• 05 Nov 2024

Haryana Day, 2024

Why in News?

Haryana Day, celebrated on 1^st November each year, commemorates the state's establishment in 1966, when it was carved from Punjab.

Key Points

• Background:
  • Linguistic and Cultural Identity: Haryana, culturally and linguistically distinct, sought autonomy from Punjab post-independence.
  • Demand for Statehood: Key leaders advocated for a Hindi-speaking state, emphasizing Haryana's cultural and linguistic uniqueness.
  • Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966: Enacted by the Indian Parliament, this was crucial in creating the states of Haryana and Punjab, as well as the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
  • Shah Commission (1966): Formed under Justice JC Shah, it recommended specific boundaries based on linguistic demographics.
  • Recommendation: Allocated regions to Haryana, including districts like Hisar and Gurgaon, aligning with the Hindi-speaking population.
• Important Personalities:
  • Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma: Haryana's first Chief Minister, he was a prominent advocate for statehood.
  • Justice JC Shah: Chaired the Shah Commission, crucial in delineating Haryana’s boundaries.

Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966

• The Punjab Reorganisation Act,1966 separated parts of the state of Punjab to form new states and a union territory.
• Haryana a new state was formed from the Hindi-speaking areas of the state, including the districts of Hissar, Rohtak, Gurgaon, Karnal, and Mahendragarh.
• Himachal Pradesh the mountainous regions of Punjab were merged with Himachal Pradesh, which was then a union territory. Himachal Pradesh became a state in 1971.
• Chandigarh the capital of Punjab, Chandigarh, was made a union territory to serve as the provisional capital of both Punjab and Haryana.
• The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 was passed by the Indian Parliament on 18^th September, 1966. It was the result of the Punjabi Suba movement, which sought to create a Punjabi-speaking state.

New Chief Secretary in Haryana

Why in News?

Recently, Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Haryana, marking significant administrative changes in the state.

Key Points

• Roles and Responsibilities:
  • Joshi will oversee departments including general administration, human resources, personnel and training, parliamentary affairs, and vigilance.
  • He will also manage plan coordination as secretary in charge.
• Background:
  • Before this appointment, Joshi served as Secretary in the Department of Personnel and Training, under the Union Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensioners.
  • The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved his repatriation to the Haryana cadre at the state government's request on 26^th October.
• Until Joshi officially joins, Anurag Rastogi, the Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home), will handle the Chief Secretary responsibilities temporarily.

Chief Secretary of State

• Appointment:
  • The Chief Secretary is ‘chosen’ by the Chief Minister. As the appointment of Chief Secretary is an executive action of the Chief Minister, it is taken in the name of the Governor of the State.
• Position:
  • The post of Chief Secretary is the senior-most position in the civil services of the states and union territories of India.
  • The position is a cadre post for the Indian Administrative Services.
  • The Chief Secretary is the chief advisor to the Chief Minister in all matters of the cabinet.
• Tenure:
  • The office of Chief Secretary has been excluded from the operation of the tenure system. There is no fixed tenure for this post.

HIV Outbreak in Uttarakhand Village

Why in News?

Recently, a HIV outbreak has been reported in Ramnagar, Nainital, raising awareness on the impact of drug addiction and unprotected sexual interactions.

Key Points

• HIV Spread:
  • Over 19 men in Ramnagar tested positive for HIV after unprotected sexual interactions.
  • Authorities emphasize this as a wake-up call for stricter community health vigilance.
• HIV in India - Statistics:
  • As of 2022, around 2.47 million Indians live with HIV, with a 0.2% adult prevalence rate.
  • New infections have dropped by over 42% since 2010, with AIDS-related deaths declining by nearly 77%.
• Government Efforts:
  • India’s National AIDS and STI Control Programme (2021-2025) is funded largely domestically, focusing on prevention, testing, and treatment.
  • The Ministry of Social Justice operates a national helpline to support those with addiction and substance-related issues.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• About:
  • HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which is a virus that attacks the immune system in the human body.
  • It primarily targets and damages CD4 immune cells, which are essential for the body's ability to fight infections and diseases.
    • Over time, HIV weakens the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers.
• Transmission:
  • HIV is primarily spread through the exchange of certain bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
• Severity:
  • If left untreated, the virus destroys a person’s immune system and they are said to be in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome stage (AIDS) where they get several opportunistic infections that may result in death.
• Cure:
  • Although there are no cures for the infection at present, the disease can be managed using antiretroviral therapy.
    • These medicines suppress the replication of the virus within the body, allowing the number of CD4 immune cells to bounce back.

Death of Elephants due to Kodo Millet Poisoning

Why in News?

Recently, a group of elephants in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve died due to suspected kodo millet poisoning, a grain that can become toxic under certain environmental conditions.

Key Points

• About Kodo Millet:
  • Kodo millet known as Paspalum scrobiculatum is a resilient, drought-tolerant crop with high yield and excellent storage, often serving as a staple for tribal and economically disadvantaged communities in India.
  • India, particularly Madhya Pradesh, is one of its largest producers.
  • Apart from MP, the millet is cultivated in Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
• Kodo Millet’s Toxicity:
  • Millets, especially kodo millet, are prone to fungal infections like ergot, which can produce toxins that harm grain yield and cause poisoning if consumed. These infections are particularly damaging in humid conditions.
  • Toxicity arises when environmental conditions foster fungal growth, producing the mycotoxin cyclopiazonic acid (CPA).
  • CPA affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems, causing symptoms like vomiting, tremors, and cold extremities in animals.
• Historical Cases of Kodo Poisoning:
  • Documented cases date back to 1922, with both humans and animals affected by mycotoxin-laden millet.
  • Kodo millet poisoning has led to periodic wildlife fatalities, including an elephant death in 2022.
• Detection and Prevention:
  • Detection requires chemical analysis, such as chromatography or rapid methods like ELISA.
  • To prevent contamination, experts advise proper storage and biocontrol methods, which involve beneficial organisms that limit fungal spread.

Millet

• About:
  • It is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.
  • Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet).
    • The earliest evidence for these grains has been found in Indus civilization and was one of the first plants domesticated for food.
  • It is grown in about 131 countries and is the traditional food for around 60 crore people in Asia & Africa.
  • India is the largest producer of millet in the world.
    • It accounts for 20% of global production and 80% of Asia’s production.
• Global Distribution:
  • India, Nigeria and China are the largest producers of millets in the world, accounting for more than 55% of the global production.
  • For many years, India was a major producer of millets. However, in recent years, millet production has increased dramatically in Africa.

Chhattisgarh's 24th Foundation Day

Why in News?

Chhattisgarh is celebrating its 24^th Foundation Day with a series of vibrant events, highlighting the state's cultural richness and achievements.

Key Points

• Formation:
  • Chhattisgarh was established on 1^st November, 2000, from 16 districts of Madhya Pradesh.
  • It is the 10^th largest state in India, covering an area of 1,35,190 sq km.
• Economy:
  • Chhattisgarh is a major hub for steel and electricity production, contributing approximately 15% of India's total steel output.
  • Known as "Dhan Ka Katora" (Bowl of Rice), agriculture employs around 80% of the workforce, primarily focused on rice cultivation.
• Geography:
  • The state shares borders with Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Raipur serves as the capital of Chhattisgarh.
  • Chhattisgarhi is the native language, while Hindi is widely spoken.
• Tribal Diversity:
  • Key tribes include Gonds, Baigas, Halbas, and Kamars, contributing to the state's rich cultural tapestry.
• Festivals:
  • Notable festivals include Bastar Dussehra, Madai Festival, and Koriya Mela, reflecting the vibrant tribal traditions.