Rapid Fire Current Affairs

• 14 Aug 2023

National Manuscripts Bill 2023

India's rich cultural heritage is encapsulated in its ancient manuscripts, which hold invaluable knowledge and historical significance. However, the loss and dispersal of many of these manuscripts, even beyond the country's borders, have raised concerns. In a significant move, the Indian government is gearing up to address this issue through the introduction of the National Manuscripts Bill, 2023.

• The primary objectives of the Bill include documenting and cataloguing Indian heritage texts worldwide, maintaining accurate information, and specifying consultation conditions.
• The bill proposes the establishment of a 10-member National Manuscripts Authority (NMA), chaired by the Culture Minister and including representatives from Culture, Finance, Education, and private agencies.
  • The NMA will oversee digitization, conservation, preservation, editing, and publication of manuscripts.
  • The NMA will possess civil court powers to regulate manuscript access, investigate thefts, and ensure protection against damage or theft.
  • The NMA can acquire manuscripts from private owners based on content importance, with compensation determined by an expert committee.
• Manuscripts is a handwritten composition on materials like palm leaf, paper, cloth, and bark, in Sanskrit and regional languages, dating back at least 75 years.
• India possesses approximately 10 million manuscripts in 80 ancient scripts, with the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) responsible for preservation.
  • The Bakhshali manuscript, an ancient mathematical text, showcases the early use of zero and dates back to the third or fourth century A.D.

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India's ODOP Wall

Recently, through a collaborative effort between One District One Product (ODOP) and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), the 'ODOP Wall' has been introduced. This initiative aligns with highlighting India's exceptional craft heritage globally.

• 'ODOP Wall' aims to showcase India's craft uniqueness worldwide.
• ODOP initiative focuses on promoting one unique product from each district, fostering balanced regional development.
• Diverse range of products covered, including handlooms, handicrafts, and agricultural products.
• Collaboration identifies and promotes products with cultural significance and unique qualities.
• Boosts sales, and supports rural self-help groups (SHGs) and indigenous crafts.

Read more: One District One Product (ODOP)

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The Centrifugal Force

The centrifugal force, an outward force experienced by an object that is in motion along a curved or circular path, is not a true force but a result of inertia, the tendency for an object to maintain its state of motion.

• This perceived force arises when an object moves along a curved path, always pointing away from the center of rotation.
• While not a genuine force like gravity or magnetism, it emerges from an object's resistance to altering its direction.
  • This principle finds ingenious applications in various fields. Industries like pharmaceuticals, dairy, and nuclear energy utilize centrifuges to exploit this resistance.
    • Washing machine, which dries clothes in the spin cycle by expelling water from them using the centrifugal force.

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Vindhyagiri

On 17th August 2023, the President of India will launch the Vindhyagiri, a Project 17A Frigate, at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited in Kolkata.

• This vessel, the sixth in the Project 17A Frigate series, takes its name from the Karnataka mountain range.
• These frigates are an evolution of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), featuring enhanced stealth capabilities, advanced weaponry, sensors, and platform management systems.
  • The technologically sophisticated Vindhyagiri pays tribute to its predecessor, the former INS Vindhyagiri, a Leander Class ASW Frigate.
• In line with the nation's commitment to self-reliance, a significant 75% of equipment and system orders for the Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Read more: Project 17A