• 11 Apr 2025

Maharashtra to Launch Healthcare Mission

Why in News? 

Maharashtra Chief Minister directed officials to design a comprehensive project to strengthen healthcare institutions across the state with support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 

 Key Points 

• Review Meeting on Healthcare Projects: 
  • Maharashtra CM chaired a review meeting to discuss healthcare projects under the Medical Education and Public Health departments. 
  • He emphasized aligning the state’s cancer care initiatives with the Centre’s National Cancer Care Strategy. 
  • He called for a time-bound, structured plan for providing chemotherapy and radiation therapy through an efficient referral framework. 
  • He also directed officials to submit a detailed project report to strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment infrastructure. 
• Upgrading Medical Colleges and Public Hospitals: 
  • New government medical colleges are being set up across various districts in Maharashtra. 
  • A specific recommendation was made to establish a teaching hospital in Dharashiv. 
• Ongoing Health Projects: 
  • Construction of government hospitals is in progress in Alibag and Sindhudurg. 
  • Centres of Excellence are being developed to enhance quality care across the state. 
  • An integrated Health Management Information System (HMIS) is currently under development. 

 Asian Development Bank 

• About: Established in 1966, ADB is a regional development bank that envisions a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the region. 
  • ADB supports its members and partners through the provision of loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity investments aimed at advancing social and economic development. 
• Headquarters: Manila, Philippines 
• Members: It currently has 68 members of which 49 are from within Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside. 
• ADB and India: India is a founding member of ADB and the bank’s fourth-largest shareholder. 
  • ADB supports India's priorities for robust, climate resilient, and inclusive growth, aligned with ADB's Strategy 2030 and the country partnership strategy, 2023–2027. 

Fire at Daulatabad Fort

Why in News? 

A fire at Daulatabad Fort in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district has prompted the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to initiate damage assessment and plan disaster management. 

 

Key Points 

• Damage Assessment: 
  • The fire damaged the Baradarai, a historic pavilion at the summit of the fort. 
  • ASI has started assessing the fire damage and will draft a disaster management plan based on its findings to prevent future incidents. 
  • The fire disrupted local wildlife, as wild animals lost significant portions of their shrubland habitat. 
• About the Daulatabad Fort: 
  • Originally called Devgiri (Hill of Gods), it was renamed Daulatabad by Muhammad bin Tughlaq when he shifted his capital there in the 14th century. 
    • It served as the capital of several dynasties including Yadavas, Tughlaqs, Bahmanis, Nizam Shahis, Mughals, and briefly the Marathas before the Nizams of Hyderabad. 
    • It is a UNESCO-nominated heritage site, known for its historical, architectural, and ecological importance. 
  • Architectural Brilliance: Daulatabad Fort is fortified in three layers Ambarkot, Mahakot, and Kalakot with moats, bastions, and iron-spiked gates. 
    • It features a deadly tunnel called Andheri, used to trap and attack invaders. 
  • Monuments and Structures Within: 
    • Chand Minar (1435 CE): Indo-Islamic style victory tower modeled after Qutub Minar. 
    • Bharat Mata Mandir, located within the fort, was previously the Jama Masjid during Qutub-ud-din Mubarak's reign (1318 CE). 
    • Chini Mahal, a lavish palace turned prison by Aurangzeb. 
  • Artillery and Cannons: Fort was equipped with ~288 cannons, a notable one is Aurangzeb’s Mendha also called Qila Shikan (fort-breaker), symbolized military power. 

 Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) 

• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organisation for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation. 
  • Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 governs the functioning of ASI. 
• It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance. 
• Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc. 
• It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”. 

Lightning as a Phenomenon

Why in News? 

Severe weather conditions in Bihar led to multiple casualties, with lives lost due to lightning strikes and storm-related incidents. 

 Key Points 

• About Lightning: 
  • Lightning is a powerful and visible electrical phenomenon that takes place when there is a buildup of electrical charges within clouds and between clouds and the ground. 
    • The discharge of this electrical energy results in a brilliant flash of light and a rapid expansion of air, creating the characteristic thunder that accompanies lightning. 
    • Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is dangerous because it can electrocute people due to its high electric voltage and current. 
  • Strikes Earth’s Surface: 
    • The Earth is a good conductor of electricity. While electrically neutral, it is relatively positively charged compared to the middle layer of the cloud. As a result, an estimated 20-25% of the current flow is directed towards the Earth. 
      • It is this current flow that results in damage to life and property. 
    • Lightning has a greater probability of striking raised objects on the ground, such as trees or buildings. 
      • Lightning Conductor is a device used to protect buildings from the effect of lightning. A metallic rod, taller than the building, is installed in the walls of the building during its construction. 
    • The most lightning activity on Earth is seen on the shore of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. 
      • At the place where the Catatumbo river falls into Lake Maracaibo, an average 260 storm days occur every year, and October sees 28 lightning flashes every minute - a phenomenon referred to as the Beacon of Maracaibo or the Everlasting Storm. 
  • India ranks among the five countries worldwide with an early warning system for lightning. 
  • The system provides forecasts ranging from five days to as close as three hours before the occurrence of lightning.  
• Geographical Distribution in India: 
  • Lightning frequency is highest in northeastern states and West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar. 
    • However, the number of lightning-related deaths is higher in central Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. 
  • Bihar is one of the most vulnerable states to lightning strikes, with a significant number of deaths reported annually. 
    • According to the Bihar Economic Survey (2024-25) report, Bihar witnessed 275 lightning or thunderstorm-related deaths in 2023 

Women-Led Solar Shops in Uttar Pradesh

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government is going to launch 3,304 solar-powered shops under the CM Yuva Sathi Yojana, empowering women to independently run sustainable retail outlets. 

Key Points 

• Empowering Women: 
  • The CM Yuva Sathi Yojana aims to economically empower women by setting up solar-powered retail outlets across Uttar Pradesh. 
  • Selected women will independently operate these shops, gaining ownership and business autonomy. 
• District-Wise Selection and Implementation: 
  • Women entrepreneurs will be selected at the district level to manage the solar shops. 
  • The scheme targets rural and semi-urban areas to enhance women's participation in local economies. 
    • Four solar shops will be opened in each of the 826 blocks of the state . 
  • Women will be linked to Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) products like solar freezer, solar cold storage, solar flour mill, solar dryer, solar food processing machine . 
  •  One woman will be appointed as "Surya Sakhi" in every Gram Panchayat and 10,000 Paryavaran Sakhis will also be formed. 
    • A solar manufacturing unit will be set up in Lucknow . 
  • The government will also provide comprehensive training in shop management and solar equipment handling. 
• Promoting Green Energy and Employment: 
  • The scheme promotes clean energy by reducing reliance on conventional electricity. 
  • Lower operational costs and renewable energy use make the project eco-friendly. 
  • Simultaneously, it fosters local employment and encourages participation in government entrepreneurship initiatives. 
• Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM):  
  • Under the Mission, efforts are being made to provide self-employment to women through various business activities by linking them with self-help groups. 
    

 Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM) 

• UPSRLM was launched in May 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown. 
• The aim of this program is to appoint  58,000 BC Sakhis in Uttar Pradesh . 
• Currently there are 38,435 BC Sakhis working, who have been trained and certified by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF) . 
• This model has proven to be a cost-effective and sustainable means of delivering financial services in areas where banking services are limited or unavailable. 
• BC Sakhis are provided a financial assistance of Rs 4,000 per month for the first six months to give stability to their banking business

Chittaurgarh Fort

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan government informed the Supreme Court it is actively considering a total ban on mining activities within 10 km of Chittorgarh Fort. 

Key Points 

• About the fort: 
  • It is located in Chittorgarh of Rajasthan and is one of the largest forts in India. This fort is situated on a hill about 180 meters above sea level. 
  • This fort was built in the 7th century AD by  Chitrangada Mori, the ruler of the local Maurya dynasty. 
  • Later, in the year 728 AD, the rulers of Mewar took over and made it their capital. Chittorgarh has been the center of power and pride of Mewar in medieval India. 
  • According to Malik Muhammad Jayasi 's famous poem 'Padmavat' , Alauddin Khilji attacked this fort with the aim of acquiring Queen Padmini of King Ratan Singh of Mewar . 
  • This fort has also been associated with the heroic tales of many famous warriors like Badal, Gora, Maharana Pratap, Rana Kumbha, Patta, Jaimal. 
  • The fort was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. 
  • It is one of the seven hill forts that have been given the collective heritage status as 'Hill Forts of Rajasthan' . 
  • The major features of the fort include its seven gates – Padan Gate, Ganesh Gate, Hanuman Gate, Bhairon Gate, Jodla Gate, Laxman Gate and the main gate 'Ram Pol' 
  • The fort complex houses four major palaces , 19 temples (both Hindu and Jain), 20 water sources and four major monuments . 

National Highway Projects in Madhya Pradesh

Why in News? 

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 10 National Highway projects worth Rs 5800 crore in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh . 

Key Points 

• About the Project: 
  • According to the Union minister, infrastructure works worth Rs 3 lakh crore will be completed in a year.
  • Better roads reduce logistics costs , thereby boosting " Make in India" and an export-oriented economy . National highways are also a strategic asset for defence preparedness. 

Make in India Initiative 

• Launched in 2014, Make in India aims to transform the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination. 
• It is led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. 
• This initiative is an open invitation to potential investors and partners from across the world to participate in the growth story of 'New India'. 
• Make in India has achieved significant success in 27 sectors, including strategic areas of manufacturing and services. 

Mahavir Jayanti 2025

Why in News? 

On 10th April 2025, the 2625th birth anniversary of Jainism's Tirthankara Lord Mahavir Swami Ji was celebrated in Bihar. 

Key Points 

• About Mahavir Jayanti: 
  • Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most sacred festivals in the Jain community. 
  • This day marks the birth of Vardhamana Mahavira , the 24th or last Tirthankara and successor of Parshvanatha, the 23rd Tirthankara . 
  • According to Jain texts, He was born on the 13th day of the Shukla Paksha of the Chaitra month . 
    • According to the Gregorian calendar, Mahavir Jayanti is usually celebrated in the month of March or April. 
  • A procession is taken out with the idol of Lord Mahavira which is called Rath Yatra . 
  • While reciting sthavanas or Jain prayers, the idols of the deities are given a ceremonial bath called abhishekam . 
• About Lord Mahavira: 
  • Lord Mahavir Swami left an indelible mark on humanity through his profound spiritual practices and teachings . 
  • Lord Mahavira's name in his childhood was Vardhamana which means 'the one who grows'. 
  • During his twelve years of spiritual practice, Lord Mahavira demonstrated four extraordinary qualities : 
    • Intense and uninterrupted meditation: His unbroken meditation helped him achieve profound insights. 
    • Severe penance: He endured extreme physical suffering to purify his soul. 
    • Tolerance of pain: Mahavira Swami demonstrated amazing tolerance. 
    • Best Balance: His inner balance remained stable. 
  • On the tenth day of Vaisakha , Mahavira's journey reached a decisive moment. 
  • To these 5 teachings, Brahmacharya (celibacy/chastity) was added by Mahavira.