• 02 Jan 2024

New Chief Secretary of Rajasthan

Why in News?

Recently, Sudhansh Pant, an IAS officer of the 1991 batch, was appointed as the new chief secretary of Rajasthan.

• It is the third successive appointment of Sudhansh Pant in a year.

Key Points

• He was brought to the Centre in October 2022 as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the shipping ministry and was later made secretary.
  • After six months, he was shifted to the health ministry as secretary.
• According to Senior bureaucrats, there is an expectation of reshuffling at the secretary level in the near future.
• IAS officer D S Mishra got a six-month extension as Uttar Pradesh Chief secretary.
• Veera Rana, a 1998 batch IAS officer is holding additional charge of chief secretary of Madhya Pradesh.

First All-girls Sainik School

Why in News?

On the 1^st January, 2024, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the ‘Samvid Gurukulam Girls Sainik School’ in Vrindavan, Mathura.

Key Points

• It is the first all-girls Sainik School, with a strength of approximately 870 students.
• It is made under the initiative of establishing 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode with Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Private/State Government Schools in all State/Union Territories.
  • 42 of these schools have already been set up.
• It is described as a ray of hope for girls who aspire to join the Armed Forces.
  • In 2019, Rajnath Singh had approved admission of girl children to Sainik schools in a phased manner, following the success of the pilot project in Sainik School Chhingchhip in Mizoram.
• The vision of setting up of 100 new Sainik Schools aims to provide quality education to the students in tune with the National Education Policy 2020 and provide better career opportunities, including joining the Armed Forces.

Jal Mahotsav 2023

Why in News?

The annual Jal Mahotsav 2023 festival took place from December 2023 to January 2024, against the captivating backdrop of Hanuwantiya Tent City situated on the shores of the Indira Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• Taking place in Khandwa District, Madhya Pradesh, the Jal Mahotsav is a vibrant show of the local culture, with folk performances and traditional rituals celebrating the profound connection between water and India’s rich heritage.
  • It is a platform for raising awareness about critical issues such as water conservation and sustainable practices. It promotes responsible water usage and advocates for various environmental initiatives.
• Spanning across 10 acres, this year’s Tent City will feature 100 luxurious tents and other amenities such as, a dining hall serving exquisite meals, relaxing sit-out gazebos, and indoor sports room.
  • A bustling food bazaar, crafts market, and a rejuvenating wellness centre is being set up. Additionally, each day will showcase captivating cultural performances.
• Regional cuisines are showcased extensively at the venue, with Local chefs showcasing their expertise and presenting delightful feasts.

Lithium-Deal with Argentina

Why in News?

The Ministry of Mines, Government of India through the state-owned Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), has entered into a draft exploration and development agreement with Argentinan miner CAMYEN for possible acquisition and development of five-odd lithium blocks.

• The company has also entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Chilean miner ENAMI for “possible exploration, extraction, processing and commercialisation” of the mineral.

Key Points

• Lithium is an alkali mineral, also called ‘white gold’. It is soft, silvery-white metal, the lightest metal of the periodic table.
• Major Properties of lithium include high reactivity, Low Density and Excellent Electrochemical Properties
• Lithium is found naturally in various minerals, including spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite and is extracted from these minerals and refined into lithium metal or its compounds.
  • The top producers of lithium are Australia, Chile, China, and Argentina.
• It is a crucial component of rechargeable batteries used in smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and other electronics.
  • Lithium compounds are used to strengthen glass and ceramics, making them more durable and heat-resistant.
  • It is used as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
  • Lithium greases are used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications.
• 2023 saw a surge in lithium discoveries:
  • Massive reserves unearthed in Jammu and Kashmir (estimated 5.9 million tonnes).
  • Deposits found in Rajasthan (potentially meeting 80% of India's demand).
  • Additional reserves identified in Jharkhand.
• However, India has put up lithium blocks for auction: one in J&K and another in Chhattisgarh, with most of its domestic requirements, across categories like EVs, lithium-ion battery making, and other energy storage solutions, being met completely through imports.

Trial Essential to Define 'Religious Character of Place of Worship': Allahabad HC

Why in News?

The Allahabad High Court's recent stance in the Gyanvapi case suggests that the Places of Worship Act, 1991 does not clarify “religious character of any place of worship” and can only be determined in a trial, based on documentary and oral evidence, on a case-to-case basis.

Key Points

• The Places of Worship Act,1991 bars the conversion of religious sites into places of worship for a different religion or sect.
  • It also mandates preserving the religious identity of any place of worship as it stood on 15th August, 1947.
• The Gyanvapi case is a legal battle concerning the ownership and religious identity of Varanasi's Gyanvapi complex, housing both a mosque and a temple.
  • Hindu plaintiffs argue that the entire area, including the mosque site, was originally a temple dedicated to Swayambhu Lord Adi Vishweshwar.
  • They claim that this temple, once on the Gyanvapi plot, was demolished by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1669.
• Neither the government nor the Supreme Court has presented a clear stance on this issue to date.