Current Affairs - Art and Culture

The Bharat Gaurav luxury tourist train was launched to promote cultural and spiritual tourism between India and Nepal. The train, part of the Bharat Nepal Maitri Yatra, covers important religious and cultural sites in both countries, including Ayodhya and Varanasi in India and Janakpur and Kathmandu in Nepal. This initiative, by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), aims to strengthen cultural ties and enhance the spiritual tourism experience between the two neighbouring countries.

Nadi Utsav 2024, which celebrates the importance of India's rivers, was inaugurated at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi on September 19th. This fifth edition of the festival carries the theme ‘Rivers in Reverse: Making of a Lifeline’, emphasizing the critical components of a river and its surrounding culture. The event aims to raise awareness about the ecological and cultural significance of rivers, showcasing the connection between waterways and the communities that depend on them. Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, the IGNCA Member Secretary, played a key role in the festival's organization.

The 19th Divya Kala Mela was inaugurated in Visakhapatnam, showcasing a diverse array of products created by 100 Divyang artisans from 20 states. This event aims to promote financial independence and inclusion for Divyang entrepreneurs through concessional loans and assistive devices supported by corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The fair features handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural performances, making it a vibrant platform for empowering Divyang artisans and encouraging local entrepreneurship. The event underscores the commitment to fostering an inclusive society and enhancing economic opportunities for all participants.

Uttar Pradesh will construct a Vedic-3D museum at Sampurnanand Sanskrit University in Varanasi, showcasing India's rich cultural heritage through astrology, astronomy, and Vedic literature. The museum will focus on Vedic evolution, covering topics such as the 16 Sanskars, 64 arts, and 18 Vidya Sthans. This initiative, announced by CM Yogi Adityanath, also aims to revive the ancient tradition of ‘Shastrartha’ (spiritual discourse), enhancing the state's role in preserving and promoting Indian knowledge systems.

Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are collaborating to develop the Shri Krishna Gaman Path, a new religious tourism circuit. The circuit will connect places in Madhya Pradesh related to Lord Krishna's life, and is intended to make central India a major travel hub for Krishna devotees.