State PCS

• 11 Apr 2022

Tomb of Sand

Why In News?

Recently, 'Tomb of Sand', the English translation of Gitanjalishree's novel 'Ret Samadhi' from Uttar Pradesh, has been included in the top six contenders for the Booker Prize.

Key Points

• 'Tomb of Sand' is the first Hindi work to be included in the top six contenders for the International Booker Prize.
• The English translation of 'Ret Samadhi' titled 'Tomb of Sand' has been done by Daisy Rockwell.
• 'Ret Samadhi' is the fifth novel of Gitanjalishree.
• It is noteworthy that Geetanjalishree was born in 1957 in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh.

Nipun Bihar Scheme

Why In News?

Recently, in a review meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary of Bihar Education Department has given instructions to implement Nipun Bihar Yojana in government schools of Bihar in the first week of June.

Key Points

• Under this, children will be made proficient in reading and writing, recognizing alphabets, interpreting its meaning, addition and subtraction and solving other numerical activities related to age.
• For its implementation, a task force has been constituted under the chairmanship of state primary education director Ravi Prakash.
• It is worth noting that under the new education policy, the Nipun Bharat scheme has been started by the Central Government to improve basic literacy and numerical knowledge among the students of primary classes (mainly classes I to III). There is a plan to start this in the state under the name 'Nipun Bihar'.

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award

Why In News?

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award was presented to Ghazi Khan Barna of Rajasthan by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu for his outstanding contribution in the field of folk music by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu at the award distribution ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on April 9, 2022.

Key Points

• Ghazi Khan Barna belongs to Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan.
• He has imbibed the rich heritage of Manganiyar tradition of Rajasthani folk music.
• Presently, his fame is that of a seasoned khatal player.
• In view of his contribution in the field of folk art, he has also been awarded the Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the year 2002.

'Ram Rajya' Art Gallery

Why In News?

On April 10, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated 'Shri Ram Rajya Art Gallery' at Shri Ram Raja Sarkar Temple Complex, Orchha on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Five lakh lamps were lit simultaneously in Deepotsav on the banks of the holy Betwa river to pay homage to Lord Shri Ram.
• The festival of Ram Navami was celebrated with enthusiasm and reverence throughout the state. A grand celebration of Shri Ram Janmotsav was organized at 12 places in the state including Orchha, Chitrakoot, Ujjain, Umaria, Shahdol, Vidisha, Rajgarh, Shivpuri, Neemuch, Ratlam, Chhindwara and Panna.
• A 'Ram Rajya' art gallery focused on Lord Shri Ram has been prepared by the Culture Department in Shri Ram Raja Sarkar Temple Complex, Orchha.
• In this, each form of Lord Shri Ram has been depicted in the folklore style of almost all the states of India. The 36 qualities of Lord Rama and his uniqueness are expressed through paintings in this art gallery.
• Along with this, his coronation program has been artistically displayed in the form of a tableau. Lord Rama is revered in the whole country as a king only in Orchha.

Tikam Joshi

Why In News?

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award to Tikam Joshi for his distinguished contribution in the field of theater at the award distribution ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on April 9, 2022.

Key Points

• Tikam Joshi from Bhopal completed his graduation from National School of Drama in 2001 with specialization in acting.
• It is worth noting that on March 30, the Culture Department of the Government of Madhya Pradesh has appointed Joshi as the Director of MP School of Drama (MPSD).
• Apart from Joshi, Arjun Singh Dhurve has also been awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Folk and Tribal Dance.

Annual awards announced by Haryana Sahitya Akademi

Why In News?

On April 9, 2022, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal informed that litterateurs have been selected by Haryana Sahitya Akademi for various awards for the year 2021. These awards have been approved by the Chairman of the Academy, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Key Points

• It has been decided to confer the special Sahitya Sadhana Samman, 2021 by the Akademi to Dr. Jaigawan Goyal, Kurukshetra, for lifelong Sahitya Sadhna, whose award amount is Rs.5 lakh.
• Dr. Jai Bhagwan Goyal has also been honored with the Panshree Samman by President Ram Nath Kovind recently in the field of literature and education. More than thirty books of Dr. Goyal, the eminent scholar of Hindi literature, have been published.
• Similarly, nationally renowned senior litterateurs Rohit Yadav, Mandi Ateli have been selected for lifetime Sahitya Sadhna Samman (amount of Rs 7 lakh) given by the Academy at the national level for overall writing.
• Apart from this, Mahakavi Surdas Samman (amount of Rs 5 lakh) will be given to senior litterateur and Ghazalkar Hareram Sameep, Faridabad. Senior lyricist and thinker Dr. Ramakant Sharma, Bhiwani has been selected for the Pt. Madhav Prasad Mishra Samman (Rs 2.50 lakh).
• Dr. Pradyuman Bhalla, Kaithal for his special contribution to the Babu Balmukund Gupta Samman (Rs 2.50 lakh) and Lala Deshbandhu Gupta Samman (Rs 2.50 lakh) for literary journalism, senior poet and editor Raghuvindra Yadav, Narnaul has been selected.
• For his remarkable contribution in the field of Haryanvi language and literature, V.M. Baichen, Bhiwani has been selected for the Pt. Lakhmichand Award (Rs 2.50 lakh). Similarly, Janakavi Mehr Singh Samman (amount of Rs 2.50 lakh) for Haryanvi language and literature will be given to Lahna Singh Attri, Karnal.
• Well-known lyricist and thinker Dr. Rajendra Gautam, Delhi has been selected for the Haryana Gaurav Samman (amount of Rs 2.50 lakh) given for making the state proud in the field of literature at the national level.
• Anju Dua Jaimini and Namita Rakesh, Faridabad have been selected for the Best Female Creator Award (Rs 2.50 lakh) for their remarkable contribution in the field of Hindi literature.
• Poet Dayachand Myna Samman (amount Rs 2.50 lakh) will be presented to Shamsher Kausaliya, Mahendragarh.
• The special Hindi Sevi Samman (amount Rs 1 lakh) has been started by the Academy from the year 2021. Senior educationist and thinker Dr. Shiv Mar Khandelwal, Sonepat, Ravi Sharma, London (Rohtak), Dr. Surendra Gupta, Ambala, Smt. Asha Khatri Lata, Rohtak, Rajesh Chetan, Delhi and Mahendra Jain, Hisar have been selected for this honor.
• Similarly, Shruti Ravish, Sonipat has been selected for the Swami Vivekananda Yuva Writer Award (amount of Rs 1 lakh) under the Young Writers Award.

Tapan Patnaik

Why In News?

On April 9, 2022, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award to Tapan Patnaik for his outstanding contribution in the field of Chhau dance form at the award distribution ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.

Key Points

• Tapan Patnaik, director of Chhau Guru Co-State Chhau Kala Kendra, Seraikela of Seraikela Kharsawan district of Jharkhand, has presented Chhau dance at national and international level as well.
• Tapan Patnaik has played an important role in the development of not only Seraikela but also Kharsawan and Manbhum style Chhau dance.
• Chhau Guru Tapan Patnaik has played an important role in declaring the Seraikela Chhau festival as a state festival.
• It is noteworthy that the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award is the most prestigious national award given in the field of art in India.

Vinoba Bhave University becomes first university in eastern India to launch cyber course

Why In News?

With the recent signing of MoU with Cyber Vidyapeeth Foundation by Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribagh, it has become the first university in eastern India to launch cyber courses.

Key Points

• This cyber course will start from July 2022.
• The Vice Chancellor of the university informed that the university is also planning to launch courses on artificial intelligence and data science.
• According to the Cyber Vidyapeeth Foundation, an income of $100 billion can be earned in 10 years through this course.

Ramayana Interpretation Center

Why In News?

• On April 10, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the Ramayana Interpretation Center at Shivrinarayan in Janjgir-Champa district under the Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit being developed in Chhattisgarh.

Key Points

• In the Ramayana Interpretation Center, information depicted through paintings has been provided about the events of Ramayana and the places visited by Shri Ram on foot during the exile period.
• Through these paintings, the future generations will be able to get information about the events of Ramayana and people will also be able to understand the historicity of Shivrinarayan very well.
• The total area of ​​the Ramayana Interpretation Center, built at a cost of Rs 90 lakh, is 6000 square feet. It is divided into two halls of 40 × 50 ft. Ramayan Interpretation Center as well as Tourism Information Center is established in a hall.
• A statue of Mata Shabari has also been installed outside the Ramayana Interpretation Center, in which she is seen feeding her jujube to Lord Rama. Along with Lord Rama, an idol of his brother Lakshmana has also been installed.
• The Ramayana Interpretation Center established at Shivrinarayan under the Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit will be a center of attraction for the tourists and through this the Ram Van Gaman circuit will also be promoted in Chhattisgarh.

Inauguration of the first phase of development works in Shivrinarayan under Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit

Why In News?

On April 10, 2022, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the first phase of renovation and beautification and development works under Ram Vanagaman tourism circuit in Shivrinarayan, a famous pilgrimage site of Chhattisgarh, located at the confluence of Mahanadi, Shivnath and Jonk rivers.

Key Points

• The state government has started the Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit project to give a new identity to the culture of Chhattisgarh while saving the memories associated with Lord Ram.
• In the first phase of this project, the work of development and beautification of tourism facilities has been completed at 2 out of 9 places selected for development. Out of these, the development works of Maa Kaushalya Dham Chandkhuri were inaugurated on October 7, 2021.
• A huge lamp pillar has been constructed inside the temple premises so that the devotees do not face any problem in lighting the lamp.
• Shivrinarayan is a city full of natural shade, which is famous as Jagannathpuri Dham of Chhattisgarh.
• Along with reverence, this Sangam beach should also be known for tourism, for this a viewpoint has been constructed on the ghat, from where tourists will have amazing views.
• According to mythological belief, Lord Rama spent about 10 years in Chhattisgarh during his 14 years of exile. During his exile, he entered Chhattisgarh from Sitamarhi Harchowka in Korea. Moving from north to south, he passed through many places in Chhattisgarh. His last stop was Ramaram of Sukma.
• Lord Rama covered about 2260 km during the exile period. In such a situation, in order to save the memories of the exile period of Lord Ram associated with Chhattisgarh and to promote culture and tourism, the Government of Chhattisgarh under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel performed Bhoomi Pujan at Mata Kaushalya Temple in Chandkhuri in the year 2019 under the Ram Van Gaman Tourism Circuit Project.
• Upgradation of access road, sign board, tourist facilitation center, interpretation center, Vedic village, pagoda waiting shed, basic facilities, drinking water system, toilets, sitting benches, restaurant, water front development, electrification Etc. will be done at selected 75 places under the project..
• The importance of Shivrinarayan is known from the fact that it has been named as the fifth dham after the four major dhams of the country namely Badrinath, Dwarka, Jagannathpuri and Rameshwaram.
• This place is the original place of Lord Jagannath, hence it is famous as Jagannathpuri of Chhattisgarh. Here the Narayani form of Lord Rama is secretly seated, hence it is also known as Gupt Teerth Dham or Gupt Prayagraj.
• In the first phase under Ram Van Gaman tourism circuit, Sitamarhi-Harchuka (District- Korea), Ramgarh (District- Surguja), Shivrinarayan (District- Janjgir-Champa), Turturia (District- Balodabazar), Chandkhuri (District- Raipur), Rajim (District- Gariaband), Saptarishi Ashram Sihawa (District- Dhamtari), Jagdalpur and Ramaram (District- Sukma) are being developed.

Narendra Singh Negi

Why In News?

Narendra Singh Negi of Uttarakhand was presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his outstanding contribution in the field of folk music by Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu at the award distribution ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on April 9, 2022.

Key Points

• Narendra Singh Negi belongs to Pauri Garhwal of Uttarakhand.
• He started his career with 'Garhwali Geetmala' and his first album was 'Buransh'.
• He has been honored with Monal Award, Gadhkala Shiromani Samman etc.

Plastic Free Dehradun Campaign

Why In News?

Recently, Dehradun Mayor Sunil Uniyal said that more than 580 student volunteers have joined the Dehradun Municipal Corporation's plastic-free Dehradun campaign.

Key Points

• This campaign was launched on March 26, 2022.
• Under this, a target has been set to reach 25,000 students and families of 100 schools in the city by April 30.
• Under this, a plastic bank has been opened in each participating school, where the students deposit the plastic after collection.
• Significantly, this campaign has been started under the Swachh Survekshan, 2022 to increase the participation of people and to make them aware of cleanliness.