The world is full of cultural, historical, and natural phenomena that captivate us, motivate us, and inspire us to learn more. In this article, we will delve into remarkable events and initiatives like SPIC MACAY’s ‘Music in the Park’ series, the Indo-French naval exercise ‘VARUNA’, the celebration of Thiruvalluvar Day, and the population status of saltwater crocodiles in the Bhitarkanika National Park.
SPIC MACAY and the Resonance of ‘Shruti Amrut’
SPIC MACAY (Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music And Culture Amongst Youth) is a global movement initiated in 1977 with more than 850 chapters spread across the globe today. Recently, they conducted their renowned ‘Music in the Park’ series, titled ‘Shruti Amrut’, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and the New Delhi Municipal Council. The first event of the series for the year 2023 took place in New Delhi. This voluntary youth movement aims to foster awareness of the tangible and intangible elements of Indian and global heritage through programs, workshops, and activities centering around Indian Classical, Folk Music, dance, Yoga, meditation, crafts, and other facets of Indian culture.
VARUNA: Solidifying India-France Strategic Relations Through Naval Exercise
The western seaboard recently witnessed the commencement of the 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise between India and France, known as ‘VARUNA’. Initiated in 1993, the exercise was officially named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001, symbolizing the cornerstone of the strategic bilateral relationship between India and France. The exercise spanned five days, from January 16-20, 2023. Apart from VARUNA, other Indo-French Joint Exercises include Exercise Shakti (Army) and Exercise Garuda (Air Force).
Thiruvalluvar Day: Celebrating the Legacy of a Legendary Tamil Poet
Thiruvalluvar Day is commemorated in honor of Thiruvalluvar, the revered Tamil poet-saint. The day typically falls on either the 15th or 16th of January as part of the Pongal celebrations in Tamil Nadu. The religious identity of Thiruvalluvar and the era he lived in are subjects of debate, with some associating him with Jainism and others asserting his Hindu roots. His magnum opus, the Tirukkural or ‘Kural’, forms a significant part of Sangam literature. This monumental work comprises 133 sections of 10 couplets each, divided into three books: Aram (virtue), Porul (government and society), and Kamam (love). The Tirukkural shares a comparable stature with the great books of the world’s leading religions.
Saltwater Crocodiles: Witnessing a Marginal Increase in Population
The recent annual reptile census brings some good news. There has been a slight increase in the population of saltwater crocodiles in the water bodies of Bhitarkanika National Park and its nearby areas in Odisha’s Kendrapara district. According to forest officials, the count in 2023 was 1,793 crocodiles compared to 1,784 in 2022. Saltwater crocodiles are listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN List of Threatened Species and have a protection status of Schedule I under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Interestingly, in 2006, a 23-foot long salt-water crocodile in Bhitarkanika was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest crocodile in the world. The most successful conservation program of the saltwater crocodile is run in Bhitarkanika, which began rearing and breeding three crocodilian species – saltwater crocodile, mugger, and gharial – in 1975 across 34 locations in India and Nepal.
