National
Santiniketan and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas added to list of World Heritage sites
⇒ India inscribed 2 properties on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in the 45th Extended World Heritage Committee meeting at Riyadh (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) on 10-25 September 2023.
These two World Heritage Sites are:
- Shantiniketan
- The Sacred Ensembles of Hoyasalas
Shantiniketan:
Santiniketan in West Bengal has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO on 17th September 2023. This is India’s 41st World Heritage site.
- India submitted the nomination dossier for Santiniketan to the World Heritage Centre in January, 2021. The site was on the UNESCO’s tentative list since 2010.
- Santiniketan is situated in a rural location in West Bengal, and is associated with the work and philosophies of Rabindranath Tagore, a world-famous poet, artist, musician and philosopher, and a recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature (1913).
- The site was established as an ashram and given its name in 1863 by Tagore’s father, Debendranath Tagore.
- In 1901, Rabindranath Tagore began its transformation to a residential school and centre for art, based on the ancient Indian tradition of gurukul. His vision was oriented at the unity of humanity, or “Visva Bharati”.
- Distinct from the prevailing British colonial architectural orientations of the early 20th century and of European modernism, Santiniketan represents orientations toward a Pan-Asian modernity, drawing on ancient, medieval and folk traditions from across the region.
The Sacred Ensembles of Hoyasalas:
The Sacred Ensembles of Hoysalas has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 18th September 2023. This is the 42nd UNESCO World Heritage Site of India.
- India submitted the nomination dossier for The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas to the World Heritage Centre in January, 2022. The site has been on the UNESCO’s tentative list since 2014.
- The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, has been nominated as a serial property comprising three temples in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
- The three magnificent temples – Hoysalesvara Temple, Helebidu, Channakeshava Temple, Belur, and Keshava Temple, Somenathpur in Karnataka reflect the 13th century marvelous architectural and artistic creativity.
- These temples are a culmination of various temple building traditions prevalent in the Northern, Central and Southern India such as the Nagara, Bhumija and Dravida styles. Hence the inscription of these temples in the World Heritage List is a combined homage to the great temple building tradition of India.
- The Temples are richly experiential, with their exquisite architecture, sculptures and intricate carvings, reflecting the genius of the sculptors in translating religious beliefs, stories and abstract ideas into the medium of stone.
- The practice of having sculptural panels narrating stories from the Hindu Epics and puranas along the walls of the temple deepened the religious experience of circumambulation path was first introduced by the Hoysalas.
- The coming together of the creative genius, architectural eclecticism and symbolism into this outstanding sacred architecture makes these Hoysalas temples, a true work of art and their inscription is truly an honour for India and the entire World Heritage Community.
Total World Heritage Sites of India:
With these two successful nominations, India has currently 42 world heritage properties overall, which include 34 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed property. In addition, India has 50 sites on the UNESCO’s Tentative List. India stands 6th on the World Heritage List.
The countries that have 42 or more World Heritage sites and apart from India are Italy (59), China (57), Germany (52), France (51) and Spain (50).
World Heritage Committee:
» India is currently the member of the World Heritage Committee for its fourth term (2021-25).
Currently the 21 members of the World Heritage Committee are:
Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and Zambia
Newly constructed National Martyr's Memorial and National Museum for Railway Security
⇒ The newly constructed National Martyr’s Memorial and National Museum for Railway Security at Jagjivan RPF Academy Lucknow was unveiled by Shri Sanjay Chander, Director General Railway Protection Force on 24 July 2023.
Key Points:
» This martyr’s memorial is spread over an area of 4800 square meters and on this memorial, the names of 1014 martyred RPF personnel from 1957 till date have been inscribed and tribute has been paid to them on behalf of the RPF.
» A visitor to this museum will get a complete glimpse of the history, genesis, achievements, duties and responsibilities of the Railway Protection Force at a glance.
- The museum is spread over a total area of 9000 sq. ft, with 37 thematic display panels, 11 display cabinets, an info-graphic history of policing, 87 artefacts, 500 pages from the National Archives of India, 36 weapons from a bygone era, 150 railway items related to security, 15 Mannequins of various ranks of the Railway Protection Force, and many other important items are on display.
- The motto of this museum is Gyanvardhanayachsanrakshanaya (ज्ञानवर्धनायचसंरक्षणाय) which constantly inspires RPF to ‘promote knowledge and preserve heritage’.
» Apart from this, War Trophy T-55 tank which was received from Central Armoured Fighting Vehicle Depot Kirkee, Khadki, Pune and installed in the academy campus.
International
Delegation level talks between India and Argentina
⇒ Union Minister of State (I/C) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh held delegation level talks with the Governor of Santa Fe province of Argentina, Mr Omar Angel Perotti on 24 July 2023.
» Dr Jitendra Singh said that India and Argentina have agreed for a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture.
- The two countries also decided to hold comprehensive talks between delegations comprising academia, R&D Institutes and Industry in the field of Science & Technology and Biotechnology.
The Indian delegation evinced interest in collaborating in Geospatial technology, Quantum Computation and Bio-Enzymes. It was pointed out that India has the world’s third largest Startup ecosystem and there is huge potential for joint studies and collaboration at various levels such institutional, universities and multilateral fora.
Past aspects of India-Argentina relations:
» India and Argentina have an Inter-governmental Agreement to promote technical and scientific cooperation signed in 1985.
- The objective of this programme is to strengthen and expand relations between scientific communities, making possible the exchanges between Indian and Argentine research groups, in the framework of joint scientific and technological projects, selected by the parties.
» India is the 4th largest trading partner of Argentina, with bilateral trade touching a historic peak of USD 6.4 billion in the year 2022, recording a growth rate of 12% over 2021.
- Exports from India to Argentina was worth USD 1.84 billion (31% growth rate) while India’s imports from Argentina was worth USD 4.55 billion. As per DGFT, India-Argentina bilateral trade during the fiscal year 2022-23 was USD 4.16 billion, with India’s exports to Argentina valued at USD 961 million and Argentina’s exports to India valued at USD 3.20 billion.
- Major items of India’s exports to Argentina include petroleum oils, agrochemicals, yarn-fabric-made ups, organic chemicals, bulk drugs and two-wheelers. Major items of India’s imports from Argentina include vegetable oils (soya bean and sunflower), finished leather, cereals, residual chemicals and allied products and pulses.
» Several Indian companies have established operations in Argentina with a total investment of over USD 1 billion. Argentina’s investment in India stands at approximately USD 120 million. Argentine companies with presence in India include Globant and OLX in IT services and TECHINT in the manufacturing sector.
» A new assembly line of Royal Enfield was inaugurated by Argentine President Mr. Alberto Fernandez on 9 September 2020 at the production facility of SIMPA Group in Buenos Aires Province. This marks the first time in the 119 years’ history of Royal Enfield that their bikes would be manufactured outside their own plants.
» Agreements to promote cooperation in Oil and Energy sector was signed between OVL Ltd and YPF (Argentine Oil and Energy public sector company) in February 2023; first ever commercial agreement in defence sector for supply of helicopters spares and engine maintenance was signed between HAL and Argentine Air Force in February 2023 as also cooperation agreement between HAL and FAdeA (Argentine public sector company in Aeronautics) in June 2023.
» A bilateral business chamber, India-Argentina Business Council (IABC), was formally launched on 14 October 2020. The Council, conceptualized as a non-profit organization comprising leading investors, exporters and importers in Argentina, is currently composed of over 30 companies. IABC, together with India’s Mission, organized the first Business Forum on 25 March 2021.
» There are about 2,600 NRIs / PIOs in Argentina. Most of the NRIs live in Argentina. Majority of these live in the capital city of Buenos Aires, including professionals working with Indian companies and multinational corporations.
Important Day
Income Tax Day 2023
⇒ Income Tax Day, also known as Aaykar Diwas, is celebrated by the Income Tax Department on 24 July every year in India.
The 164th anniversary of Income Tax Day was observed by Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and all its field offices across India on 24 July 2023.
History:
- Income Tax Day is celebrated on July 24 as it was on this day in 1860 when Sir James Wilson introduced income tax for the first time in India.
- This step was taken to compensate the British government for the losses incurred during the First War of Independence in 1857.
- The first Income Tax Day in India was celebrated on July 24, 2010, to mark 150 years of income tax in India.
- The proper framework Income Tax Act was designed in 1922. In 1924, a statutory body, the Central Board of Revenue was established to monitor the functions and responsibilities of the department.
- In 1963, a classified Board for direct taxes called the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) was introduced under the Central Board of Revenue Act.
- Headquartered in New Delhi, the Income Tax department is responsible for direct tax collection for the Government of India. It functions under the Department of Revenue in the Ministry of finance, and is headed by an apex body called the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).