News In Shorts

President of India approved conferment of 131 Padma Awards.

• It comprises 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan, and 113 Padma Shri Awards.
• Awardees include 19 women, 6 persons from Foreigners/NRI/PIO/OCI category, and 16 posthumous awardees. There are 2 Duo cases (in a duo case, the Award is counted as one).

About Padma Awards

• It is one of the highest civilian awards of the country, are conferred in three categories, namely, 
  • Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service;
  • Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order; and
  • Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.

• The other civilian award is the Bharat Ratna (highest civilian award).

• History: Instituted as Padma Vibhushan in 1954 with three classes, it was renamed in 1955 as Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri.
  • Conferred annually except interruptions during the years 1978, 1979, and 1993 to 1997.
• Activities/ Disciplines: All fields such as Art, Social Work, Public Affairs, Science, etc. involving public service.
  • Not eligible: Government servants including those working with PSUs, except doctors and scientists.
• Status: The award does not amount to a title under Article 18(1) and cannot be used as a suffix or prefix. (Balaji Raghavan vs. UoI, 1996)
  • Article 18(1) prohibits the State from conferring any titles except military and academic distinction.
• Cap: Number of awards is capped at 120 per year (excluding Posthumous and Foreigners/NRI).
• Normally not conferred posthumously. However, in highly deserving cases, it is awarded.

President of India approved Gallantry awards to 70 Armed Forces personnel, including six posthumous.

About Gallantry Awards

• Established:
  • Wartime Awards: Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra were instituted on January 26, 1950.
  • Peacetime Awards: Ashoka Chakra Class-I, Class-II, and Class-III were instituted on January 4, 1952.
    • These peacetime awards were renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra, respectively in 1967.
• Conferred by: President, who is the supreme commander of the Armed Forces.
• Objective: Recognitions given for acts of bravery, valour or self-sacrifice both during wartime and peacetime.
• Selection Process: Ministry of Defence invites recommendations twice in a year from the Armed Forces and Union Ministry of Home Affairs for gallantry awards.
• Frequency: announced twice a year, on the occasion of Republic Day and Independence Day.

The Bhadrakali inscription serves as a vital 12th-century epigraphic record that authenticates the historical and architectural evolution of the Somnath Temple under the patronage of the Solanki dynasty.

About the Bhadrakali Inscription

• Location: Situated at Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, this 1169 CE inscription is embedded in the wall of the ancient Bhadrakali Temple.
• Context: It serves as a prashasti (eulogy) for Acharya Bhavabrihaspati, the spiritual preceptor of the Solanki (Chaulukya) King Kumarapala.
• Chronology: The record provides a legendary history of the Somnath Temple across the four Yugas, mentioning its construction in gold, silver, wood, and finally stone by Bhimdev Solanki.
• Patronage: It highlights the role of the Solanki dynasty in the temple’s revival, specifically Kumarapala’s efforts in the 12th century.

The discovery of stupas (man-made mounds) at Zehanpora underscores Kashmir’s rich Gandhara Buddhist heritage and its historical role as a centre of Buddhist culture and learning.

Zehanpora Site (Baramulla, North Kashmir)

• Stupa structures belong to the Kushan period (1st–3rd century CE).
• Located along the ancient Silk Route to Kandahar.
• Other Findings: Evidence of wooden superstructures, an urban settlement complex (potentially chaityas and viharas), Kushan-era pottery, copper artefacts, etc.

Prime Minister participated in “Bagurumba Dwhou 2026”, celebrating rich heritage of the Bodo community in Assam.

About Bagurumba Dance

• Traditional folk dance of the Bodo community of Assam.
• Inspired by nature, symbolises blooming flowers, reflects harmony between human life and the natural world.
• Traditionally performed by young Bodo women, men accompany as musicians, playing traditional instruments.
• Usually performed in groups, forming circles or lines that enhance its visual elegance.
• Cultural Significance: Dance represents peace, fertility, joy and collective harmony, and is closely associated with festivals such as Bwisagu (the Bodo New Year) and Domasi.

Traditional harvest festivals are being celebrated in different parts of India.

• These festivals, celebrated under different names and customs across the country, mark the change of seasons, the Sun’s northward journey (Uttarayana), and the harvest of crops.

Traditional Harvest Festivals

• Makar Sankranti (Maharashtra): It marks the Sun’s transition into Capricorn.
• Uttarayana (Gujarat and Rajasthan): It is known for kite flying, which commemorates the Sun's rise and is a day of joy and celebration.
• Pongal (Tamil Nadu): It marks four-day harvest festival that includes Thai Pongal, Mattu Pongal, Kaanum Pongal, and Bhogi, people make the rice and lentil dish Pongal.
• Lohri (Punjab): Celebrated a day before Makar Sankranti, it marks the harvest of Rabi crops and is celebrated around bonfires with folk songs, Bhangra and Gidda.
• Magh Bihu (Assam): It celebrates the end of the harvest season with community feasts, traditional games and bonfires known as Meji.
• Kanuma (Telangana): It is a festival to express thankfulness and admiration towards the agriculture sector.