• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered a 1,300-year-old stupa right in the middle of a mining site in Odisha’s Jajpur district at Khondalite stone mining site.
  • The sones were being supplied for the beautification project around the 12 th Century Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
• The stupa could be 4.5-metre tall and initial assessment showed it may belong to the 7th or 8^th
• It was found at Parabhadi which is situated near Lalitagiri, a major Buddhist complex, having a large number of stupas and monasteries.
  • Lalitgiri Buddhist site is believed to be the most sacred among the three sites (Lalitagiri, Ratnagiri and Udayagiri) as it unearthed a massive stupa where a relic of Buddha was discovered inside a stone casket.

About Stupa

• Stupas were burial mounds prevalent in India from the vedic period.
• Stupa, Sanskrit for heap, is a mound-like (hemispherical) burial structure containing relics of Buddhist monks. E.g., Sanchi Stupa built over Buddha’s relics.
• Stupas consist of a cylindrical drum with a circular anda and a harmika and a chhatra on the top.
  • Anda: Hemispherical mound symbolic of the mound of dirt used to cover Buddha’s remains (in many stupas actual relics were used).
  • Harmika: Square railing on top of the mound.
  • Chhatra: Central pillar supporting a triple umbrella form.
• The core of the stupa was made of unburnt brick while the outer surface was made by using burnt bricks, which were then covered with a thick layer of plaster and medhi (circular terrace) and the toran(gateway) were decorated with wooden sculptures.

• Chamba district is home to rich heritage of traditional crafts with many craftspersons are earning their livelihood through the businesses related to Chamba ‘rumal’, miniature painting, sculpture, wood art, Chamba ‘chappal’ and Chamba ‘thaal’.

Project ‘Chambyal’

• To preserve and promote rich art and culture of Chamba, the district administration has launched a project named “Chambyal”, which has registered various art and craft societies to give practical shape to the project.
• Chamba ‘rumal’ and Chamba ‘chappal’ have received the “GI” tag under the GI Act 1999.
  • The Chamba ‘chappal’ is available for sale on e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon.
  • The embroidery done on Chamba ‘chappals’ has become very popular among tourists visiting the area, and it is being appreciated all over the country.

Self-help groups formed under the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM are exhibiting their products at various festivals, fairs and district-level programs.

• The Karnataka Government will build the country’s first Marina or a boat basin offering dockage, at Byndoor in Udupi district to promote coastal tourism in Karnataka.
• The government will also seek permission from the Centre for the relaxation of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) to take up beach tourism in coastal areas and pilgrim tourism.

• Daniil Medvedev won the Qatar Open men’s singles by defeating Andy Murray 6-4, 6-4, in the final game.
• In the women singles, Iga Swiatek defeated Jessica Pegula.

• The World NGO Day is an annually observed on February 27 to recognize the contributions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• The day was first celebrated in 2010 The Baltic Sea NGO Forum of the Council of the Baltic Sea State officially recognised this day on April 27, 2010 and has since become an annual event that highlights the work of NGOs around the world.

• Recent study has highlighted accelerated breeding in ‘Southern House Mosquito’ due to presence of Bisphenol A in urban drains.
• BPA increases the secretion of 20-hydroxy ecdysone (20HE), a steroid hormone that plays a major role in the moulting of the insect larvae, and this shortens the time between larva and pupa .
• Bisphenol A or BPA is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in production of polycarbonate plastics.
• It is commonly used in shatterproof windows, eyewear, water bottles, and epoxy resins.
• It can leach into food and beverages as well, exposing adults to ill effects of it such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
• It can disrupt the endocrine system by interfering with hormones and affects brain and prostate gland of foetuses, infants and children.

• Recently, Computer scientist Hari Balakrishnan was awarded the 2023 Marconi Prize.
• Balakrishnan has been cited for fundamental contributions to wired and wireless networking, mobile sensing, and distributed systems.

About the prize

• The Marconi Prize is a top honour for computer scientists and is awarded by the U.S.-based Marconi Foundation.
• It is given to those who have made a significant contribution to increasing digital inclusivity through advanced information and communications technology.
• The Prize recipients are recommended by an independent selection committee and approved by the Marconi Society Board.

• US led Fab-4 semiconductor alliance held its first meeting.
• It is an alliance of world’s top producers of semiconductors: Taiwan, United States, Japan and South Korea.
• Chip 4 alliance was proposed by US in 2022 to enhance the “security” and “resilience” of Fab 4 or Chip 4 Alliance semiconductor supply chains, including by reducing the world’s reliance on chips made in China.

• It is an annual international multilateral air exercise with participation from UAE, India, France, Kuwait, Australia, UK, Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Republic of Korea, and USA.
• It is being held in UAE.
• For the first time, India’s indigenously-made Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas will be participating in Exercise Desert Flag VIll

• Siang Unying Festival is an important festival of Adi community was celebrated at Boleng, Arunachal Pradesh.
• It is celebrated to mark beginning of Adi community’s new year i.e., arrival of spring season; and to strengthen the bond among community.
• Adi constitutes a major group and inhabit lower part of Lower Dibang Valley district especially Roing and Dambuk areas.
• Adis are basically dependent on agriculture. Both wet rice cultivation and shifting cultivation are practiced.
• Padams, Milangs, Komkars, Minyongs and Pasis collectively call themselves as Adi meaning hill people.