• 09 Sep 2022

Lumpy Virus: 300 km Long Immune Belt to be built on the lines of Malaysia

Why In News?

• On September 8, 2022, Special Secretary, Uttar Pradesh Livestock Department, Devendra Pandey said that in view of the increasing cases of Lumpy virus in the western districts of the state, the department has taken about 300 km from Pilibhit to Etawah on the lines of Malaysia. 10 km to the distance. A master plan has been prepared to cover with a wide immune belt.

Key Points

• Special Secretary Devendra Pandey said that this master plan has been approved by the state government. This belt will act as a border in a way and the lumpy virus will not be able to cross it and go from western Uttar Pradesh to eastern Uttar Pradesh.
• Preparations have been completed by the Animal Husbandry Department to make immune belts through vaccination. 100 percent vaccination will be done in animals in this entire belt. A special task force is being formed to monitor the operation. The task force will take care of tracking and treating animals infected with the Lumpy virus.
• Along with keeping a close watch on infected animals, arrangements will be made to stop them within the immune belt. In fact, such an effort has been made in Malaysia in the year 2020 to prevent animal infection, the results of which were very positive.
• This belt, to be built on the lines of Malaysia, will pass through 23 blocks of five districts. The Immune Belt would pass through Bisalpur, Barkheda, Lalorikheda, Marori and Amaria development blocks of Pilibhit district via Khudaganj, Nigohi, Sidhauli, Bhawal Kheda, Kant, Jalalabad and Mirzapur development blocks of Shahjahanpur district to Kayamganj, Shamsabad and Rajepur development blocks of Farrukhabad district. It will go up to Kurawali, Sultanganj and Ghirour development blocks of Mainpuri district and Badhpura, Jaswantnagar, Saifai, Basrehar and Takha development blocks of Etawah.
• Most of the cases of lumpy virus in the state have been reported in the western districts only. 23 districts of the state are affected by the lumpy virus. Of these, the highest number of cases have been reported in Aligarh, Muzaffarnagar and Saharanpur. At the same time, the virus is spreading rapidly in Mathura, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, Hapur, Meerut, Shamli and Bijnor.
• So far, 21,619 bovines of 2,331 villages of the state have been infected due to the lumpy virus. In view of the severity of the infection, the government has started a massive vaccination drive and so far 5,83,600 bovines have been vaccinated.
• It is noteworthy that lumpy virus is a dangerous virus found in animals. It travels from the body of one animal to the body of another by certain species and insects of flies and mosquitoes. Animals infected with the lumpy virus lose their appetite as they have a high fever. Apart from this, round raised lumps are formed throughout the body including face, neck, snout, eyelids. At the same time, swelling in the legs, lameness and the ability to work in the male animal are also reduced. Sometimes animals also die.

Famous Folk Artist Padmashree Ramchandra Manjhi Passes Away

Why In News?

• On September 7, 2022, renowned folk artist and Padma Shri awardee Ramchandra Manjhi from Saran district of Bihar passed away at the age of 96 at IGIMS Hospital in Patna.

Key Points

• Ramchandra Manjhi, who received the Padma Shri award, was famous for 'Launda Naach'. Manjhi has been an associate of Bhikhari Thakur, who is called Shakespeare of Bhojpuri. Manjhi, who rose to international fame with launda naach, was a member of the naach troupe for 30 years.
• Along with Panshree, he also got the honor of Launda Naach. Apart from this, many other awards including Sangeet Natak Akademi were honored. He gave a different identity to the folk culture of Bihar.
• Significantly, 'Launda Nach' of Bihar is one of the old and very famous folk dances of Bihar. In this, the boy dances like a girl wearing makeup and clothes. People organize launda dance on any auspicious occasion. At present, this folk dance has been marginalized from among the society. There are only a few launda dance troupes left, which are keeping this genre alive.

Chief Minister Teacher and Sentinel Residential Scheme'

Why In News?

• On September 8, 2022, Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Dhariwal inaugurated 'Chief Minister Teachers and Sentinel Housing Scheme' in Sector-26 of Pratap Nagar, Jaipur.

Key Points

• Under this scheme, flats have been allotted at a concessional rate of Rs.15 lakh 70 thousand to provide accommodation facility to teachers and police personnel at concessional rates.
• The Housing Commissioner informed that 576 flats have been constructed under this scheme. Each flat has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and 2 toilets.
• Other facilities like ample basement parking, swimming pool with changing room, plentiful green area in all 6 blocks, luxurious synthetic basketball court, CCTV with surveillance and open gym have been provided in the scheme.
• It is noteworthy that this housing scheme was announced by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on December 20, 2019 and on May 27, 2020, for the teachers who prepare the younger generation for nation building and the police personnel who play an important role in upholding the law. Urban Development and Housing Minister Shanti Dhariwal had laid the foundation stone of this scheme.

State Master Plan Portal

Why In News?

• On September 8, 2022, Veenu Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Rajasthan Industries Department, virtually participated in the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti National Master Plan State Conference and launched the State Master Plan Portal.

Key Points

• The portal has been developed by BISAG-N (Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Application and Geo Informatics) as a digital master planning tool with comprehensive database on action plans of various Ministries and Departments.
• Mapping of all infrastructure projects with real-time updates will be provided through a map developed by BISAGEN. Logistics Division, Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) will continue to assist all the stakeholders through BISAG-N for necessary information and updation in this system.
• The PM Gati Shakti Yojana or multi-modal connectivity scheme has been launched with an aim to reduce costs in logistics, avoid wastage and execute infrastructure projects.
• The central government is bringing together 16 ministries for coordinated implementation of Gati Shakti Integrated Planning and infrastructure connectivity projects. Out of 14 departments of the state, 11 departments have done the work of compiling and uploading the desired information by connecting with the portal, the remaining departments are also compiling and providing the required data.

Bhopal to Host ISSF World Cup Shooting Championship

Why In News?

• On September 8, 2022, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia said that next year Madhya Pradesh will host the ISSF World Cup Shooting (Rifle/ Pistol) Championship for the first time.

Key Points

• In the year 2023, between March 20 and 31, international level reputed shooters will show their skills at the 'State Shooting Academy of Excellence' at Bisankhedi, Bhopal.
• Minister Scindia informed that The Madhya Pradesh State Shooting Academy of Excellence meets international standards from all levels. The academy is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and has an international level shooting range built here.
• He said that new technology is being used in shooting discipline and all kinds of facilities have been provided to the players with the construction of high quality infrastructure in Madhya Pradesh Academy. This is the reason why the country's reputed shooters constantly come to the academy for training at the Bhopal Shooting Range.

'Youth Cell' will be Formed in University and College

Why In News?

• According to the information given by the Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on September 8, 2022, as announced by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in the Youth Mahapanchayat, 'Youth Cell' will be formed in the universities and colleges of the state.

Key Points

• The Youth Cell will submit suggestions to the Organizing Committee for continuous review and excellent conduct of activities at university and college level for implementation of youth policy.
• The main objective of the Youth Cell is to create a positive and ideal environment among the youth in universities and colleges.
• The Vice-Chancellor will be the patron of the youth cell at the university level. Senior Faculty Dean will be the Chairman and Coordinator National Service Planning Secretary. Four students nominated by the mentor on the basis of merit, one student each from NSS, NCC, sports and literature-cultural activity, two alumni, two parents (one female, one male), one MP and one MLA will be representative.
• Similarly, the mentor of the youth cell in the college will be the principal. Senior Professor of the College, President, NCC Officer/Program Officer Secretary of NSS, on the basis of merit, two graduate and two postgraduate students, one student each involved in NSS, NCC, sports and literary-cultural activities, will be involved as members. Two alumni, two guardians (one female and one male) shall be the members. MP representatives and MLA representatives will also be members.
• The Youth Cell will work in compliance with the instructions received in accordance with the guidelines of youth policy and conduct activities organized in the university and college accordingly.

Madhya Pradesh gets Four Gold and One Silver Awards at ICRT Awards

Why In News?

• The MP Tourism Board won four gold and one silver at the International Center for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) Awards ceremony held at Kushabhai Thackeray Convention Center in the capital Bhopal on September 7, 2022.

Key Points

• Madhya Pradesh Tourism, Culture and Religious Trusts and Endowments Minister Usha Thakur has met Shiv Shekhar Shukla (Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture and Managing Director Tourism Board) and Dr. Along with Harold Goodwin (Founder Director of ICRT and Managing Director of Responsible Tourism Partnerships) awarded the winners.
• These awards have been given for projects like Rural Tourism Project, Safe Tourist Places Project for Women, Responsible Sovereign Development Project, Project Humsafar etc. under the Tourism Board.
• A total of 26 awards were given in nine categories at the ceremony. Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has won gold in the categories of Increase in Diversity in Tourism: How Inclusive is Our Industries, Growing the Local Economic Benefit, Contributing to Cultural Heritage and Increase Tourism Contribution to Natural Heritage and Biodiversity. Also, won Silver Award in Access for the Differently Abled - Age Travelers, Employees and Holiday Makers category.
• It is noteworthy that the ICRT Awards is one of the most prestigious awards in the world in the field of Responsible Tourism. It is organized annually by the International Center for Responsible Tourism (ICRT). The special thing is that this award was held outside London for the first time.

The Amount of Sports Awards Increased in Uttarakhand

Why In News?

• On September 8, 2022, an order was issued by the Uttarakhand Sports Department regarding the increase in the amount of awards for the players and coaches of the state who have won medals in national and international games. The amount of sports awards has been increased from 30 to 100 percent.

Key Points

• According to the order of the Director of Sports, the sportsperson of the state who won the gold medal in the Olympic Games will be given a prize money of Rs 2 crore, while the silver medalist will be given 1.5 crore and the bronze medalist will be given Rs 1 crore. Fifty lakh rupees will be given to the player participating in the Olympic Games.
• The amount of awards for sportspersons who have won medals in World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asian Championships, Commonwealth Championships, National Games etc. has also been increased.
• The gold medal winners in the World Cup and World Championships will be given a prize of Rs 30 lakh, silver medal winner Rs 20 lakh, bronze medal winner Rs 15 lakh and the player who participates in the world cup and world championship will be given a prize of Rs 7.5 lakh.
• According to the government order, 50 percent of the amount payable to that player will be given equally to the coaches as much as the amount fixed on the basis of medals in all these sports.
• The order also states that after selection in Olympics, World Cup, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, the athlete will be provided 20 percent of the funds valid for participation in the respective competition in advance. It will be adjusted in the amount received for participation in the competition or winning a medal. If the player does not participate in the concerned competition, then the amount provided earlier will have to be returned.
• Junior players will get half of the prize money of the senior category and sub-juniors will get one-fourth of it as prize money.

Competition	Medal	Amount (first)	Funds (now)
Olympic Game	Gold	Rs. 1.5 crore	Rs 2 crore
	Silver	Rs. 1 crore	Rs. 1.5 crore
	Bell-metal	Rs. 50 lakhs	Rs. 1 crore
	Participation	Rs. 5 lakh	Rs. 50 lakhs
World Championships	Gold	Rs. 20 lakhs	Rs. 30 lakhs
	Silver	Rs. 12 lakhs	Rs. 20 lakhs
	Bell-metal	Rs. 7 lakh	Rs. 15 lakhs
	Participation	Rs. 1 lakh	Rs. 7.5 lakh
Asian Championships	Gold	Rs. 15 lakhs	Rs. 30 lakhs
	Silver	Rs. 10 lakhs	Rs. 20 lakhs
	Bell-metal	Rs. 7 lakh	Rs. 15 lakhs
	Participation	Rs. 75,000	Rs. 7.5 lakh