Miscellaneous

On 23rd June 2023, Sahitya Akademi has announced the list of 22 recipients of its Bal Sahitya Puraskar and 20 winners of its Yuva Puraskar for 2023.

• In the Hindi language category, Suryanath Singh won the Bal Sahitya Puraskar for his collection of short stories, ‘Kotuk App’.
• In Marathi language, Eknath Avhad has won the Bal Sahitya Puraskar for ‘Chhand Dei Anand’, while Vishakha Vishwanath has won the Yuva Puraskar for ‘Svathal Swatavirudh Ubhe Kartana’.
• Renowned children’s writer Sudha Murthy won the Bal Sahitya Puraskar for her collection of stories titled ‘Grandparents’ Bag of Stories’.
• Prominent among the Yuva Puraskar awardees are Anirudh Kanisetty for ‘Lords of the Deccan: Southern India from Chalukyas to Cholas’ and Atul Kumar Rai for his novel ‘Chandpur Ki Chanda’.

Qns : Who won the Bal Sahitya Puraskar 2023 in the Hindi language category?
(A) Eknath Avhad
(B) Suryanath Singh
(C) Vishakha Vishwanath
(D) Sudha Murthy
Ans : (B) Suryanath Singh

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has collaborated with Grammy Award-winning Indian-American singer Falu, to promote the benefits of millet and its potential to alleviate world hunger.
• The song titled “Abundance of Millets” was released on June 16, 2023.
• Grammy Award-winning Indian-American singer Falu has come out with the song inspired by the Prime Minister’s initiative to get UN declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets. 
• The year 2023 has been designated as the ‘International Year of Millets’ following a proposal by India and endorsement by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.
• The song, written in English and Hindi, aims to raise awareness about millets as a potential solution to minimize world hunger.
• Falu met Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi after winning a Grammy Award and he suggested writing a song together during their discussion on the power of music.
• Prime Minister Modi explained that India promotes millet due to its health and nutritional value.
• The song includes a speech written and narrated by Prime Minister Modi himself.
• Millets have a long history in India, dating back to the Indus Valley civilization, and are considered traditional food for over half a billion people in Asia and Africa.
• Falu expressed her excitement about the collaboration and the positive outcomes that occur when two democracies meet.

Question : What is the title of the song created through the collaboration between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Grammy Award-winning Indian-American singer Falu?

a) “Millets and Global Hunger”
b) “Harvesting Hope: The Millet Anthem”
c) “Abundance of Millets”
d) “Modi’s Melody for Feeding the World”

Answer: c) “Abundance of Millets”

During a special meeting on 16 June 2023 , the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library Society, it was unanimously decided to change the society’s name to the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library Society. The meeting was presided over by the Vice-President of the Society, Defense Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.

The idea of establishing a museum dedicated to all the Prime Ministers of India was initially proposed by Prime Minister Shri Modi in 2016. The Executive Council of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) approved the construction of the museum on the Teen Murti Estate during its 162nd meeting on November 25, 2016. After its completion, the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, showcasing the collective journey of democracy in independent India and the contributions of each Prime Minister in nation-building, was inaugurated on April 21, 2022.

Question:When was the Pradhanmantri Sangrahalaya, showcasing the journey of all Prime Ministers, opened to the public?
a) 21st April 2022
b) 25th November 2016
c) 2016
d) 2010

Answer: a) 21st April 2022

Miss World 2023 will be the 71st edition of the Miss World pageant, which will be held in India on December 2023. Karolina Bilawska of Poland will crown her successor at the end of the programme.

Miss World 2022 Karolina Bielawska and Miss India World 2022 Sini Shetty were present with the organizers for the press conference in New Delhi. This was Bielawska’s second visit to the country. Bielawska was crowned Miss World in 2022, beating out contestants from other countries in the pageant held in Puerto Rico. India’s Mansa Varanasi made it to the list of top 13 contestants.

About Miss World Title :

Miss World is the oldest existing international beauty pageant. It was created in the United Kingdom in 1951 by Eric Morley. Since his death in 2000, Morley’s widow, Julia Morley, has co-chaired the pageant. Along with Miss Universe, Miss International and Miss Earth, it is one of the Big Four international beauty pageants. In 1951, Eric Morley organized a bikini contest as part of the Festival of Britain which he called the Festival Bikini Contest. The event was popular in the press, which dubbed it “Miss World”.

Date & Place :

India was officially selected to host the 71st edition of the pageant, which will be held on December 2023. India will host Miss World 2023 after 27 years.

Selection of Participants :

Competitors from 91 countries and regions were selected to participate in the competition. The 2023 edition will see the returns of Aruba, Australia, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, the British Virgin Islands, Croatia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, New Zealand, Romania, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Suriname, Thailand, Zambia. Morocco last competed in 1968, Suriname last competed in 2012, Liberia & Romania last competed in 2017, Lebanon, Lesotho and Zambia last competed in 2018, while the others last competed in 2019.

India has won Miss World title six times :

• Reita Faria (1966)
• Aishwarya Rai (1994)
• Diana Hayden (1997)
• Yukta Mookhey (1999)
• Priyanka Chopra (2000)
• Manushi Chillar (2017)

Question : In which country will Miss World 2023 be held?
a) India
b) United States
c) Brazil
d) China

Answer: a) India

CoWIN Platform

CoWIN (COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network) is a robust digital platform developed by the Government of India to facilitate the nationwide vaccination drive against COVID-19. Launched in early 2021, CoWIN has played a pivotal role in streamlining the vaccine distribution process, ensuring equitable access to vaccines for the country’s vast population. The platform enables users to register for vaccination, schedule appointments, and receive digital vaccination certificates. It also provides real-time data on vaccine availability, vaccination centers, and slots, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their immunization. CoWIN has proven to be a crucial tool in the fight against the pandemic, enabling efficient vaccine administration and tracking of vaccination coverage across India.

Data Breach Report from CoWIN Platform

There was a report in media that A data breach has occurred on the CoWIN portal, the government-run Covid vaccination platform in India. Personal information of Indian citizens, including high-profile political leaders, has been exposed on Telegram. The leaked data includes sensitive details such as PAN numbers and Aadhaar numbers, which were provided by individuals as part of their vaccination registration process on the CoWIN platform. The breach allows access to information such as the ID card number used for vaccination, gender, birth year, the name of the vaccination center, and the number of doses received. This breach raises concerns about the privacy and security of personal data on the CoWIN platform.

India Government Clarification

The Government has denied media reports of a data breach in the CoWIN platform and stated that such claims are baseless and mischievous. The Health Ministry has affirmed that the CoWIN portal, which belongs to the Ministry, is entirely secure and incorporates sufficient measures to protect data privacy. The Ministry highlighted the presence of security measures such as Web Application Firewall, Anti-DDoS, SSL and TLS, regular vulnerability assessments, and Identity and Access Management. Additionally, it emphasized that data access is only granted through OTP authentication, ensuring secure access to information on the platform.

Question : What is CoWIN platform?
a) A social media platform
b) A government-run Covid vaccination portal
c) An e-commerce platform
d) A weather forecasting platform

Answer: b) A government-run Covid vaccination portal

• Cyclone Biparjoy is very likely to cross Saurashtra and Kutch near Jakhau port (Gujarat) between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) by afternoon of 15th June as a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm.
• During this squall wind speed reaching 125 to 135 kmph gusting to 145 kmph is very likely.
• Heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely at isolated places over Kutch, Devbhoomi Dwarka and Jamnagar and heavy to very heavy falls at isolated places over Porbandar, Rajkot Morbi and Junagadh districts on 14th and 15th June.
• Fishermen have returned safely after the Meteorological Department’s advance warning of the storm, while all 24,000 boats have been parked at safe places along the coast.
• The evacuation of people from the most affected villages, within 0 to 5 km from the coast between Mandvi and Jakhau in Kutch district, where the cyclone is likely to make landfall, began on 12 June.

The 62-day long Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra is set to commence on 1st July 2023. Pilgrims will have the option of embarking on the journey via two routes: the traditional 48-km Nunwan route in Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, and the 14-km Baltal route in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. Both routes offer breathtaking views of the scenic Himalayan region, making the pilgrimage a spiritually enriching experience for the devotees.

The Amarnath Yatra is an annual pilgrimage that holds immense significance for millions of devotees from around the world. Nestled in the picturesque Himalayas, the Amarnath Cave is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva. This revered pilgrimage takes devotees on a spiritual journey of self-discovery and devotion. Let’s delve into the various aspects of the Amarnath Yatra and explore its significance and highlights.

The Legend of Amarnath:

• The legend traces back to ancient Hindu scriptures, where Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality to his divine consort, Parvati.
• The cave, located at an altitude of 3,888 meters, is said to be the place where Lord Shiva narrated the Amar Katha (immortal tale) to Parvati.
• The ice stalagmite formed inside the cave is believed to be the symbolic representation of Lord Shiva’s presence.

Planning and Preparations:

• Registration: Devotees are required to register for the Yatra through the official website or designated registration centers.
• Medical Fitness: A thorough medical examination is mandatory to ensure the physical fitness of the participants due to the challenging terrain.
• Travel and Accommodation: Pilgrims need to plan their travel arrangements and book accommodations in advance, as the Yatra attracts a large number of devotees.

Commencement of the Yatra:

• Traditional Rituals: The Yatra begins with religious ceremonies in Pahalgam or Baltal, the base camps of the pilgrimage.
• Holy Procession: The journey commences with a grand procession carrying the holy mace (Chhari Mubarak) from Srinagar to the Amarnath Cave.
• Traditional Chanting: Devotees engage in melodious bhajans and chants, creating an atmosphere of devotion and spirituality.

The Sacred Trek:

• Challenging Terrain: The trek to the Amarnath Cave is known for its rugged and demanding terrain, requiring physical endurance and stamina.
• Pahalgam Route: The traditional Pahalgam route spans around 46 kilometers and offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and gushing rivers.
• Baltal Route: The shorter and steeper Baltal route, spanning approximately 14 kilometers, is favored by those seeking a more challenging trek.

Spiritual Experiences:

• Cave Exploration: Upon reaching the Amarnath Cave, devotees experience a profound sense of spirituality and devotion as they witness the naturally formed ice lingam.
• Darshan and Pooja: Pilgrims perform rituals and offer prayers to seek blessings from Lord Shiva, enhancing their spiritual connection.
• Vedic Traditions: Vedic chants and religious ceremonies conducted by priests add to the divine ambiance of the cave.

Safety and Facilities:

• Security Measures: Stringent security arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of the pilgrims throughout the Yatra.
• Medical Facilities: Well-equipped medical camps and emergency services are set up at regular intervals along the Yatra route.
• Accommodation and Refreshments: Various government and private organizations provide tents, langars (community kitchens), and rest houses to cater to the needs of the pilgrims.

Conclusion:

The Amarnath Yatra is an awe-inspiring journey that allows devotees to connect with their spirituality and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. It is a pilgrimage that tests one’s physical endurance and offers moments of self-reflection and devotion. The journey through the Himalayas and the divine experience in the Amarnath Cave leave an indelible mark on the hearts and souls of the pilgrims, fostering a deep connection with the divine.

Question : Amarnath Temple is located in which district of Jammu and Kashmir?

a) Anantnag
b) Srinagar
c) Ganderbal
d) Baramulla

Answer: a) Anantnag

• On 9th June 2023, The Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Biparjoy over east-central Arabian Sea has moved nearly northwards with a speed of two kilometers per hour during the last six hours.
• Cyclone Biparjoy lay centered over the same region about 840 km west-southwest of Goa, 870 km west-southwest of Mumbai and 870 km south-southwest of Porbandar.
• It will gradually intensify during next 36 hours and move nearly north-northwest during next two days.
• The India Meteorological Department has asked fishermen to totally suspend fishing operations over the east-central and adjoining west-central and south Arabian Sea till the 12th June and in the north and adjoining the central Arabian Sea from the 12th to 14th of June.
• They have also been advised not to venture into the Central Arabian Sea till the 13th June and adjoining areas of the North Arabian Sea from the 12th to 14th of June.

QNS : What is the name of the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm that is active in the Arabian Sea in June 2023?

(A) Cyclone Biparjoy
(B) Cyclone Fani
(C) Cyclone Amphan
(D) Cyclone Nisarga

Ans : (A) Cyclone Biparjoy