CURRENT AFFAIRS 11 July, 2024
- WORLD’S LARGEST RAMAYAN TEMPLE IN BIHAR –
- The second part of building the Viraat Ramayan Mandir in East Champaran, Bihar, has begun. This is a big step toward building what will likely be the biggest Ramayan temple in the world. This phase began on July 09 and comes after the first phase, which was finished successfully in just 10 months.
- It is expected that the Viraat Ramayan Mandir project, which began in June 2023, will cost around ₹500 crore. The temple will be three times the size of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, which is a big difference. It will cover a huge area of 3.76 lakh sq. ft. Some of the historical sites that the temple’s architecture is based on are Angkor Wat in Cambodia and the famous Indian temples in Rameswaram and Madurai.
- One thing that will make the temple stand out is that it will have the world’s biggest shivling, which is 33 feet tall, inside the sanctum sanctorum. The plan includes 22 sanctum sanctorums for different gods, showing how religious the temple is in a broad sense. The temple building will also have 22 smaller temples that are each dedicated to a different important character from the Ramayana.
- WHAT IS PROJECT 2025? –
- The Heritage Foundation has come up with a big, controversial plan called Project 2025. It is meant to change the way the US government works in case Donald Trump runs for a second term. Much of the evidence points to close ties between Trump and the project’s contributors, despite his claims that they are not connected.
- As the US elections get closer, Project 2025 has gotten more attention because it has some very extreme ideas and is linked to former President Donald Trump. Trump, on the other hand, has officially distanced himself from the project, even though he has strong administrative ties to it.
- Project 2025 wants to make big changes to the US federal system, like giving the president more power and changing what it means to work for the government. The group wants the US to take a strong stance against China, build up its nuclear arsenal, and cut back on foreign aid, especially when it comes to what it calls “woke” ideas.
- NATO MILITARY ALLIANCE –
- President Joe Biden and other leaders from NATO met in Washington, D.C., to celebrate NATO’s 75th anniversary, even though Russia is still fighting in Ukraine. NATO’s backing for Ukraine during the biggest land war in Europe in decades was the main goal of this meeting.
- Establishment and Collective Defense: NATO, or the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was established on April 4, 1949. Its Article 5, which calls for collective defense, was invoked for the first time after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the U.S.
- Membership and Activities: In 2021, NATO has 30 member countries, with North Macedonia being the latest to join. The organization conducts over 3,000 civilian and military exercises and training sessions annually.
- BSF, CISF REAFFIRMS 10% CAPFS RESERVATION FOR AGNIVEERS –
- The first batch of Agniveers will be eligible for recruitment in CAPFs such as CISF, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles in 2026.
- Candidates between the age of 17.5 years to 21 years will be eligible for enrolling in the Agnipath scheme.
- Only 25% of Agniveers who are absorbed into the forces after 4 years will receive pension.
- NAGALAND CROWNED BEST STATE IN HORTICULTURE: AGRICULTURE LEADERSHIP AWARDS 2024-
- In a significant recognition of its efforts in agricultural development, Nagaland has been awarded the title of best state in horticulture at the prestigious Agriculture Leadership Awards 2024. This accolade highlights the state’s commitment to innovative agricultural practices and rural development.
- The Agriculture Leadership Awards, instituted in 2008, are annual recognitions that celebrate excellence and leadership in agricultural development and rural prosperity. The 2024 awards ceremony took place as part of the 15th Agriculture Leadership Conclave held in New Delhi.
- Nagaland’s victory in the horticulture category stems from its outstanding work in introducing innovative programmes and policies for horticulture development. These initiatives have had a tangible positive impact on the lives of many farmers and rural residents in the state