18-19-12-21 Daily-Odisha-OPSC Current Affairs

A three-feet tall stone sculpture of goddess Marichi, a broken Buddha idol, a stone pillar and other objects were unearthed from the riverbed of the Baitarani nearKunjabiharipur villageinJajpur districtduring sand mining.

Some workers found the objects while digging sand from the dry riverbed. “We found stonesculptures, broken stone idols, old bricks and other objects during sand mining in the river. After the objects were discovered, villagers stopped the mining work and helped remove the artefacts from the riverbed,” said Manomohan Das, a local resident.

The development, according to researchers, indicates that the village and its nearby areas were part of Buddhist sites. “The size of the stone sculpture of goddess Marichi, discovered here, is similar to the Marichi sculptures of Lalitgiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri. We believe all the objects are the remnants of a Buddha stupa of the eighth century. Since third century BC till the medieval period, flourished in Odisha. But it is difficult to ascertain exactly which period these artefacts belong to until archaeological department officials examine them,” said Nrusingh Sahoo, a noted researcher.

The DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) demonstrated the Controlled Aerial Delivery System.

Flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System was demonstrated by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE).

The System was of 500 kg capacity (CADS-500).

Demonstration of the flight was part of series of activities that were organised to celebrate Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.

System performance was demonstrated at Drop Zone, Malpura from an altitude of 5000m.

This system was para-dropped from AN32 aircraft. After that, it was steered to the predesignated landing point in autonomous mode.

Eleven paratroopers of Indian Army and Indian Air Force chased the system in air and landed simultaneously.

The Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG), under Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions is celebrating <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/good-Governance“>Good Governance Week 2021 on December 20-25.

The Good Governance Week is being organised in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Panchayati Raj & Rural Development.

It is being celebrated as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

On the occasion, Good Governance Week Portal will be launched and a booklet on 2-year achievements of DARPG will be released.

A film on Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur will also be screened.

The Good Governance Week is being organised with the objective of translating the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for Next Generation Administrative Reforms during Amrit Kaal period in all the Districts and Tehsils across the country.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs authorized the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for 2021-2026 on 15 December.

Highlights:

Rs.93,068 crores were spent on the scheme, and CCEA authorized Rs. 37,454 crore in government funding for states.

The debt servicing for a loan taken out by the Government of India to enhance Irrigation during PMKSY 2016-21 has been sanctioned at Rs 20,434.56 crore.

The Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP), Watershed Development, and Har Khet ko Paani (HKKP) components of the scheme have all been extended for 2021-2026.

in Kolkata has been added to UNESCO’S List of Intangible Cultural heritage for 2021.

Highlights:

This brings international recognition to the city’s 331-year-old Hindu festival and the state of West Bengal.

Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) applauded the UNESCO announcement since chief minister Mamata Banerjee is largely regarded as the festival’s most ardent supporter.

The number of items on the list of India’s Intangible Cultural Heritage has climbed to 14 with the addition of Durga Puja.

The has approved a proposal to raise the minimum age of marriage for Women from 18 to 21 years old.

Highlights:

Men must be 21 years old to marry, while women must be 18 years old.

To put the plan into reality, the government would look to change the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, the Special Marriage Act, and the Hindu Marriage Act.

India was working hard to reduce child marriages and improve the Health of its women. According to the survey, as many as 27% of Indian girls marry before they turn 18.

Simone Biles has been chosen Time magazine’s Athlete of the Year for the year 2021.

Highlights:

When she withdrew from four event finals at the Tokyo Olympics, the world’s most decorated gymnast, a four-time Olympic medalist, was praised for prioritizing her mental Health.

Despite the setback, the 24-year-old took silver in the team all-around and bronze in the balance beam in the Tokyo Olympics.

Hundreds of athletes, including Biles, have accused the FBI, USA Gymnastics, and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee of failing to halt the abuse.