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By admin: Nov. 8, 2021

Adi Shankaracharya:

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Why in news?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 12-foot statue of Adi Shankar Acharya at Kedarnath (Uttrakhand), where the acharya is believed to have attained samadhi at the age of 32 in the ninth century.

Key points:

About Adi Shankar Acharya:

• He was born 11th May 788 AD, at Kaladi near Kochi, Kerala.
• He was a devotee of Shiva.
• Took Samadhi at the age of 33, at Kedar tirth.
• Adi Shankara is generally identified as the author of 116 works — among them the celebrated commentaries (bhashyas) on 10 Upanishads,

 The Brahmasutra and the Gita, and poetic works including:

Vivekachudamani,

 Maneesha Panchakam

 Saundaryalahiri.

• Adi Shankara composed texts like Shankarasmrithi, which seeks to establish the social supremacy of Nambuthiri Brahmins.
• He Propounded the Doctrine of Advaita (Monism)
• He was influenced by Mahayana Buddhism and hence he came to be called as crypto Bhuddist.

Advaita:

• Dvaita means duality, and Advaita means nonduality. In simple terms, Advaita means absence of the duality between subject and object. In our wakeful consciousness we experience duality, but in deep sleep only nonduality.
• Advaita School believes that Brahman is the one and only reality and everything else is a mere appearance, projection, formation or illusion.
• The school also believes that Atman, the individual self, has no separate existence of its own.

Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project” in J&K

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Why in news?

 Union Minister of Power, New & Renewable Energy, and R.K. Singh inaugurated the Diversion of Marusudar River of Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project.

Key points:

• Pakal Dul is a 1GW hydroelectric project (HEP) under construction in the village of Drangdhuran, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India.
• Pakal Dul H.E. Project will help in fulfilling the target of 450 GW Renewable energy by 2030.
• It is anticipated to produce around 3,330 million units (MU) of energy a year.
• It’s estimated to cost Rs81.12bn ($1.18bn).
• The Pakal Dul HEP project will be the biggest hydroelectric project in the state and the first storage project, upon completion.
• It is part of the prime minister's Development Package (PMDP) for J&K and is expected to enhance the region's power generation.
• Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL) is constructing the project on Marusadar River, a tributary of the Chenab River.
• Foundation stone for the construction of the project was laid in May 2018.
• The main access tunnel (MAT) of the dam is expected to be 263m long and 8m wide.

Funding and benefits of the Pakal Dul HEP project:

• The Government of India has agreed to provide Rs25bn as subordinate debt to the state government for developing the Pakal Dul hydroelectric power project, in addition to an Rs11.92bn grant to CVPPL.
• During the first ten years of operation, the state of J&K will receive 12% free power from the project, in addition to waiving of water usages charges. The state will also have the first right to purchase the power allotted to NHPC (49%) and PTC (2%).
• The project is expected to create more than 3,000 direct and indirect construction jobs and approximately 700 operational jobs.

Marusudar River:

Marusudar River is the largest river tributary of Chenab River. On this river, 1000MW Pakal Dul Dam and 800MW Bursar Hydroelectric Project are under construction.

Chenab River:

• Chenab River is one of the major rivers in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The Chenab is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, in the western (Punjab) Himalayas in India's Himachal Pradesh state.

Tributaries of Chenab River:

• The tributaries of the Chenab River include Miyar Nalla, Sohal, Thirot, Bhut Nalla, Marusudar and Lidrari. Marusudar is regarded as the biggest tributary of Chenab and joins Chenab in Bhandalkot. Kalnai, Neeru, Bichleri, Raghi and join the Chenab between Kishtwar and the Akhnoor region. Chenab is joined by Tawi as well as Manawar Tawi within Pakistan.

Navy takes delivery of guided missile destroyer Visakhapatnam

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Why in news?

In October, The first ship of the four Project-15B state-of-the-art stealth guided missile destroyers, Visakhapatnam, being built at the Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL), was delivered to the Navy.

• It’s equipped with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and long-range Surface-to-Air missiles
• The ship has several indigenous weapons systems like medium range SAMs, indigenous torpedo tube launchers, anti-submarine indigenous rocket launchers and 76-mm super rapid gun mount.

Key points:

• Under the P-15B a total of four warships are planned (Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal, and Surat).
• These ships are amongst the most technologically advanced Guided Missile Destroyers of the world, with state-of-the-art weapon/sensor package, advanced stealth features and a high degree of automation.
• These ships feature enhanced stealth features over the earlier class through shaping of hull and use of radar transparent deck fittings which make them difficult to detect and also feature significant advances in automation and networking
• These ships are propelled by four gas turbines in Combined Gas and Gas (COGAG) configuration and have maximum endurance of 4000 nm at economical speed of 14 knots,
• The contract for construction of these four ships was signed in 2011.

Other Three Ships:

• The fourth ship (Surat) is under block erection and will be launched within this current financial year (2022).
• The third ship (Imphal) was launched in 2019, and is at an advanced stage of outfitting.
• The second ship of P15B, Mormugao was launched in 2016, and is being readied for harbor trials.

BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles:

• The BrahMos is a medium-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarine, ships, aircraft, or land.
• It is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world.

National Sports Awards 2021 announced

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National Sports Awards 2021 announced:

Why in news?

 The National Sports Awards for the year 2021 were announced by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

Key points:

• The National Sports Awards are given every year to recognize and reward excellence in sports.
• President of India Shri Ramnath Kovind will felicitate the awardees on November 13, 2021.

About:

Arjuna Awards:

• It was established in 1961 by the Government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in national sports events.
• It is given for good performance and showing qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and a sense of discipline.
• The award carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a bronze statue of Arjuna and a scroll of honor.

Major Dhyanchand Khel Ratna Awards:

• It was formerly known as the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, it is the highest award bestowed to a sports person in India and was instituted in the year 1991-1992.
• It comprises a medallion, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh.
• It is given for the most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of the previous four years.

Dhyan chand Award:

• It was established in 2002.
• It comprises a Dhyan Chand statuette, a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a certificate and a ceremonial dress.
• It is given to honor sportspersons who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to promotion of sports events after their retirement.

Dronacharya Award:

• It was established in 1985 by the Government of India to recognize excellence in sports coaching.
• It carries a cash prize of Rs 15 lakh, a bronze statue of Dronacharya and a scroll of honour.
• It is given to coaches for doing outstanding and meritorious work on a consistent basis and enabling sportspersons to excel in International events.

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar:

• It was established in the year 2009
• It is given to corporate entities , sports control boards, NGOs including sports bodies at the State and National level who have played a vital role in the area of sports promotion and development.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MACA) Trophy 2021:

• Panjab University: Chandigarh.