• 05 Nov 2022

Anti-Filaria Campaign

Why In News?

• Recently, the state health department has started an anti-filaria campaign to root out filaria (Hathi Paon) across Bihar, including Patna.

Key Points

• Under this campaign, a target has been made to give dose of anti-filaria medicine to 2 crore 22 lakh 85 thousand 279 people in the whole of Bihar. Along with this, Malaria and Kalazar communication complex will also be started soon.
• According to officials, the Anti-Filariasis Drive was started in July this year, initially in the districts of Nawada, Samastipur, Rohtas, Lakhisarai and Nalanda, anti-filaria drugs were distributed under this drive.
• The campaign aims to provide medicines to every household in backward villages and small towns through ASHA workers and local government health workers.
• It is noteworthy that lymphatic filariasis is one of the most prevalent, but most neglected diseases in tropical diseases, which causes serious economic and social harm along with making human beings weak. It is a mosquito-borne disease.

Hiring Mobile App

Why In News?

• On November 4, 2022, Bihar Cooperation Minister Surendra Prasad Yadav launched the hiring mobile app under the 'Mukhyamantri Harit Krishi Plant Yojana'. Through this app, farmers will be able to book agricultural equipment from their mobile sitting at home.

Key Points

• With this, Bihar has become the first state in the country to develop a fully government app and provide agricultural machinery to small and marginal farmers on hire.
• Just as people in cities use online apps to get taxi service, 1 crore 80 lakh farmers of Bihar will be able to call for tractors to plough their fields.
• PACS will provide not only tractors but also 31 types of agricultural machinery to the farmer at a rate lower than the market rate.
• The Cooperation Minister said that through the Chief Minister's Green Agriculture Plant Scheme, agricultural equipment bank has been set up in selected PACS at panchayat level, through which the service of modern agricultural plants is being made available to small and marginal farmers at a competitive rate.
• Farmers will get the service of modern agricultural machines at fixed rent as per their convenience. For the convenience of the farmers, the facility of booking agricultural equipment is also available on the toll free number 1800 1800 110 Sugam of the Department of Cooperation. Presently 2828 packs will get this facility.
• Giving information about the app, Cooperation Secretary Vandana Preyashi said that under the Chief Minister's Green Agriculture Scheme, the scheme amount has been provided to each selected PACS at the rate of Rs 15 lakh per pack in the form of 50 percent grant and 50 percent loan.

Girls From Seven Districts Launched Satellite and Drone in Mahatma Gandhi Vidyalaya

Why In News?

• On November 4, 2022, in the grand finale of the 3-day 'Peco Satellite Event' at Mahatma Gandhi Government School (Formerly Raj. Girls Higher Secondary School), Malviya Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 30 girl students selected and trained from seven districts of the state participated in small satellite and Drone operated.

Key Points

• These students from Ajmer, Alwar, Bundi, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Dungarpur, Jhunjhunu districts went through various stages and learned to design, build and launch drones and satellites in the last three days workshop.
• "Under STEM, namely Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics for Girls India, IBM India and American India Foundation (AIF) have come together to train girl students of 306 government schools in 10 districts of Rajasthan in satellite, drone and space technology, so as to help them build education and careers in STEM by empowering them with advanced STEM skills.
• It is noteworthy that both the organizations jointly organized 'Pico Satellite Event' in Jaipur from November 2 to 4, for which 30 girl students from various government schools of Rajasthan participated in a workshop, in which they were taught to design, manufacture and launch drones and satellites.
• Selected from a batch of 500 girl students, these 30 students underwent rigorous, intensive training after several workshops and online examinations.
• The data taken by these satellites created by girl students will be used by the Indian Council of Research and the Agricultural Research Center.
• The project has been designed with the objective of developing awareness, confidence, skills along with promoting the aspiration of higher education in this field and providing practical experience of assembling satellites and drones to provide more knowledge about satellites, drones and space technology to the girl students.

Approval of Rs 628 Crore for 45 Schemes under 'Jal Jeevan Mission'

Why In News?

• On November 4, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved Rs 628 crore for 45 schemes across the state under the 'Jal Jeevan Mission'.

Key Points

• With this approval of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, various works going on in the state under the Jal Jeevan Mission will get momentum and the works will be completed within the stipulated time period, so that people will get water from taps up to the village.'
• Under this approval, 12 schemes in Karauli district of the state, 6-6 in Bikaner and Udaipur, 4-4 in Jaisalmer and Pali, 3 in Hanumangarh and 2-2 in Alwar, Rajsamand, Sawai Madhopur district and Sri Ganganagar, Dungarpur, Sikar, 1-1 scheme can be implemented in Banswara. On completion of the works, permanent solution to the drinking water problem in these areas will be ensured.
• It is noteworthy that guidelines for the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission were issued in December 2019. Under this, a target was set to provide working household tap connections for pure drinking water to every rural household by March 2024, on receipt of which every person will get regular drinking water of prescribed quality.
• It is known that at present about 27 lakh rural households in Rajasthan are getting tap water and the state government is working with commitment towards providing tap water to every family.

Khelo India Youth Games-2022

Why In News?

• On November 4, 2022, the Madhya Pradesh state government organized the 'Organizing--Coordination Committee' under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and 'Executive Committee' under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary to organize the 5th edition of Khelo India Youth Games-2022 to be held in the state from January 31 to February 11, 2023. committee' constituted.

Key Points

• The committee, headed by the Chief Minister, will have Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports co-chairman and Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Madhya Pradesh as vice-president.
• Chief Secretary Government of Madhya Pradesh; Union Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports; Additional Chief Secretary, General Administration, Home and Finance Department will be the members of the committee. Principal Secretary Sports and Youth Welfare Department Madhya Pradesh has been nominated as Member Secretary.
• The organizing--coordination committee includes director general of police headquarters Madhya Pradesh; Director General Sports Authority of India New Delhi; Director Sports and Youth Welfare Madhya Pradesh; The School Games Federation of India has been made a member and representative of the Indian Olympic Association and president-general secretary.
• The chief secretary will be the chairman of the executive committee for the Khelo India Youth Games-2022. The committee will be co-chaired by secretary, Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education, Public Health and Family Welfare, General Administration, Home, Finance Department have been nominated as members of the committee.
• Principal Secretary Energy, Public Works, Sports and Youth Welfare, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, School Education, Tourism, Culture, Urban Development and Housing, Transport and Public Relations Department have been included as members.
• Director General of Police Madhya Pradesh, Director General Sports Authority of India New Delhi, Director Sports and Youth Welfare Madhya Pradesh, Director Khelo India New Delhi, Additional Director General of Police Fire Fighting Madhya Pradesh, Senior Director Sports Authority of India, Khelo India, New Delhi, President-Secretary General Schools Games Federation of India, Indian Olympic Association, representatives of Madhya Pradesh Olympic Association, Divisional Railway Manager, Bhopal Division, Indian Railways Madhya Pradesh, Director Doordarshan Bhopal and two prominent players of the state will be members of the executive committee of Khelo India Youth Games-2022.
• The event--coordination committee will control, manage, organize and administer the Khelo India Youth Games-2022 through the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare and the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will coordinate between various agencies under the overall guidance of the Organizing--Coordination Committee with smooth conduct, supervision, monitoring of the Khelo India Youth Games.
• The executive committee will also monitor the infrastructure development of the venues of the Khelo India Youth Games and review the work of the implementing agencies.

Kabir Weaver and Vishwakarma Award

Why In News?

• On November 4, 2022, the Madhya Pradesh Cottage and Village Industries Department organized the state-level Kabir Weaver Award 2020-21 and 2021-22 for weaving and the state-level Vishwakarma Award 2021-22 for the creation of outstanding handicrafts.

Key Points

• In the ceremony held at Bhopal Haat, the craftsmen were honored with shawls, certificates, copper plates as a mark of respect.
• During this, Commissioner Handloom Co-Managing Director Sant Ravidas MP. Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation Bhopal Anubha Srivastava informed that an exhibition of award-winning works of artisans and weavers would also be organized at the venue.
• 6 weavers and 6 craftsmen have been honored in this ceremony. Kabir Weaver of the year 2020-21, first prize was given to Wasim Mohammad of Chanderi, second prize to Rekhabai Koli of Chanderi and third prize to Moolchand Shravanekar of Maheshwar.
• Kabir Weaver of the year 2021-22, first prize was given to Mohammad Wasim of Chanderi, second prize to Mahesh Koli of Bagore district Shivpuri and third prize to Raju Panthi of Chanderi.
• A cheque of Rs 1 lakh was given for the first prize, Rs 50,000 for the second prize and Rs 25,000 for the third prize.
• Similarly, Vishwakarma for the year 2021-22 for handicrafts, first prize was given to Mohammad Ahsan Chhipa of Ujjain, second prize to Hiraman Yuvati of Bhopal and third prize to Dharmendra Rohar of Bhopal.
• Apart from this, 3 awards in the incentive category were given to Hayat Gutti, Iqbal and Banwarilal Jharia.
• The prize winner prize carries a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh, the second prize is Rs 50,000 and the third prize is Rs 25,000. Also, an amount of Rs 15,000 each was given to the selected artisans as an incentive.

Notification Issued for the New Name of Chandigarh Airport

Why In News?

• On November 4, 2022, the Chandigarh International Airport in Haryana was notified as Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the name was implemented with immediate effect.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that on September 28, 2022, the Ministry of Civil Aviation organized an event to rename Chandigarh International Airport as 'Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport'.
• The naming ceremony was taken at an event in Mohali district to mark the 115th birth anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
• During the same event, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had also asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to start more international flights from Chandigarh airport.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also talked about renaming Chandigarh international airport as Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on September 25 in radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat'.
• Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister and Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala had met on August 20, 2022, in which it was agreed to name the airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh.
• However, earlier Haryana had recommended that Panchkula's name be included in the name of the airport, as Haryana has also had an equal share in the construction of this airport.

57 Schemes Inaugurated in the Program 'Your Scheme, Your Government, At Your Doorstep’

Why In News?

• On November 4, 2022, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 57 schemes costing Rs 23,483.5 lakh in the program 'Your Scheme, Your Government, At Your Doorstep’ at Police Line Stadium in Medini Nagar.

Key Points

• Stalls of various departments were set up at the Police Line Stadium, where the officials apprised the people about the public welfare schemes and also benefited them.
• The Chief Minister said that under 'Your Scheme, Your Government, At Your Doorstep', the officials are working to take the government's schemes directly to the people's homes.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated 33 important schemes like construction of various roads, construction and repair of lake, Tetrai construction, health center, check dam, crematorium, hand pump and shed construction, rural water supply scheme and building construction at a cost of Rs. 9,234.428 lakh. did.
• At the same time, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of 24 schemes costing a total of Rs 14,249.072 lakh, including the restoration work of Ranital Reservoir Scheme and lining of main canals, construction of commercial unit, Primary Health Center, Community Health Center, Sadar Hospital, 100 beds under Palamu. There are many public welfare schemes like construction of building, tourist development work, bridge construction, community building, construction of ward development center, housing, water supply scheme, repair and construction of various roads, beautification of park, paver block and drain construction.
• Along with this, the Chief Minister distributed a total amount of Rs 1,688.940 lakh among the 25 beneficiaries, which includes scholarships, pension, employment generation, assistance amount, agricultural machinery, land plate, schemes to make people like cow self-reliant for dairy.

Uttarakhand got 35th Place in the Country in School Education

Why In News?

• Recently, the Performance Grading Index (PGI) 2020-21 report was released by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. Uttarakhand has been ranked 35th in the country in this index.

Key Points

• In the Performance Grading Index (PGI), Uttarakhand has scored 719 out of 1000 marks.
• In the report released by the Ministry of Education, Kerala, Maharashtra and Punjab are first with 928 points in the score of 1000 points, Chandigarh is second with 927 points and Gujarat is third with 903 points.
• This report, which assesses school education at the district and state level, shows that the level of school education in Uttarakhand has never gone up in the last four years.
• It is noteworthy that in the year 2019-20, Uttarakhand's score was 752 points in this index, which has now dropped 33 points to 719 in the year 2020-21. Earlier this score was 704 in the year 2017-18 and 712 in the year 2018-19.
• The Performance Grading Index (PGI) is an index that measures the performance of states and union territories on a uniform scale to catalyze transformational changes in the field of school education.
• The objective of PGI is to monitor the status of school education in the states and union territories and motivate them to perform better and strengthen the education system at all levels.
• This report contains a total of 1000 marks in 70 parameters, which are divided into two categories. These categories are further divided into five domains. These include 180 points in nine parameters for Learning Outcome and Quality in Domain-1, 80 points in eight parameters for Access in Domain-2, 150 points in 11 parameters for Infrastructure and Facilities in Domain-3, and Equity in Domain-4. For this, 230 marks have been kept in 16 parameters, a total of 640 marks have been kept.
• Apart from this, 360 marks have been included in 26 parameters in the second category Good Governance and Management. Uttarakhand has got the lowest marks in the same category.
• Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said that all the arrangements in school education in the state are fine, but due to non-availability of internet in the hilly areas, the portal has not been updated.
• Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said that Uttarakhand has not performed well in this report in terms of good governance and management. The reason for this is the lack of internet access in many places in mountainous areas.
• It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Education of the Central Government takes all the data from the U-DIS portal. On this portal, all the details are filled by the school, from the performance of the children to the electricity, water and other facilities available in the school.
• Due to the lack of internet, many schools have not been able to fill all this information. Education Department is preparing Vidya Review Center online portal, in which real time data will be filled, all the information will be filled in it in the next six months.