New Delhi (The Hawk): Terminal in a Garden, Sustainability, Technology, and Art &amp; Culture are the four guiding ideas that have impacted the design and architecture of the new Terminal T2 at Kempegowda International Airport.
According to officials, Terminal 2 was created as an homage to Bengaluru's Garden City and is intended to give passengers the feeling of taking a "walk in the garden." The 10,000+ square metres of green walls, hanging gardens, and outdoor gardens that passengers will pass through were entirely created in India using local technology.
On Friday, the Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened Terminal 2 (T2).
Passengers get a unique experience because to T2's size and thoughtful design. T2 has 90 check-in counters and attempts to make check-ins quicker. The security check areas are also simple to use. The two-level domestic and international retail spaces, as well as the lounge areas, are designed to offer picturesque views of the surrounding vegetation.
In addition, 19 boarding gates (for Code C comparable aircraft) are accommodated on the L-shaped piers, which are pushed away from the main complex and offer plenty of room for mobility. The inside of the terminal are covered in engineered bamboo that was influenced by traditional Indian cane weaving, giving the terminal a modern yet timeless appearance.
According to officials, T2 is a pioneering "Terminal in a Garden" that elevates BLR Airport to the position of ideal continuation of Bengaluru city's green aesthetics. Passengers are intended to feel as though they are strolling through a garden as they approach the terminal and the area surrounding it. Passengers will be treated to a visual feast of greens from the moment they enter the BLR Airport site via the Main Access Road (MAR) until they enter T2 and then board aircraft at the piers.
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) MD and CEO Hari Marar stated: "We have increased our capacity to accommodate 25 million more passengers annually with the opening of T2. T2 is unique not only because of its size and scope, but also because Bengaluru City served as inspiration. T2 was created as a terminal in a garden and represents what Bengaluru is known for: a green, cutting-edge, creative, sustainable, and culturally diverse city. With this upcoming phase of expansion, BLR Airport hopes to establish itself as the new Gateway to India after 14 years as the Gateway to South India."
(Inputs from Agencies)

Terminal in a Garden, Sustainability, Technology, and Art & Culture are the four guiding ideas that have impacted the design and architecture of the new Terminal T2 at Kempegowda International Airport.

Four principles guided the design and architecture of T2 at Kempegowda International Airport

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly called for timely debt restructuring as a solution to global debt crisis.

She made the remark on the first day of the G20 Finance Ministers Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting, which commenced in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

Debt restructuring can be a solution to the global debt crisis, as it is closely intertwined with addressing global poverty challenge, the Union Minister said, noting that it adversely affects the most indebted countries as they also house the poorest people.

She co-chaired the session on "Global Economy and International Financial Architecture" during the IMF-WB Spring meetings with RBI governor Shaktikanta Das, which discussed key challenges to the global economic outlook and explored possible areas of policy co-ordination on pressing global issues.

It also exchanged views on accelerating progress on deliverables envisioned during India's G20 presidency.

Sitharaman also discussed progress on the agenda of strengthening multilateral development banks (MDBs), including hearing from MDBs on implementation of recommendations of capital adequacy framework review panel.

She also sought G20 members' views on the way forward for the expert group on strengthening MDBs set up by India's G20 presidency. IANS

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly called for timely debt restructuring as a solution to global debt crisis.

Sitharaman calls for debt restructuring to address global crisis

Admission in the top IITs is a dream for many students. For getting closer to the dream, every year, lakhs of students appear for the most sought-after JEE exam. This year, approximately 9.4 lakh candidates participated in the Session 2 exam out of which only 2.5 lakh students have qualified to appear for the JEE Advanced exam.

Even though the aspirants leave no stone unturned in exam preparation, there are many who are unable to secure a seat in their desired branch or IIT. At such times, aspirants should not be disheartened as there are many opportunities still available even if one scores low in JEE Main exam, or is unable to qualify for the Advanced.

<h2>1. Apply for other engineering entrance exams</h2>
There are many options available beyond JEE. Students can appear for other national and state-level engineering entrance exams for admission to BTech courses. They can consider:

<h3>i) BITSAT</h3>
It is the entrance exam for admission to Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) at three of its campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad. The application for session 2 will be rolled out from May 22 to June 12. Apart from this, candidates can even apply on the basis of Class 12 marks, after which students will have time from June 2 to 23 to sort out preferences of programmes. The online session 1 test will be conducted from May 21 to 26 and session 2 test will be held from June 18 to 22. It is an online exam with 130 multiple-choice questions on Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English Proficiency, and Logical Reasoning.

<h3>ii) SRMJEEE</h3>
Phase 2 and 3 of SRMJEEE is yet to be conducted for the year 2023. Candidates seeking admission to BTech programmes can appear for the national exam conducted in CBT (Computer Based Test) mode. It is a common entrance exam that includes all SRM Group institutes and universities in Kattankulathur, Ramapuram, NCR – Ghaziabad, Ramapuram Part – Vadapalani, Amravati, Haryana, and Sikkim. The entire exam spans over 2.5 hours. The last date to apply for phase 2 and phase 3 is June 2 and July 17 respectively. The phase 2 exam will be conducted on June 10 and 11, and phase 3 on July 22 and 23.

<h3>2. Architecture</h3>
Apart from engineering, students can even consider a future in Bachelor of Architecture (BArch). It is a five-year full-time programme aimed at developing theoretical, practical, and artistic knowledge enabling students to plan, design and construct physical structures. Students with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects in Class 12 are eligible for the exam.

<h3>i) NATA</h3>
NATA stands for National Aptitude Test in Architecture. Qualifying for the exam is mandatory for getting admission to various colleges across India offering a BArch degree. It is a national-level entrance exam that will be conducted on June 3 and July 9 for phase 2 and 3 exams respectively. The last date to apply for the second test is May 22 and June 27 for the third test. If a candidate attempts two tests, then the best of the two scores will be considered, and in case the student appears for all three exams then the average of the two best scores will be taken. The exam will be of 3 hours, with a total of 125 questions worth 200 marks. The questions will majorly assess the aptitude of the students focusing on general knowledge, mathematics, and drawing. The questions will be in the form of MCQ, Multiple Select type (MSQ), Preferential Choice type (PCQ), and Numerical Answer type (NAQ), with no negative marking.

<h3>ii) TNEA</h3>
TNEA is for admission to colleges offering BArch throughout the state of Tamil Nadu. The state of Tamil Nadu does not conduct any BArch admission entrance exam or state-level entrance exam for entry to Bachelor of Architecture programmes. Rather it considers the exam score of NATA.

Admission in the top IITs is a dream for many students. For getting closer to the dream, every year, lakhs of students appear for the most sought-after JEE exam.

Options Beyond JEE Main

New Delhi (The Hawk): A novel protocol for confinement of liquid crystals in an architecture called hierarchical double networks of polymers can give next-generation solutions for low-energy consuming on-demand switchable smart windows operating between low and high transmittance. Interpenetrating polymer networks are soft matter systems that innovatively optimise different functionalities such as mechanical, optical, and electrical properties to provide novel solutions in engineering and biomedical applications. A specific class of these architectures, labelled hierarchical double networks, synergistically combining rigid and soft networks to realize thermal, electrical, and optical properties are currently attracting much attention. The research team of Dr. D S Shankar Rao, Dr. S Krishna Prasad, and Dr. Varshini G V, at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Science, Bengaluru have added a new dimension to this field by introducing double networks which are superimposed on liquid crystals. These networks are realized by two different and independently controlled &amp; on-demand stimuli-- light and temperature. While the former creates an orientationally self-assembled polymer network, the organogelation (converting to semi-solid material composed of gelling molecules organized in the presence of an appropriate organic solvent) of the second active component driven by temperature provides the second network which effectively traps the first one. The overall result is a well-controlled porous hierarchical network that confines the liquid crystal while allowing it to be electrically switched between its direction-dependent states and governing the dynamics through the created virtual surfaces of polymeric and gel nature. While exhibiting interesting physics in terms of the thermodynamic characteristics, these hierarchical physical networks also help in realizing the next-generation solution for low-energy consuming privacy windows which are on-demand switchable between high and low haze states with very high spatial resolution achievable by present-day techniques of lithography.

A novel protocol for confinement of liquid crystals in an architecture called hierarchical double networks of polymers

Low-Energy-Consuming Switchable Smart Windows Developed Based On Novel Architecture For Confining Liquid Crystals

Mansukh Mandaviya*
New Delhi (The Hawk): As India is in preparation to host the 18th G20 Heads of State and Government summit in New Delhi, we must acknowledge that the foundation of the bridge that connects the Global South and Global North to build a truly inclusive and holistic Universal Health Architecture has been laid when India's Prime Minster Narendra Modi at the Health Ministerial Meeting in Gandhinagar said "Let us open our innovations for public good. Let us avoid duplication of funding. Let us facilitate equitable availability of technology."  It is heartening to see that the members of the powerful international forum have come a long way to act on the sum of the collective wisdom we gleaned during and since the pandemic years---real freedom begins only when the health of the humanity remains uncompromised. No amount of economic well-being can be enjoyed by societies, if a virus decides to play havoc, and we are ill-prepared to respond; that has been the underlying premise of deliberations on critical health priorities under India's G20 presidency.  Ministers, senior policy makers and multilateral agencies have unequivocally supported India's G20 health priorities that highlighted complexities of accessibility and affordability of health services for all. In the process, we have successfully managed to build an overarching consensus that collective global action is the way forward to prevent, prepare and respond to future health emergencies, and our recovery from the pandemic must be equitable.  Some of the crucial global action on health include building consensus on the principles and architecture of a medical countermeasure platform that can reduce existing inequities in access to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and other solutions that form the arsenal to combat health crises; a global initiative on digital health that can capture strides of digital health initiatives of countries in a way to cut short the distance of other countries towards adapting solutions to their specific context; evolving our understanding of how climate and health affect each other so that specific solutions can be prioritised; and dipping into our reservoir of traditional medicines so that the health of our future can gain from the wisdom of our past. Need for a Medical Counter Measures platform The Covid-19 vaccination and diagnostic coverage across the globe revealed our entrenched inequities, which we must overcome. In an increasingly interconnected world, the threat from pathogen to one country is a threat to the world, and we must agree upon the principles and a global architecture that can enable equitable and timely access to vaccines, diagnostic tests, medicines, and other solutions for all countries.  Such a global platform should be inclusive, which means it takes into consideration voices that face access barriers to solutions; efficient, which means it builds on existing capabilities and networks with speed; agile and adaptable; which means it has inbuilt flexibility to rapidly adapt to changing needs and scientific evidence; and be accountable, which means there is clear and shared responsibility in a transparent framework. It should make available affordable medical solutions at speed. Through G20, we have committed to a WHO led consultation with adequate representation of low- and middle-income countries on building an interim mechanism to implement such a platform without delay, so that we are not caught unprepared when the next health emergency strikes.  The G-20 countries have underscored the need to bolster regional manufacturing capabilities of vaccines, therapeutic and diagnostic products particularly in developing countries as well as collectively nurture an ecosystem of R&amp;D so that market failures in health-emergencies can be pre-empted. Launch of Global Initiative on Digital Health  Digital Health has emerged as one of the most powerful accelerators towards achieving universal healthcare. Through the pandemic we in India have experienced the transformative potential of digital tools in public health During Covid-19, platforms such as Co-Win and e-Sanjeevani envisaged as digital public goods proved to be absolute game-changers, completely democratising the way vaccines and healthcare services were delivered to over one billion people, including the most vulnerable population. India is already creating a national digital health ecosystem - Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) that empowers patients to store and access their medical records and share them with healthcare providers to ensure appropriate treatment and follow-ups.  That over 120 countries have developed their national digital health policies or strategies indicate the appetite for digital health tools across the world including low-income countries. But till a few days back there was no existing common platform and language for countries to exchange learnings on digital health initiatives, even when willing to do so. Functioning in such disconnected silos in digital health means there are huge duplications around similar products. That is set to change after the launch of WHO led global initiative on digital health (GIDH) on 19th August under India's G-20 presidency. The unanimous support of G-20 countries on this initiative has ensured that the world will decisively move towards a global digital health regime from a fragmented digital health space to bridge the gaping digital-divide between countries. This initiative aims to support countries to plan and implement high quality digital health systems and help patients access healthcare services based on a people-centric approach with the highest regard for privacy and ethics. Such a structure should offer means to ensure that the quality of digital health services offered to people worldwide meet a certain standard, a platform is created to capture and share the digital health journey of countries as well as highlight their needs in a way that one country can learn from the other shortening its long road to achieve healthcare for all.  Priortising Climate and Health  Despite climate consciousness seeping into all sectors, the complex links between how climate impacts health across the one-health spectrum that covers human health, animal health and plant health is yet to be fully decoded. India's presidency has for the first time acknowledged the need to unravel these invisible links through G-20 so that we can prioritise solutions. G-20 countries have committed to prioritise low-carbon, high-quality sustainable and climate resilient health systems, to ensure that our health sector is not becoming a laggard at a time when all sectors are doing their bit to attain net-zero goals. In our outcome document, G-20 countries have also promised to tackle anti-microbial resistance (AMR) through the one-health approach.  Role of Traditional Medicine  At a time when the world over there is a revolution around integrated medicine promoting holistic health and wellness, we think it is our responsibility to revive the potent traditional medicine systems and offer their untapped benefits to the humanity through global groups like G-20. Last year, Our Hon' Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the WHO-Global Centre for Traditional Medicine at Jamnagar in Gujarat and opened the doors of our ancient wellness wisdom for the world. We are taking that legacy forward in G-20 with member countries recognizing the potential role of evidence-based traditional and complementary medicine in health. "Aarogyam paramam bhagyam, swasthya sarvartha sadhanam" says a timeless shloka, meaning "Freedom from diseases is the ultimate destiny, and good health the basis for achieving every other wealth". We at G-20 after the humbling experience of the pandemic, have paid heed, and decided that the time to act is now.
*Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister, India

As India is in preparation to host the 18th G20 Heads of State and Government summit in New Delhi

India's G-20 Presidency Laid The Foundation Of An Inclusive Global Health Architecture

Chennai: UNESCO declares certain properties as World Heritage Sites based on their cultural and natural heritage that is considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) tag line for World Heritage Sites is, “Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage, are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.” A World Heritage Site must be a unique landmark which is geographically and historically identifiable and has special cultural or physical significance. In order to be categorised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property must be an exceptionally good example of a traditional human settlement, land-use or sea-use that is representative of a culture or an interaction between humans and the environment. Being listed as a World Heritage Site can positively affect the site, its environment and the interactions between them. A listed site gains international recognition, legal protection and can even obtain funds which include grants from the World Heritage Fund, to facilitate its conservation. The three Chola temples, namely the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram form a unique group and demonstrate a progressive development of Chola architecture and Dravidian art at its best. They also encapsulate a very distinctive period of Chola history and Tamil culture. The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur marks the greatest achievements of the Chola architects. The foundation stone of this temple was laid bythe Chola king, Rajaraja 1 (985-1012CE). The temple inauguration is likely to have taken place in the 19th regal year. The massive temple which is considered as an architectural beauty and marvel has a main entrance with gopura (a largepyramid shaped tower over the entrance gate) and sub shrines dedicated to Asthadikpalakar. The sanctum itself occupies the centre of the rear half of the rectangular court and there is a circumambulatory path all around the sanctum housing a massive linga. The temple walls are adorned with expensive and exquisite murals. The fort walls enclose and protect the temple complex within and form part of the protected area by the Archeological Survey of India. The Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram in Perambalur districtwas built by Rajendra 1 for Lord Shiva and its sculptures are of unique quality. The bronzes of Bhogasakti and Subrahmanya are considered masterpieces of Chola metal icons and the solar altar with eight deities is considered auspicious. The third among the three Chola temples with the World Heritage Tag is the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram that was built by Chola king Rajaraja II. The temple is much smaller in size compared to the first and second Chola temples. UNESCO declared these three temples World Heritage Sites as they represent and outstanding creative achievement in the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravida type of temples unique to South India. These three temples are also an outstanding testimony to the development of architecture of the Chola empire and of the Tamil civilisation. KR Krishnakumar, architect and a researcher on World Heritage Sites while speaking to IANS from Madurai said, “These three temples representthe development of Dravida architecture from the Chola to the Maratha period.” He said that these three properties pass the test of authenticity in relation to their conception, material and execution. The temples are still usedand the tradition of temple worships and rituals established and practiced over a thousand years ago based on old Agamic texts are continuing on a daily basis there. After getting the World Heritage Site tag, the three temples are being well-maintained and preserved and no major threats affect the monuments. While the status of World Heritage Site improves the recognition of sites globally and increases the interest and curiosity of tourists, the UNESCO is facing criticism regarding “lobbying” as World Heritage Site status can significantly increase tourist footfall. However, the Chola temples have all the right to be included in the list of World Heritage Sites due to their immense architectural beauty and majestic presence. Ullas Kumar, social scientist and researcher based out of Chennai told IANS, “Even though UNESCO is facing criticism in its selection of World Heritage Sites, including racial discrimination and lobbying, the inclusion of the Chola temples in its has lifted the status of the World Heritage Sites as by any standard these temples have to be included in it.” —IANS

UNESCO declares certain properties as World Heritage Sites based on their cultural and natural heritage that is considered 

UNESCO List May Keep Riling People, But Chola Temples Are All-Time Favourites

Uppsala: A ground-breaking investigation on the most recent evolutionary change in natural populations has been published by an international team of academics. Nearly 4,000 Darwin's finches make up one of the largest genomic datasets yet created for animals living in their natural habitat, which is used in this work. The study has identified the genetic underpinnings of adaption in this famous population. The journal Science has published the findings. Ever since Darwin wrote about the finches of the Galápagos Islands, biologists have studied these small songbirds to understand the mechanisms of evolution. One ancestral species has evolved into 18 different species in the last million years. The strength of Darwin’s finches as a study organism lies in what they can show about the early stages of speciation. Peter and Rosemary Grant (Princeton University) tracked nearly every individual on Daphne Major starting in the 1970s. Their work demonstrates that the finches of Daphne Major evolved in response to changes in the environment and interactions among species. An international team has sequenced the genomes of nearly every finch studied on Daphne and revealed the genetic architecture of adaptive change. “I think it’s a really exciting opportunity to tie together our understanding of evolutionary change in the deep past with observations in current time,” said Erik Enbody, the lead author of the study and former post-doctoral fellow at Uppsala University. “Genomic data is a powerful tool to take our observations of birds in the field and learn about the factors that have shaped their evolution,” adding that this kind of study at this scale couldn’t be possible without the decades of research on Galápagos.  “One of the remarkable things we found is that only a few genetic loci explain a great deal of the variation in the beak of the finch,” said Leif Andersson (Uppsala University and Texas A&amp;M University), senior author of the study. “It seems that one of the ways these genetic changes evolve is by bundling together multiple genes, which are then subject to natural selection as the environment changes.”  These results may surprise human geneticists, where many genetic variants are only responsible for a small amount of variation in human height, for instance.  Over the three decades studied, the beak of the Medium Ground-Finch has become smaller. Using the genomes of all the finches on Daphne, the researchers show that this results from genes transferring from the Small Ground-Finch through hybridization and periods of drought where individuals with smaller beaks survived better.  “This study highlights the value of long-term studies to understand the mechanism of evolutionary change,” said Peter Grant.  The researchers collected a drop of blood from the wing vein and banded each bird. This allowed them to track them and determine how long they survived, who they mated with, and their offspring. “By collecting blood samples throughout the study, we had the samples available for genomic study when the technology became available,” added Rosemary Grant.  The researchers studied not only the Medium Ground-Finch, but the entire community of four species of finches present on the island. The Common Cactus-Finch experienced a gradual change towards blunter beaks as conditions on the island changed and hybridization with the Medium Ground-Finch increased. This study paints a dynamic picture of how species adapt to changing environments through a combination of genetic changes of large phenotypic effects that are sometimes transferred between species. As the global environment continues to change, the finches of the Galápagos island will provide a valuable window into understanding how birds, their genetic constitution, and their environment interact to shape the future of wild populations. —ANI

A ground-breaking investigation on the most recent evolutionary change in natural populations has been published by an international team of academics

Genome Research Reveals 30 Years Of Darwin's Finch Evolution

New Delhi: Topped with a 'shikhar' style dome and bow and arrow peculiar to Lord Ram, the new railway station in Ayodhya, which is set to be inaugurated on Saturday, has all the trappings of a temple. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to open the redeveloped Ayodhya Junction station during his visit to the holy city on Saturday. Ayodhya railway junction has been renamed as Ayodhya Dham junction, local MP Lallu Singh said on Wednesday.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/ayodhya-airport-to-be-named-after-maharishi-valmiki-now" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/ayodhya-airport-to-be-named-after-maharishi-valmiki-now</a>&nbsp;
The new building stands next to the old station building. Ayodhya district has two main railway stations -- Ayodhya Junction located in Ayodhya City and Ayodhya Cantt (earlier Faizabad Junction) in Faizabad City. "Earlier, many passengers were getting confused between the two stations. Now, they will know that Ayodhya Dham station means the one near the holy Ayodhya city, and not get it mixed with the station (Ayodhya Cantt) on the Faizabad city side. The old board is expected to be changed very soon," Ayodhya Junction's Station Superintendent Vijay Kumar Choubey told PTI. In 2019, the Faizabad district was renamed Ayodhya District, which was followed by the rechristening of Faizabad junction in 2021. The redevelopment work on the station, which started a couple of years ago, has been executed by RITES, or Rail India Technical and Economic Service Limited, a central public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, and one of the Navaratnas. A board that has been put up near the new structure describes the new station as an "extension building" of the existing railway station. PTI visited the newly built station earlier this week when leftover masonry, stone polishing, and paint works were still strewn about. A senior RITES official said the new station building comes equipped with many modern facilities that passengers usually get at an airport, but the architecture of its facade "embraces tradition" in a nod to the upcoming Ram temple. "The building's frontage has a colonnade having a concrete core with a cladding of sandstone, and on its side ends are tall round pillars, again having a cladding of sandstone to lend it a traditional look," the person told PTI on the condition of anonymity. "The top of the station has a structure with a design that resembles a royal 'mukut' while a bow has been depicted on a wall just beneath it. This is to signify Ayodhya's association with Lord Ram," the official added.
—PTI

Topped with a 'shikhar' style dome and bow and arrow peculiar to Lord Ram, the new railway station in Ayodhya, which is set to be inaugurated

'Mukut', bow and arrow: New Ayodhya station full of religious symbols

New Delhi: In anticipation of the impending Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony, Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia officially launched the inaugural Air India Express flights connecting Ayodhya to Bengaluru and Kolkata on Wednesday. The event witnessed the presence of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow, who received the first boarding pass for the Kolkata to Ayodhya flight. Addressing the audience during the inauguration, Minister Scindia highlighted the remarkable progress of Uttar Pradesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He stated, "The development of Uttar Pradesh is reaching new heights. If we look at the population of Uttar Pradesh, almost 70 per cent of the population of the US is in Uttar Pradesh. Half of Europe's population is in Uttar Pradesh. We celebrated Diwali last November, the second Diwali was on December 3 when the election results were declared, and not for the entire country but for the entire world, the third Diwali is going to be celebrated on the coming 22nd."
Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/delhi-fog:-more-than-170-flights-affected-20-trains-delayed" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/delhi-fog:-more-than-170-flights-affected-20-trains-delayed</a> Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, participating in the inauguration through a video conference, emphasized the state's aviation advancements, with the establishment of new airports and the inauguration of four international airports in the last nine years. He proudly mentioned the inauguration of the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport in Ayodhya by PM Modi on December 30. Earlier, an airport official disclosed that routine flights at Ayodhya's Maharishi Valmiki International Airport would commence, with an expected increase in flight frequency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated the airport after unveiling the Ayodhya Railway Station on December 30. The Airports Authority of India, in accordance with the MoU signed with the Government of Uttar Pradesh in April of the previous year, undertook the development of the state-of-the-art airport at a cost exceeding Rs 1450 crore. The airport's terminal building, spanning 6,500 square meters, is poised to accommodate around 10 lakh passengers annually. Its facade artfully mirrors the architectural style of the forthcoming Shri Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The interiors of the terminal showcase local art, paintings, and murals depicting the life of Bhagwan Shri Ram.
—Input from Agencies

Experience seamless air travel as Jyotiraditya Scindia unveils Ayodhya's Air India Express flights, connecting key cities.

Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates Maiden Air India Express Flight Linking Ayodhya to Bengaluru and Kolkata

Abu Dhabi: Holy water from Ganga and Yamuna, pink sandstone from Rajasthan, furniture made of wooden trunks used to transport stones from India - the first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi is an architectural marvel made with contributions from different parts of the country.
The temple is set to be inaugurated on Wednesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will lead a dedication ceremony.  On the two sides of the temple, holy water flows from Ganga and Yamuna, which was brought from India in huge containers.  According to temple authorities, an amphitheatre in the shape of a ghat has been built on the side where the water from Ganga flows.
"The idea was to make it resemble the ghat of Varanasi where the visitors can sit, meditate and get transported mentally to ghats back in India. When visitors walk in they will see two streams of water that symbolically represent the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in India. A beam of light to represent the river Saraswati will be directed from the temple structure to form 'Triveni' Sangam," said Vishal Patel, a lead volunteer at the iconic temple.  The temple has been built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha on a 27-acre site in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway.  The temple’s facade features exquisite marble carvings set against a sandstone backdrop, crafted from more than 25,000 pieces of stone by skilled artisans from Rajasthan and Gujarat. A substantial number of pink sandstone were transported from northern Rajasthan to Abu Dhabi for the temple.  Vishal Brahmabhatt, who supervises procurement and logistics at the site, told PTI that more than two lakh cubic feet of 'sacred' stone has been transported in more than 700 containers for the temple’s construction.  "The pink sandstone was brought from India. The carving was done by sculptors there and the stones were retrofitted here. Then the artisans gave the final shape to the designs here," he said.  The wooden trunks and containers in which the stones were packed and transported to Abu Dhabi have been reused to make furniture at the temple.  Swami Brahmaviharidas, head of international relations for BAPS, "The entire furniture which has been placed at various places inside the temple including prayer halls, cafeteria, community centre etc has been made using the wood from the boxes and trunks which were used to transport the stones. There is a bit of India in every corner of the temple."  The temple complex is bordered by buildings that house prayer halls, a community centre to host cultural events, a library, a children’s park and an amphitheatre through which a stream cuts across.  The work for the structure has been going on since 2019. The land for the temple was donated by the UAE government.  The UAE has three other Hindu temples that are located in Dubai. The BAPS temple, spread over a large area with stone architecture, will be the largest of all in the Gulf region.  Prime Minister Modi will be in the UAE on a two-day visit beginning today. This is his seventh visit to the UAE since 2015 and his third in the last eight months.  During the visit, Modi will hold bilateral meetings with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two leaders are expected to discuss ways to further deepen, expand and strengthen the strategic partnership between the countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.  The Prime Minister will later on Tuesday address the Indian diaspora at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi. The UAE has at least 3.5 million Indians who are part of the Indian workforce in the Gulf.
—PTI

Experience cultural fusion at Abu Dhabi's BAPS Hindu stone temple – holy water, pink sandstone, and reused wooden trunks create a unique architectural marvel. Inaugurated by PM Modi.

Holy water from Ganga and Yamuna, sandstone from Rajasthan for first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi

PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated the first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi. The temple has been built using ancient architectural methods clubbed with scientific techniques.
The temple, called BAPS Hindu Mandir, has been built with over 300 high-tech sensors to measure temperature and monitor seismic activity, no metal has been used in the construction of the temple and fly ash has been used to fill up the foundation.  The grand temple has been built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha on a 27-acre site in Abu Mreikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, at a cost of around Rs 700 crore.
—PTI

PM Modi inaugurates BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi's first Hindu stone temple, blending ancient architecture with modern technology.

PM Modi inaugurates first Hindu stone temple in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: A pregnant techie living in Sydney, a couple from Boston and a school teacher from the UK were among several Indian expats across the world who headed to the UAE last year to offer seva at the under-construction first Hindu stone temple here.
Their joy knew no bounds on Wednesday when the temple was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.  Right from sorting stones to cooking meals, documenting the progress, outreach programmes to supervising the unloading of shipments, the volunteers took up different responsibilities.
34-year-old Sheena Patel, a software engineer in Sydney, wanted to do something meaningful during her pregnancy.  She moved to the UAE to volunteer at the under-construction temple.  “My family was very apprehensive...initially, I came here for four weeks and haven’t returned then. I delivered my son here only and my husband joined me in my eighth month, we will go back to our Sydney lives in March now,” Patel told PTI.  Aastha Thakker, who lives in Boston with her husband, spent last year working remotely for her employer in the US.  “I would manage time between the seva and my work. My husband is here too, when we heard about the temple, we knew we had to do it. It is our way of thanking God for the blessings,” she said.  A maths teacher from the UK is on a sabbatical and has been in Abu Dhabi for two years.
“Looks like there is no going back for me. It was a proud moment for us yesterday. I have seen the temple rise from scratch in the middle of a desert. My family used to be worried about finances when I decided to do so but once God chooses you for something like this, everything finds a way,” Umesh Raja said.  For Devansh Bhatt, a banker in Ahmedabad, the last one-and-a-half month has been divine.  “I couldn’t come earlier because of commitments back in India so I decided to be here on New Year and have been volunteering since. The temple was in the final stages of construction then,” he said.  The temple has been built by the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha on a 27-acre site in Abu Mureikhah, near Al Rahba off the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway, at a cost of around Rs 700 crore.  Constructed with 18 lakh bricks and 1.8 lakh cubic metres of sandstone sourced directly from Rajasthan Abu Dhabi's first Hindu temple has been made in the Nagara style of architecture, just like the recently inaugurated Ram Temple in Ayodhya.  The work for the structure has been going on since 2019. The land for the temple was donated by the UAE government The UAE has three other Hindu temples that are located in Dubai. The BAPS temple, spread over a large area with stone architecture, will be the largest in the Gulf region.  Prime Minister Modi was in the UAE on a two-day visit, his seventh visit to the country since 2015 and his third in the last eight months.
—PTI

Indian expats worldwide unite in UAE for historic Hindu temple inauguration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presides over the joyous occasion. A global seva celebration.

Indian expats who moved to UAE from around the globe to volunteer at Abu Dhabi's Hindu temple

Bolaji Owoseni For The Conversation
Cambridge: Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, is a Nigerian city with a long and rich history. However, much of its distant past is not well known. Archaeology is now uncovering more of this history and the relationships of Ilorin to other ancient parts of the Yoruba world.  Situated in north-central Nigeria and predominantly Yoruba-speaking, Ilorin gained prominence in the late 1700s. It was a significant northern province of the Oyo empire, which was active between the 1500s and early 1800s.  Thanks to its strategic location between savannah and forest regions of present-day Nigeria and its connection to the Oyo empire, Ilorin evolved into a centre of inter-regional trade networks, craft production and cultural exchanges by the 1800s. The city was renowned for trade in horses, agricultural produce, and crafts such as lantana stone beads, textiles and pottery within the Yoruba-Edo worlds and across west Africa. Ilorin also served as a trading hub for enslaved people.  In addition, in the 1800s, Ilorin became integrated into the Islamic emirate system under the Sokoto caliphate. This integration resulted in significant socio-political changes and contributed to the expansion of the city.  While oral traditions and written sources have preserved much of Ilorin’s history, the longer-term occupation of the city before the 1800s remained largely unknown until recent archaeological research. This contrasts with the situation in Ilorin’s surrounding communities like Igbominaland, Ede and Osogbo, where archaeological studies have provided insights into their settlement histories.
My doctoral research on Ilorin archaeology sheds new light on this period. It uncovers over 1,000 years of human occupation in the city before the 1800s. This research started the process of unravelling the city’s previously unknown settlement history and its connections to wider Yoruba worlds. The material evidence from this research takes various forms, including material technology, settlement patterns, architecture, rituals and food.  My research investigated 10 units of various sizes, seven of which were excavated. It documented a diverse suite of material culture, including abundant potsherds of various types, potsherd pavements, rock-based or stone tools, animal remains, shell and metal. I compared these findings from Ilorin with those from the wider Yorubaland, focusing particularly on the major centres of Ile-Ife and Oyo.  Ile-Ife occupies a central place in Yoruba history and civilisation. Claimed to be the harbinger of Yoruba civilisation, it is associated with important material evidence, including terracotta, early glass making and potsherd pavements. Oyo served as the capital of the Oyo empire, which collapsed in the early 1800s.  Potsherds and potsherd pavements  My research on early Ilorin centred mainly on potsherds. In archaeology, potsherds tell us a lot about the characteristics of past societies and how they interacted with their environment.  Potsherd pavements stand out as an ancient architectural feature linked to the social complexities of west Africa. Potsherds are broken pieces of ceramic materials and potsherd pavements are paved ways, floors or courtyards made of potsherds. They are sometimes combined with stones, pebbles or cobbles. They can be laid flat or on edge in a pattern. Potsherds and potsherd pavements provide insights into past technology, innovation, economy, social identity, architecture and rituals. They can also expand understanding of social interactions on a regional scale.  Ilorin potsherd pavements present an ideal case study of regional interactions.  The Oyo empire’s capital was about 60km north-west of Ilorin. Despite their connections, the two societies had different kinds of potsherd pavements. The Oyo kingdom featured flat-laid potsherd pavements while Ilorin’s were edge-lain in herringbone patterns.  This could strongly indicate a disconnection between the two centres during prehistoric times. The varied patterns observed in potsherd pavements suggest variations in technological choices among the artisans responsible for crafting these architectural structures. Patterns may also be determined by the culture responsible for the innovation. Ilorin’s edge-laid patterns are similar to those found widely in the Ile-Ife area, about 235km to the south-west. Evidence in Ilorin of buried pot remains, potentially used for ritual purposes, is also suggestive of finds at Ile-Ife and some of its surrounding towns.  My findings  My research used archaeology as its prime source of data to investigate the development of the Ilorin cultural landscape, focusing on Okesuna, one of the city’s early quarters. I chose Okesuna because of the concentration of archaeological remains there, particularly potsherds and potsherd pavements.  The excavations also yielded rock-based or stone tools, animal remains, shell and metal objects. A combination of radiocarbon dates and potsherds analysis from Ilorin produced chronological information spanning from the mid-sixth to the pre-16th centuries AD. This covered around 1,000 years of human occupation in the area before the west Africa Atlantic contact.  The research in Ilorin is the first to document a first millennium AD pottery assemblage outside significant known centralised polities of Yorubaland such as Old Oyo, Ile-Ife and Benin. It is the first record of people living in the area such a long time ago.  The dates also suggest that the early Ilorin area was more developed than previously believed. It must have served as a significant socio-political unit at the same time as or even earlier than some important Yorùbáland centres, including Ile-Ife and Old Oyo.  Early Ilorin may have been a centre of innovation which facilitated free-flowing interactions across regional borders, uninhibited by pressure from major centres.  Ancient politics  My research demonstrates how archaeological evidence continually reshapes our understanding of the ancient politics in areas situated on the borders of major centres.  It shows that the settlement patterns of modern societies are an inadequate yardstick for defining pre-modern societies. This highlights the fluid and transient nature of culture. It also underscores the complexity and significance of these areas as contact zones of social interactions and cultural exchanges.  (The author is a Research Fellow in Black Heritage, University of Cambridge.)
—PTI

Explore the untold history of Ilorin, Nigeria, as recent archaeological findings reveal over a millennium of human settlement, trade, and cultural exchanges in this historic Yoruba city.

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