THE NIHANGS: ONCE VALIANT WARRIORS
Why in news? The Patiala incident in which a group of Nihangs attacked a Punjab police party and chopped off the hand of an assistant sub-inspector when stopped for a curfew pass, and the subsequent seizure of weapons and narcotics, has put the spotlight on the Nihangs. Who is a Nihang? Nihang is an order […]
AMBEDKAR AND THE POONA PACT
Introduction to Poona Pact In late September 1932, B.R. Ambedkar negotiated the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi. The background to the Poona Pact was the Communal Award of August 1932, which, among other things, reserved 71 seats in the central legislature for the depressed classes. Gandhi, who was opposed to the Communal Award, saw it […]
TABLIGHI JAMAAT: ITS PURPOSE, HOW IT RUNS
Over 200 have tested positive for COVID-19 from among 4,000-odd who had gathered in Delhi’s Markaz Nizamuddin, the headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat. What is Tablighi Jamaat? Tablighi Jamaat, which literally means a society for spreading the faith, is a Sunni Islamic missionary movement. The proselytising movement aims to reach out to ordinary Muslims and […]
ANALYSIS| HOW PANDEMICS HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD
Introduction to influence of Pandemics in history Pandemics have had great influence in shaping human society and politics throughout history. From the Justinian Plague of sixth century to the Spanish flu of last century, pandemics have triggered the collapse of empires, weakened pre-eminent powers and institutions, created social upheaval and brought down wars. Justinian Plague […]
INDIA TO RECEIVE NORMAL MONSOON, MAY BE LATE IN MANY STATES: IMD
Why in news? India will likely have a normal monsoon, with a chance of ‘above normal’ rain in August and September, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on 15th April 2020. The monsoon is arriving late in many States and exiting even later, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said at its annual monsoon forecast conference. […]
BRO OPENS STRATEGIC SRINAGAR-LEH HIGHWAY
Why in news? Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened strategic Srinagar-Leh highway that connects Ladakh with the rest of the world on 11th April 2020. About 18 oil tankers and other essential commodities were initially allowed to move towards Leh/Ladakh from Zojilla pass. This was managed despite fresh snowfall in the Zojila pass. Details Snowfall of […]
RED ARMY KEEPS VIRUS AT BAY IN NORTHEAST
Why in news? A ‘red army’ of wise old men and women are helping villages across some hill States in the northeast keep the novel coronavirus away. ‘Red Army’ of the Northeast Gaon buras (male villager elder) and Gaon buris (female village elder) — usually referred to as GBs — “formed a shield” between the […]
ANNUAL RAM NAVAMI MELA IN AYODHYA
Why in news? The Uttar Pradesh government is yet to clarify if the annual Ram-Navami Mela in Ayodhya scheduled from March 25 would take place as per tradition amid an outbreak of COVID-19. Ram-Navami Mela: Ayodhya and River Sarayu Rama Navami is a spring Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of lord Rama. He is […]
NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART CELEBRATES 66 YEARS
Why in news? National Gallery of Modern Art has celebrated 66 years by launching virtual tour of its permanent collection amid lock down. It is for the first time that National Gallery of Modern Art has provided the facility of virtual tour of its permanent collection to art lovers. Background: NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART: […]
NAVROZ
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has greeted nation on the occasion of Navroz. Which is the Iranian new year. Many ethno- linguistic communities around the world irrespective of their religious background observe it as a start of new year.