Simhachalam Temple (Varaha LakshmiNarasimha Temple)    
Godda Project    
Cotton Production in India    
Buddhism in India    
Aditya-L1 Mission    

1. Simhachalam Temple (Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple)
•    Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
•    Deity: Dedicated to Narasimha, an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu with a human torso and lion’s face.

Historical Background
•    Construction: Built in the 11th century by the Gajapati rulers of Odisha.
•    Contributions:
o    Kulottunga Chola I (Tamil Nadu) made endowments in 1087, as seen from inscriptions.
o    Vengi Chalukyas (Andhra Pradesh) renovated the original shrine during the 11th century.
o    Narasimha I (Eastern Ganga dynasty) undertook major renovations in the 13th century.

o    Krishna Deva Raya (Vijayanagara Empire) visited the temple in 1516, documented in temple inscriptions.
Architectural Highlights
•    Style: Blends Kalinga and Dravidian
architectural elements.
o    Sanctum: Intricate carvings and sculptures, displaying Kalinga and Dravidian artistry.
o    Depiction of Lord Narasimha: Human torso with a lion’s face, symbolizing divine strength and grace.
•    Stone Chariot: A unique feature of the temple, depicted as being drawn by horses.
•    Kalyana Mandapa:
o    Contains 16 pillars with bas-reliefs of Vishnu’s avatars.
•    Sanctum’s Outer Walls:
o    Adorned with images, possibly of King Narasimha of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, in various postures.

Prelims Question
Which of the following statements about Simhachalam Temple is correct?
1.    The temple was constructed during the reign of Krishna Deva Raya in the 16th century.
2.    It features a blend of Kalinga and Dravidian architectural styles.
A)    1 only
B)    2 only
C)    Both 1 and 2
D)    Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B) 2 only

Mains Question
 

OASHUB

Discuss the architectural and historical significance of the Simhachalam Temple, highlighting the contributions of different dynasties to its development. How does its blend of Kalinga and Dravidian styles reflect the cultural amalgamation of South India?

2. Godda Project
About the Project
•    Nature: India’s first transnational power project with electricity dedicated solely for export.
•    Operator: Adani Power's subsidiary in Jharkhand supplies 1,496 MW of power to Bangladesh from the ultra super-critical thermal power plant located in Godda.
•    Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): A 25- year agreement established with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) in November 2017.

Significance
•    Cost Reduction: The power supplied from Godda replaces costly liquid fuel-based electricity, helping Bangladesh reduce its overall power costs.
•    Energy Contribution:
o    Bangladesh’s total generation capacity as of June 2023 was 24,911 MW.
o    Imports from India constitute over 10% of this capacity, including the 1,496 MW supplied from Godda, which contributes around 6% of Bangladesh's total energy capacity.

•    Regional Cooperation: In line with India’s 2016 guidelines by the Ministry of Power, regional electricity exchange across South Asia aims to foster economic growth and improve quality of life.
Bangladesh’s Need for Power Imports
•    Underutilized Power Plants: Although Bangladesh has expanded electricity access, fuel and gas constraints hinder full utilization of power generation capacity.
•    Global Energy Crisis Impact: Following the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Bangladesh faced severe energy shortages, relying on IMF support due to prolonged blackouts and fuel scarcity.
•    Overcapacity Issue:
o    As of June 30, 2023, Bangladesh’s total generation capacity stood at 28,098 MW, with peak generation recorded at only 16,477 MW.
o    This leaves about 11,621 MW of unutilized capacity, highlighting the imbalance between capacity and actual energy needs.
Change in India’s Power Export Rules
•    Regulatory Flexibility: New changes in
India’s power export rules allow exporters like Adani to also serve the domestic market in India.
•    Impact on Risk Mitigation: This adjustment reduces dependency on external markets and addresses payment delays due to internal approval processes within the BPDB, which assesses coal prices and other costs before finalizing payments.
•    Minimal Long-Term Impact on Bangladesh: Experts suggest that any sudden halt in India’s power supply to Bangladesh would result in only short- term effects (lasting about 2–3 days), with no major long-term disruptions.

OASHUB
 

Prelims Question
With regard to India's first transnational power project, consider the following statements:
1.    The Godda power plant exports electricity to Sri Lanka.
2.    The recent regulatory changes in India allow power exporters to supply the domestic market in India.
3.    Bangladesh imports more than 10% of its energy needs from India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1 and 2 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 2 and 3 only

Mains Question
Discuss the significance of India’s first transnational power project at Godda in strengthening India-Bangladesh energy cooperation. How do recent regulatory changes in India’s power export rules impact India’s energy diplomacy and regional cooperation in South Asia?

3. Cotton Production in India
Context
•    Cotton is a versatile crop supporting food, feed, and fiber production for textiles, oil, and livestock feed.
•    Recently, cotton production and yields have declined, challenging India’s agriculture and textile sectors.
Significance of Cotton for India Overview
•    Cotton is a major commercial crop in India, contributing ~25% of global

production. Known as "White Gold" due to its economic significance.
•    67% of India's cotton grows in rain-fed areas; 33% in irrigated areas.

Growing Conditions
•    Requires hot, sunny climates with frost- free periods for productivity.
•    Suitable soils vary by region: alluvial soils in the north, black clayey soils in central India, and mixed black-red soils in the south.
•    Cotton is sensitive to waterlogging; well- drained soils are essential.
Species of Cultivated Cotton
•    India cultivates all four species of cotton:
o    Gossypium arboreum and
Herbaceum (Asian cotton),
o    G. barbadense (Egyptian cotton),
o    G. hirsutum (American Upland cotton).
Major Cotton-Producing Regions
•    Northern Zone: Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
•    Central Zone: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh
•    Southern Zone: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Significance of Cotton
•    Fiber: Cotton lint is crucial for the textile industry, making up two-thirds of India’s total textile fiber consumption.
 

OASHUB

•    Food: Cottonseed is a source of edible oil (India's third-largest domestically- produced oil).
•    Feed: Cottonseed cake serves as a valuable livestock feed, providing essential protein.
Factors Leading to Cotton Production Trends Surge in Production (2000-2013)
•    Introduction of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) technology improved yields:
o    Bt cotton hybrids countered American bollworm, increasing lint yield from 278 kg/ha to 566 kg/ha.
o    Higher cottonseed oil and cake production.
Decline in Production (Post-2013)
•    Pink Bollworm (PBW) infestations became a primary issue:
o    PBW larvae damage cotton quality and yield.
o    PBW, being monophagous (feeds mainly on cotton), developed resistance to Bt proteins due to continuous Bt hybrid cultivation.
•    Spread of Infestation:
o    Gujarat (2014), Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra (2015), and Punjab, Haryana (2021) saw significant PBW issues.
Challenges Facing India’s Cotton Sector
•    Yield Fluctuations: Limited irrigation, declining soil fertility, and erratic weather patterns create production uncertainties.
•    Smallholder Dominance: Small-scale farmers often lack access to modern farming technologies, affecting overall yields.
•    Market Access: Many growers face limited market access, often selling at lower prices to intermediaries.

Prelims Question
Consider the following statements about cotton production in India:
1.    India is the only country to cultivate all four species of cotton.
2.    Bt cotton helped increase India’s cotton
yields by targeting the pink bollworm.
3.    Cotton farming in India is dominated by large-scale commercial farmers.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1 and 3 only
D)    1 only
Answer: D) 1 only

Mains Question
Discuss the significance of cotton as an agricultural and economic resource in India. Examine the challenges facing India’s cotton production and suggest potential solutions to improve yield stability and farmer income.

4.    Buddhism in India
Origins of Buddhism
•    Founded: Over 2,600 years ago in India as a transformative way of life.
•    Founder: Siddhartha Gautama (c. 563 BCE), born to the Sakya royal family in Lumbini near the Indo-Nepal border.
•    Journey to Enlightenment:
o    Left royal life at 29 to seek spiritual fulfillment through asceticism.
o    Achieved Bodhi (enlightenment) after meditating for 49 days under a pipal tree in Bodhgaya, Bihar.
o    Gave his first sermon at Sarnath, UP (Dharma-Chakra-Pravartana).
o    Passed away at 80 in Kushinagara, UP (Mahaparinibbana).
Core Tenets of Buddhism

OASHUB

•    Middle Path: Buddha advocated for Madhyam Marg (avoiding extremes of indulgence and asceticism).
•    Individual Responsibility: Emphasized personal accountability for one’s happiness.
 

Four Noble Truths (Ariya-Sachchani)
1.    Dukkha: Suffering is intrinsic to life.
2.    Samudya: Every suffering has a cause.
3.    Nirodha: Suffering can be overcome.
4.    Atthanga Magga: Path to extinguish suffering (Eightfold Path).
Eightfold Path (Astangika Marg)
•    Right view, intention, speech, action, livelihood, effort, mindfulness, and concentration.
Key Concepts
•    Dukkha (suffering) encompasses both physical and potential suffering.
•    Nibbana: The ultimate experience of enlightenment, achievable in one’s lifetime.
•    Five Precepts (Pancasil): Avoid violence, theft, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants.
Buddhist Texts
•    Oral Teachings: Buddha’s teachings, memorized by the Sangha and eventually recorded.
•    Three Pitakas (Tripitaka) compiled after the First Council in 483 BCE:
1.    Vinaya Pitaka: Monastic rules and discipline.

2.    Sutta Pitaka: Buddha’s teachings (Dhamma), divided into five Nikayas.
3.    Abhidhamma Pitaka: Philosophical and analytical teachings.
Schools of Buddhism
1.    Mahayana (“Great Vehicle”):
o    Belief: Divine nature of Buddha and idol worship of Buddha and Bodhisattvas.
o    Spread: Originated in Northern India, spread to China, Korea, Tibet, Japan.
2.    Hinayana (“Lesser Vehicle”):
o    Doctrine of elders: Focus on Buddha’s original teachings without idol worship.
o    Theravada: Major sect focusing on self-discipline and individual salvation, prevalent in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.
3.    Vajrayana (“Thunderbolt Vehicle”):
o    Founded: Developed around 900 CE in India.
o    Practice: Emphasizes tantric rituals and esoteric elements.
4.    Zen:
o    Origins: Mahayana branch that started in China (Tang Dynasty) and spread to Japan in the 7th century.
o    Focus: Meditation as a core practice.

Prelims Question
Consider the following statements regarding Buddhism:
1.    Mahayana Buddhism originated in Tibet and focuses on self-discipline and individual salvation.
 

OASHUB

2.    Theravada Buddhism is widely practiced in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
3.    Zen Buddhism originated in Japan during the 5th century.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A)    2 only
B)    1 and 2 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 2 only

Mains Question
Discuss the significance of the teachings of Buddhism in contemporary times. How do the different schools of Buddhism interpret and practice the core teachings differently?

5. Aditya-L1 Mission
Overview
•    Mission Launch: India’s first solar mission, Aditya-L1, launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), used the PSLV-C57 rocket for insertion into its orbit.
•    Historical Milestone: The PSLV’s fourth stage fired twice to ensure precise
placement, a first in ISRO’s mission
history.
•    Distance and Duration: Aditya-L1 will travel 1.5 million kilometers and is expected to reach its designated point, L1, in about 125 days.
Objectives
•    Primary Goal: Study solar corona, photosphere, chromosphere, and solar wind to understand the Sun’s behavior, including radiation, heat, magnetic fields, and particle flows that affect Earth.
What are Lagrange Points?
•    Definition: Lagrange points are locations in space where the gravitational forces of

two large orbiting bodies (like the Sun and Earth) balance each other, allowing smaller objects like satellites to orbit stably with minimal fuel usage.

Lagrange Points in the Sun-Earth System
1. L1:
o    Ideal for solar observation due to a clear view of the Sun.
o    Significance: Continuously monitors solar activity without interruption.
o    Current Satellites: SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory).
2. L2:
o    Located behind Earth from the Sun's perspective.
o    Purpose: Excellent position for viewing the Universe beyond Earth without interference.
o    Current Satellite: James Webb Space Telescope.
3. L3:
o    Located opposite Earth on the far side of the Sun.
o    Potential Use: Observing the Sun’s
far side.
4. L4 & L5:
o    Form equilateral triangles with Earth and the Sun.
o    Usage: Commonly used for observing asteroids and solar phenomena.
Significance of Exploring the Sun

OASHUB

•    Solar System Dynamics: The Sun governs our solar system’s behavior; studying it enhances our knowledge of other celestial bodies’ interactions.
•    Space Weather Prediction: Insights into solar activities like flares and coronal mass ejections are vital for predicting space weather that could disrupt communication, navigation, and power systems on Earth.
•    Advancements in Solar Physics: Investigations into solar magnetic fields, heating mechanisms, and plasma dynamics contribute to the fundamental sciences of physics and astrophysics.
•    Energy Research: Understanding the Sun, a natural fusion reactor, aids in developing sustainable fusion energy technologies.
•    Satellite Operations: Knowledge of solar radiation and wind can improve satellite design and optimize spacecraft functionality under solar influence.

Discuss the significance of India’s Aditya-L1 mission in enhancing our understanding of the Sun and its impact on Earth’s space environment. How do missions like Aditya-L1 contribute to scientific and technological advancements in space exploration?
 

Prelims Question
Which of the following statements about the Aditya-L1 mission is correct?
1.    Aditya-L1 will observe the Sun from the L2 Lagrange point.
2.    The mission is designed to study the solar corona, photosphere, and solar wind.
3.    Aditya-L1 is ISRO’s third observatory-class mission after AstroSat and Mangalyaan.
Select the correct answer:
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 only
C)    2 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 2 only

Mains Question