1. Shore Temple of Tamil Nadu has become India's first Green Energy Archaeological Site

Current Context: Recently, the historic Shore Temple in Tamil Nadu’s Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram), achieved a significant milestone by becoming India’s first green energy archaeological site.

Key Points:  

• Dating back to the 7th century, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the oldest stone temples in South India.
• This has been made possible through the successful implementation of the Green Heritage Project, a collaborative initiative between the Renault Nissan Technology & Business Centre India (Renault Nissan Tech) and Hand in Hand India (HiH).
• The Shore Temple will be illuminated using clean and sustainable solar power.
• Apart from illuminating the shore temple, the project also focuses on enhancing the overall visitor experience and minimising the ecological footprint of tourism in the area.

About Shore Temple: 

• It was built probably in the reign (700-728 CE) of Narasimhavarman II, also known as Rajasimha (Pallava ruler).
• It is located on the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu.
• It has two shrines, one dedicated to Vishnu and the other to Shiva.
• It was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

2. Phase II of the Amazon Future Engineer Programme

Current context: Recently, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), under Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, launched the Phase II of the ‘Amazon Future Engineer Programme’.

Key Points:

• It was launched in 54 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) spread across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana.
• The second phase would include an Advanced Block Programming and Artificial Intelligence curriculum that is aligned with the CBSE skill education.
• It is a huge step towards ensuring that the succeeding tribal generations become well-equipped to leverage digital opportunities.
• Collaboration between Amazon Future Engineer programme and NESTS, has the potential to bridge the academic gap existing among tribal communities, ensuring their successful careers in emerging technologies.
• Amazon Future Engineer Programme Phase I-a two-day face-to-face training workshop was held on 28th & 29th December 2022 in New Delhi.

3. India’s First Lighthouse Festival Opens in Goa

Current Context: Recently, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the maiden edition of ‘Bharatiya Prakash Sthamb Utsav’ or Indian Lighthouse Festival at the historic Fort Aguada in Panjim, Goa on 23rd September 2023.

Key Points: 

• The festival is aimed at rejuvenating the rich maritime history of India’s 75 iconic lighthouses and unravel the illustrious stories to the world.
• It is also aimed to promote lighthouses as tourism destinations and to create opportunities for local communities and businesses.
• The Government is aiming to leverage the Indian Lighthouse Festival to shore up base for Public Private Partnership route to develop the historic into world class tourist destinations.
• The key highlights of India’s First Lighthouse Festival are cultural exhibitions, session highlighting maritime history and culture, classical performances, light and sound shows, melodious evenings with celebrity singers, flavours of the coast and community engagements.

4. UP Achieves 100% ODF Plus Coverage under Swachh Bharat Mission (G)

Current context: Recently, Uttar Pradesh has achieved another major milestone under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II with all 95,767 villages in the State i.e., 100% villages achieving ODF Plus status. 

Key Points:

• This achievement of 100 % is marked during ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) – 2023 campaign.
• About 4.4 lakh (75%) villages across the nation have declared themselves ODF Plus, which is a significant step towards achieving the SBM-G phase II goals by 2024-25.
• Uttar Pradesh picked up momentum in current financial year, as on 1st January 2023, the State had only 15,088 villages that had been declared ODF Plus.
• Overall, so far, 15,649 villages have arrangements for solid waste management, and 95,048 villages have arrangements for liquid waste management.

5. Ministry of Women & Child Development to observe “Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath”

Current context: On 01st October 2023, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has actively participated in "Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath" as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign, marking the 9th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Key Points:

• The Swachh Bharat Mission, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, has launched the "Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) - 2023" program, which runs from 15th September to 2nd October 2023.
• The theme of SHS-2023 is to achieve a "Garbage Free India" by highlighting visible, high-level cleanliness through Shramdaan and Jan Bhagidari.
• These cleanliness drives will predominantly target public areas such as public spaces near Anganwadi Centres, bus stands, railway stations, beaches, tourist destinations, riverfronts, ghats, drains, etc. in both rural and urban areas of the States and Union Territories.
• Moreover, drives in Anganwadi centers are also being organized to raise awareness about cleanliness and hygiene among children, pregnant women, and lactating women.

6. Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign’ Becomes ‘Jan Andolan’

Current context: Recently, India has celebrated the fortnight (from 15th September to 02nd October, 2023) festival of cleanliness with the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2023 campaign themed ‘Garbage-Free India’.

About

• The campaign jointly organized by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), aims to create a mass movement for cleanliness and sanitation through community participation.
• It also serves as a prelude to Swachh Bharat Diwas on 2nd October, with nationwide participation.
• Till date, over 32 crore individuals have participated in the nationwide campaign over the last 14 days, averaging around 2.3 crore people participation per day across the country.
• This ‘Jan Andolan’ is achieving abundant outcomes for the nation including declaration of 75% of India’s villages as ODF Plus i.e., sustaining Open Defecation Free status of villages along with making arrangements for either solid or liquid waste management.
• It also highlights the unwavering commitment of communities and the Government towards sanitation and cleanliness.

7. First Edition of Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show

Current Context: On September 21, 2023, the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the first edition of Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show at Greater Noida in the presence of Governor of State Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Key Points:

• It was organized at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida from 21st to 25th September, 2023.
• More than 2000 manufacturers displayed their products and more than 400 buyers from 66 countries participated in this trade show.
• The products covered diverse sectors, namely ODOP (One District One Product), healthcare, food processing, pharma, dairy, electronics and e-commerce.
• This event would become a powerful medium for the manufacturers and entrepreneurs of Uttar Pradesh to establish their reach in the national and international markets.
• Women entrepreneurs have also showcased their products.
• Uttar Pradesh ranks first among all the states with more than 96 lakh MSMEs.

8. 4th Nadi Utsav

Current Context: The 4th Nadi Utsav, an attempt to document riverine culture, its traditions, rituals, and water wisdom, commenced from September 22nd to September 24th, 2023 at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• Nadi Utsav organized by the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM) of IGNCA and the Janapada Sampada Division.
• This year's 'Nadi Utsav' hosted in Delhi situated on the banks of River Yamuna.
• The three-day event featured a wide range of programs including Cultural Performances, a book fair, a documentary film festival, and a puppet show.
• It also showcased exhibition events featuring pictures, Sanjhi Art, and paintings by school children, all around the theme of river conservation.
• Aim is to spread awareness regarding the water bodies amongst the youth and public.

Previous Nadi Utsav: The 'Nadi Utsav' was first celebrated in the year 2018.

• 1st Utsav was celebrated at Nashik in Maharashtra on the banks of River Godavari.
• 2nd Utsav was celebrated at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on the banks of River Krishna.
• 3rd Utsav was celebrated at Munger in Bihar on the banks of River Ganga.