• 07 Aug 2023

ICC and BCCI’s green signal to Ekana Stadium Pitch for ICC Cricket World Cup Match

Why in News?

According to the information received from the media on August 5, 2023, the ICC and BCCI team has given the green signal to the pitch of Lucknow's Ekana Stadium for the ICC Cricket World Cup match.

Key Points:

• Significantly, on August 4, the team of International Cricket Council (ICC) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) inspected the Ekana Stadium. This team had taken information about all the nine pitches, outfield and other facilities.
• The biggest Mahakumbh of cricket will start from October 5. The opening match of this Mahakumbh will be played between defending champion England and runner-up New Zealand in Ahmedabad.
• 5 matches of World Cup 2023 will be played at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. This is the first time that Lucknow will host the Cricket World Cup. The first match of the tournament will be played between Australia and South Africa on October 13 at Ekana Stadium.
• After five matches of the ICC World Cup 2023, Lucknow has got the opportunity to host 37 matches of the Senior Women's Inter Zonal 20-20 and Women's Under-23 ODI Cricket Trophy. All these matches will be played at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. This will be the first time in the history of Lucknow, when it will host such a large number of cricket matches.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

Why in News?

On August 6, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment works of 508 railway stations in the country through video conferencing under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These include 49 railway stations of Bihar.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that in the first phase of this ambitious Amrit Bharat station scheme, a total of 49 railway stations in Bihar will be redeveloped.
• The foundation stone of two stations (Darbhanga and Sakri station) under the Darbhanga parliamentary constituency was laid through the virtual medium of the Prime Minister under the scheme. Darbhanga railway station will be developed as a world class station at a cost of 340 crores and Sakri station will be redeveloped at a cost of 18.9 crores.
• Under this scheme, a six-storey building (G+5) will be constructed in the western direction of the station. On the other hand, a (G+2) i.e. three-storey building will be constructed in the eastern direction, in which state-of-the-art facilities will be provided for the passengers.
• Naugachia railway station of Katihar-Barauni railway section, which is included in 1275 stations across the country, will also be rejuvenated under the Amrit Bharat station scheme. Railway stations of the first phase also include Naugachia, Pirpainti, Kahalgaon, Sultanganj of Bhagalpur.
• It is worth mentioning that modern facilities like wide concourse, foot over bridge, lift, escalator, waiting room, commercial area and retail counter etc. will be provided at these stations to be redeveloped under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
• The plan envisages multimodal transport. Passenger amenities at other minor stations will also be upgraded and will be provided with facilities like widened FOBs, frontage improvements, waiting areas, lifts, escalators etc.
• These stations of Bihar will be rejuvenated-
• Anugrah Narayan Road (Aurangabad), Lakhminia, Salona (Begusarai), Kahalgaon, Naugachia, Pirpainti, Sultanganj (Bhagalpur), Arrah, Bihiya (Bhojpur), Dumraon, Raghurnathpur (Buxar), Darbhanga Junction (Darbhanga), Gaya Junction, Paharpur ( Gaya), Jamui, Simtalla (Jamui), Jehanabad, Bhabua Road, Durgauti, Kudra (Kaimur (Bhabhua)), Barsoi Junction (Katihar), Khagaria Junction, Mansi (Khagaria), Kishanganj, Thakurganj (Kishanganj), Jaynagar , Madhubani, Sankri (Mudhubani), Jamalpur Junction (Munger), Dholi, Muzaffarpur Junction, Ramdayalu Nagar (Muzaffarpur), Bihar Sharif, Rajgir (Nalanda), Narkatiaganj Junction, Sugauli (West Champaran), Bakhtiyarpur, Badh, Fatuha, Taregna ( Patna), BapuDham Motihari (East Champaran), Banmankhi (Purnia), Rohtas, Sasaram (Rohtas), Saharsa (Saharsa), Dalsingh Sarai, Samastipur, Sonpur Junction (Saran), Sitamarhi and Hajipur Junction ( Vaishali).

The Book 'Nitish Kumar in Parliament' was released

Why in News?

On August 4, 2023, the book 'Nitish Kumar in Parliament' was released at the Jagjivan Ram Institute of Parliamentary Studies and Political Research, Patna.

Key Points:

• The book has been edited by sociologist Jagannarayan Singh Yadav and published by Sahitya Sansad Prakashan, Delhi.
• This book is a collection of speeches given by Nitish Kumar on various issues in Parliament during his tenure as MP and Union Minister from 1989 to 2005.
• This book is in five sections – The name of the first section of the book is Krishi Pradhan Bharat. In this, there is a compilation of statements made by Nitish in the Parliament regarding agriculture. The name of the second section is Indian Railways, it has five speeches given by Nitish about Railways. The name of the third section is Developing India, in which Nitish Kumar's vision about the country is given.
• The name of the fourth section is Indian Society, in which the mention made by Nitish Kumar about the condition of different classes is mentioned. The last and fifth section is Indian Polity. In this, Nitish Kumar has mentioned about the political situation in his speeches.

India International Travel Mart – Rajasthan gets the Best Heritage Tourism Destination of the Year Award

Why in News?

Rajasthan has been awarded the Best Heritage Tourism Destination of the Year Award, represented by the Department of Tourism, at the India International Travel Mart held in Chennai on August 6, 2023.

Key Points:

• Deputy Director Ajay Sharma and Tourism Officer Siraj Qureshi received the award on behalf of the Rajasthan Tourism Department at the ceremony.
• It is known that Rajasthan is known on the world stage for its art-culture, historical heritage, religious places, famous temples, ancient forts, palaces, delicious cuisine, natural beauty and tourist places.
• Through a powerpoint presentation by the Rajasthan Tourism Team, the steps taken by the state government in the tourism sector, information about new schemes and tourism promotion films were also displayed.

Rajasthan State Guru Gorakhnath Board formed

Why in News?

Orders in this regard have been issued by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment after Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot approved the proposal of the Rajasthan State Guru Gorakhnath Board on August 5, 2023.

Key Points:

• The Board will have 5 non-official members (Chairman, Vice-Chairman and 3 Members). Also, Department of Industries, School Education (Primary/medical) & Sanskrit Education, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Department of Labour, Department of Devasthan, Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government Secretary/Commissioner/Joint Director or their representatives will be on the Board as Government Members.
• A Deputy Director level officer of Social Justice and Empowerment Department will be the Secretary in the Board.
• The Managing Director of the Rajasthan State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Cooperative Corporation Limited or his representative will be a special invitee to the Board.
• The Administrative Department of the Board will be the Social Justice and Empowerment Department.
• The Rajasthan State Guru Gorakhnath Board will identify the problems of Jogi, Yogi, Nath castes & give suggestions to the state government on the basis of authentic survey report to provide basic facilities to these classes and remove backwardness.
• Suggestions will be given by the Board to propose various schemes for the welfare of the society, coordination with various departments in respect of ongoing schemes, promotion of employment, educational and economic upgradation of the society, promotion of traditional business of the society beyond the existing norms.
• Along with this, other suggestions including strengthening & renovation of the religious and cultural heritage of the society & monasteries, research on articles, texts, literature etc. related to the society, taking concrete measures against social evils will also be presented to the state government.

Asia's Biggest International Literary Festival 'Unmesh'

Why in News?

Asia's largest International Literature Festival 'Unmesh' organized from August 3 to 6, 2023 at Rabindra Bhawan, Bhopal on the occasion of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence with a pledge to take literature to the masses, create and preserve literature .

Key Points:

• Literature festival Unmesh is Asia's largest international festival. It was organized under the joint aegis of Sahitya Akademi and Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.
• In this event, activities related to literature took place during the day and a colorful program of cultural presentation was organized in the evening.
• More than 575 writers from 100 languages participated in more than 75 programs in this literature festival. Writers from 13 other countries also participated in the event.
• It is known that this is the second edition of Unmesh. Along with the International Literature Festival, a national festival of folk and tribal performing arts titled Sangeet Natak Akademi Utkarsh was also organized in this event.
• It included poetry, story-telling, Indian poetry, Indian devotional literature, Sagar literature, India's cultural heritage, the principle of segregation in Indian plays, unity in diversity, India's gentle strength, cinema & literature, dissemination of Indian literature in foreign languages, literature and nature of doctors, the rise of machines, authorless literature, creative education.

Country's First Power Grid under RDSS Energized at Imlikheda in Indore District

Why in News? 

On August 4, 2023, Amit Tomar, Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company, Indore told that under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July last year for the Ministry of Energy, the country's first 33/11 KV The power grid has been completed and energized at Imlikheda in Sawer tehsil of Indore district.

Key Points:

• The said grid of five MVA capacity costs three crores. With this, 8000 electricity consumers and 25000 people of five villages will get 24 hours high quality electricity.
• Amit Tomar said that the ground-breaking ceremony for this grid was done in February 2023 by Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silavat. In about five months, the said grid has been prepared and energized.
• Electrical equipment materials, power transformers, VCBs, cables, conductors etc. for construction of the grid were used only after testing at national level NABL.
• For the first time, Panther conductor has been used in the grid, which is almost double the capacity of conventional conductor. The work of 97 such grids is in various stages of operation in the Company's area.
• A total of Rs 380 crore is being spent on grids and related lines being built under RDSS. This will increase the power distribution capacity of the company area by about 500 MVA.
• Along with the grids, the work of replacing conductors with cables, underground cables at selected places of Indore, Ujjain etc., renovation and capacity addition of old grids, replacement of old conductors with new and higher capacity conductors and installation of capacitor banks etc. are also being done in a phased manner.
• The works under RDSS are reviewed every week, so that the work is done on time and with quality. Orders have been given for water harvesting near the grids, so that the boring of the grid continues even in summers and there is no water crisis for earthing in the grid.

Amrit Bharat Station Scheme: 15 Railway Stations of Haryana will be Redeveloped

Why in News?

On August 6, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment works of 508 railway stations in the country through video conferencing under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These include 15 railway stations of Haryana.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that in the first phase of this ambitious Amrit Bharat station scheme, 15 railway stations of Haryana will be redeveloped. These stations include Ambala City, Bhiwani Junction, Faridabad, Pataudi Road, Hisar, Bahadurgarh, Jind Junction, Narwana Junction, Narnaul, Kalka, Rewari, Rohtak, Sirsa, Sonipat and Yamunanagar-Jagadhri stations.
• Apart from this, 34 stations of the state will also be included in the second phase of the scheme.
• It is worth mentioning that modern facilities like wide concourse, foot over bridge, lift, escalator, waiting room, commercial area and retail counter etc. will be provided at these stations to be redeveloped under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
• The plan envisages multimodal transport. Passenger amenities at other minor stations will also be upgraded and will be provided with facilities like widened FOBs, frontage improvements, waiting areas, lifts, escalators etc.

PM lays Virtual Foundation Stone for Redevelopment Works of 508 Railway Stations

Why in News?

On August 6, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment works of 508 railway stations in the country through video conferencing under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These include 7 railway stations of Chhattisgarh, Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Tilda-Nevra, Akaltara, Bhilai Power House and Mahasamund.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that a total of 32 railway stations of Chhattisgarh have been included in this ambitious Amrit Bharat station scheme. An amount of Rs. 1660 crore will be invested in the redevelopment of these stations.
• The Governor of Chhattisgarh Biswabhusan Harichandan participated in this foundation stone laying program of the Prime Minister. He also observed the model prepared for the development of railway stations.
• It is worth mentioning that modern facilities like wide concourse, foot over bridge, lift, escalator, waiting room, commercial area and retail counter etc. will be provided at these stations to be redeveloped under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
• The plan envisages multimodal transport. Passenger amenities at other minor stations will also be upgraded and will be provided with facilities like widened FOBs, frontage improvements, waiting areas, lifts, escalators etc.

Bastar Zone Became Overall Champion in Subroto Mukherjee Cup

Why in News?

On August 6, 2023, in the Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football Competition organized at Jagdalpur under the 23rd State Level School Sports Competition, Bastar Zone won the overall championship by securing first position in three categories.

Key Points:

• Parliamentary Secretary Rekhchand Jain gave away prizes to the winners of the Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football organized at Jagdalpur under the 23rd State Level School Sports Competition.
• In this four-day football competition, 14, 17-year-old boys and 17-year-old girls won the overall championship by securing first position in Bastar zone in three categories. The second position was secured by Surguja zone and the third position by Durg zone.
• It is worth mentioning that the team of Bastar division will represent the state of Chhattisgarh in the National Subroto Mukherjee Cup football tournament to be held in Delhi later this month.

Tandula Eco Friendly Tourism Park

Why in News?

According to the information given by Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on August 5, 2023, the construction work of 'Tandula Eco Friendly Tourism Park' under construction in Adamabad near Joint District Office Balod is almost nearing completion. Soon tourists are going to get the gift of this park.

Key Points:

• Rapid construction works are being done for the development of tourism in Chhattisgarh which is full of natural beauty. Care is being taken here for easy access along with facilities for the tourists. In this series, the picturesque natural valleys located on the banks of the Tandula reservoir built on the main and life-giving Tandula river of Balod district are being developed for the tourists.
• It is worth mentioning that the bank of Tandula Reservoir located near Adamabad has been a center of attraction for tourists due to being covered with forest and green trees and having excellent natural environment and necessary facilities. With the development of this tourist destination, it will become a center of attraction for a large number of tourists.
• An attractive main gate is being constructed in front of the park. Apart from cottages, scaffolding, tent houses, restaurant, water body, Buddha statue, garden etc. construction work is being done here for tourists to stay. Apart from Champa flowers, fruit trees are also being planted here.
• Tandula Reservoir tourist place is being made attractive and equipped, so that tourists from Chhattisgarh as well as other states come here. Various stalls will also be set up at the tourist spot. This will also provide employment opportunities to the local people.

Uttarakhand's First Apple Policy Proposal Ready

Why in News?

On August 6, 2023, Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Ganesh Joshi informed that the proposal for the first apple policy has been prepared to promote apple production & marketing in the state.

Key Points:

• In this policy, the government will encourage farmers to plant new apple orchards in five thousand hectare areas. Farmers can prepare apple orchards on 0.2 to 20 hectares of land.
• Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Ganesh Joshi said that suggestions will also be taken from the farmers of the state on this policy. Which will be included in the policy. Only after this the proposal of the policy will be placed in the cabinet.
• It is known that except for Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts, apples are produced in the hilly areas of remaining 11 districts, but till now Uttarakhand, Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir are lagging behind in apple production.
• Uttarkashi is the leader in apple production in the state. About 62 thousand metric tonnes of apples are produced in a total area of 25785 hectares.
• For the first time, the emphasis is on increasing the production of the state government by implementing the apple policy. Farmers who have less land will also be encouraged to cultivate apples.
• Under the policy, the government will provide apple trees of advanced varieties for planting apple orchards from 0.2 hectare to 20 hectare. Apart from this, companies will be encouraged to provide apple saplings and technical know-how.