28 December 2024: Daily CA Updates

Belgaum Congress Session; GS-1 (History) ▪️Why in the News: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the Veera Soudhamemorial, the venue of the 1924 Belgaum Congress session, in Belagavi.

• The centenary of the historic 1924 Belagavi Session of the Indian National Congress (INC) is being commemorated in Belagavi, Karnataka.

• This session, the 39th of the INC, was held on December 26-27, 1924, in Belagavi and holds a unique place in India's history.

‣Key Highlights of the 1924 Session:

• Presidency of Mahatma Gandhi: Mahatma Gandhi presided over the session, marking the only time he held the position of Congress President.

• Notable Participants: The session was attended by prominent leaders such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu, and Khilafat leaders Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Shaukat Ali, among others:

‣significance of the Session:

• Promotion of Self-Reliance:

The emphasis on Khadi symbolized Gandhi's vision for a self-sufficient India. r Gandhi urged citizens to embrace spinning and weaving as a means to reduce dependence on British textiles and promote economic independence.

• Advocacy for Communal Harmony:

Gandhi emphasized the importance of communal harmony as a foundation for India's freedom and unity.

He promoted mutual respect among all communities, regardless of religion.

・ Organizational Reforms:

To make the Congress movement more inclusive, Gandhi reduced membership fees by 90%. This initiative encouraged greater participation from people across different economic backgrounds.

Veer Baal Diwas; GS-1 (History) ▪️Why in the news: The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi recently participated in

Veer Baal Diwas at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

‣ Date of Observation: Veer Baal Diwas is observed annually on December 26, starting from the year 2022.

‣ Purpose: The day is dedicated to honoring the martyrdom of Baba Fateh Singh and Zorawar Singh, the Sahibzade (sons) of Guru Gobind Singh Ji, who sacrificed their lives for their faith.

‣ Background:

• Escape from Anandpur Fort: Guru Gobind Singh, along with his family and followers, was forced to flee from Anandpur Fort as the Mughal forces surrounded it.

• Capture of Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh: During the turmoil, Guru Gobind Singh's youngest sons, Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh, were captured by the Mughal army.

• Martyrdom: Despite their young age, the brothers stood firm in their faith and refused to renounce it. As a result, Wazir Khan ordered them to be bricked alive around December 26, 1705.

• Government Recognition: In 2022, the Government of India declared December 26 as Veer Baal Diwas to honor and remember the bravery and sacrifice of the Sahibzade.

・ Who is Guru Gobind Singh?

• Position: Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th Sikh Guru, succeeding his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, who was the 9th Sikh Guru.

• Contributions to Sikhism:

• Foundation of Khalsa: Guru Gobind Singh is widely recognized for establishing the Khalsa, a community of initiated Sikhs, and for outlining the five key symbols of Khalsa, known as the Five 'K's:

• Kesh (uncut hair)

• Kanga (wooden comb)

• Kara (iron or steel bracelet)

・ Kirpan (dagger)

・Kachera (short breeches)

SVAMITVA Scheme: GS-2 (Governance) ▪️Why in the news: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will distribute over 50 lakh property cards under the SVAMITVA Scheme to property owners in over 46,000 villages.

‣ Introduction:

• The Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas

(SVAMITVA) is a central government initiative introduced in 2020:

• Its primary goal is to promote economic development in rural areas by providing property ownership documentation to households residing in village settlement areas.

The scheme employs advanced drone-based survey technology to achieve its

‣ Objectives of the SVAMITVA Scheme:

• Enhancing financial stability: By enabling rural citizens to use their properties as collateral for loans and other financial services.

• Accurate land records: Establishing precise land records to aid in rural planning and development.

• Property tax determination: Facilitating the calculation of property tax, directly benefiting Gram Panchayats (GPs) in states where tax collection is devolved or contributing to the state exchequer.

• Survey infrastructure creation: Developing robust survey infrastructure and GIS-based maps that various government departments can utilize.

‣ Key Features:

• Use of advanced technology: The scheme leverages drone technology for precise mapping and surveying of village properties.

Documentation of property rights: Provides 'Record of Rights' to rural households, offering legal recognition of property ownership.

Focus on rural development: Aims to streamline property management and rural governance through accurate mapping and data.

> Nodal Ministry: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPRoversees the implementation of the SVAMITVA Scheme, ensuring alignment with its goals and objectives.

Kaveri Engine; GS-3 (Science and Technology) ▪️Why in the news: The Kaveri engine developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment under the Defence Research and Development Organisation has been cleared for inflight testing.

> About:

• The Kaveri engine project was initiated in the late 1980s to provide indigenous propulsion for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

• It represents a significant milestone in India's efforts to achieve self-reliance in advanced aerospace technology.

‣ Development and Key Stakeholders: The engine is being developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

> Features of the Kaveri Engine:

• Thrust Generation:

‹ The dry version of the engine produces a thrust of approximately 49-51 kN.

‹ This level of thrust makes it well-suited for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) applications, such as the Ghatak stealth UCAV program.

• Plans are underway to integrate an afterburner to enhance the thrust to 73-75 kN for more demanding operational requirements.

‣ Significance of the Kaveri Engine:

• Self-Reliance in Aero-Engine Technology:

The Kaveri engine is a pivotal step in reducing India's dependence on foreign technologies for military aviation.

• Its development strengthens India's capabilities in designing and producing advanced engines for UAVs and other aircraft.