Konark city of Odisha state of India is going to become the first model city to shift from grid dependency to green energy. The Odisha government has issued policy guidelines in this regard.

A scheme for solarization of Konark Sun Temple and Konark City in Odisha was launched by the Central Government in May 2020.

According to the guidelines issued by the state government, by the end of the year 2022, the target of generating 2,750 MW of electricity from renewable energy sources such as sun, wind, biomass, small hydropower and Waste-to-Energy (WTE) etc. Is.

The state government has also set a target to generate 2,200 MW of electricity from solar power and a part of it will be used to run the Sun Temple and Konark city on solar power. The use of renewable/renewable energy for Konark is part of an ambitious plan of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

importance of this initiative

Shifting from grid to solar power will help in reducing the electricity consumption of the Sun Temple.

Financial benefits from solar energy will help in completing other development works of the temple.

related challenges

Odisha is facing many challenges in setting up huge solar power plants.

480 kms in the state. It has a coastline which is affected due to regular cyclones. It has faced 10 cyclones including Super Cyclone, Phailin, Hudhud, Titli, Amphan and Fani during 22 years so far.

Besides, land acquisition is another major challenge in setting up solar power plants.

These coastal areas are affected by cyclones and parts of Odisha have dense forests, as well as land is more expensive in densely populated areas.

Konark Sun Temple

Konark Sun Temple is located near the holy city of Puri in eastern Odisha.

It was built by King Narasimhadeva I in the 13th century (1238-1264 AD). It represents the splendor, architecture, strength and stability of the Ganga dynasty as well as the historical environment.

The Eastern Ganga Dynasty is also known as Rudhi Ganga or Oriental Ganga.

It was a vast Indian royal dynasty in the medieval era that ruled from Kalinga from the 5th century to the early 15th century.

The formation of the Eastern Ganga dynasty began when Indravarma I defeated the Vishnukundin king.

The temple is built in the shape of a huge chariot.

It is dedicated to the Sun God.

The Konark temple is not only known for its architectural grandeur but also for the depth and proficiency of the sculpture work.

It is the highest point of achievement of Kalinga architecture which reflects grace, happiness and the rhythm of life.

It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1984.

There are two rows of 12 wheels on either side of the Konark Sun Temple. Some are of the opinion that the 24 wheels symbolize the 24 hours of the day, while others say that they represent the 12 months of the year.

Seven horses are considered to symbolize the seven days of the week.

Seafarers once called it the 'Black Pagoda', as it was believed to attract ships to shore and destroy them.

Konark is an invaluable link in the history of the spread of the 'Sun cult', which emerged in Kashmir during the 8th century and eventually reached the shores of eastern India.

International Women's Day week is celebrated as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav by the Ministry of Women and Child Development from 1st March.

As part of this week-long celebration, various events and social media campaigns covering various topics, which will be related to women empowerment and safety, are being organized by the ministry.

The event is being organized in partnership with the Bureau of Police Research and Development with an aim to raise awareness about the safety of women.

International Women's Day

Every year 8 March is celebrated as International Women's Day, on this occasion the focus is on the achievements of women in the world and the commitment to equality in society is expressed. On this occasion, many programs are organized by the government, non-governmental organizations and other organizations around the world.

In 1910, the Socialist Party of America organized International Women's Day on February 28, 1909. The Soviet Union declared March 8 as a national holiday after women were granted suffrage in 1917. After 1975, this day was also approved. In 1977 the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to declare March 8 as International Women's Day. Its purpose is to promote women's rights and world peace.

On the occasion of National Science Day 2022, the government has launched an International Monsoon

Initially for five years, the International Monsoon Project Office (IMPO) will be based at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune.

Why was the International Monsoon Project Office established?

• IMPO has been set up to highlight the importance of monsoon for the country's economy.

• Led by the World Climate Research Program and the World Meteorological Research Programme, IMPO will be involved in identifying and promoting connections and activities related to international monsoon research as well.

• The United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO) coordinates the World Meteorological Research Program and the World Climate Research Program.

• The establishment of the IMPO will mean expanding the integrated scientific approach to address the seasonal variability of monsoons, improve cyclone and monsoon forecasting skills, strengthen monsoon research and promote knowledge for better services and support operations. solution can be developed.

The establishment of IMPO will give a boost to monsoon research across the globe, benefiting both the Indian as well as the international academic community.

IMPO will also support the activities of the Monsoon Panel that were jointly established by the GEWEX (Global Energy and Water Exchanges) and CLIVAR (Climate and Ocean Variability, Predictability, and Change) projects of the World Climate Research Programme. The World Meteorological Research Program's Tropical Meteorological Research Working Group will also benefit from IMPO.

• Every year 3 March is being observed as World Wildlife Day to raise awareness and celebrate the world's wildlife and flora. Significance of the day: It calls for immediate action to fight wildlife crime, which has wide-ranging environmental, economic and social implications.

• background

• On 20 December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at its 68th session designated March 3 as World Wildlife Day.

• On this day in 1973, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was adopted.

• Since then CITES has played an important role in ensuring that the survival of the species is not threatened by international trade.