• 13 Jun 2022

50 Gentlemen Cadets from Uttar Pradesh Become Officers

Why in News?

On June 11, 2022, 50 youths from Uttar Pradesh became officers in the Indian Army after the Passing out Parade (POP) at the Indian Military Academy (IMA).

Key Points

• A total of 377 cadets from across the country and abroad participated in the parade. A total of 288 Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) belonging to 150 regular courses and 133 Technical Graduate Courses (TCCs) became proud officers of the Indian Army after passing out.
• 89 Gentlemen Cadets from eight friendly countries have also passed out and joined the armies of their respective countries. Among the friendly countries, 43 cadets passed out from Afghanistan, 18 from Bhutan, 1 from Kyrgyzstan, 3 from Maldives, 1 from Nepal, 3 from Sri Lanka, 19 from Tajikistan, 1 from Tanzania.
• Uttar Pradesh topped the table of state-wise representation of the GC with 50 officers. Uttarakhand with 33 GCs was second in the passing out team, while Bihar finished third with 28 GCs and Haryana fourth with 25 GCs.
• A total of 2724 cadets from 34 friendly countries have passed out of the Indian Military Academy so far, while the Indian Military Academy has so far given 63 thousand 568 military officers to the country.

Tharu and Surjapuri Languages on the Verge of Extinction in Bihar

Why in News?

On June 12, 2022, Bijoy Kumar Chaudhary, executive director of Bihar Heritage Development Society (BHDS), informed that two dialects spoken in Bihar - Tharu and Surjapuri- are facing a crisis of extinction.

Key Points

• Bijoy Kumar Chaudhary said that the BHDS has come to this conclusion after going to the area and conducting a thorough and detailed investigation. He said the Tharu language is on the verge of extinction, while variations are being seen in Surjapuri.
• Experts have expressed apprehension that if steps are not taken to revive them, these two languages will merge into Bhojpuri, Maithili, Hindi and Bangla.
• The Tharu language is made up of a combination of Bhojpuri and Maithili and is spoken by the Tharu community mainly in the Western and East Champaran districts. Surjapuri language is made up of a combination of Bangla, Maithili and Hindi and its speakers live mainly in Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnea and Araria districts of the state. This language is also known as 'Kishanganjia'.
• The BHDS, functioning as a branch of the Art, Culture and Youth Department of the State Government, works for the conservation and promotion of the tangible and intangible heritage of Bihar.
• As a community, the Tharu people live in the foothills of the Himalayas located in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bihar and in the southern forest areas of Nepal. A large proportion of Surjapuri language speakers live in Jhapa district of Nepal, adjoining Thakurganj block of Purnea district. As per the 2011 census, the total number of Surjapuri language speakers in Bihar is 18,57,930.

State's first Health and Wellness Centre

Why in News?

On June 12, 2022, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot laid the foundation stone and laid the foundation stone of the health and wellness centre, the state's first Ayurvedic medical centre, at Billi ki Bhagal village in Khamanor tehsil of Rajsamand district.

Key Points

• Along with this, the Chief Minister announced to give 30 crore rupees in the first phase for this center and 5 hectare land in Nathdwara to Gayatri family free of cost.
• Addressing the function, the Chief Minister said that rajasthan's first yoga and ayurvedic medicine based health and wellness centre is being set up to promote medicine in the state.
• This wellness centre will benefit from Ayurvedic medicines, yoga, naturopathy, etc. More such centres will be opened by the state government at other places.
• Speaking on the occasion, The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Dr. C. P. Joshi said that every person coming to this wellness centre will get a clean environment as well as medical tourism will be promoted here. At the same time, such infrastructure will accelerate the all-round development of the region.

Madhya Pradesh: Overall Champion in Malkhamb of Khelo India Youth Games

Why in News?

On June 12, 2022, Madhya Pradesh won 12 medals at the Khelo India Youth Games, 2022, with a stellar performance in the Malkhamb Games. With this, Madhya Pradesh became the overall champions in Malkhamb.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that Malkhamb has been included for the first time in the Khelo India Youth Games and Madhya Pradesh has become the champion for the first time. In Malkhamb, Madhya Pradesh won a total of 12 medals including 5 gold medals.
• Pankaj Gargma, an 18-year-old youngster from Khachrod in Ujjain, won 3 out of 5 golds. He is the first player from the state to win three golds in a day at Khelo India. Pankaj scored 9.10 out of 10 points in poll, rope and overall, all three.
• In the final of Pol Malkhamb, Harshita Kandkar of Madhya Pradesh won gold and Siddhi Gupta won silver medal. In Rope Malkhamb, Harshita shared the third position with Sarita Payam of Chhattisgarh.
• In boys' pole Malkhamb, Indrajit Nagar and Pranav Kori jointly finished second with Monu Netam of Chhattisgarh. In Rope Malkhamb, Pankaj Gargama secured the top spot, followed by Nagar at the second spot. In Hanging Malkhamb also, Gargama won the gold medal while at the top.
• In the boys' poll Malkhamb, Inderjit Nagar and Pranav Kori jointly finished second along with Monu Netam of Chhattisgarh. In Rope Malkhamb, Pankaj Gargma secured the top position, followed by Nagar at the second position. In Hanging Malkhamb also, Gargma won the gold medal while on top.
• The Khelo India Youth Games are being held from June 4 to June 13, 2022 in Chandigarh, Delhi, Shahabad and Ambala, including the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula.

Haryana CM's Residence in Chandigarh to be Known as 'Sant Kabir Kutir'

Why in News?

On June 12, 2022, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced at the state-level Sant Kabir Das Jayanti celebrations in Rohtak that the official residence of the Haryana Chief Minister in Chandigarh will now be known as 'Sant Kabir Kutir'.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister also announced the provision of cadre-wise reservation during promotion to government employees on the lines of the Centre besides providing library facilities in educational institutions and Hospices in the state.
• The Chief Minister said that the education department will arrange a library in scheduled caste (SC) as well as backward class (BC) Hospices. In addition, 75 per cent subsidy will be given for setting up of 5 kW solar plants in Hospices of all communities.
• Khattar said talks will be held with the Centre to provide reservation in NITs and IITs. He said any project up to Rs 51 lakh would be built by the government on five-and-a-half acres of land of the society if any educational institution demands it.
• He also announced a free pilgrimage to the birthplace of Sant Kabir and Guru Ravidas at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh for the people of the state. It also announced that a health institute or university in the state would be named after Sant Kabir.
• He said that the 'Sant-Mahapurush Vichar Samman and Prasar Yojana' has been launched by the state government, under which programmes are organized at the state level on the birth anniversaries of saints and great personalities.
• The state government has also organized state level celebrations on the birth anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, the Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. Similarly, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, 'Parakram Diwas', the birth anniversary of Sant Kabir Das ji are also part of this link.
• The state government has also organized state level celebrations on the birth anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Prakash Parv of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. Similarly, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, 'Parakram Diwas', the birth anniversary of Sant Kabir Das ji are also part of this episode.

Abujhmad Will Get Litchi Orchard

Why in News?

On June 11, 2022, official sources in the Horticulture Department of Chhattisgarh informed that the department is planning to plant litchi orchards in the direction of giving a new identity to the dense forest of Abujhmad in Narayanpur district.

Key Points

• In 1995 , 100 saplings were planted in the government garden of Orchha. Those trees are now bearing good fruit. After the success of this experiment, the Horticulture Department is planning to further increase the cultivation area of litchi.
• After the survey, tribal farmers of the area have been given a deed of forest land rights. A tribal farmer is given 20-30 saplings. After this, the horticulture department will give them training.
• It may be recalled that the Chief Minister, during his recent visit to Bastar, had announced to develop the orchard in 200 acres of land in Orchha area.
• Litchi is a short-term crop. The trees bear fruit till around May 10 and its season ends by June 10, but a farmer can earn Rs 4-5 lakh if 200 trees are planted per hectare.
• It is worth mentioning that litchi plants require long winters and enough rain. The weather in Abujhmad region is favorable in this regard.

Dantewada District Got National Award for Skill Development

Why in News?

Recently, Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh was honored with the National Award in the field of skill development in a function organized at Dr. Ambedkar International Center in New Delhi.

Key Points

• It may be recalled that two districts 'Dantewada' and 'Mahasamund' from Chhattisgarh were selected for this award.
• Dantewada district was awarded the Award for Excellence for its outstanding performance towards innovation and self-employment in the field of skill development and entrepreneurship.
• Various programmes were undertaken for better implementation in Dantewada, a tribal dominated area. Innumerable self-employment and employment opportunities are being provided under The Puna Madakal Cell in the district.
• Nava Dantewada Garment Factory was started by the district administration on January 31, 2021 in Gram Panchayat Haram for women's self-reliance. Another unit of Denex has been set up in Katekalyan, Barsur block of the district, in which more than 770 people have got self-employment.
• Apart from this, another unit of Denex is also being set up at Chhindnar. The target is to provide employment to 1200 families in the four denex.
• Mother on June 8, 2020, to provide materials made by self-help groups in the district and daily use equal nutrition campaign, to provide quality and cheap rate in school and ashram hostels and to connect the self-help group's sisters with employment. Danteshwari Mart was launched. There are total 14 marts operating in all the four development blocks of the district.

33 Gentlemen Cadets from Uttarakhand Become Officers

Why in News?

33 youths from Uttarakhand became officers in the Indian Army after the Passingout Parade (POPs) at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) on June 11, 2022.

Key Points

• A total of 377 cadets from across the country and abroad participated in the parade. A total of 288 Gentlemen Cadets (GCs) belonging to 150 regular courses and 133 Technical Graduate Courses (TCCs) became proud officers of the Indian Army after the passing out on June 11.
• 89 Gentlemen Cadets from eight friendly countries have also passed out and joined the armies of their respective countries. Among the friendly countries, 43 cadets from Afghanistan, 18 from Bhutan, 1 from Kyrgyzstan, 3 from Maldives, 1 from Nepal, 3 from Sri Lanka, 19 from Tajikistan, 1 from Tanzania passed out.
• Uttar Pradesh topped the table of state-wise representation of the GC with 50 officers. Uttarakhand with 33 GCs was second in the passing out team , while Bihar finished third with 28 GCs and Haryana fourth with 25 GCs.
• The all-round gentleman cadet of the course, Mausam Vats, a resident of Samastipur, Bihar, was awarded the gold medal to Neeraj Singh Papola, a resident of Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand, for securing the first position in the prestigious Sord of Honour and Order of Merit.
• A total of 2724 cadets from 34 friendly countries have passed out of the Indian Military Academy so far, while the Indian Military Academy has so far given 63 thousand 568 military officers to the country.