CONTENTS
- Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) Fellowships and Awards
- School Soil Health Programme
Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) Fellowships and Awards
Context:
Recently, the President of India presented Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) Fellowships and Awards for the years 2022 and 2023 in New Delhi.
Relevance:
GS I: Art and Culture
Dimensions of the Article:
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship
- Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards
- Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship:
Prestigious Honour:
- The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship (Akademi Ratna Sadasyata) stands as the most prestigious honor conferred by the SNA.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Established individuals in the fields of music, dance, and drama are considered, with a stipulation that individuals below 50 years of age are not ordinarily considered for this fellowship.
Fellowship Benefits:
- The Akademi Fellowship includes a purse of Rs. 3.00 lakhs, a Tamrapatra (copper plaque), and an Angavastram (shawl).
Recommendation Process:
- Recommendations for the fellowship are received from current fellows of the Akademi and members of the General Council.
Seat Expansion:
- Initially comprising 30 seats, the General Council amended rules in 2010, adding 10 more seats over five years, with two seats added annually.
Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards:
Rich History:
- With a history spanning over 70 years, the SNA Awards honor practitioners, gurus, and scholars in music, dance, and drama, representing the nation’s highest achievements in these art forms.
Inception:
- Awards in Hindustani and Carnatic music were instituted in 1951, pre-dating the establishment of the Akademi and initially known as Presidential Awards.
Award Components:
- Each award includes a purse of Rs. 1.00 lakh, a Tamrapatra (copper plaque), and an Angavastram (shawl).
Annual Conferment:
- Currently, 41 awards are conferred annually, and over 1298 artists have been honored with Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards.
Sangeet Natak Akademi:
Establishment:
- Established in 1953, the SNA is the apex body dedicated to preserving and promoting India’s rich intangible heritage expressed through music, dance, and drama.
Founding Chairman:
- Created by a resolution of the Ministry of Education in 1952, Dr. P.V. Rajamannar served as its first Chairman.
Management Structure:
- Oversight is provided by the General Council, with the Chairman appointed by the President of India for a five-year term.
Office and Autonomy:
- The registered office is located at Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, operating autonomously under the Ministry of Culture.
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar:
- Recognizing excellence in artists under 40 in dance, music, and theatre, this award was introduced in 2006.
Cultural Heritage Preservation:
- More than 100 rare art forms facing extinction are revived through training programs under the name ‘Kala Deeksha’ by the Akademi.
School Soil Health Programme
Context:
Recently, the Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Union Minister for Rural Development inaugurated School Soil Health Programme, New Delhi.
Relevance:
GS II: Education
Dimensions of the Article:
- School Soil Health Programme
- Significance of School Soil Health Programme
School Soil Health Programme:
- The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in collaboration with the Department of School Education and Literacy, has initiated a pilot project focused on the School Soil Health Programme.
Key Features:
Pilot Project Implementation:
- Initiated with collaboration from the Department of School Education and Literacy, the pilot project established 20 soil labs in Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalaya schools in rural areas.
Study Modules and Training:
- Specialized study modules were developed, and training sessions were conducted for both students and teachers.
Customized Mobile Application:
- A mobile application tailored for the school programme was introduced, featuring a dedicated portal segment documenting all student activities.
Scaling Up to 1000 Schools:
- Following the successful pilot, the programme has been expanded to include 1000 schools, encompassing Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and Eklavya Model Schools.
Lab Setup by NABARD:
- The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, facilitated by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), will establish soil labs in these schools.
Student-led Soil Sampling and Testing:
- Students from the enrolled schools will actively collect soil samples, perform tests in the on-site labs, and generate Soil Health Cards.
Farmers’ Education:
- Following the card generation, students will take the initiative to educate farmers about the recommendations provided in the Soil Health Cards.
Significance of School Soil Health Programme:
Hands-on Learning Opportunities:
- The programme offers students the opportunity to conduct experiments, analyze soil samples, and explore the rich biodiversity within the soil.
Skill Development:
- Through practical engagement, students will develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of ecosystems.
