In the serene district of Gajapati, Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled a majestic 19-foot-high statue of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. This grand, 29-tonne stone statue is nestled within the serene premises of ‘Padma Sarovar’, near Padmasambhava Mahavihara, reportedly the largest Buddhist monastery in eastern India. The Dalai Lama had inaugurated this sacred monastery in 2010, marking a significant moment in the history of Tibetan refugees who have inhabited the region for over six decades.
The Statue and its Historical Significance
Regarded as the historical birthplace of the revered Guru Padmasambhava, also dubbed as the second Buddha, Odisha plays an important role in shaping Tibetan Buddhism. According to historians, Guru Padmasambhava had his early upbringing in Odisha before setting off for Tibet. The eminent sculptor Padmashri Prabhakar Moharana was commissioned to fashion the statue, lending his distinct artistic style to the figure.
Railway Extension for Vizhinjam Port’s Connective Accessibility
A state-of-the-art 10.7-km railway line, inclusive of a 9.02-km tunnel, has been planned to link the Balaramapuram station on the Kanyakumari-Thiruvananthapuram railway line to the upcoming Vizhinjam International Multipurpose Deepwater Seaport. Upon completion, it will be recognized as the country’s second longest railway tunnel after the Pir Panjal Tunnel of Jammu and Kashmir. There are ongoing talks about upgrading the Balaramapuram railway station as a part of this seaport rail connectivity initiative.
Ladakh’s Dard Aryan Tribes Raising Cultural Concerns
The Dard Aryan tribe of Ladakh, believed to be the original descendants of the ‘pure Aryan race’, have raised a plea for the central government to step in and safeguard their rich culture and legacy. They are known for their vibrant customs and ornate costumes. Researchers speculate that they were part of Alexander’s army and have resided in the region for over 2000 years. The Dard Aryan deals with its unique heritage being threatened by rapid modernization, migration, and religious conversion.
Astrological Achievements: MarCO Cubesat & Lunar Lander Beresheet
NASA has lost contact with its twin mini-satellites Mars Cube One (MarCO) named as MarCo-A and MarCo-B, which were launched along with InSights Mission to serve as communication relays during its Mars landing. On another note, an Israeli nonprofit group, SpaceIL, is looking to pioneer the first privately funded mission to land a probe on the moon. Their lunar lander, ‘Beresheet’, will be equipped to measure the moon’s magnetic field and will carry a time-capsule of cultural and historical Israeli artifacts.
| Key Facts |
|---|
| Statue Height: 19 feet |
| Statue Weight: 29 tonnes |
| Renowned Sculptor: Padmashri Prabhakar Moharana |
| Railway Extension Length: 10.7 km |
Ujjwala Utsav: Celebrating the Success of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
The oil industry has celebrated the success of Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) by observing ‘Ujjwala Utsav’. All stakeholders including District Nodal Officers, Policymakers, Distributors, and beneficiaries were honored for their roles in the successful implementation of PMUY. The event also saw the launch of the PMUY anthem – Ujjwala Bharat Ujjwala.
Atal Bhujal Yojana: A Step Towards Groundwater Management
The World Bank has approved Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY), a Central Sector scheme with a fund of Rs.6000 Crore, aiming at sustainable groundwater management with active community participation. The funding will be shared equally between the Government of India and the World Bank. The scheme will target several states, including Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.