• 23 Aug 2025

Inauguration of the Kunj

Why in News? 

Union Minister of Textiles Shri Giriraj Singh inaugurated “The Kunj”, a flagship retail and cultural destination dedicated to celebrating and promoting the diverse heritage of Indian handicrafts and handlooms, located in New Delhi. 

Key Points 

• About: The Kunj is a pioneering initiative focused on empowering artisans, improving market access, and reimagining the craft sector with a design-driven, experiential approach. 
  • Conceived and developed by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), this initiative aims to transform the craft sector through its unique design-led perspective. 
• It is India's first initiative of its kind, designed to promote crafts on a large scale, aligning with the central government's vision of taking artisans "from gaon to global." 
• The Kunj marks the start of a three-month inaugural celebration, offering a curated mix of retail showrooms, live craft demonstrations, artisan-led workshops, culinary experiences, and immersive exhibitions. 
• The success of this initiative is anticipated to serve as a model for similar projects across India, strengthening the country's role as a global hub for traditional craftsmanship and handmade excellence. 

Discovery of Fossils in Jaisalmer

Why in News? 

Workers excavating a pond in Fatehpur, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, may have uncovered fossils of a winged reptile from the Jurassic period, potentially 180 million years ago, which could redefine the fossil landscape of western India. 

Key Points 

• About: Villagers discovered a "large bone-like structure" and stone fossils as hard as wood, with geologists estimating the creature to be 8 to 10 feet long, and the structure itself measuring 6 to 7 feet. 
  • Experts believe these remains might be vertebrate fossils, possibly from a flying herbivorous dinosaur. 
• Significance: The fossils may represent the first flying reptile discovered in the Lathi Formation of Jaisalmer. 
  • The Lathi Formation is renowned for its abundant fossil deposits, providing valuable insights into life during the Jurassic period (around 180 to 200 million years ago). 
  • This discovery would add a new dimension to the region’s fossil map, complementing previous findings from Akal and Thaiyat, which are also believed to be from the dinosaur era. 
  • Teams from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) are set to examine the fossils in detail to determine their exact age and species.

UP Police's Savera Yojana

Why in News? 

In observance of World Senior Citizens' Day on 21st August 2025, the UP Police's emergency wing, UP-112, launched a special initiative to reconnect with elderly residents enrolled in the Savera Yojana. 

• The initiative focused on ensuring the safety, well-being, and dignity of senior citizens by conducting wellness checks and providing on-the-ground support. 
• Police teams across districts contacted thousands of enrolled senior citizens to inquire about their health, safety concerns, and any challenges they were experiencing. 

Savera Yojana 

• Launched: The initiative was launched by Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath on 26th October 2019.  
• Objective: It aims to establish a regular community-connect with the citizens and resolve their personal and collective problems at the initial stage itself, in order to create a sense of security and safety among the citizens. 
• Registration: Senior citizens can call UP-112 to register, and upon registration, they will receive security assistance from the nearest Police Station or Police Response Vehicle if needed. 
• Special Cell: A special Senior Citizen Cell has been constituted at the district level and in every police station to help resolve issues concerning senior citizens. 

World Senior Citizen Day 

• World Senior Citizen Day is celebrated every year on 21st August to acknowledge the contributions of senior citizens, raise awareness about the challenges they face globally, and highlight the growing importance of the silver economy. 
  • Silver Economy refers to all economic activities, goods, and services catering to senior citizens. 
• World Senior Citizen Day began in 1988 when US President Reagan designated 21st August to honor seniors and promote supportive policies. 
• It is different from the International Day of Older Persons. The United Nations General Assembly designated 1st October as the International Day of Older Persons, which was first observed in 1991. 

National Space Day Celebration

Why in News? 

On National Space Day, observed on 23rd August, all schools in Lucknow celebrated India's advancements in space science. 

• A new educational module, India - A Rising Space Power, developed by NCERT, was also launched as part of the celebration. 
• The event aims to inspire students toward careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), with special assemblies, exhibitions, workshops, and online/offline sessions with experts.  
• Resources like Diksha, Nishtha and the India on the Moon portal will also be used to keep students informed about space exploration. 

National Space Day 

• About: The National Space Day commemorates the successful soft landing of the Chandrayaan-3 Mission's Vikram Lander and the deployment of the Pragyan Rover on the Moon on 23rd August 2023.  
  • With the launch of Chandrayaan-3, India became the fourth nation to successfully land on the Moon and the first to reach its southern polar region. 
  • India celebrated its first National Space Day on 23rd August 2024. 
• Theme 2025: Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities 
• Events:  
  • The National Meet 2025, themed "Leveraging Space Technology for Viksit Bharat 2047," gathered leaders to explore space tech’s role in advancing national priorities across various sectors. 
  • Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) organised a workshop with the theme "Aryabhatta to Gaganyaan: Ancient Wisdom to Infinite Possibilities." 
• Significance: It highlights India's space exploration capabilities and aims to inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), contributing to India's ongoing space endeavours. 

Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) Technique

Why in News? 

The Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) is improving the road using Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) technique to address persistent pothole issues and ensure a smoother journey for visitors to the Bhojpur temple in Bhopal. 

Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) 

• About: FDR is a process similar to "recycling" roads. Rather than discarding old asphalt, the technique grinds up the existing road material and mixes it with underlying soil. 
  • This mixture forms the foundation for the new road, creating a fresh, durable surface. 
• Reinforcement: To further strengthen the base, a binder such as cement, lime, or asphalt emulsion is added.  
  • This binder acts like glue, holding the materials together and ensuring a solid foundation that can withstand heavy traffic and weather conditions. 
• Benefits of Full Depth Reclamation: 
  • Cost-Effectiveness: The technique is economical as it reuses existing materials, reducing the need for new resources. 
  • Durability: The stabilised base layer can endure wear and tear for a long period, providing a sustainable solution to the road’s upkeep.

Bhojpur Temple

• It is situated in Bhojpur, Raisen District, Madhya Pradesh. 
• It was built in the 11th century by Raja Bhoj of the Paramara dynasty. 
• It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites tentative list in 2024.

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