Daily Current Affairs Notes for 12 April 2023

Every year on April 12th, the International Day of Human Space Flight is celebrated to recognize the commencement of human space exploration and acknowledge the essential role of space science and technology in achieving peaceful use of outer space. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on April 7, 2011, to declare April 12th as the International Day of Human Space Flight. This day commemorates the remarkable accomplishment of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to orbit the Earth on April 12th, 1961, and is dedicated to honoring his achievement.

International Day of Human Space Flight: Significance

The United Nations recognizes the substantial advantages of outer space and its significance to all of humanity. Space exploration has resulted in numerous advancements, such as improved communication, navigation, and weather forecasting. Space scientists are also able to detect potential dangers approaching our planet and in our solar system, allowing us to prepare for possible space-related threats. Furthermore, the development of space technologies has enabled the capture of the first-ever image of a black hole.

International Day of Human Space Flight: History

• The history of human space exploration is defined by several significant milestones. One such milestone was the launch of Sputnik I, the world's first man-made satellite, by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957. This event marked the beginning of space exploration and initiated the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States.
• Yuri Gagarin made history on April 12, 1961, as the first human to travel to outer space, completing a full orbit around the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft. This remarkable achievement opened up a new era of human space exploration.
• In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova made history by becoming the first woman to orbit the Earth aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft on June 16. Her remarkable achievement paved the way for more women to participate in space exploration.
• The United States reached a significant milestone in space exploration on July 20, 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first human to step onto the moon's surface during the Apollo 11 mission. This accomplishment was a major achievement and motivated future generations to continue exploring the boundaries of space travel.

‘Maratha Udyog Ratna 2023’ award

Nilesh Bhagwan Sambre, the founder of Jijau Educational and Social Foundation, was recently recognized with the "Maratha Udyog Ratna" award at the "Maratha Entrepreneurs Conference 2023". The conference was hosted by the "Maratha Entrepreneurs Development and Guidance Institute Maharashtra State". Nilesh Sambre was awarded for his notable achievements in the industry sector and his dedicated work in remote areas such as Palghar. Prominent entrepreneurs from Maharashtra, including Suresh Haware, Purushottam Khedekar, Nirmalkumar Deshmukh, Dr. Sachin Bhadane, and Vijay Ghogare presented the award to Nilesh Bhagwan Sambre, also known as Appa.

About the Jijau Educational and Social Organization

The Jijau Educational and Social Foundation is a non-profit organization that aims to uplift underprivileged communities in five districts of India, namely Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg. Nilesh Sambre founded the organization in 2008, and for the past 14 years, it has been providing education, healthcare, employment, and agriculture-related assistance using its own funds, without accepting any donations. The foundation is headquartered in Jadpoli and operates two medical camps every day, in addition to a well-equipped hospital that provides free treatment. Furthermore, the organization runs eight CBSE schools for education in Palghar district, 43 competitive examination libraries, and various programs related to employment, agriculture, and women empowerment, all provided free of charge. The Jijau Foundation also manages 20 police academies and offers 10 free ambulance services daily.

Ministry of Culture promotes Indian Folk Arts and Culture abroad through Global Engagement Scheme

The Ministry of Culture in India is committed to promoting Indian folk arts and culture globally through various initiatives. One such program is the Global Engagement Scheme, which hosts Festivals of India in other countries to showcase the country's rich culture. These festivals include exhibitions, folk art, dance, music, theatre, film, food festivals, and yoga events. The scheme also highlights the diverse culture of North-East India to the world. The ministry provides grant-in-aid to Indo-Foreign Friendship Cultural Societies to organize programs and activities that promote the country's culture worldwide.

Various cultural schemes applicable to North East India

Apart from the Global Engagement Scheme, there are various other initiatives that specifically focus on North East India. These include the Award to Young Talented Artists, Guru Shishya Parampara, Theatre Rejuvenation, Research & Documentation, Shilpgram, OCTAVE, and National Cultural Exchange Programme. OCTAVE is a unique scheme that is designed for the North East region, and the ministry also conducts the Yuva Sangam program.

Yuva Sangam program to promote youth exchange

The Yuva Sangam program aims to connect 11 higher education institutions from the North East states with 14 institutions from other states. This program facilitates exposure visits for college and university students as well as off-campus youth between the ages of 18 and 30. The visits are designed to provide a multi-dimensional exposure in five key areas, namely tourism, traditions, development, technology, and people-to-people connections.

In summary, the Ministry of Culture in India has implemented numerous measures to boost Indian folk arts and culture overseas, with a special focus on North East India. The Global Engagement Scheme, cultural societies' grant-in-aid, and other programs such as OCTAVE and Yuva Sangam have played a vital role in showcasing India's varied culture and promoting cultural exchange. The primary objective of these initiatives is to establish a platform for cultural exchange, improve mutual understanding, and foster connections between the people of India and other nations.