National
1st India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale 2023
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Indian Art, Architecture & Design Biennale (IAADB) 2023 held at Red Fort on 08 December 2023.
- He also launched a Commemorative Stamp.
- Shri Modi also took a walkthrough of the exhibition showcased on the occasion.
» During the programme, the Prime Minister inaugurated the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Centre for Design’ at Red Fort and the student Biennale- Samunnati.
- The student biennale (Samunnati) at Lalit Kala Akademi provided an opportunity for students to showcase their work, interact with peers & professionals, and gain valuable exposure within the architecture community through design competitions, display of heritage, installation designs, workshops etc.
About IAADB 2023:
» The 1st India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale 2023 was organized from 9th to 15th December 2023 at Red Fort, New Delhi.
- Ministry of Culture hosted the inaugural India Art, Architecture & Design Biennale 2023.
IAADB showcased different theme-based exhibitions on each day of the week:
- Day 1: Pravesh- Rite of Passage: Doors of India
- Day 2: Bagh e bahar: Gardens as Universe: Gardens of India
- Day 3: Sampravah: Confluence of Communities: Baolis of India
- Day 4: Sthapatya: Anti-fragile algorithm: Temples of India
- Day 5: Vismaya: Creative Crossover: Architectural Wonders of Independent India
- Day 6: Deshaj Bharat Design: Indigenous Designs
- Day 7: Samatva: Shaping the Built: Celebrating Women in Architecture
IAADB included pavilions based on the 7-day themes, panel discussions, art workshops, art bazaar, heritage walks and a parallel student biennale.
Key Points:
- IAADB was designed to initiate a holistic conversation between artists, architects, designers, photographers, collectors, art professionals and the public to strengthen the cultural dialogue.
- It also provided avenues and opportunities to expand and collaborate with the creators of art, architecture and design as part of the evolving economy.
11th ‘Divya Kala Mela’ 2023
⇒ The 11th ‘Divya Kala Mela’ 2023 was held from December 8-17, 2023 at Gandhi Maidan in Patna, Bihar.
Organized by:
» Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) organized this unique event showcasing the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs/artisans from across the country.
- This is a unique initiative of DEPwD towards economic empowerment of PwD/Divyangjan.
- The Divya Kala Mela presents a bigger platform for marketing and showcasing the products and skills of Divyang (PwD).
Highlights:
- Around 100 Divyang artisans/artists and entrepreneurs from about 20 states/UTs showcased their products and skills.
- The event presented an enthralling experience to the visitors as vibrant products from various parts of the country including Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern states, handicrafts, handlooms, embroidery works and packaged food etc were seen together.
- It was an opportunity for all to go ‘vocal for local’ and products made by Divyang craftsmen with their extra determination can be seen/purchased.
- The 10 Days ‘Divya Kala Mela’, Patna witnessed a series of cultural activities, including performances by Divyang artists and well-known professionals alongside.
- The Divya Kala Mela, Patna was the Eleventh one in series starting from 2022 [(i) Delhi, December 2022, (ii) Mumbai, February 2023, (iii) Bhopal, March 2023, (iv) Guwahati, May 2023, (v) Indore, Madhya Pradesh (vi) Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, (vii) Jaipur, Rajasthan (viii) Hyderabad, Telangana (ix) Bengaluru, Karnataka, (x) Chennai, Tamil Nadu.]
1st Delta Ranking of Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP)
⇒ NITI Aayog released the 1st Delta Ranking of Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) on 07 December 2023.
- The rankings were announced in a virtual event at NITI Aayog which saw participation of 329 districts and 500 aspirational blocks from across the country.
Methodology:
- The ranking of the blocks has been calculated on the basis of performance of blocks and progress achieved in the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the month of June, 2023.
- Ranking the blocks based on KPIs is a core strategy of the Programme based on the spirit of competitive and cooperative federalism.
- In consultation with various stakeholders, 40 key performance indicators (KPIs) were chosen to measure progress of the blocks which have been grouped into 5 themes.
- The baseline data of March 31, 2023 and of the first quarter on June 30, 2023 of 500 Aspirational Blocks was sourced through Management Information System of 11 ministries.
- The 1st Delta rank has been calculated on the basis of improvement made in the first quarter.
» This was the first time that the ranking of blocks has been calculated as part of the Aspirational Blocks Programme.
1st Delta Ranking of ABP:
- Tiriyani Block of Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana secured the top position in the first delta rankings of Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP).
- The second position was bagged by Kaushambi block of Kaushambi District, Uttar Pradesh.
The blocks have also been geographically divided into six zones and two blocks from each zone have been given rankings.
- In Zone 1 which includes hilly and North-eastern States as well as Islands, the first and second position went to Amri block, West Karbi Anglong, Assam and Ngopa block, Saitual Mizoram.
- In Zone 2 which includes the northern Indian states, Harraiya block, Basti, Uttar Pradesh and Virno block, Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh achieved the first and second spot.
- In Zone 3 comprising of southern states, Maski block, Raichur, Karnataka and Narnoor, Adilabad, Telangana were declared the top rankers.
- In Western Indian states which comprises of Zone 4, Sironcha and Aheri blocks in Gadhichiroli district, Maharashtra emerged winners.
- Central India under Zone 5 saw Tirla block of Dhar district and Pati block of Barwani District, both in Madhya Pradesh as winners.
- Eastern India included in Zone 6 saw Andar, Siwan, Bihar and Ramgarh in Dumka, Jharkhand as the top rankers.
» The winners felicitated with a prize amount of Rs 1.5 crores for top rank and Rs 1 crores for second rank in all zonal categories.
About ABP:
- The Aspirational Blocks Programme (ABP) was launched on January 7, 2023.
- ABP focuses on improving governance to enhance the quality of life of citizens in the most difficult and relatively underdeveloped blocks of India.
- 500 blocks from 329 districts across 27 states and 4 Union Territories of India are part of the programme.
- The Programme strategy is based on convergence of existing schemes, defining outcomes, and monitoring them on a constant basis.
International
Indian Army conducts Table-Top Exercise (TTX) for ASEAN Women Peacekeepers
⇒ The Table-Top Exercise (TTX) for ASEAN Women Peacekeepers was conducted at Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi from 4th to 8th December 2023.
Conducted by:
In a landmark initiative to promote gender inclusivity and enhancing the capabilities of women military personnel in peacekeeping operations, the Indian Army conducted a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) for the Women Officers of Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
» The Exercise is part of ongoing efforts of Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) to strengthen international cooperation and capacity-building in peacekeeping missions, with specific focus on empowering women in the field.
- CUNPK is a premier institution of the Indian Army to impart training in peacekeeping operations.
» CUNPK had earlier conducted ASEAN Women Military Officers Course from 18th to 29th September 2023.
- This TTX is a follow up exercise of ongoing joint military training between India and ASEAN member states.
Highlights:
- The Exercise underscores India’s shared commitment to the world peace, stability, and gender equality.
- This Exercise served as a platform for participants to simulate and strategise responses to complex peacekeeping scenarios, reflecting real-world challenges.
- It also included exposure to complex operational peacekeeping environment and methods to ensure women peace and security.