth of an enterprise.
- DPIIT has created Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) with an outlay of INR 945 Crore to provide financial assistance to startups.
- The Fund aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialization.
Key features of the scheme:
- The SISFS will Secure seed funding, Inspire innovation, Support transformative ideas, Facilitate implementation, and Start startup revolution.
- The scheme is expected to support an estimated 3,600 startups through 300 incubators.
- This Scheme will create a robust startup ecosystem, particularly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns of India, which are often deprived of adequate funding.
Financial assistance to startups:
- 945 Crore corpus will be divided over the next 4 years for providing seed funding to eligible startups through eligible incubators across India.
- Grants of upto Rs 5 Crores shall be provided to the eligible incubators selected by the Experts Advisory Committee (EAC).
- The selected incubators shall provide grants of up to Rs 20 lakhs for validation of Proof of Concept, or prototype development, or product trials to startups.
- Furthermore, investments of up to Rs 50 lakhs shall be provided to the startups for market entry, commercialization, or scaling up through convertible debentures or debt-linked instruments.
Significance:
- Startup India Seed Fund Scheme will act as a bridge between ideas and their implementation.
- Independent & ambitious thinking in the Startup ecosystem will encourage entrepreneurship and create a culture that will recognise innovation.
General Studies- III
Topic- Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
LiDAR Survey technique
Context:
NHSRCL adopts aerial LiDAR Survey technique to conduct the ground survey for Delhi-Varanasi High Speed Rail Corridor.
Highlights:
National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited will be adopting Light Detection and Ranging Survey (LiDAR) technique for conducting ground survey forthe preparation of Detailed Project Report for the proposed Delhi-Varanasi HSR corridor.
- The alignment or ground survey is a crucial activity for any linear infrastructure project as the survey provides accurate details of areas around the alignment.
- This technique uses a combination of Laser data, GPS data, flight parameters and actual photographs to give accurate survey data.
- Based on the findings of the survey, designing of the vertical & horizontal alignment, structures, location of the stations and depots, Land requirement for the corridor, identification of project affected plots/structures, Right of Way etc are decided.
What is LiDAR?
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges & variable distances.
- These light pulses—combined with other data recorded by the airborne system— generate precise, three-dimensional information about the shape of the Earth and its surface characteristics.
- A LiDAR instrument principally consists of a laser, a scanner, and a specialized GPS receiver.
- Airplanes and helicopters are the most commonly used platforms for acquiring LiDAR data over broad areas.
Applications: LiDAR is used for agriculture, hydrology and water management systems and geology-related applications.
Mains Question:
Discuss the key features and application of LiDAR technique.
Chrome facts for Prelims:
World Liver Day
World Liver Day is observed on April 19 every year to spread awareness about liver-related conditions and diseases.
The theme for this year is ‘Keep your liver healthy and disease-free.’
About the liver:
- The liver is the second largest and the second most complex organ in the body, after the brain.
- It is responsible for performing crucial functions related to immunity, digestion, metabolism, storage of absorbed nutrients, and excretion.
- Keeping liver in good shape is the key to preventing liver diseases.
Functions:
Liver performs hundreds of complex functions, including:
- Fighting infections and illness
- Regulating blood sugar
- Removing toxic substances from the body
- Controlling cholesterol levels
- Helping blood to clot (thicken)
- Releasing bile (A liquid that breaks down fats and aids in digestion)
Liver disease doesn’t usually cause any obvious signs or symptoms until it is fairly advanced and the liver is damaged. At this stage, possible symptoms are loss of appetite, weight loss and jaundice.
Mahakali Treaty 1996
The 1.2 km long Indo-Nepal canal is being constructed under ‘Mahakali Treaty’ signed between India and Nepal.
Mahakali Treaty is an agreement between the Government of Nepal and India regarding the development of watershed of Mahakali River.
- It was signed in 1996 and have 12 articles agreements for an integrated development of barrage, dams and hydropower for mutual cooperation of the two countries by managing the water resources.
- The treaty recognizes the Mahakali River as a boundary river between the two countries.
Mahakali River
The Mahakali River is also called Kali River and Sharda River.
- It originates at Kalapani in the Himalayas in the Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand, India.
- It flows along Nepal’s western border with India and has a basin area of 14,871 km2.
- It joins Ghaghra River, a tributary of the Ganges.
- It takes the name Kali River from the union of the two streams at Gunji as it flows through the hills.
- After Brahmadev Mandi near Tanakpur, it enters the Terai plains, where it is called Sharda River.
- The river is proposed as source for one of the many projects in the Himalayan component of the Indian Rivers Inter-link project.
