- PM Modi Unveils Varanasi’s Swarved Mahamandir, World’s Largest Meditation Center –
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment as he inaugurated the Swarved Mahamandir in Umaraha, Varanasi. This newly constructed meditation center stands tall at seven floors, accommodating an impressive 20,000 devoteesat a time for meditation.
- The Swarved Mahamandir is a mesmerizing architectural marvel, seamlessly blending traditional and modern design elements.
- Intricate marble carvings adorn its structure, and towering lotus-shaped domes reflect the rich cultural heritage of Varanasi.
- The seven-floor superstructure stands as a testament to the city’s spiritual legacy while embracing contemporary aesthetics.
- Recently, theIndian Prime Minister inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB) in Gujarat, marking a significant development in the diamond and jewelry industry –
- The SDB stands as the world’s largest office complex. It aims to relocate the diamond trading hub from Mumbai to Surat, leveraging Surat’s diamond cutting and polishing expertise.
- A diamond is a rare, naturally occurring mineral made up of pure carbon. The word diamond comes from the Greek word Adamas, which means indestructible.
- Diamond occurs in two types of deposits, primarily in igneous rocks of basic or ultrabasic composition and in alluvial deposits derived from the primary sources.
- Major Diamond Producing Countries:Russia, Botswana, Canada, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Russia is the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds, mining nearly 42 million carats in 2022.
- Diamond Industry in India-
- India is the world’s largest cutting and polishing center for diamonds, accounting for over 90% of polished diamond manufacturing globally.
- According to Indian Minerals Yearbook 2019, diamond fields of India are grouped into four regions-
- Central Indian tract of Madhya Pradesh, comprising Panna belt.
- South Indian tract of Andhra Pradesh, comprising parts of Anantapur, Kadapa, Guntur, Krishna, Mahabubnagar and Kurnool districts.
- Behradin-Kodavali area in Raipur district and Tokapal, Dugapal, etc. areas in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
- Eastern Indian tract mostly of Odisha, lying between Mahanadi and Godavari valleys.
- In 2022, India ranks first among the top exporters in cut & polished diamonds.
- Haryana Dominates Medal Tally With 40 Gold, 39 Silver and 26 Bronze in Inaugural Khelo India Para Games –
- The Khelo India Para Games 2023 concluded on December 17 in New Delhi, showcasing the remarkable talents of para athletes from across the country.
- The inaugural edition of the event saw Haryana clinched the top spot, securing a total of 105 medals, including 40 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze. The competition, which began on December 10, featured around 1,450 para athletes representing 32 states and Union Territories.
- In a spectacular display of skill and determination, Haryana emerged as the overall winner of Khelo India Para Games 2023. The state’s athletes secured an impressive medal haul, with 40 gold, 39 silver and 26 bronze medals. Among the standout performances was Pranav Soorma’s exceptional achievement in the club throw event, where he not only won gold but also set a new Asian record with an impressive throw of 33.54 meters.
- Khelo India Para Games 2023 is the latest edition to the Government of India’s Khelo India Initiative, which aims to nurture the sporting culture in the country at the grassroots level.
The initiative includes various sporting events such as Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games and Khelo India Winter Games. The success of the program, running since 2017, reflects its widespread acceptance and support from every corner of the country.