Content

1. Central Vista Project
2. A Joyous Homecoming: India’s Sacred Buddhist Relics Return After 127 Years

Central Vista Project

Context & Background

• Launched: 2020
• Location: New Delhi (spanning India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhavan)
• Executing Agency: Central Public Works Department (CPWD)
• Architect: HCP Design Planning & Management Pvt. Ltd. (led by Bimal Patel)
• Supervising Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
• Estimated Cost: Approx. ₹13,500 crore (as per public statements)

Relevance : GS 2 ( Polity & Governance ), GS Paper 3 (Infrastructure & Environment)

Constitutional & Governance Significance

• Democratic Symbolism:
  • New Parliament building represents the “temple of democracy”.
  • From Rajpath (symbol of colonial authority) to Kartavya Path (citizen-centric governance).
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• Governance Rationality:
  • Integration of 51 Ministries into 10 Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings.
  • Elimination of dispersed office spaces rented across Delhi → improves inter-ministerial coordination.
  • Promotes e-governance via tech-enabled modular buildings.

Key Infrastructure Components

Administrative Gains

• Efficient Resource Use:
  • Reduces annual expenditure on government building rentals (~₹1,000+ crore/year).

• Faster Decision-Making:
  • Ministries in close physical proximity = enhanced synergy and productivity.

• Digital Governance Hub:
  • Buildings equipped with smart tech, high-speed networks, and security systems.

Environmental Impact & Sustainability

• Green Features:
  • 40,573 trees to be planted; no existing trees cut.
  • Redevelopment of Kartavya Path added 197 new trees (now 4,087 vs earlier 3,890).
  • Use of Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste for material recycling.

• Energy Efficiency:
  • Kartavya Bhawan to save 30% energy and generate 5.34 lakh kWh annually.
  • Promotes non-motorised transport and public transport integration.

• EIA Compliance:
  • All sub-projects cleared via rigorous Environmental Impact Assessments.

Cultural & Social Benefits

• Public Space Expansion:
  • National Museum, IGNCA, lawns, India Gate plaza → redesigned for public use.

• Democratisation of Space:
  • 80,000 sq.m. of historic office space repurposed for citizens.

• Tourism & Heritage:
  • Redesigned Kartavya Path integrates pedestrian walkways (16.5 km) and canal restoration.

Economic & Strategic Dimensions

• ‘Made in India’ Focus:
  • Indigenous materials and crafts used across structures – boosts local artisans and MSMEs.

• Employment Generation:
  • Thousands of direct and indirect jobs created across construction, design, and engineering sectors.

• Long-Term Fiscal Prudence:
  • Cuts high maintenance and rental costs of outdated buildings.

Criticism & Debates

• Timing Criticism:
  • Project launched amid COVID-19 pandemic; called “misplaced priority” by some civil society groups.

• Transparency Issues:
  • Debates on lack of Parliamentary approval and limited public consultation.

• Heritage Conservation vs Modernisation:
  • Concerns raised on altering the historical character of Lutyens’ Delhi.

Alignment with Key Government Initiatives

Prelims Pointers

• Architect: Bimal Patel
• Executing Body: CPWD under MoHUA
• Location of new Parliament: Adjacent to old Parliament
• Total Ministries: 51 in 10 CCS Buildings
• Renamed Road: Rajpath → Kartavya Path

Conclusion:

The Central Vista Project is not merely an architectural makeover; it is an institutional reimagination of India’s governance structure — combining administrative efficiency, sustainability, heritage conservation, and citizen participation. It exemplifies India’s march towards becoming a 21st-century governance hub aligned with the vision of a New India.

A Joyous Homecoming: India’s Sacred Buddhist Relics Return After 127 Years

Context & Background

• Event: Return of sacred Piprahwa Buddhist Relics to India in July 2025, after 127 years.
• Discovery: In 1898, by British engineer William Claxton Peppé at Piprahwa Stupa (Siddharthnagar, Uttar Pradesh), near ancient Kapilavastu, homeland of Lord Buddha.
• Contents: Included bone relics (believed to be those of Buddha), crystal caskets, gold and gemstone ornaments, and a sandstone coffer.
• Colonial Loss: These sacred relics were taken abroad during the British era; part of them resurfaced in Sotheby’s auction (Hong Kong, May 2025).
• Repatriation: India intervened diplomatically; relics were returned via a public-private partnership between Ministry of Culture and Godrej Industries Group.

Relevance: GS I( Indian art & culture, religious heritage), GS II (Cultural diplomacy)

Historical & Cultural Significance

• Buddha’s Relics: Physical remains of Gautama Buddha hold spiritual and ritualistic sanctity; enshrined post-Mahaparinirvana (483 BCE) by disciples.
• Piprahwa Inscription: Inscription in Brahmi script on relic casket confirms enshrinement by Sakya clan (~3rd century BCE).
• Excavation Timeline:
  • 1898: Discovery by Peppé.
  • 1971–77: ASI-led excavation unearthed 22 sacred bone relics in steatite caskets.
• Preservation: Some relics have been stored at the National Museum, New Delhi; others were in international possession until now.

Reasons for Relevance in Current Times

• Post-Colonial Cultural Assertion: Part of global trend to reclaim artefacts from colonial-era looting (e.g., Kohinoor, Parthenon Marbles).
• Buddhist Revivalism: Strengthens India’s Buddhist identity for both domestic harmony and international influence.
• Policy Alignment: Reflects PM Modi’s vision of “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” – fusing economic progress with cultural restoration.
• Cultural Sovereignty: Enhances India’s global standing as authentic custodian of Buddhist heritage.

India’s Buddhist Heritage: Strategic & Civilizational Importance

• Civilizational Role:
  • Birthplace of Buddhism.
  • Associated sites: Lumbini (Nepal), Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar.

• Spread of Dhamma:
  • Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE): Propagated Dhamma through edicts, missionaries.
  • Growth of Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana traditions across Asia.

• Swadesh Darshan – Buddhist Circuit:
  • Development of pilgrimage infrastructure.
  • Key sites: Kapilavastu, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Vaishali, etc.
  • Boosts cultural tourism, regional economy, and pan-Asian Buddhist consciousness.

Cultural Diplomacy & Soft Power

• Strategic Use of Buddhist Diplomacy:
  • India leverages Buddhist heritage to strengthen bilateral ties with Buddhist-majority nations.

• Key Recent Cultural Exhibitions:
  • Thailand (2023):
    • 26-day relic display in 4 cities (Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Ubon Ratchathani, Krabi).
    • 4 million+ visitors – deepening spiritual ties.
  • Vietnam (2024):
    • Held during UN Vesak celebrations.
    • Displayed in 4 cities – 17.8 million attendees.
  • Mongolia (2022):
    • Sacred relics showcased on Buddha Purnima.
    • Symbolic of reviving Indo-Mongolian religious ties.

• Impact:
  • Reinforces India’s status as “Cultural and Spiritual Anchor” of Asia.
  • Projects India as protector of Buddhist dharma globally.
  • Facilitates soft diplomacy rooted in shared civilizational values.

Events & Initiatives to Promote Buddhist Heritage

A. Global Buddhist Summit 2023

• Theme: Universal Values, Peace & Sustainability.
• Inaugurated by PM Modi; participation from major Buddhist nations.
• Emphasized India’s leadership on global ethical and spiritual issues.

B. Asian Buddhist Summit 2024

• Theme: Role of Buddha Dhamma in Strengthening Asia.
• Participants from 32 countries; 160 international delegates.
• Highlighted cultural synergy and peace-oriented diplomacy.

C. Annual Commemoration of Key Buddhist Festivals:

• Vesak Day (Buddha Purnima):
  • Celebrates Birth, Enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana.
  • PM Modi’s 2017 visit to Sri Lanka and 2021 keynote during global celebrations emphasized India’s commitment.

• Ashadha Purnima (Dhamma Day):
  • Commemorates Buddha’s first sermon at Sarnath (Turning of the Wheel of Dharma).
  • 2025 Celebration: Global monastic participation at Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, Sarnath.

• Abhidhamma Day:
  • Symbolizes Buddha’s descent from Tavatimsa Heaven to Sankisa (Uttar Pradesh).
  • 2024 Event: Held in New Delhi; attended by 1,000+ delegates from 14 countries.

Linguistic & Scriptural Preservation

• Pali Language:
  • Declared a Classical Language in October 2024.
  • Language of Theravada scriptures; key to preserving Tipitaka and Buddhist philosophical thought.
  • Facilitates academic research and scriptural conservation.

Conclusion

• The return of Piprahwa relics is a momentous civilizational milestone, symbolizing:
  • Post-colonial restoration of cultural pride.
  • Reassertion of India’s Buddhist leadership on the global stage.
  • Moral responsibility to reclaim sacred heritage.
• This initiative exemplifies India’s aspiration to become a Vishwa Guru by blending spiritual depth, diplomatic maturity, and cultural stewardship.