• 12 Sep 2023

Uttar Pradesh is at the Forefront in Providing Drinking Water to Every House

Why in why?

As per information received from the media on September 12, 2023, the pace at which Uttar Pradesh is providing drinking water to every household under the Jal Jeevan Mission is much faster than other states. Bulandshahr is in first and Bareilly is at third place in the country.

Key Points:

• Based on the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the month of August, the Centre has released the ranking of 218 districts of the country.
• The Jal Shakti Ministry of the Central Government releases this ranking on the basis of progress in building overhead tanks for supplying water to homes.
• Under Jal Jeevan Mission, Bulandshahr has obtained the first position in supplying water through pipeline to every home, while Bareilly has secured the third position in the country.
• Construction of an overhead tank in Bulandshahr has also been done at a rapid pace. It is also ahead in providing water connections to homes. Bulandshahr has achieved almost 98 percent of the target.
• Overhead tank projects are being prepared in 877 Gram panchayats of Bareilly. While 433-gram panchayats have access to drinking water, there are 1867-gram panchayats where water must be provided.
• Muzaffarnagar is in the fourth position. Badaun district of Bareilly division is at 5th position by achieving about 87 percent target.
• Lakhimpur Kheri has got 42nd rank in the country in Jal Jeevan Mission, while 25th in the state. Kheri has garnered about 68 percent of the target.
• In Jal Jeevan Mission, 26 districts of Uttar Pradesh are among the top 50 districts of the country, while seven districts of Uttar Pradesh are included in the top 10 districts of the country.
• Top ten districts in the country: Bulandshahr (Uttar Pradesh), South Salmara Mankachar (Assam), Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh), Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh), Badaun (Uttar Pradesh), Mungeli (Chhattisgarh), Tirupattur (Tamil Nadu), Chandoli (Uttar Pradesh) Pradesh), Kannauj (Uttar Pradesh) and Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh).

21 Check Dams will be Built in Patna for Water Storage.

Why In News?

On September 11, 2023, the media reported that 21 check dams would be constructed in the Patna district for the purpose of water harvesting.

Key Points:

• According to officials, a target has been set to complete most of the check dam work in the current financial year by March 31, 2024.
• According to officials, approval has been received to build 18 check dams through MNREGA and 3 with help from the Agriculture Department. The work of building 14 check dams has also started.
• Initially, it was intended to construct 80 check dams in the Patna district, but once it was physically checked, it was decided that just 21 were required.
• The check dam built by MNREGA is of minimum 1500 square feet. To build a check dam, a minimum area of 1500 square feet is required. Most of the dams in Patna are being built in more areas than this.
• According to officials, an average of Rs 9 lakh is spent on building a check dam. A check dam in Dhanarua is almost ready. It has been made as a model check dam.
• When there was no water in Ahar, Pine Pond, canal etc farmers had to irrigate by running tube wells. This problem will end after the construction of the check dam. Arrangements are being made to store water throughout the year in the check dam. Rainwater will be collected in the check dams. This water will be used for irrigation through Ahar or Pin.

Bhamashah Samman Ceremony

Why In News? 

On September 11, 2023, Rajasthan Education Minister Dr. B.D. Kalla honored 142 Bhamashah at the 27th state level Bhamashah Samman Ceremony held at Birla Auditorium, Jaipur.

Key Points: 

• On this occasion, the education minister said that the Education Department is using the donations received from Bhamashahs for the qualitative improvement and expansion of schools. Besides, many schemes like free education, mid-day meal, Bal Gopal Yojana, school dress scheme are also being run smoothly.
• He directed that having a representative of Bhamashahs in the Management and Development Committee of every school should be made mandatory.
• Because of the major schemes of the Education Department, the state is leading in the school education quality index and last year the Education Department set 6 world records in its name. Also, students of the state have been doing fine in the entire country in the Inspire Awards for three consecutive years.
• It is known that with the significant contribution of Bhamashah every year about Rs 400 crore is spent by the Education Department on the infrastructure of educational institutions.  
• In the ceremony, the education minister honored 142 Bhamashah at the state level, out of which 34 Bhamashah were given Shiksha Vibhushan and 108 Bhamashah were given Shiksha Bhushan Award. Besides, the 'motivators' who inspired donors to contribute Rs 30 lakh or more were also honored.
• On this occasion, Naveen Jain, Government Secretary, Education Department, said that the department's innovation 'Mission Start' is an important step, in which e-content of every subject is being made available to the students through e-class. He called for the contribution of Bhamashah for this innovation.
• During the programme, the Appreciation Booklet and Gyan Sankalp Portal Souvenir 2023 were released by the education minister.
• It is noteworthy that the contribution and works done by Bhamashahs have been described in the appreciation book.

Governor Inaugurated Amrit Vatika

Why In News?

On September 11, 2023, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra launched Amrit Vatika at the conclusion of a national seminar on "Possibilities and Challenges of Accepting National Education Policy 2020 in our Education System" held at Maharaja Ganga Singh University in the Bikaner district.

Key Points:

• Amrit Vatika was created by Maharaja Ganga Singh University as part of Amrit Mahotsav, and in addition to its plants, stone plaques honoring the martyrs and liberation warriors of the Bikaner division have been installed. The plants themselves have also been given their names. For young people, this will be motivational.
• In Amrit Vatika, plants have been named after 137 martyrs and freedom fighters of the division. This includes the names of 22 martyrs and freedom fighters from Bikaner district, 90 from Churu district, 12 from Sri Ganganagar district and 13 from Hanumangarh district.

Shivam Chirolya of Chhaya Damoh in Times Square, New York

Why In News?

According to information from the media on September 11, 2023, Topmate Company gave Shivam and his entire family the chance to be displayed in New York's Times Square, one of the most prestigious locations in the world, as a result of the success of 30-year-old student Shivam Chirolya, a resident of Madiyado in the Damoh district.

Key Points:  

• It is noteworthy that only videos of famous celebrities and film personalities are shown in Times Square. Shivam Chirolya along with his entire family has found a space in New York's Times Square, where they have been portrayed on big screens.
• Shivam had uploaded Inspirational videos mentioning how to dream big and achieve a good position, after watching which the American company Topmate got impressed and decided to display Shivam's story in New York.
• Times Square informed Shivam Chirolya by playing a video of his success in New York, the heart of America.
• Shivam Chirolya, who received his primary education from Madiyado and later pursued IISc, from Bangalore, is currently working as a Computer Vision Researcher in the American semiconductor company Qualcomm, Bangalore.
• Shivam is from rural environment, his father Manoj Chirolya is deaf and mother and mother is a housewife. Despite being weak financially, Shivam achieved this position by working tirelessly.
• Shivam belongs to a rural area, his father Manoj Chirolya is deaf and mother is a housewife. Despite being weak financially, Shivam achieved this goal working tirelessly.
• It is known that Shivam Chirolya was also selected in the Scientist B exam in ISRO. Apart from this, he was selected among 40 deserving candidates from across the country to be selected by Reliance Foundation and Rs. 6 lakh was also given for education. However, Shivam chose the post of Computer Vision Research.

Government will Insure the Crops of Farmers of Seven Districts

Why In News?

On September 11, 2023, Haryana Agriculture Minister JP Dalal mentioned that under the 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' in the state, the crops of farmers not insured by the insurance company, will be insured by the state government. The government will soon issue guidelines regarding this.

Key Points:

• It is noteworthy that the insurance company had refused to insure the crops in seven districts of Cluster-2. Despite the premium amount being paid by the farmers, the insurance company has given up.
• The insurance company has been through huge losses. Because of many cases filed relating to claims of Cluster 2 in court, the insurance company had withdrawn from Cluster 2.
• The Haryana Government has created three clusters under 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana'. Each cluster includes different districts. Cluster two includes Ambala, Karnal, Sonipat, Hisar, Jind, Mahendragarh and Gurugram.
• The work of Cluster 2 was handed over to the Agriculture Insurance Company. Till July, the premium amount was deducted from the accounts of about two lakh farmers. Separate premiums have to be paid for each Kharif crop.
• Meanwhile the company refused to insure the crops. After members of the opposition parties criticized the government, the government immediately decided to insure the farmers.
• After the controversy escalated, the Agriculture Welfare Department had written a letter to the State Level Bankers Committee and issued orders to return the premium amount to the farmers. With this decision, the bank returned the amount to the farmers, but the government did not take responsibility for their crops. The premium amount will not be returned to the farmers, the state government will provide insurance on this premium.

Haryana's Preeti Lamba gets Asian Games Ticket

Why In News?

On September 11, 2023, on the second and last day of the Indian Grand Prix-5 being held at the Sports Complex in Sector-7, Chandigarh, Haryana, athletes from across the country performed brilliantly and won various competitions, in which the state's runner Preeti Lamba won the Asian Qualified for the Games.

Key Points:

• Sports experts said that the performance here will greatly help the players in winning medals in the Asian Games to be held in China this month.
• It is known that more than 300 top ranking players from across the country have participated in the two-day Indian Grand Prix-5.
• Here are the winners:
  • 10,000 m (about 6.21 mi) walk race (women): Bandana Patel of Uttar Pradesh was first with 52.53.98 minutes, Monika of Haryana was second with 57.36.87 minutes and Pinki of Haryana was third with 58.56.75 minutes.
  • 400m Hurdle Race (Women's Category): R Vithya Ramraj of Tamil Nadu stood first with a timing of 55.43 seconds, Sinchal of Karnataka stood second with a timing of 58.46 seconds and Ramandeep Kaur of Punjab stood third with a timing of 1.01.02 seconds.
  • 3000-meter race (women's category): Haryana's Preeti Lamba was the winner and qualified for the Asian Games. Kalaben of Gujarat stood second.
  • Triple Jump (Women's Category): Sharwari of Maharashtra stood first, Niharika of Punjab stood second and Kajal of Haryana stood third.
  • Hammer Throw (Women's Category): Tanya Chaudhary of Uttar Pradesh stood first, KM Rachna of Uttar Pradesh stood second and Fatima of Uttar Pradesh stood third.

In Case of Death Due to Collision with Animals, the Family will get Rs 5 lakh

Why In News?

On September 11, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister, Mr. Manohar Lal announced financial assistance of up to Rs. 5 lakhs to the family of the victims in the case of death due to the collision of stray animals roaming on the roads in the state in a short-term extension training class program organized at Sadhna Kendra, Jhinjauli, Sonipat.

Key Points:

• A campaign is being run to remove these helpless animals from the roads and send them to Gaushalas and Nandishalas.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that in case of death of a farmer in the field, the government provides financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the family and also in case of dismemberment during agricultural work.
• This year, 50 thousand solar tubes well connections have been given to farmers at 75 percent subsidy. Next year their number will be increased to 70 thousand.
• It is known that Haryana is the only state in the country which buys more than a dozen crops from farmers at MSP. Farmers are being strengthened financially through Crop Insurance Scheme, Bhavantar Bharpay Yojana, Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana.
• The state government has increased the monthly salary of rural watchmen from Rs 6 to Rs 11 thousand. In case of sudden death, the family will be given a lump sum benefit of Rs 5 lakh and on retirement, on the lines of Anganwadi worker, a lump sum benefit of Rs 2 lakh will be given.

Chhattisgarh Government's Big Decision Regarding Women's Safety

Why In News?

On September 11, 2023, the Chhattisgarh government, taking a big decision regarding women's safety, has banned girls and women accused of molestation, rape etc. from government jobs. An order in this regard has been issued by the General Administration Department of the State Government.

Key Points:  

• It is noteworthy that in the main Independence Day function on August 15, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had announced to ban those accused of molestation, rape etc. of girls and women from government jobs.
• In the instructions issued by the General Administration to all the departments, Revenue Board Chairman, Department Heads, Divisional Commissioners, Collectors, it has been said that such candidates, against whom there are cases of moral turpitude related to molestation of girls and women, rape etc., will not be considered for appointment in government service. Crimes which are registered under sections 354, 376, 376A, 376B, 376C, 376D, 509, 493, 496 and 498 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO Act), 2012, They should be banned from appointment to government services and posts till the final decision of the case is taken.
• In the instructions issued by the state government, it has been said that sub-rule (4) of rule 6 of Chhattisgarh Civil Services (General Conditions of Service) Rules, 1961 provides as follows that any candidate who has been convicted of any crime against women will not be eligible for appointment to any service or post. Provided that in so far as such cases are pending in the court against any candidate, his appointment case shall be kept pending till the final decision of the criminal case.
• It is noteworthy that the state government has worked diligently at many administrative, practical and legal levels to prevent crimes related to women. Women cells have been established in 547 police stations and outposts of the state, so that victimized women can lodge their reports without any hesitation.
• Women's cells have been established in every district at the district level. Women's counseling center has been established in every district headquarters to prevent incidents of domestic violence and harassment of women.
• Mahila police stations have been established in four big districts of the state, Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg and Surguja. Crime against women research units have been established in 6 districts of the state, Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, Raigarh and Janjgir-Champa.
• Abhivyakti app has also been launched by the state police department for women safety, which has more than 1 lakh 85 thousand registered users.
• To women safety and controlling crimes, CCTV cameras have been installed in sensitive places by marking public places. An internal complaint committee has been constituted in each unit to prevent sexual harassment of women at the workplace.
• To ensure the safety of girls and women, women police patrolling teams are continuously patrolling schools, colleges and sensitive places. Along with this, an awareness campaign is also being conducted for prevention of crimes against women through expert or trained women police officers.

Great Chhattisgarh Run Marathon will be held on 17th December

Why In News?

According to the information given by Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on September 11, 2023, like every year, this time also the Great Chhattisgarh Run Marathon race will be organized in Nava Raipur of the capital on December 17, 2023.

Key Points:  

• Collector Dr. Sarveshwar Bhure started the registration of participants for this marathon in a function organized in the capital Raipur.
• The marathon will be held in four categories: 6 kilometers, 10 kilometers (about 6.21 mi), 21 kilometers (about 13.05 mi) and 42 kilometers (about 26.1 mi).
• This time the marathon will focus on the theme of birds found in Chhattisgarh. More than three and a half thousand runners are expected to participate in this marathon.
• The marathon will be organized by the Let's Run organization in collaboration with the district administration. The Let's Run organization has been organizing such marathons with enthusiasm and enthusiasm continuously for the last seven years in Chhattisgarh. This time it will be the eighth edition of the marathon.
• The organization Let's Run is a group of not only professional runners but also people from different sections of society associated with running. People of every age group and age who believe that running keeps them physically and mentally healthy are associated with this organization and keep organizing three-four such small and big marathon races in a year.
• Director of the organization, Dr. Vinay Tiwari said that every year the Great Chhattisgarh Run is organized with a specialty of the state as its theme. This year, birds found in Chhattisgarh have been identified as the theme.
• He also said that this marathon race will also give a message of awareness towards environmental protection and collective efforts to save the biodiversity of Chhattisgarh.

Bilaspur Division Becomes Overall Champion in the State Level Literary Competition of Eklavya Model Residential Schools

Why In News?

Bilaspur division became the overall champion in the state level literary competition of Eklavya Adarsh Residential Schools held on September 11, 2023, at Prayas Residential School, Saddu Raipur, under the aegis of Chhattisgarh State Level Tribal Welfare, Residential and Ashram Educational Institutions Committee.

Key Points:  

• In this literary competition, the Central region stood first in most of the literary genres, while the Surguja division stood second and Bastar division stood third.
• In this competition, competition was organized in a total of 10 literary genres like Speech, Extempore, Debate, Story Telling, Creative Writing, Sanskrit Verse, Hindi poetry recitation, English poetry, English quiz, English spell bee.
• In the Hindi language competition of the senior category, Pratima of the Central Region division, Anamika in the junior speech competition in Hindi, Jeevika Diwan in the English speech senior category and the Bastar division in the English speech junior category got first place.
• In extempore category, Tapeshwar Sai from Surguja was the winner in Hindi senior category, Ishika from Central region in English senior category, Jaiprakash Sidar from Central region in debate senior category competition and Tejeshwari Manjhi from Bastar in English senior category were the winners.
• In the story telling competition, Aditi Bhagat from Surguja stood first in Hindi and Ashrit Tirkey stood first in English.
• In the creative writing competition in Hindi, Raghavendra from the Central region stood first and Rakhi Madkam from Bastar stood first in English.
• Prachi Meriya of Bastar stood first in Sanskrit verse competition, Anglian Tirkey of Surguja stood first in Hindi poetry recitation, Deepika of Surguja stood first in English poetry, Anila and Shashikala of Central region stood first in English quiz, Smita Kanwar and Aanchal Pulast of Central region stood first in Spell Bee. Received.
• All the winners were honored with certificates and insignia. All the participants who get first position in the competitions will participate in the National Cultural and Literary Competition organized in Dehradun from 3rd to 6th October.

Surguja Division Becomes Overall Champion in the State Level Cultural Competition of Eklavya Model Residential Schools

Why In News?

On September 11, 2023, Surguja division became the overall champion in the state level cultural competition of Eklavya Adarsh Residential Schools held under the auspices of Chhattisgarh State Level Tribal Welfare, Residential and Ashram Educational Institutions Committee.

Key Points:  

• Under the aegis of Chhattisgarh State Level Tribal Welfare, Residential and Ashram Educational Institutions Committee, state level cultural competition of Eklavya Model Residential Schools was organized at Thakur Pyarelal Panchayat and Rural Development Institute, Nimora Raipur and intellectual competition was organized at Prayas Residential School, Saddu Raipur.
• All the participants securing first position in these competitions will participate in the National Cultural and Literary Competition to be held in Dehradun from 3rd to 6th October.
• The Surguja division won the cultural competition. Surguja division stood first in group singing, group dance, painting, theater and also stood first in teachers' music competition - vocal classic, vocal semi classic and folk song. Central region stood at second place and Bastar division stood at third place.
• Giving information regarding the organization of the competition, Deputy Commissioner Pragyan Seth said that its main objective is to develop the cultural and intellectual capacity of children along with education for their all-round development, so that they can have correct knowledge of their cultural and literary values.
• In the state level cultural competition, group singing, group dance, playing of tribal instruments, semi-classical solo song, painting, theater and teachers' concert were held.
• Under the state level cultural and intellectual competition of Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Sahanpur (Surguja) stood first, Balod (Central Region) stood second and Orchha Narayanpur (Bastar) stood third in group singing.
• In group dance, Premnagar Surajpur (Surguja) stood first, Karpavand (Bastar) stood second and Gariaband (Madhyakshetra) stood third.
• In the tribal musical instrument's competition, Dhamtari (Central Region) stood first, Karpavand (Bastar) stood second and Petla (Surguja) stood third.
• In the solo song competition, Gariaband (Central Region) stood first, Chheribera (Bastar) stood second and Sahanpur (Surguja) stood third.
• In the painting competition, Shivpur (Surguja) stood first, Korba (Central Region) stood second and Golavand (Bastar) stood third.
• In the theater competition, Balrampur (Surguja) stood first, Mugeli (Central Region) stood second and Karpavand (Bastar) stood third.
• Apart from this, a competition was organized in the music section for the teachers of Eklavya Vidyalaya. In this, Mainpat Surguja stood first in vocal classic music, Odgi Surguja stood first and Gariaband stood second in vocal semi-classic music. Surajpur Surguja stood first in folk songs and Raigarh stood first and Surajpur Surguja stood second in instrumental music. All the winners were honored with certificates and mementos.

18 Products of Uttarakhand will get GI Tag

Why In News? 

On September 11, 2023, Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi informed in a meeting regarding the preparations for the GI Festival that for the first time, a Geographical Indication (GI) Festival will be organized in Uttarakhand from November 17 to 21 to get international recognition of local products. Soon, 18 products of the state will get a GI tag.

Key Points: 

• The agriculture minister said that the festival will be organized in collaboration with agriculture, horticulture, NABARD, industry, cultural department, cooperative, rural development, and tourism department. Certificates of products will be issued by the central government at the GI Festival.
• Agriculture Minister directed to include Agricultural University Pantnagar in the festival. Apart from this, competitions and rallies related to GI tag will be held to the students in the festival.
• The festival will be organized in Dehradun by the GI Registry Department of the Central Government.
• It is known that tejpat, basmati rice, bhotia dan, aipan kala, chura oil, munsiyari's rajma, ringal craft, copper products, and thulama have got GI tag.
• The 18 local products of the state which will get GI tag are: Manduwa, Jhangora, Gahat, Red Rice, Kala Bhatt, Malta, Chaulai, Ramdana, Lakhori Chilli of Almora, Pahari Tor Dal, Buransh Sharbat, Aadu, Litchi, Berinag Tea, Malta, Nettle Fiber, Candle of Nainital, Kumaoni Pichora, Chamoli Ka Mask and Wood Art.

Sanskrit will Also be Taught in 117 Madrasa of Uttarakhand, NCERT Curriculum will be Implemented

Why In News?

On September 11, 2023, Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams said that now NCERT curriculum will be implemented in 117 madrasa located in Uttarakhand. It also includes Sanskrit education along with other subjects.

Key Points:

• The Chairman of Waqf Board said that Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi. Now people of Muslim community also want change. They are also happy with the upgradation of madrasa.
• In this sequence, modern education is being started in four madrasa in four districts of Uttarakhand. The committee of Hifzul Quran Kunjagrant, a Madrasa registered with the Waqf Board, proposed to include itself in the Modern Madrasa, which has been approved by the Waqf Board.
• Similarly, all the madrassas registered with the Waqf Board will be linked to modern madrassa education in a phased manner.
• It is known that a Muslim girl Razia Sultana has done PhD in Sanskrit. Razia is translating the Quran into Sanskrit. Razia will be included as a member in the state level education committee of Waqf Board.
• Madrasa’s registered with the board are being modernized. In this, along with smart classes and modern education, children will also be provided tablets and computers.

'Hub and Spoke' Model will Start to Promote Professional Education

Why In News?

On September 10, 2023, Uttarakhand Deputy State Project Director Pradyuman Rawat said that to promote vocational education in the state, the 'Hub and Spoke' model will be started in 47 schools, which will make it easier for the students of these schools to study vocational subjects.

Key Points:

• Project Director Pradyuman Rawat said that this scheme has been approved by the Central Government. This model will start in the state from this month.
• Under the scheme, the government will give Rs 3,000 every year to the students of those schools which do not have a laboratory. Vocational trainers will get an additional Rs 6,000 per month in addition to the honorarium.
• According to education department officials, vocational education is currently being imparted in 200 schools in the state. Students of other schools within a distance of five to seven kilometers from these schools will also get the benefit of vocational education. Vocational trainers will train students in these schools.
• Eight different professional courses like Tourism, Agriculture, Plumber etc. are being run in all these schools.
• Hub schools are schools that have a laboratory of vocational education. These schools also have vocational trainers, while spoke schools are those schools located within a radius of five to seven kilometers of the hub school, which do not have vocational trainers, nor are there a laboratory of vocational education, this scheme will also benefit these schools.