• 07 Feb 2025

Uttarakhand Promotes Green Games

Why in News? 

In the ongoing 38^th National Games, Uttarakhand introduced innovative initiatives aligned with the Green Games theme.  

• The state has implemented sustainable practices, promoted local culture, and prioritized women’s health. 

 Key Points 

• Green Games Initiatives: 
  • The state has chosen Monal, the Himalayan state bird, as the official mascot to highlight conservation efforts. 
  • In a unique initiative, medals awarded to winners have been crafted from e-waste. 
  • Uttarakhand is creating a Sports Forest (Khel Van) to honor victorious athletes.  
    • A 2.77-hectare area has been designated for the project, where 1,600 Rudraksha trees will be planted. 
  • The event incorporates sustainable practices such as invitation cards made from recycled materials, electric rickshaws to curb pollution, the use of solar panels, and reusable water bottles. 
• Repurposing Sports Waste: 
  • Various symbols, including a running athlete and the Monal bird, have been crafted from repurposed sports materials. 
  • A massive tiger sculpture made entirely from e-waste has become a major attraction at the Games. 
• Promoting Fitness and Sustainability: 
  • To encourage environmental conservation and physical well-being, bicycles have been made available at event venues. 
• Women’s Health Takes Priority: 
  • Uttarakhand is addressing menstrual health awareness through a thoughtful initiative for female athletes. 
  • The state has introduced kits featuring sanitary pads and other essentials, earning praise for promoting women’s health in sports. 
• Yoga and Mallakhamb: 
  • For the first time, traditional Indian sports have been included in the National Games medal tally. 
• Celebrating Local Culture and Tourism: 
  • Uttarakhand has ensured that the National Games highlight local culture and extend beyond metropolitan hubs. 
  • Events are being hosted in scenic locations like Tehri and Almora, promoting lesser-known regions. 
• Showcasing Pahadi Heritage:  
  • Traditional cuisine, including Jhangora and Gahat Dal, is being served, while Aipan folk art is featured in posters, banners, and event decorations. 

 Aipan Art  

 

• Aipan is a traditional folk art created exclusively by women in Uttarakhand. 
• The artwork is done on floors over a brick-red background using a white paste made from rice flour. 
• Only red and white colors are used to craft religious motifs, repetitive geometric patterns, and nature-inspired elements, reflecting the region's distinct artistic style. 
• Aipan is an integral part of household ceremonies, rituals, and special occasions. 
• The motifs are believed to invoke divine power, bringing good fortune and protecting against evil. 

 Mallakhamb 

 

• Mallakhamb is a traditional sport, originating from the Indian subcontinent, in which a gymnast performs aerial yoga or gymnastic postures and wrestling grips with a vertical stationary or hanging wooden pole, cane, or rope 
• The name Mallakhamb derives from the terms malla, meaning wrestler, and khamb, which means a pole. Literally meaning "wrestling pole", the term refers to a traditional training implement used by wrestlers. 
• Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra have been the hotspots of this sport. 

Haryana IMA Withdrew Suspension

Why in News? 

The Haryana Chapter of the Indian Medical Association withdrew its call to suspend treatment under the Ayushman Bharat and CHIRYU schemes.  

 Key Points 

• Government Assurance: 
  • IMA Haryana former president confirmed that the State government assured clearance of Rs 200 crore in outstanding dues before 31^st March 2025. 
  • The government also pledged to increase the budget allocation for the Ayushman Bharat and CHIRYU schemes to around Rs 2,500 crore in the upcoming budget. 
• Withdrawal of Call to Suspend Treatment: 
  • The IMA had earlier threatened to suspend treatment under the two schemes from 3^rd February 2025 if payments were not cleared. 
  • Following the government’s assurances, the association decided to continue providing treatment. 

 Indian Medical Association 

• Indian Medical Association is the only representative, national voluntary organisation of Doctors of Modern Scientific System of Medicine, which looks after the interest of doctors as well as the well being of the community at large. 
• Indian Medical Association is a founding member of World Medical Association. 
• IMA hosted the III World Conference on Medical Education under the joint auspices of W.M.A. and I.M.A. in New Delhi in 1966. 

 Ayushman Bharat  

• Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat is a flagship program of the Government of India, in line with the recommendations of the National Health Policy 2017 to realize the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).   
• This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to improve healthcare access across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels through a comprehensive continuum-of-care approach.  
• Ayushman Bharat comprises two interrelated components:   
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (formerly Health and Wellness Centres or AB-HWCs) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). 

Madhav National Park

Why in News? 

Madhav National Park is going to become the 9^th Tiger Reserve of the state, which will increase the wildlife prosperity in the Chambal region. 

Key Points 

• Important steps towards tiger conservation: 
  • The Madhav Tiger Reserve is part of a long-term plan to expand to an area of 1,600 sq km within five years . 
  • A tiger safari spread over an area of 100 hectares has also been planned, with an infrastructure investment of Rs 20 crore, which is expected to boost ecotourism and the local economy. 
  • At present, there are 8 major tiger reserves in the state ( Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench, Panna, Satpura, Sanjay Dubri, Ratapani and Nauradehi Tiger Reserve ).  
    • Ratapani is the eighth tiger reserve . 
    • In Kuno National Park, a female cheetah has given birth to two cubs.  
  • Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers in India (785 as per the 2022 census). 

Madhav National Park 

• About: 
  • Madhav National Park is a part of the Upper Vindhya Hills located in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh . 
  • This park was the hunting ground of the Mughal emperors and the Maharajas of Gwalior. It got the status of a national park in the year 1959. 
• Ecosystem:  
  • The area is blessed with diverse ecosystems, including lakes, dry deciduous forests and thorn forests. It is home to tiger, leopard, nilgai, chinkara, chowsingha and various kinds of deer. 
• Tiger Corridor:  
  • The park falls within one of the 32 major tiger corridors in the country, which are managed through the Tiger Conservation Plan. The Tiger Conservation Plan is implemented under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 . 

Radar Factory

Why in News? 

A radar manufacturing factory will be set up in the Defence Industrial Corridor at Bijhamai village near the Agra Lucknow Expressway at a cost of Rs 400 crore. 

Key Points 

• About the Factory: 
  • Spread over 60 hectares, the factory will be set up by  Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited . 
  • The radar manufacturing facility will improve the defence system of the country as high quality manufacturing of radars will help in providing better security and surveillance to the army. 
  • This factory will help make India self-reliant in the manufacturing of radars and other defense equipment, thereby reducing dependence on foreign countries . 

 Defence Industrial Corridor (DIC)  

• It is a flagship initiative of the Central Government aimed at strengthening and making India's defence industry self-reliant. 
• Defense corridor is a route which includes many cities. Industries are set up in these cities for the manufacture of military equipment. 
• Importance: 
  • This will help in making the country self-reliant in the field of defence production and promote ' Make in India' , which will reduce our imports and promote the export of these items to other countries. 
  • It will boost the defence manufacturing ecosystem through coordinated development of technologies, fostering growth of private domestic manufacturers including MSMEs and start-ups . 

Book Release by Bihar Governor

Why in News? 

Recently, Bihar Governor released the book “Street Vendor se Bureaucrat” written by Manoj Kumar at Raj Bhawan. 

Key Points 

• About the Book: 
  • The author gave  a struggle-filled and inspiring description of his journey from Koshi region of Bihar to Delhi . 
  • In spite of poverty and hardships, with his hard work and dedication he succeeded in the Civil Services Examination and reached a high position.  
  • The book has been edited by Dr. Harshvardhan Kumar 

Birth anniversary of Lord Sridevnarayan

Why in News? 

The 1113^th birth anniversary of Lord Devnarayan, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the most revered deity of the Gurjar community, was celebrated in the state.  

  Key Points  

 

• Folk deity:  
  • Lord Devnarayan, who is considered to be the incarnation of Vishnu, is the main folk deity of Rajasthan . He is also known as Uday Singh Dev.  
  • He was born in Malaseri of Rajasthan and dedicated his entire life for public welfare. 
  • Lord Devnarayan is said to be of the Bagrawat dynasty . 
• Birth:  
  • His birth falls on the sixth day of the Shukla Paksha of Magh month.  
  • During this time, he is worshipped by the Gurjar community on Makar Sankranti and Dev Ekadashi . 
• It is said that apart from Rajasthan, Devnarayan has also lived in various areas of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.