Content:

1. Unique Success of the Namami Gange Mission
2. The Holy Buddha Relic of Sarnath for Exposition to Vietnam will arrive at National Museum

Unique Success of the Namami Gange Mission: The Return of the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle to the Ganga After Three Decades

Context

• The Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle is critically endangered and among the rarest freshwater turtles in Northern India.
• Its return to the mainstream Ganga marks a positive ecological shift after 30 years of absence.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)

Role of Namami Gange Mission

• The Namami Gange Mission supported the TSAFI project to conduct assessments in:
  • 2020: Turtle diversity in Haiderpur Wetland Complex (HWC).
  • 2022: Habitat Evaluation for a new turtle sanctuary near Prayagraj.
• Previous studies found no viable population of RRTs in the Ganga in decades.

Turtle Reintroduction Efforts

• On April 26, 2025, 20 Red-Crowned Roofed Turtles were released from the Garhaita Turtle Conservation Center into HWC.
• Turtles were tagged with sonic devices to track their movement and survival.
• Two-pronged release approach:
  • Group A: Released above the Haiderpur barrage.
  • Group B: Released into the main channel of the Ganga.

Hydrological Advantage

• During monsoon, HWC connects fully to the Ganga, aiding natural dispersal of turtles.
• Promotes a “soft release” strategy with gradual integration into the wild.

Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation

• Marks first-ever attempt to reintroduce RRT into the Ganga.
• Monitoring to continue over two years to assess success and survival.
• Aims at stable population recovery with UP Forest Department’s collaboration.

Symbolic and Strategic Importance

• Demonstrates holistic river rejuvenation—beyond pollution control to biodiversity revival.
• Reinforces inter-agency cooperation and scientific conservation methods.
• Strengthens India’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-15: Life on Land).

Key Takeaway

• The return of the Red-Crowned Roofed Turtle is a beacon of hope for Ganga’s ecological revival.
• Namami Gange has evolved from a cleaning mission to a comprehensive ecosystem restoration program.

The Holy Buddha Relic of Sarnath for Exposition to Vietnam will arrive at National Museum

Context:

• India is sending a very sacred relic of Lord Buddha to Vietnam for public exposition and worship.
• The relic is from Sarnath (Mulagandha Kuti Vihara) and will be displayed in Vietnam during UN Vesak Day 2025 celebrations, a global Buddhist festival.
• It will first be moved from Sarnath to Delhi (April 30), then flown by special Air Force aircraft to Ho Chi Minh City (May 1).

Relevance : GS 1(Culture ,Heritage) , GS 2(International Relations)

Cultural Diplomacy & Soft Power

• The event showcases India’s Buddhist heritage as a diplomatic bridge with Vietnam and the wider Buddhist world.
• Strengthens India-Vietnam spiritual ties, cultural continuity, and shared civilizational legacy.
• Enhances India’s soft power projection through spiritual diplomacy, aligned with Act East Policy.

Significance of the Holy Relic

• The relic, excavated from Nagarjuna Konda (Andhra Pradesh), connects to Mahayana Buddhism and Acharya Nagarjuna (2nd century CE).
• Currently housed in Mulagandha Kuti Vihara, Sarnath, built by Angarika Dharmapala (founder of Mahabodhi Society).
• Represents continuity of Buddhist reverence from ancient India to contemporary global contexts.

Religious and Ritual Importance

• Transported with monastic rituals, chanting, and sanctity — reflecting Buddhist traditions of veneration.
• Scheduled veneration at major Vietnamese Buddhist centers: Ho Chi Minh City, Tây Ninh, Hanoi, and Tam Chúc.
• Coincides with UN Day of Vesak 2025, aligning spiritual rituals with global Buddhist commemorations.

Historical & Archaeological Context

• Excavated by A.H. Longhurst (ASI) between 1927–31; relics presented to Mahabodhi Society in 1932.
• Nagarjuna Konda was a prominent Mahayana Buddhist learning center, housing over 30 Buddhist sites.
• Enriches the understanding of India’s archaeological contribution to global Buddhist heritage.

UN Day of Vesak 2025 Context

• Celebrated since UNGA resolution (1999) marking Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, Mahaparinirvana.
• International delegates from 100+ countries expected to participate.
• Theme: “Buddhist Approach to Unity and Inclusivity for Human Dignity”, linking Buddhism to world peace and sustainable development.

Academic & Cultural Exhibitions

• IBC hosting 3 key exhibitions:
  • Digital Jataka tales
  • Sculptures and iconography of the Buddha
  • Comparative Buddhist artefacts: India & Vietnam
• Ajanta Cave murals digitally restored (Bodhisattva Padmapani, Cave 1) presented with 8-panel TV exhibits.
• Promotes academic exchange and cultural continuity between Indian and Southeast Asian Buddhist art.

Institutional Collaboration

• Coordinated by Ministry of Culture (GoI) and International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
• Reflects multilateral and interfaith cooperation in spiritual diplomacy.

Global Buddhist Connect

• Strengthens India’s role as the land of Buddha, the custodian of relics, and a spiritual home for global Buddhists.
• Reinforces the idea of “Shared Buddhist Heritage” under India’s cultural outreach strategy.