2,000-Year-Old Buddhist Site Discovered in Jammu and Kashmir
- Excavations at Zehanpora village in Baramulla district have revealed a 2,000-year-old Buddhist site.
- Archaeologists believe Zehanpora may have functioned as an important Buddhist centre with links to the elusive Kushan capital, Huvishkapura.
- The architectural features of stupa foundations and monastic cells show close resemblance to Gandharan layouts.
- Kushan dynasty patronised Buddhism in north-western India. Gandharan architecture influenced early Buddhist structures.
President Droupadi Murmu – Submarine journey
- Background: President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, undertook a voyage on the indigenously built submarine INS Vagir at the Karwar naval base in Karnataka on December 28.
- Achievement: Second Indian President to travel in a submarine
- First President: Abdul Kalam (2006, INS Sindhurakshak)
- Features of INS Vagsheer:
- This sixth submarine in the Scorpène class (Project 75) series is one of the quietest diesel-electric submarines in the world. It is capable of conducting anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and special operations.
- Project-75 (India) aims to build 18 conventional submarines and six nuclear submarines for the Indian Navy.
