PIB Summary- 17th January, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Road Safety Month

Context: The National Road Safety Month is observed from 18^th January to 17^th February.

About the National Road Safety Month

• It is an initiative by the government to enhance awareness about road safety and reduce road accidents in India. 
• Activities planned during the National Road Safety Month include the launch of a film on road safety, flag-off of a National Championship Safe Speed Challenge from Wagah border to Kanyakumari, and giving away of awards for Road Safety. 
• State Governments, PSUs, and insurance companies will also participate in awareness-creating activities, with seminars, walkathons and poster-making competitions.

Road accidents in India

• Road accidents continue to be a leading cause of death, disabilities and hospitalisation in India, which accounts for 11% of accidents-related fatalities worldwide. 
• Over 400 people are killed in road accidents every day and over 1,200 injured every single day in India.

Buddhist Circuit

Context: Ministry of Tourism organises ‘DekhoApnaDesh’ Webinar on “Exploring Buddhist Circuit by Train”. 

What is a Tourist Circuit? 

• A Tourist Circuit is defined as a route having at least three major tourist destinations which are distinct and apart. 
• Circuits should have well-defined entry and exit points. A tourist who enters should get motivated to visit most of the places identified in the circuit. 
• A Circuit could be confined to a State or could be a regional circuit covering more than one State/Union Territory. These circuits may have one dominant theme and other sub-themes.

What is the Buddhist Circuit?
The Buddhist circuit includes the most important pilgrimage destinations for Buddhist tourists. The development of the Buddhist Circuit is a part of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme announced by the Government of India in 2014 which encompasses the development of theme-based tourist circuits.
India is home to seven of the eight Buddhist sites, yet receives less than 1% of the Buddhist pilgrims in the world. The Buddhist circuit as envisioned by the ministry of tourism includes Kapilavastu and Lumbini (Buddha’s birthplace) in Nepal, Shravasthi, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Rajgir, Vaishali, and Bodhgaya in India.

Lumbini

• Lumbini in Nepal is believed to the place where Queen Maya gave birth to Siddhartha (Buddha) in 563 BC.  It is a UNESCO world heritage site.

Kapilavastu

• Located in southern Nepal, Kapilavastu was the capital of the Shakyas where Siddhartha lived with his parents until he renounced his family life and left the palace at the age of 29.

Shravasthi 

• Located by the Rapti River in Uttar Pradesh, the ancient city of Shravasti was the capital of Kosala. This is believed to be the place where Buddha spent fourteen Chaturmasas, a holy period of four months. Shravasthi is home to many old viharas and stupas associated with the enlightened one.

Sarnath 

• The place where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment is the city of Sarnath located on the confluence of river Gomathi and Ganges in Uttar Pradesh.

Kushinagar 

• Kushinagar is the place where Buddha is believed to have attained Parinirvana and is located in Uttar Pradesh.

Rajgir 

• Rajgir is the place where the first Buddhist council was held. He is believed to have delivered many of his sermons during his 12-year stay.

Vaishali 

• Vaishali is the place where Buddha preached his last sermon before his death in 483 BC.  The second Buddhist council was held here in 383 BC.

Bodhgaya 

• Bodhgaya is a sacred pilgrim place for Buddhists as it is the place where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Mahabodhi temple tree is a UNESCO world heritage site. 
• The plan aims at offering world-class facilities to lure the Buddhist pilgrims to India, which will give a tremendous boost to the tourism revenue and employment in India.

Buddhist Circuit – State-wise Circuits
The following table highlights the State-wise Buddhist Circuits, destinations as well as amenities under focus for development under each circuit.

Other Circuits
Many other circuits are announced by the Ministry of Tourism under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme for development and promotion of tourist sites. The table below enlists the names of other tourist circuits. 

• Coastal Circuit 
• Desert circuit 
• Eco Circuit 
• Heritage Circuit 
• Himalayan Circuit 
• North-East Region Circuit 
• Krishna Circuit 
• Ramayana circuit 
• Sufi Circuit 
• Rural Circuit 
• Spiritual Circuit 
• Wild Life Circuit 
• Tirthankara Circuit 
• Tribal Circuit