Why is it in the News?

During his two-day visit to UAE, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the BAPS Swaminarayan temple in Abu Dhabi, the first Hindu temple in the Gulf nation.

Context:

• Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the (BAPS) temple, the first-ever Hindu temple in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• The iconic stone temple is located in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway.
• The inauguration of the 108-ft high temple marks a significant moment for the Hindu community in UAE and the two countries’ bilateral ties.

What is BAPS?

• Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) is a socio-spiritual Hindu organisation founded on the principles of practical spirituality.
• The temple was built by the organisation, a denomination of the Swaminarayan Sampradaya, a Vaishnav sect of Hinduism.
• With over 3,850 centres globally, BAPS has garnered national and international recognition, including affiliation with the United Nations.
• Through vows of abstinence and purity, BAPS fosters a foundation for humanitarian endeavours, caring for societies, families, and individuals.

What Does BAPS Do?

• The BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha views spirituality as its core mission. Through gradual steps, it strives to draw individuals closer to God.
• In collaboration with BAPS Charities, the organization extends its outreach globally, addressing diverse humanitarian needs.
  • From education to healthcare and environmental concerns, practical solutions are offered to real-world problems, impacting lives on both macro and micro scales.
• BAPS has a network of around 1,550 temples across the world, including the Akshardham temples in New Delhi and Gandhinagar, and Swaminarayan temples in London, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Nairobi.

Who is Swami Narayan?

• Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s life and work have not only influenced communities in Gujarat, India but have affected change throughout the world. 
• He reestablished Hindu Sanatan Dharma, cleansing traditions and rituals of the impurities that had seeped in over time. 
• His contributions have been hailed by Hindus and dignitaries of other faiths as truly transforming the lives of millions of individuals. 
• He improved societal standards and, most importantly, the innate nature of people, eradicating them from lust, anger, greed, and envy. 
• Bhagwan Swaminarayan’s teachings transcended borders, rejuvenating Hindu traditions worldwide.

What are the Features of the (BAPS) Temple?

• The Abu Dhabi temple is a traditional stone Hindu temple with seven shikhars.
• Built in the traditional Nagar style, the temple’s front panel depicts universal values, stories of harmony from different cultures, Hindu spiritual leaders and avatars.
• Spread over 27 acres, the temple complex is on 13.5 acres
  • The 13.5 acres of land was gifted by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE in 2019.
• The height of the temple is 108 ft, its length 262 ft and its width 180 ft.
• While the external facade uses pink sandstone from Rajasthan, the interior uses Italian marble.
• A total of 20,000 tonnes of stones and marble were shipped in 700 containers for the temple.
  • More than Rs 700 crore was spent on the temple’s construction.
• The temple has two central domes, Dome of Harmony and Dome of Peace, emphasizing human coexistence through the carvings of earth, water, fire, air, and plants.
• A Wall of Harmony, one of the largest 3D-printed walls in the UAE, features a video showcasing key milestones of the temple’s construction.
  • The word ‘harmony’ has been written in 30 different ancient and modern languages.
• The seven shikhars (spires) are representative of the seven Emirates of the UAE.
• Other amenities include an assembly hall with a capacity of 3,000 people, a community centre, exhibitions, classrooms, and a majlis venue.

What are the Key Architectural Features?

• The temple was judged the Best Mechanical Project of the Year 2019 at the MEP Middle East Awards, and the Best Interior Design Concept of the Year 2020.
• Among the key architectural features are 96 bells and galumphs installed around the path leading to the temple.
  • These 96 bells are a tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 96 years of life.
  • Nano tiles have been used, which will be comfortable for visitors to walk on even in the hot weather.
• On the top left of the temple is a stone carving of the scene of Pramukh Swami Maharaj envisioning the temple in Abu Dhabi in 1997.
• Non ferrous material (which is more vulnerable to corrosion) has been used in the temple.
• While many different types of pillars can be seen in the temple, such as circular and hexagonal, there is a special pillar, called the ‘Pillar of Pillars’, which has around 1,400 small pillars carved into it.
• Buildings surrounding the temple are modern and monolithic, with their colour resembling sand dunes.
• Deities from all four corners of India have been featured in the temple.
  • These include Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, Lord Shiv, Parvati, Ganpati, Kartikeya, Lord Jagannath, Lord Radha-Krishna, Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj (Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami), Tirupati Balaji and Padmavati and Lord Ayappa.
• The temple also has some special features, like a ‘holy river’ surrounding it, for which waters from Ganga and Yamuna have been brought in.
  • The river Saraswati has been depicted in the form of white light.
  • A Varanasi-like ghat has been created where the ‘Ganga’ passes.
• Apart from 15 value tales from Indian civilisation, stories from the Maya civilisation, Aztec civilisation, Egyptian civilisation, Arabic civilisation, European civilisation, Chinese civilisation and African civilisation have been depicted.

What is the Significance of the Temple?

• A Muslim king donated land for a Hindu Mandir, where the lead architect is a Catholic Christian, the project manager a Sikh, the foundational designer a Buddhist, the construction company a Parsi group, and the director comes from the Jain tradition.

Religious Significance:

• First Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi: This marks a historic milestone for the Hindu community in the UAE, providing them with a dedicated place of worship and cultural centre.
• Symbol of religious tolerance: The temple's inauguration signifies the UAE's growing acceptance and appreciation of religious diversity, fostering interfaith dialogue and understanding.

Cultural Significance:

• Strengthens India-UAE ties: The temple stands as a symbol of the strong cultural and diplomatic relations between India and the UAE, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation.
• Promotes Indian culture: The temple serves as a platform to educate the UAE community about Indian art, architecture, and traditions, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.

Social Significance:

• Provides a sense of belonging: The temple offers a space for the Hindu community to gather, celebrate festivals, and connect with their cultural roots, fostering a sense of belonging and identity.
• Promotes social integration: The temple's open-door policy welcomes people of all faiths, encouraging social interaction and understanding between different communities in the UAE.
• Strengthens social fabric: The temple's emphasis on values like compassion, service, and community engagement contributes to strengthening the social fabric of UAE society.

Overall, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Abu Dhabi represents a significant step forward in religious tolerance, cultural exchange, and community building in the UAE. It serves as a testament to the growing understanding and appreciation between India and the UAE, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.

Why is it in the News?

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) put its first polarimetry mission X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) in a precise circular orbit of 650 km on Monday (January 1) after a 21-minute flight.

Context:

• As the world welcomed the first morning of 2024, ISRO's launch vehicle successfully placed a new X-ray payload, XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite), into orbit for astronomical research.
• XPoSat is the world’s second satellite-based mission dedicated to making X-ray polarimetry measurements.
• If the mission proceeds as planned, this entirely indigenous instrument in design and fabrication will mark another significant achievement for Indian astronomers.

What is XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite)?

• X-ray Polarimeter Satellite (XPoSat) is India’s first  and world’s second mission dedicated to analysing the polarisation of X-rays emanating from bright celestial sources in the medium frequency band.
• XPoSat comprises two payloads, including Indian X-ray Polarimeter (POLIX) and X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing (XSPECT).
• They have been built by Raman Research Institute and UR Rao Satellite Centre, both located in Bengaluru.
• The spacecraft is designated for observation from low earth orbit (~ 650 km, low inclination of ~ 6 degree).
• It has an estimated mission life of about five years during which XPoSat will observe sources that emit polarised X-rays.
• The observations will be done when the magnetars or neutron stars (they are highly magnetic and display a wide array of X-ray activity) are in transit through the Earth’s shadow, for instance, during the eclipse period.

What are the Two Scientific Payloads Onboard XPoSat?

• POLIX: It is the world’s first instrument designed to operate in the medium X-ray of 8 to 30 kilo electron Volt (keV) energy band.
• It comprises a collimator, which is the key component to filter light originating from bright sources in the field of view.
• Moreover, there is a scatterer consisting of four X-ray proportional counter detectors (that prevent the trapped light from escaping).
• It will observe a few tens of astronomical sources. It was conceived, designed, and built at RRI.
• XSPECT: It is designed to conduct fast timing and high spectroscopic resolution in a soft X-ray energy band (0.8-15 keV).
• It will observe a variety of sources like X-ray pulsars, black hole binaries, low-magnetic field neutron stars, active galactic nuclei or AGNs (a compact region at the centre of a galaxy that emits a significant amount of energy across the electromagnetic spectrum) and magnetars.

Why is the XPoSat Mission Significant?

• Till now, astronomers have largely used and depended on spectroscopic, imaging and timing–based data obtained from either ground-based telescopes or satellite-based missions from the optical to the radio frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum.
• Polarisation of celestial sources was done either in the optical or radio bands.
• XPoSat, however, will be a game-changer and facilitate X-ray polarisation measurements possible from bright sources, that too, in the medium energy band (8-30 keV) energy range – which has never been attempted ever before.
• The XPoSat team has identified several tens of sources radiating X-rays.
• XPoSat will observe two kinds of sources:
• Persistent sources (targeted and known sources) and
• Transient sources (pulsars, active galactic nuclei, magnetars).
• Out in space, X-rays get polarised due to multiple causes.
• For example, X-rays when subject to strong magnetic fields or due to the interactions with material present around black holes.
• So, by studying the polarised X-rays emanating from excellent sources like magnetars, black holes and their surrounding environments, and neutron stars, scientists can probe the nature of the radiations and the multitudes of processes involved in the generation of these radiations.
• POLIX will undertake important measurements like the degree and angle of polarisation of X-ray photons from the environment surrounding black holes, neutron stars, and other such cosmic entities.
• These two additional parameters, along with the spectrographic, timing and imaging data, will aid researchers to overall improve the present understanding of the celestial bodies and ultimately unravel some of the unknown mysteries of the Universe.

What is the Polarisation of X-rays and Why Study It?

• X-rays comprise electric and magnetic waves that are constantly in motion.
• Being sinusoidal waves, they do not follow a patterned direction of motion.
• Whereas, a polarised X-ray is both organised and has two waves vibrating in the same direction.
• When magnetars or black holes emit X-rays, they encounter a wide variety of materials in the Universe.
• As X-rays pass through the thick cloud of materials, the electric component of the X-ray emits a photon in a changed direction, as it has now undergone scattering.
• In the process, the new photon has got polarised in a direction perpendicular to the plane formed between the original and scattered photon.
• The polarisation measurements – angular and degree of polarisation – are believed to provide clues about the bright X-ray emitting sources the nature of these radiations and the complex process they undergo.
• X-rays are electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is 0.01-10 nanometres (where 1 nanometre is one-billionth of a metre), corresponding to energies of 100-100,000 electron-volt (eV).
• Electromagnetic radiation is characterised by an electric field and a magnetic field vibrating perpendicular to each other.
• The polarisation of electromagnetic radiation refers to the orientation of these two fields as the radiation moves through space.
• X-rays can be polarised when they get scattered.
• For example, when an X-ray travelling through space encounters an atom, the electric field of the X-ray can energise an electron, which will then emit a photon.
• Since X-rays are also photons, the new photon will give the impression that an X-ray photon has been scattered.
• Polarised X-rays are also produced when the path of a fast-moving charged particle is bent by a magnetic field.
• Studying these X-rays can reveal which way the magnetic field is pointing, and tracking how these X-rays evolve in time can reveal many things about the body producing such fields, like a pulsar.

How Does XPoSat Compare With X-ray Experiments or Missions Globally?

• Missions on X-ray polarisation measurements have been a handful, the world over.
• Some like HX-POL and XL-Calibur have been balloon-based and short-duration experiments by NASA and collaborators.
• Indian astronomers, using AstroSat which is India’s first astronomy-based space mission launched in September 2015 — performed timing and broadband spectroscopy of X-ray sources but no polarisation studies were performed.
• The lack of development of highly sensitive and precise instruments makes missions for polarisation measurements of X-rays extremely challenging, thus fewer missions have been attempted so far.
• In 2021, NASA launched Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE).
• It has been designed to operate and perform X-ray polarisation measurements within the soft X-ray band (2 to 8 keV energy band).
• Besides complementing IXPE, XPoSat’s payload POLIX will offer an expanded observational energy band, as it is designated to perform X-ray polarisation in the medium X-ray band (8 to 30 keV).

Conclusion

The accomplished launch of XPoSat and the deployment of POLIX mark a substantial advancement in India's commitment to excelling in space-based X-ray astronomy. With the inventive design of POLIX and its capability to investigate lower energy X-rays, coupled with its collaboration with NASA's instrument, Indian astronomers find themselves at the forefront of unravelling the enigmas surrounding pulsars and black holes. As XPoSat embarks on its cosmic scanning mission, the scientific community is eagerly anticipating the valuable insights it is poised to deliver.

Why is it in the News?

Ahead of Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, the Baiga Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) recently became the second to get habitat rights in the state, after the Kamar PVTG.

Context:

• Chhattisgarh has granted habitat rights to the Baiga Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), marking them as the second PVTG to receive such rights in the state, following the Kamar PVTG.
• This development affects seven PVTGs residing across 17 districts in Chhattisgarh, namely Kamar, Baiga, Pahadi Korba, Abujhmadiya, Birhor, Pando, and Bhujia.
• Specifically, 19 Baiga villages, home to 6,483 individuals across 2,085 families, have been granted these habitat rights.

About the Baiga Tribe:

• The Baiga Tribe stands among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and is distributed across Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Traditionally, the Baiga led a semi-nomadic lifestyle and engaged in slash-and-burn cultivation.
• Presently, their livelihood primarily hinges on minor forest produce.
• Their agricultural practices include a form of shifting cultivation known as "Bewar."
• Notably, ‘Mahua’ holds significance in Baiga cuisine and beverages, as it is an intoxicant derived from fermenting and distilling the flowers of the Mahua tree.
• Tattooing plays a pivotal role in Baiga culture, with specific tattoos designated for different ages and body parts, reflecting the cultural richness and diversity of the community.

What are Habitat Rights?

• Habitat rights recognition entails granting a community authority over their customary habitation territory, encompassing socio-cultural practices, economic and livelihood activities, intellectual knowledge of biodiversity and ecology, and traditional wisdom in utilizing natural resources.
• These rights also encompass protecting and conserving both natural and cultural heritage.
• Recognising habitat rights serves to safeguard and enhance traditional livelihoods and ecological knowledge that have been transmitted through generations.
• Additionally, it facilitates the integration of diverse government schemes and initiatives from various departments, empowering Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) to foster the development of their habitats.

What Does ‘Habitat’ Mean?

• According to Section 2(h) of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), “Habitat includes the area comprising the customary habitat and such other habitats in reserved forests and protected forests of primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities and other forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes.

Under What Law Are Such Rights Granted?

• Habitat rights are given to PVTGs under section 3(1) (e) of The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
• It is also known as the Forest Rights Act (FRA).

The Forest Rights Act of 2006

• The Forest Rights Act of 2006, also referred to as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, stands as a significant legal milestone in India.
• Its primary purpose is to acknowledge and confer forest rights, including the occupation of forest land, to forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers.
• This legislation is designed to address historical injustices inflicted upon these communities and to duly recognize their contributions to forest conservation.

How Does the Government Fix a Habitat?

• The procedure is based on a detailed guideline given for this purpose in 2014 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).
• Based on the MoTA guidelines, the traditional tribal leaders of the tribe are consulted about the extent of their culture, traditions, and occupation.
• It is corroborated by the government and then a habitat is declared.

How Many States Have Recognised Habitat Rights?

• Out of 75 PVTGs in India, only three have habitat rights.
• The Bharia PVTG in Madhya Pradesh was the first, followed by the Kamar tribe and now the Baiga tribe in Chhattisgarh.

Significance of Granting Habitat Rights:

• Preservation of Cultural and Heritage Richness: The granting of habitat rights plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the distinctive cultural, social, and traditional heritage of tribal communities.
• This recognition enables them to uphold their unique languages, rituals, customs, and traditional knowledge systems.
• Conservation of Biodiversity: Tribal communities possess unique knowledge about their local ecosystems, flora, fauna, and sustainable resource management.
• Recognition of their rights plays a vital role in preserving biodiversity and facilitating the sustainable management of natural resources.
• Fostering Sustainable Development: By acknowledging the rights of tribal communities, governments can foster sustainable development.
• Indigenous practices often prioritize sustainability and conservation, crucial for environmental well-being and the overall prosperity of society.
• Empowerment and Advancement of Social Justice: Bestowing habitat rights empowers tribal communities through legal recognition, ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes that impact their lives.
• This rectification of historical injustices contributes to the establishment of a more equitable and just society.
• Safeguarding Livelihoods: Many tribal communities rely on their natural surroundings for sustenance.
• Granting rights to lands and resources ensures the continuity of their traditional occupations such as hunting, gathering, fishing, and farming, thereby supporting their economic well-being.

Can Habitat Rights be Used to Stop Activities Like Mining?

• The habitat rights will help the PVTG protect their habitat from developmental activities harmful to them.
• The title may not be an ownership title in the nature of a private property owner, but consent and consultation of the gram sabha will be needed for any developmental activity.
• Forest Rights have legal protection under the Forest Conservation Act, the Land Acquisition Law of 2013, and even the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities. Act.
• The grant of habitat rights under the Forest Rights Act provides an additional layer of legal protection.
• If any kind of development activity is hampering their habitat rights, the tribal group concerned can take up the matter with the administration under the Forest Rights Act, and if not resolved, the matter can be taken to court.

What is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG)?

• According to the Ministry of tribal affairs, tribal communities that are technologically backward, have stagnant or declining population growth, extremely low levels of literacy, and a subsistence level of economy are declared as PVTG.
• PVTGs have low health indices and largely reside in isolated, remote, and difficult areas in small and scattered hamlets/habitats.
• The ministry has identified 75 PVGTs in 18 states and one Union Territory.
• In 2019, the MoTA started a scheme for their protection and improvement in terms of social indicators like livelihood, health, nutrition and education to decrease their vulnerability.

Government Initiatives for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):

• The Ministry of Tribal Affairs administers a program titled 'Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs),' which operates as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 100% Central assistance extended to 18 states and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• The primary objective of this initiative is to foster the comprehensive socio-economic development of PVTGs while preserving their rich cultural heritage.
• Under the Development of PVTGs scheme, State Governments execute projects tailored to address key sectors such as education, health, and livelihood, with the overarching goal of ensuring the holistic well-being of PVTG communities.

Why is it in the News?

The Union cabinet has given its approval for the establishment of the Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana. This university will be located in the Mulugu district, with a budget of Rs 889 crore allocated for its development. During a recent visit to Telangana, the Prime Minister of India announced that the university would be named after Sammakka-Sarakka, a respected mother-daughter duo within the local tribal community.

News regarding the Sarakka Central Tribal University:

• The Central government had committed to establishing the Tribal University as part of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.
• This Act resulted from the division of the former state of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana and the remaining Andhra Pradesh state, following the Telangana movement.
• According to the Act, both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were entitled to support for the creation of a tribal university each.
• However, the Telangana tribal university faced significant challenges, primarily related to the timely allocation of 500-600 acres of land.

About the Legend of Sammakka and Sarakka:

• The Legend of Sammakka and Sarakka tells the story of Sammakka, who was married to Pagididda Raju, a feudal chief of the Kakatiyas, a Deccan dynasty that ruled the Warangal area.
• They had two daughters, Sarakka (also known as Saralamma) and Nagulamma, as well as a son named Jampanna.
• In the 13th century, a battle against local rulers erupted due to the imposition of taxes.
• Tragically, Saralamma lost her life in the conflict, while Sammakka disappeared into the hills.
• The local Koya tribals held a belief that Sammakka transformed into a vermillion casket.

The Sammakka Saralamma Jatara:

• Mulugu hosts a biennial festival known as the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara, often referred to as the tribal version of the Kumbh Mela.
• This event commemorates the courageous stand of the mother-daughter duo against the taxation imposed on the Koya people.
• Over time, this festival has grown significantly in importance, and it is believed that after the Kumbh Mela, the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara attracts the largest number of devotees in the country.
• Approximately 1.5 crore devotees, hailing from various tribal and non-tribal communities, participate in this festival, including people from Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and other regions.
• Due to the immense turnout, the Samakka-Sarakka Jatara was designated as a state festival in 1996.

The Political and Cultural Significance of the Sammakka Saralamma Jatara:

• This festival receives consistent participation from both the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Telangana state government, including the Chief Minister.
• The Central Government allocated Rs 6.25 crore for the yatras held in 2018, 2020, and 2022, with additional funds set aside for the construction of community shelters and other essential infrastructure.
• Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism approved a substantial sum of Rs. 75.88 crore for the comprehensive development of a tribal circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
• This tribal circuit encompasses Mulugu, Laknavaram, Medavaram, Tadvai, Damaravi, Mallur, and Bogatha Waterfalls, where the Sammakka-Sarakka temple is situated.
• Mulugu, an assembly seat reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), boasts a population of approximately 2.6 lakhs as per the 2011 Census, with a 75% ST population.
• Notably, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ramappa Temple is located just around 15 km from Mulugu.