Chhattisgarh

• 09 Oct 2021

IGAU's Innovations to be Used in Rural Industrial Park

Why in News

• On October 8, 2021, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the innovations of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University (IGAU) would be used in rural industrial parks being set up in villages to develop technology for processing agricultural products.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister said that the innovations of IGKU would help in the processing of agricultural and minor forest produce products. He said the state government is working towards making villages self-reliant as per Mahatma Gandhi's vision of 'Gram Swaraj'.
• During this, Chief Minister Baghel also inaugurated a Krishi Vigyan Kendra building, an Akti Biodiversity Museum and a Knowledge Center building in the IGAU campus.
• Along with this, he also launched seeds of improved varieties of eight crops including paddy, soybean, maize and raspberry and also inaugurated the technology for separation of protein and glucose from rice developed by the university.
• It is worth mentioning that Chhattisgarh has consistently topped the country for the last two years in terms of collection of minor forest produce. According to the data released by 'The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)', Minor forest produce (2,77,958 quintals) worth Rs. 80.12 crore has been procured in the state in the first quarter (month April to June) of the current financial year, which is 88.36% of the total collected minor forest produce for Rs. 93 crore during this period in the country.

'No Alcohol Week'

Why in News

• On the occasion of the 152^nd birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, 'No Alcohol Week' (from October 2 to 8, 2021) was organized by the state’s Social Welfare Department. During this, various programs were organized across the state to make people aware about the ill effects of drug abuse.

Key Points

• It was launched by Social Welfare Minister Anila Bhediya by flagging off the drug de-addiction rath (chariot) in Balod district under the Bharat Mata Vahini Yojana. Along with this, awareness raths were flagged off by the collectors in various districts.
• Seminars and essay writing, rangoli-painting competitions were organized in schools and colleges on the topic of drug eradication, in which students enthusiastically participated.
• Along with this, through seminars and awareness rallies, people were explained that alcohol intoxication harms a person physically and mentally.
• By organizing yoga camps through the Yoga Commission, people were informed about the health problems caused due to alcohol intoxication and it was explained that life can be made balanced and healthy through yoga.
• Under the liquor de-addiction campaign, these chariots will travel from village to village to create public awareness for drug de-addiction. An awareness rally was also taken out by the women of Bharat Mata Vahini Dal on this occasion.