A 1.4m Buddha head and stupas (1,500+ years old) found in Ratnagiri, Odisha, confirm its role as a Tantric Buddhism hub.

• Buddhism has three main schools: Theravāda (orthodox), Mahāyāna (includes Zen & Pure Land), and Vajrayāna (includes Tibetan Buddhism).
  • Guru Padmasambhava, (Also known as Guru Rinpoche/Second Buddha) is an important figure in Buddhism who was instrumental in establishing Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet around 8th century CE.

Evolution of Tantric Buddhism

• Tantric Buddhism was a shift from abstract philosophy to sadhana (practical methods) for enlightenment.
  • Vajrayāna or Tantric Buddhism believes in esoteric healing; deals with social activism and social transformation and is prevalent in Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal and Tibet.
  • Mahayana Buddhism introduced mantras & rituals, leading to two branches: Mantrayana (early Tantra) & Paramita-yana.
  • The mantra-yana may be regarded as the ‘initial’ stage of Tantric Buddhism when yogic practices got added to it, it was full-fledged Tantric Buddhism’.

Ministry of Home Affairs has announced Padma Awards 2025 on Republic day.

About Padma Awards           

• Instituted in 1954, they are one of the highest civilian Awards of country.
• Conferred by President at Rashtrapati Bhawan in three categories, namely:
  • Padma Vibhushan: For exceptional and distinguished service.
  • Padma Bhushan: For distinguished service of high order.
  • Padma Shri: For distinguished service in any field.
• Awards are given in various disciplines/ fields of activities, viz. art, social work, public affairs, science and engineering, trade and industry, medicine, literature and education, sports, civil service, etc. 
• Except for interruptions in 1978, 1979 and between 1993 and 1997, every year the names of the recipients are announced on Republic Day eve. 
• Padma award is just an honor. No cash allowance or any facility/benefit in terms of concession etc. in rail/air travel is attached to these awards.

Recently, Chaman Arora was awarded Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in Dogri (Spoken in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab) for his book “Ik Hor Ashwthama”.

About Sahitya Akademi Awards

• Genesis: Inaugurated in 1954 and given by the Sahitya Akademi (an autonomous body under Union Ministry of Culture).
  • First Awards were given in 1955.
• Awarded to the most outstanding books of literary merit published in any of the major Indian languages recognised by the Akademi.
  • Languages recognized by the Akademi include 22 Languages listed under the Schedule VIII of the Constitution and English and Rajasthani.
• Award is in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque and a payment of ₹ 1,00,000/-

Finance Minister has introduced Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme in Union Budget 2025-26.

About Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme

• Aim: To provide digital form of Indian language books for schools and higher education to help students understand their subjects better.
• It is aligned with National Education Policy (2020), wherein students across schools and universities will get textbooks, learning materials in digital formats. 
• It also complements ASMITA (Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing) initiative. 
  • It was launched by Ministry of Education and UGC in 2024 to develop 22,000 books in 22 Indian languages in next five years.