Unit-8 : SCIENCE, CULTURE & SPORTS
Short Notes or Revision Notes
GIST of India Year Book 2024
Cultural Heritage
- Tangible:Physical artifacts passed down through generations (buildings, monuments, objects).
- Intangible:Practices, knowledge, skills, and expressions considered cultural heritage (folklore, music, traditional methods).
Science & Technology
- Nanotechnology:Engineering and science of extremely small devices and structures.
- Coronal Mass Ejection (CME):Large expulsion of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun’s corona.
- Quantum:Discrete unit of energy proportional to the frequency of radiation.
- Soft landing:Successful spacecraft landing without damage.
- Hard landing:Spacecraft landing with damage, potentially mission-ending.
Indian Space Program
- Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV):ISRO’s vehicle for launching satellites into geosynchronous orbits (higher payload capacity than PSLV).
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- Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV):ISRO’s indigenous medium-lift launcher for various orbits (geosynchronous transfer, polar sun synchronous, etc.).
Chapter-27: Culture and Tourism
Ministry of Culture in India
Functions:
- Safeguards ancient cultural heritage.
- Promotes artistic expression, traditional crafts, music, dance, and literature.
- Oversees cultural organizations and programs.
Mission Initiatives:
- National Mission for Manuscripts:Preserves and digitizes ancient manuscripts.
- National Mission for Monuments and Antiquities:Conserves historical structures and artifacts.
- National Mission on Libraries:Enhances library infrastructure and access to knowledge.
- Gandhi Heritage Sites Mission:Honors Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy by preserving related sites.
Types of Cultural Heritage:
- Tangible:Monuments, sculptures, paintings, and physical artifacts.
- Intangible:Oral traditions, performing arts, rituals, and folklore.
- Knowledge:Ancient texts, scientific knowledge, and philosophical wisdom.
Focus Areas:
- Gandhian Heritage:Emphasizes Mahatma Gandhi’s impact on Indian culture and society.
- Custodian of Major Libraries:Cares for libraries with invaluable collections.
- Promotion of Buddhist and Tibetan Culture:Supports institutes in Sarnath, Varanasi, and Leh.
- UNESCO and Cultural Exchange:Implements UNESCO cultural conventions and enters into cultural exchange agreements.
Achievements in Cultural Diplomacy
- UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee:Secured a seat (2022-2026) for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.
- Garba of Gujarat:Nominated for UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Creative Cities Network:Gwalior (music) and Kozhikode (literature) nominated to join.
Initiatives by India
- Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM):Celebrates 75 years of independence.
Programs under AKAM:
- Dhara Series:Conferences on India’s knowledge heritage.
- Qila Aur Kahaniya Campaign:Highlights the significance of forts in India’s history.
- Vitasta:Celebrates the narratives of the Jhelum river across multiple cities.
- Vibrant Villages Program:Provides firsthand experiences of life at the border.
- Significance of Caves:Conservation and restoration of ancient caves.
- Wonder Caves Campaign:Connects people with their historical roots.
- Kalanjali: Celebrating Art:Weekend program showcasing diverse cultural programs.
- Bharat Parv:Celebrates India’s diverse culture (organized by Ministry of Tourism).
- Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat (EBSB): Promotes cultural exchange.
EBSB Programs:
- Madhavpur Mela (Gujarat):Celebrates connection between North East and Gujarat.
- Kashi Tamil Sangamam & Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam:Foster cultural exchange.
- Vitasta: The Ever-Flowing Legacy of Kashmir:Celebrates the Jhelum river’s narratives.
- Events in Chennai, Pune, and Srinagar:Showcase Kashmiri culture, cuisine, and art forms.
Vibrant Villages Program:
- Offers firsthand experiences of life at the border (organized by Ministry of Culture).
- Includes Border Village festivals, quizzes, travel with youth groups, and local cultural activities.
- Organized trips in Ladakh, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and more.
Institutions Supporting Art & Culture in India
Lalit Kala Akademi (National Academy of Fine Arts)
- Apex body for visual arts in India.
- Promotes and showcases contemporary and modern Indian art.
- Presents exhibitions, educational programs, and maintains a:
- Library
- Art collection
- Archives
- Conservation laboratory
- Provides studios to artists in various disciplines (sculpture, graphics, ceramics, paintings).
- Example: Garhi Artists’ Studios in Delhi.
Sangeet Natak Akademi (National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama)
- Maintains archives of audio/video recordings, photographs, and a reference library.
- Establishes and oversees institutions of national importance in performing arts.
- Examples: Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, National School of Drama, Kathak Kendra.
- Fosters cultural exchanges nationally and internationally.
National School of Drama (NSD):
- Provides training in various aspects of theatre.
- Offers diverse drama curriculum.
- Explores creative avenues in young audiences.
- Conducts workshops across India, Nepal, Sikkim, Ladakh, and Bhutan.
Kalakshetra Foundation:
- Offers a serene environment for students to study arts.
- Known for its refined aesthetics and technique.
- Participated in various Festivals of India abroad.
Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters)
- Promotes literature across 24 Indian languages.
- Published over 7,000 books in 24 languages (original works and translations).
Awards and Recognition:
- Sahitya Akademi Award:Most prestigious literary award in India for outstanding books.
- Bhasha Samman:Recognizes contributions to languages not officially recognized by the Akademi (literature, research, translation).
- Translation Prize:Acknowledges exceptional translations across 24 languages.
- Bal Sahitya Puraskar:Honors outstanding contributions to children’s literature.
Institutions Supporting Art & Culture in India
National Institutions:
- Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA):
- Promotes understanding of arts & culture within broader social & environmental contexts.
- Rich collection across disciplines including archaeology, anthropology, and crafts.
- Offers postgraduate and certificate courses in various arts fields.
- Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT):
- Revitalizes education by fostering awareness of regional Indian cultures.
- Conducts training programs for educators on Indian art and culture.
- Implements Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme for outstanding children (10-14 years) in various art forms.
- Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs) (7 branches):
- Promote, preserve, and disseminate cultural awareness across India.
- Facilitate exchange of artists, scholars, and performers between regions (National Cultural Exchange Programme).
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
- Premier organization for archaeological research and heritage protection.
- Regulates archaeological activities and research in India.
- Maintains ancient monuments and archaeological sites.
- Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR):
- Shapes policies and programs related to India’s external cultural relations.
- Strengthens cultural ties and fosters understanding between India and other nations.
- National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities:
- Creates a National Database on Built Heritage and Sites for better management.
- National Mission for Manuscripts:
- Works on documentation, conservation, digitization, and dissemination of manuscripts.
- Indian Museum:
- India’s oldest and largest museum.
- Focuses on collecting, conserving, researching, and exhibiting artistic collections.
- Employs visitor-driven and community-oriented approaches.
- National Council of Science Museums (NCSM):
- Premier institution for science communication.
- Engages in science communication through exhibitions and educational programs.
- Aims to popularize science, inculcate scientific temper, and promote a culture of science.
Other Relevant Institutions
- Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture (RMIC): Promotes the message of Vedanta.
- Ministry of Tourism: Develops and promotes tourism in India.
- Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM): Provides specialized training for the tourism and travel industry.
- Indian Culinary Institute (ICI): Offers programs in culinary arts, documentation, and preservation of Indian cuisine.
- Incredible India Website: Provides information about India as a tourist destination.
- Dekho Apna Desh Initiative: Aims to create awareness about India’s rich heritage and encourage domestic travel.
- Swadesh Darshan Scheme: Provides financial assistance to develop tourism infrastructure in India.
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