• 01 Nov 2023

1.75 C rore Beneficiaries of Ujjwala Scheme will Get Free Cylinder on Diwali

Why In News?

In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on October 31, 2023, the proposal to provide free kitchen cylinders to 1,75,04,385 beneficiaries of Ujjwala scheme on Diwali was approved.

Key Points:

• A total of 20 proposals were approved in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. In the meeting, it was announced to give free gas cylinders to the beneficiaries of PM Awas Yojana on Diwali.
• It may be noted that the state government had decided to give one free cylinder each to the beneficiaries of Ujjwala scheme on Holi and Diwali.
• First, a 14.2 kg cylinder will have to be refilled at the prevailing consumer rate. After five days, the amount of the cylinder will be transferred to the consumer's Aadhaar certified bank account by the oil companies.
• This facility will be available only on one connection of Ujjwala scheme. This will put a financial burden of Rs 2312 crore on the state government.

Tribal Museums Will be Built in Mirzapur, Sonbhadra and Maharajganj.

Why In News?

In a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on October 31, 2023, the cabinet has given no objection to the central government's decision to transfer the proposed land for tribal museums to be built in Mirzapur, Sonbhadra and Maharajganj in favor of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Research and Training Institute Lucknow.

Key Points:

• It should be noted that there are 15 scheduled tribes listed in Uttar Pradesh. Along with geographical disparity, there is considerable diversity in customs, way of life, food and art. To preserve them, tribal museums will be built in Mirzapur, Sonbhadra and Maharajganj.
• For the establishment of Tribal Museum, land has been allotted to the Culture Department, Lucknow by the concerned District Magistrates.
• The central government will give Rs 15 crore for each museum. There will be no burden on the state government in this.
• For the museum, 4.046 hectare land will be allotted in Atraila Pandey village in Mirzapur, 2.82 hectare land in Robertsganj in Sonbhadra and 0.506 hectare land in Nautanwa tehsil of Maharajganj.
• Information, films, pictures etc. related to tribal life will be displayed in the digital theater in the museum. The products prepared by the tribes will be sold through tribal outlets.

Meri Maati Mera Desh Abhiyan : Rajasthan gets 'Amrit Award'

Why In News?

On October 31, 2023, Rajasthan has received the 'Amrit Award' by securing third position in the category of best performing states in 'Meri Maati Mera Desh Abhiyan' during the Amrit Mahotsav of Azadi.

Key Points:

• At the grand finale of the Amrit Kalash Yatra of the Meri Maati Mera Desh Abhiyan held at the Path of Duty in New Delhi, the Prime Minister presented the Azadi Ka Amrit Awards to the 3 top performing States/UTs as well as Ministries and Departments.
• It is noteworthy that these awards were selected by a committee constituted at a high level, according to which out of 36 states and union territories, the first prize was given to Jammu and Kashmir and the second prize was given to Gujarat.
• The third prize was jointly awarded to the state of Rajasthan and Haryana. This award was received by Rajasthan Chief Secretary Usha Sharma.

Gwalior included in UNESCO Creative Cities

Why In News?

UNESCO has included the historical city of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh in its Creative Cities. Gwalior has been chosen for its musical heritage.

Key Points:

• Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia tweeted that on the occasion of Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day, it is a proud historical moment for the people of Gwalior. Gwalior has been recognized as 'City of Music' by UNESCO .
• UNESCO has released the list of 55 Creative Cities from around the world through its official website. Two cities from India have been given place in these. Gwalior from Madhya Pradesh and Kozhikode from Kerala have been included in its list by UNESCO. Gwalior has been selected for 'Music' and Kozhikode for 'Literature'.
• UNESCO has so far included 350 cities from more than 100 countries in this list.
• It may be noted that Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department had sent its proposal to UNESCO. It was told in this proposal that Gwalior is known all over the world for its musical heritage. This city is famous for Tansen, Baiju Babara, Raga-Ragni, Dhrupad.

Air Sports Policy will be Made in Haryana

Why In News?

Recently, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, who also holds the charge of Civil and Aviation Department, while reviewing various projects of the Civil and Aviation Department in Chandigarh, said that air sports policy will be formulated in the state which will also promote sports tourism in the state.

Key Points:

• While directing the officials to study the country's first 'National Air Sports Policy' issued by the Central Government, the Deputy Chief Minister said that such an air sports policy will be made by the state government in which the participants can be attracted as much as possible, so that the state can There will be an increase in revenue.
• After the implementation of Air Sports Policy in the state, sports tourism will also develop and employment opportunities for the youth will also increase.
• Air sports include many other sports like air racing, aerobatics, aeromodelling, hang gliding, paragliding, paramotoring and skydiving. There are also international competitions for these sports.
• Haryana is also suitable for air sports due to its geographical area and clear weather conditions in different areas.
• Air sports activity will not only bring direct revenue to the state government but will also increase travel growth, tourism, infrastructure and local employment. The state government is trying to make Haryana an air sports hub like other sports.
• It should be noted that currently India does not participate in any such competition on a permanent basis, but due to this new policy made for the first time by the Central Government, India may soon participate in the international competitions of these sports. There is a large number of youth in India whose interest is increasing in adventure sports and flying sports.

16 Policemen Including Even IPS Officers of Jharkhand Will Receive the Home Minister's Vishisht Abhiyan Medal-2023

Why In News?

On October 31, 2023, a notification was issued by the Union Home Ministry regarding awarding the Union Home Minister Vishisht Abhiyan Medal-2023 to 16 policemen including seven IPS officers of Jharkhand.

Key Points:

• 16 policemen including seven IPS from Jharkhand will be given this medal for 'Operation Octopus'.
• It may be noted that 'Operation Octopus' was conducted against the Naxalites on Budha Pahad surrounded by Latehar and Garhwa districts from August 18, 2022 to February 1, 2023, which was quite successful.
• The seven IPS officers nominated for the medal include Jharkhand ADG (Operations) Sanjay Anandrao Lathkar, IG (Operations) Amol Venukant Homkar, IG Palamu Rajkumar Lakra, DIG Ranchi Anup Birathre (then SIB DIG), Special Branch SP Shivani Tiwari (currently on central deputation), Latehar SP Anjani Anjan and then Garhwa SP Anjani Kumar Jha (Currently SP ACB).
• The police personnel nominated for the medal include Assistant Commandant Kamlesh Kumar, Inspector Satyendra Kumar Singh, SI Gautam Kumar, SI Manohar Ram, SI Jamil Ansari, Second in Command Vivekanand Singh, Head Constable Rajkumar Oraon, Constable Ratan Kumar Yadav and Constable Vishnu Shankar.

Vandana Kataria Becomes the First Indian Player to Play 300th international Match

Why In News?

According to the information received from the media on October 31, 2023, Indian women's hockey team's forward player Vandana Kataria, resident of Roshnabad, Uttarakhand, won the 300th Jharkhand Women's Asian Champions Trophy-2023 at the Jaipal Singh Munda Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Marang Gomke, Ranchi, Jharkhand. Becomes the first player to earn an international cap.

Key Points:

• Vandana Kataria achieved the feat during India's match against Japan in the ongoing Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2023. With this, Vandana became the first Indian female player to play 300 international matches.
• India remains unbeaten so far in the ongoing Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2023. They won their first game against Thailand 7–1, won the second match against Malaysia 5–0 and then defeated China 2–1 in a thrilling encounter.
• It is known that Vandana Kataria came into limelight when she was the top scorer for the Indian team in the Junior Women's World Cup in Mönchengladbach, Germany and played an important role in helping the team win the bronze medal.
• Vandana also played an important role in India's fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She is also the first Indian female hockey player to score a hat-trick in the Olympic Games.
• Vandana has also been honored with the prestigious Padmashree award in 2022. Vandana, an experienced forward, was a member of the Indian team that won the Asian Champions Trophy in 2016 and the Women's Asia Cup in 2017.

910 Meter Log Tunnel Connecting Badrinath And Gaurikund Highway Cross

Why In News?

On October 30, 2023, a 910 meter long tunnel has been passed at Rudraprayag District headquarters to connect Rishikesh-Badrinath and Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway.

Key Points:

• Under the 'All Weather Road Project' of the Government of India, in the second phase, a tunnel is being constructed in Rudraprayag to connect Badrinath and Gaurikund Highway. Tunnel construction work was started with Bhoomi Pujan in December 2022. In March this year, the executing agency Bharat Construction Company started digging for the tunnel from Belani and Jagtoli.
• The executing company was given a target to cross this tunnel by December, but the company crossed the tunnel in seven months with the help of 150 laborers and machines. In the presence of top officials of the company, the tunnel was crossed 910 meters from Belani to Jagtoli.
• Under the project, along with the tunnel, a 200 meter long motor bridge is also proposed on the Alaknanda River, digging for the abutment of which is going on in full swing. According to NH officials, the project work will be completed by June 2025.
• It is noteworthy that in the year 2008-09, BRO had prepared a proposal for construction of a tunnel in the district headquarters and sent it to the Government of India. In the year 2016, the Ministry of Roads and Transport of the Government of India approved this proposal. After this, a survey for tunnel construction was conducted in three phases in the presence of BRO officials.
• Based on the survey report, in the year 2019, the Government of India approved the construction of the tunnel and included it in the second phase of the All Weather Road Project. Besides, in-principle approval of Rs 200 crore was also given for the construction of tunnel and bridge on Alaknanda river.