• 10 Jan 2024

Uttarayani Festival on Ram Temple Theme

Why in News?

Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed to celebrate the Uttarayani festival and fair, observed on Makar Sankranti every year in the state's Kumaon region, with the theme of the Ram Temple consecration ceremony.

Key Points

• The chief minister urged the people to perform Deepotsav in their homes and organize Kalash Yatras and Ram Katha.
• He also emphasized on organizing a campaign to clean the ghats of major rivers.
• Essay and painting competitions should be organized in schools on the ideals of Lord Ram.

Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony

• Preparations for the ‘pran-pratishtha’ ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya on January 22 includes:
  • Idols of elephants, lions, Lord Hanuman and Garuda, 'vahana' of Lord Vishnu, have been installed at the entrance gate of the Ram Temple.
  • Invitation cards for the consecration ceremony have been sent out to guests including VVIPs, priests, donors and several politicians.
• According to Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirath Kshetra Trust, the committee overseeing the construction of the temple:
  • The Ram Mandir, constructed in the traditional Nagara style, is a three-storied shrine, measuring 380 feet in length (east-west direction), 250 feet in width, and 161 feet in height.
  • It has a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. It features five Mandaps (halls) -- Nritya Mandap, Rang Mandap, Sabha Mandap, Prarthna and Kirtan Mandaps.

Chhatisgarh Bachao Andolan

Why in News?

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) in Chhattisgarh has extended its support to the proposed citizens' protest march in Hasdeo Arand against the large-scale cutting of trees for coal mining.

• Hasdeo Arand forests are considered bio-diversity rich, with the catchment area of Hasdeo River providing crucial help for drinking water in underdeveloped areas.

Key Points

• The deforestation of 137 hectares of biodiverse forest in Hasdeo for the Parsa East and Kanta Basan (PEKB) coal blocks in Chhattisgarh will have detrimental effects. This includes impacting the river Hasdeo, escalating human-elephant conflicts, and causing negative consequences for the local biodiversity.
• A total of five billion tonnes of coal is estimated to be sitting under the dense forest area.
  • The latest deforestation marks the second stage of clearances for PEKB; the first stage included sanctioning of the open mine for coal extraction to supply electricity in Rajasthan and neighbouring state.
• The ongoing deforestation will displace and impact the livelihoods of 700 indigenous families from neighbouring villages in Surguja district of northern Chhattisgarh such as Sahli, Tara, Janardhanpur, Ghatbarra, Fatehpur and Hariharpur.
• Tribal rights activists from Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, Save Hasdeo Forest Committee as well as Gram Sabha leaders have been actively protesting the relentless tree felling.
• Mining Activity in Hasdeo Arand Coal Field (HACF) Region:
  • The HACF is spread over nearly 1,880 sq km and comprises 23 coal blocks.
  • The area was declared as a ‘No-Go Zone’ for mining by the Centre in 2009.
  • The demand for mining picked up around 2010, when the Chhattisgarh government recommended forest clearance for diverting forest land for PEKB coal fields.
  • In 2012, Forest Clearance was granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) for mining in phase I of PEKB coal mines.
  • Though cases are pending in various courts, in March 2022 the Chhattisgarh government approved the second phase of mining in the PEKB coal block.

Hasdeo Arand Forest

• Hasdeo Arand, a sprawling forest in the northern part of Chhattisgarh is known for its biodiversity and its coal deposits.
• The forest falls under Korba, Sujapur and Surguja districts with significant tribal population.
• The Hasdeo river, a tributary of Mahanadi, flows through it.
• Hasdeo Arand is the largest un-fragmented forest in Central India consisting of pristine Sal (Shorea robusta) and teak forests.
• It is a noted migratory corridor and has a significant presence of elephants.

Tasar Silk at Republic Day Parade

Why in News?

Jharkhand's tableau showcasing the production of the famed tasar silk in the Santhal Pargana region was selected for the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

• Jharkhand is among 16 states and Union Territories the tableaux of which have been selected for the parade.

Key Points

• The country will be introduced to the silk of Dumka and Godda of Jharkhand.
  • Sarihan variety of tasar silk is found in the Dumka district.
• There are four types of silk -- Mulberry, Eri, Muga and tasar. Mulberry, Eri and Muga are common and can be produced indoors but tasar is wild in nature.
• Country's 70% tasar is produced in Jharkhand, of which 40% is produced in the state's Santhal Pargana region.
  • The tasar silk is transported to Bhagalpur in Bihar, where the final product is made.

Status of India’s Silk Industry

• India stands as the world's second-largest producer of raw silk after China.
• India boasts a diverse range of silk types, including Mulberry, Tasar, Muga, and Eri. The variations arise from the distinct feeding habits of the silkworms.
• The silk industry stands as one of India's largest foreign exchange earners, contributing significantly to the country's economic landscape.
• The major silk-producing states in the country are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Healthy Food Street 'Prasadam' at Ujjain

Why in News?

Recently, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the country’s first healthy and hygienic food street, 'Prasadam', that will serve traditional healthy food and delicacies made of coarse grains at Mahakal Lok in Ujjain.

Key Points

• Prasadam will have 17 shops that will offer dishes made from rajgira, sanwa, kuttu, ragi, dal-baffle and other famous traditional dishes of the state, built at a cost of Rs 175 lakh.
• The food street will be fully operational from the first week of February, 2024 and junk foods and plastic are prohibited in the premises.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will give food handling training to vendors while the Food Safety on Wheels vehicle will come once a week to inspect the food and train vendors.
  • 100 healthy and hygienic street food hubs will come up at different locations in the country.
• The Chief Minister also launched 'Manhit' App focused on mental health. Mental health screening app "Manhit" developed by the Mental Health Unit of National Health Mission Madhya Pradesh.
  • It is mainly divided into three sections: Mental health self-assessment, awareness materials/videos and contact with mental health facilities.

Coarse Grains

• Coarse grains are traditionally grown in resource poor agro-climatic regions of the country. They are also called nutri-grains.
  • Agro-climatic zone is a land unit in terms of major climates suitable for a certain range of crops and cultivars.
• Examples of Coarse grains are Sorghum, pearl millet, maize, barley, finger millet and several small millets such as kodo millet, little millet, foxtail millet, proso millet and barnyard millet.
• Coarse cereals producing states include Karnataka, Rajasthan, Puducherry, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh etc.

Uttar Pradesh Among Top Three States for MSMEs

Why in News?

According to a report by realty consulting firm CBRE South Asia and real estate developers association CREDAI, Uttar Pradesh has emerged among the top three states as a significant contributor to the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector, with a 9% share in total registered MSMEs in the country.

• Sector-wise, the report highlighted that the construction sector, contributing approximately 8% to the GDP, is a strategic opportunity for Indian MSMEs.

Key Points

• According to the official data from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, 2.21 crore MSMEs are registered (excluding registrations via the Udyam Assist Portal) under the ministry.
  • Several cities in Uttar Pradesh have emerged as MSME clusters, with Agra, Kanpur, Varanasi, Lucknow, Meerut and Ghaziabad leading in enrolling for the Udyam scheme.
• Out of which 38.09 lakh with a 17.2% share were from Maharashtra followed by 22.32 lakh with a 10% share from Tamil Nadu and 20.95 lakh with a 9.4% share from Uttar Pradesh.
  • Rajasthan with 16 lakh and Gujarat with 15.96 lakh MSMEs were the other top destinations for registered units in the country.
• Collaborative efforts between the government, industry stakeholders, and financial institutions can help create a robust support system, ensuring that the MSMEs receive the necessary resources and guidance to navigate the evolving economic landscape.

Udyam Portal

• It is an online system for registering MSMEs, launched by the Union MSME ministry on 1st July, 2020.
• It is linked to the databases of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) and Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN). 
  • GSTN is a unique and intricate IT enterprise that establishes a channel of communication and interaction between taxpayers, the central and various state governments, and other stakeholders.
• It is fully online, does not require any documentation, and is a step towards Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs.

Swachh Survekshan 2023

Why in News?

Prayagraj and Varanasi will get the prestigious President’s Award in the Swachh Survekshan 2023 – the cleanliness survey awards in New Delhi.

Key Points

• Eight cities, including Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Jhansi, and Firozabad, have earned a 3-star rating while Noida has earned a five-star rating.
• About 648 cities of the state have achieved the Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. 65 cities secured the ‘Garbage Free City’ status.
• Swachh Survekshan’s 2023 results reveal that 129 cities in Uttar Pradesh have achieved ODF++ status, reflecting adherence to open defecation-free standards and sustainable waste management practices.
• 435 cities in the state have attained ODF+ status, showcasing the commitment of the government towards cleanliness in the state.
• Many cities in Uttar Pradesh are now moving towards a 7-star rating.
  • Continuous efforts are being made by the government to elevate more cities to achieve 5-star and 3-star ratings.

Swachh Survekshan 2023

• Swachh Survekshan was introduced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2016 as a competitive framework to encourage cities to improve the status of urban sanitation while encouraging large scale citizen participation.
• Over the years, Swachh Survekshan has emerged as the largest Urban sanitation survey in the world.

Pharma Park in Uttar Pradesh

Why in News?

According to the Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA), the Uttar Pradesh government is setting up a pharma park in Lalitpur, Bundelkhand, covering 1,472-acre across five villages.

• The establishment of the Pharma park and the acceleration of associated projects mark a strategic move by the Uttar Pradesh government towards fostering industrial growth and economic development.

Key Points

• The plan will unfold in two phases, with an initial focus on immediate development efforts covering 300 acres of land.
  • The villages identified for the survey include Saidpur, Gadolikala, Largan, Karounda, and Rampur.
• Surveying techniques include oil testing, contour mapping and topographical investigation.
  • The utilisation of modern surveying techniques underscores a commitment to precision and efficiency in the planning and execution of these initiatives.
• UPSIDA is also taking steps to expedite development projects at site-1 and site-2 in Orai, along with the Plastic City project in Dibiyapur.
  • The plastic park, spread across 274.4 acres, encompasses industrial units, residential areas, and basic infrastructure.

Development Projects in Haryana

Why in News?

Recently, Haryana Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 16 development projects worth Rs. 215.65 crores in Fatehabad district.

Key Points

• These projects include 7 in the Fatehabad assembly constituency, 5 in the Ratia assembly constituency, and 4 in the Tohana assembly constituency.
• Under the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) scheme, the Deputy Chief Minister initiated:
  • The strengthening and widening of the 19.65-kilometer Fatehabad-Hanspur road with an allocation of Rs 19.86 crores,
  • The strengthening and widening of the 2.555-kilometer Mamupur to Chuharpur via Nardail road with Rs 3.60 crores, and the 30.14-kilometer NH148B Surewala Chowk to Haryana-Punjab border with estimated cost of Rs. 149.63 crores.
• The Deputy Chief Minister also inaugurated 13 development projects worth Rs. 42.54 crores, which include road and infrastructure development.