• 13 Sep 2023

Industrial City like Noida will be Built in Bundelkhand

Why In News?

In the cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on September 12, 2023, the Industrial Development Department's proposal to build a new industrial city in Bundelkhand on the lines of Noida was approved.

Key Points:

• 35 thousand acres (about half the area of Athens, Georgia) of land from 33 revenue villages will be acquired for this industrial township to be built on Jhansi-Gwalior Road. Rs 6312 crore will be spent on the acquisition of this land.
• Earlier in Uttar Pradesh, the decision to establish the industrial city Noida was taken in 1976 and now after 47 years, the decision has been taken to establish the new city.
• Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said that under the Chief Minister Industrial Area Expansion and New Industrial Area Promotion Scheme, the proposal to develop Industrial Township in Jhansi by Bundelkhand Industrial Development Authority (BIDA) has been approved.
• There is a plan to develop an industrial city on a total of 14 thousand hectares of land through the Industrial Development Authority (BIDA).
• This industrial city is proposed on the Jhansi-Gwalior route which will also be connected to major cities of the country through the National Highway.
• It will be well connected to other cities of the state by connecting with Bundelkhand Expressway passing through Jalaun from National Highway (NH) 27.

President honored Four Farmers and Two Farmer Groups of Bihar

Why In News?

On September 12, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu honored four farmers and two farmer groups from Bihar in the ongoing four-day conference in New Delhi.

Key Points:

• The farmers who were awarded include two from Rohtas and one each from Jamui and Munger. Whereas among the farmer groups there are Litchi Farmer Producer Group and Bhagalpur Katarni Rice Producer Group.
• Personally, to Arjun Mandal of Jamui for preserving the cultivation of medicinal plants, to Satyadev Singh of Munger for preserving the varieties of gram and titi, to farmer Dilip Kumar Singh of Rohtas for preserving the varieties of brinjal, tomato, bitter gourd and white varieties of coriander. Arjun Singh of Rohtas has been awarded for preserving rice, turmeric and gourd.
• In the program organized by the Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Protection Authority, a group of farmers received Rs 10 lakh each and an individual farmer received Rs 1 lakh each as a prize.

Brajbhasha Creator Award Ceremony

Why In News?

On September 12, 2023, the Brajbhasha Creator Award Ceremony was organized by the Rajasthan Braj Bhasha Academy under the Department of Art, Literature, Culture and Archeology at the Academy Complex campus in Jhalana, Jaipur, in which the winners of the Brajbhasha Creator Competition 2023 were awarded.

Key Points:

• In the programme, Dr. Ramdas Sharma was awarded the first position in the article category, Nirmal Kumar Sinhal was awarded the second position and Ashwini Goyal was awarded the third position, Abhishek was awarded the first position in the problem-solving category, Kamal Singh Kamal was awarded the second position and Kalyan Gurjar was awarded the third position.
• Whereas in short story genre, Jagdish Mohan Rawat was awarded first place, Raghuraj Singh Karma yogi was awarded second place and Gopinath was awarded third place, in memoir genre Rajaram Bhadu was awarded first place, Kishan veer Yadav was awarded second place and Ananya was awarded third place.
• Similarly, in the folk song genre based on folk tunes, Harishchandra Hari was awarded first place, Shivram Shiv was awarded second place and Sarvottam Trivedi was awarded third place.
• It is noteworthy that 15 winners were honored under five literary genres of Braj language and in all the genres, the first winner was awarded Rs 11000, the second ranked winner was awarded Rs 7100, and the third ranked winner was awarded Rs 3100.
• In the ceremony, Rajbhasha quarterly magazine 'Braj Shatdal', Pramila Gangal's Brajbhasha children's poetry collection 'Barjasakha' and Brajbhasha litterateur Narendra Nirmal's 'Parichau Pothi' were also released.

President Murmu honoured Farmer Lahari Bai with 'Plant Genome Patron Kisan Samman'

Why In News?

On September 12, 2023, President Draupadi Murmu presented the 'Plant Genome Patron Kisan Samman' for the year 2021-22 to Lahari Bai, a farmer from Dindori district, in a program organized at C Subramaniam Auditorium in New Delhi for the conservation and promotion of grain species.

Key Points:

• Lahari Bai was honored with a cash amount of Rs 1,50,000, a citation and a memento at the investiture ceremony of the Farmers' Rights Global Seminar.
• It is known that Lahari Bai, a resident of Bajag tehsil of Dindori district, with the help of Baiga community, has developed a seed bank of rare cereal species like Kodo, Kutki, Sanwa, Kaag, Sikia, Madua.
• Lahari Bai has also exhibited its seed bank in the global symposium to be held from September 12 to 15, 2023 in Delhi.
• Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Minister Kamal Patel, while congratulating Lahari Bai on her unprecedented achievement, said that Lahari Bai has done amazing work for the conservation of millets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also praised his work in the famous radio program 'Mann Ki Baat'

First Cooperative University Will Start in Madhya Pradesh

Why In News?

On September 12, 2023, Madhya Pradesh's Cooperative and Public Service Management Minister Dr. Arvind Singh Bhadauria announced in the inauguration program of the Large Handicraft Cluster Development Project in Bhopal that the first cooperative university will be started in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points:

• Cooperative Minister Dr. Bhadauria said that recently in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Union Cooperative Minister Amit Shah in Delhi, in the discussion on the establishment of a cooperative university, in-principal approval was given to his proposal to start a university in Indore or Bhopal.
• Very soon a cooperative university will start in Madhya Pradesh. Courses on many subjects of the cooperative sector will be taught in the university and research related to cooperation will also be conducted.
• The Cooperative Minister performed digital Bhoomi Pujan and laid the foundation stone of Naveen Bhavan of Cooperative Training Center Jabalpur, Common Facility Center at Cooperative Training Center Bhopal, Indore and Naugaon, Emporia at Cooperative Training Center Indore. He distributed Artisans Cards and released the booklet of Large Handicraft Cluster Development Project and PACS Manual 2022 prepared for PACS institutions.

Actress Meeta Vashishtha Becomes President of HFEP

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on September 12, 2023, the Haryana government has appointed film actress Mita Vashishtha as the Chairperson of the Governing Council to monitor the implementation of the Haryana Film and Entertainment Policy (HFEP).

Key Points:

• This post was vacant after the death of director and producer Satish Kaushik. He was appointed as the first Chairman by the Haryana Government.
• Mita Vashishtha's ancestral village is Jatal village of Panipat district. He has done PG in Literature from Punjab University.
• Mita Vashishtha has 43 years of experience in films, television serials and theater productions.
• She has served as visiting faculty in prestigious institutions like the National School of Drama (NSD), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), National Institute of Design (NID), Whistling Woods International (WWI).
• In addition, she has also held the position of Head of the Department of Acting at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).
• According to Haryana Government spokesperson, apart from Mita Vashishtha, the Council will also have an Administrative Secretary of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department, Co-Chairman of the Governing Council and Director General and Member Secretary of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department.
• The other members of the governing council include administrative secretary, tourism department, administrative secretary art and cultural affairs department, vice-chancellor, state university of performing and visual arts, Rohtak or their representative, media advisor to the chief minister Haryana and seven non-official members nominated by the state government.
• The Council will serve as an advisory body, providing guidance to the Executive Committee in effective implementation of the provisions of the policy.

Jharkhand Gets its First Vistadome Coach Train

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on September 12, 2023, Ranchi-New Giridih-Ranchi Intercity Express train has been started. The biggest feature of this train is that it has also been provided with a Vistadome coach.

Key Points:

• The train was flagged off by Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi at 10 am on September 12 at New Giridih station under East-Central Railway.
• Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi, Giridih MP Chandra Prakash Chaudhary, local MLA Kedar Hazra and former Chief Minister Babulal Marandi attended the inauguration ceremony in Giridih.
• On the first day this train ran like a special train. On this day, instead of the regular route, this train ran on the diverted route via Barkakana, Muri, Tatisilve. Its service will be regularized from September 13.
• One Vistadome coach has been added to the Ranchi-New Giridih-Ranchi Intercity Express. The train will run between New Giridih station and Ranchi which will provide a new traveling experience to the passengers with a glimpse of natural beauty.
• The Vistadome coach installed on this train will be a kind of tourist coach, which will have large glass windows. Besides, it will also have transparent windows on the roof.
• While traveling on this Vistadome coach, passengers will be able to see the side as well as the top view. This coach has been manufactured by ICF. There will be seating arrangements for 42-44 passengers on this coach. There will also be pushback chairs with seats that can rotate 180 degrees.
• What is a Vistadome Coach?
• Vistadome coaches are a type of tourist coach which has large glass windows and also has transparent glass windows on the roof. While traveling in this, the passenger gets a side view as well as a top view.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel laid the Foundation Stone of 'Commercial Hub', 'Aerocity' and 'Shaheed Memorial' in Nava Raipur.

Why In News?

On September 12, 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel performed the Bhoomi Pujan and laid the foundation stone of three important projects ‘Commercial Hub’, ‘Aerocity’ and ‘Shaheed Memorial’ in a ceremony organized in Sector-35 of Nava Raipur Atal Nagar.

Key Points:

• With the aim of promoting investment, settlement and commercial activities in Nava Raipur, the 'Commercial Hub' is being developed on 1083 acres in Sector-23, 24, 34, 35 and 40.
• Similarly, 'Aerocity' is being developed in 216.63 acres (about the total floor space of the Pentagon) identified in village Baroda and Ramchandi near Swami Vivekananda Airport to promote passenger facilities in Layer-3 of Nava Raipur, commercial development of the airport area and employment generation.
• 'Shaheed Memorial' is being established on 13 acres in the VIP battalion in village Parsada (Sector-3) of Nava Raipur.
• Commercial Hub:
  • In the first phase of the commercial hub, land plots have been made for the development of about 1,000 wholesale commercial shops of 20 businesses, in which separate provision has been made for wholesale grocery, incense sticks, wholesale gunny bags, pulse mill, paper trade etc.
  • A provision of Rs 5 crore has been made by the state government in the financial year 2023-24 for the development of the commercial hub. City level infrastructure of 'Commercial Hub' and infrastructure development in 125 acres (about half the total floor space of the Pentagon) of the first phase will be done at an amount of Rs 195.51 crore.
  • The land identified for this project is from National Highway No. 30 and Bharat Mala is located near the allotment of the project and the land also has railway connectivity. The identified plot of land is located about 12 km (about 7.46 mi) from Swami Vivekananda Airport.
  • The identified land is located in villages Nimora, Uparwara, Parasatti, Bendri, Kendri, Jhanki and Mudpar. The land use of the said land has been mixed from public and semi-public.
  • This wholesale commercial market will be beneficial not only for Chhattisgarh but also for the border areas of other nearby states. In this project, all the facilities and physical infrastructure related to wholesale business will be provided as per high standards. There are possibilities of employment generation in the surrounding area with the implementation of this project.
• Aerocity: Provision of commercial establishments, shopping complexes, hotels
  • Aerocity is being developed near Swami Vivekananda Airport in Layer-3 of Naya Raipur Atal Nagar to promote passenger facilities, commercial development of the airport area and employment generation. Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had announced the establishment of Aerocity on January 26, 2023, on the occasion of Republic Day.
  • About 216.63 acres of land has been identified in villages Baroda and Ramchandi of Nava Raipur for Aerocity. Since the identified plot includes privately owned land, it has been decided to develop the Aerocity project on the lines of the city development plan.
  • Keeping in view of the market assessment and financial interest of the authority, it was decided to develop the land of area of about 24.85 acres in the first phase.
  • In the layout prepared on 15.45 acres of government-owned land, 04 commercial plots ranging from 0.62 acres to 3.01 acres, 01 shopping complex of 0.82 acres and 1.44 acres of land are proposed for 01 hotel.
  • A provision of Rs 2 crore has been made by the state government in the financial year 2023-24 for the development of Aerocity.
• Memorial:
  • VIP in village Parsada (Sector-3) of Nava Raipur Atal Nagar area. 42.931 acres of land has been identified for the battalion. Out of this, a martyr's memorial will be established in 13 acres.
  • In this proposed project, Martyr Memorial, construction of walls for engraving the names of 2700 martyrs on about 07 acres of land, construction of Chhattisgarh Amar Jawan Jyoti Memorial, memorial museum, parade ground for 21 platoon, bugler platform, gallery for about 400 spectators, special Arrangements for guest gallery, barracks for 60 soldiers, parking, fountain, irrigation etc. will be made. The state government has issued administrative approval of Rs 47.75 crore for this.

Vidya Samiksha Kendra Inaugurated, Foundation Stone of 141 PM Shri Schools and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Residential School Laid

Why In News?

On September 12, 2023, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan, along with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurated the Vidya Samiksha Kendra and laid the foundation stone of 141 PM Shri Schools and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Residential School in Dehradun.

Key Points:

• The Union Minister of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said that the technology based, and modern data driven model Vidya Samiksha Kendra will be an effective step towards improving the learning outcomes of 23.50 lakh school students of Uttarakhand.
• It is known that as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi had started the Vidya Samiksha Kendra in the state. After the introduction of NEP-2020, it has been expanded to the entire country.
• With the inauguration of the center in Uttarakhand, the state has started Vidya Samiksha Kendra on the lines of the Gujarat education model.
• Apart from data on performance, attendance etc., the content of DIKSHA portal and data of District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), complete information on school education of the state will be available on the portal.
• It is noteworthy that NEP-2020 is a logical document for building the knowledge-based economy of the 21st century.
• The 141 PM Shri Schools in the state serve as models for existing schools to achieve excellence. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Residential School will complete the education of neglected children.
• It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has presented NEP-2020 as a global model and it has been appreciated by member countries and international organizations. This will not only benefit 30 crore Indian students but will also set a benchmark for students all over the world.

State's First Service Sector Policy Approved

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on September 12, 2023, in the state cabinet meeting held at the Uttarakhand Secretariat, the cabinet approved the first service sector policy of the state to attract investors from the country and the world to invest in the health and education sector.

Key Points:

• The first service sector policy of the state has been made covering health, hospitality, wellness centre, education, film and media, sports and IT. Some concessions have been given in this. A 25% capital subsidy will be given in this.
• Minimum capital investment: Rs 200 crore in health fields, Rs 25 crore in hills.
• Yoga Centre: 50 crore people in the plains and 25 crore people in the mountains will get the benefit of this policy.
• Schools: 50 crore in the plains and 25 crore in the hills will get the benefit of this policy.
• University: 50 crore people in the plains and 25 crore people in the hills will get the benefit of this policy.
• Data Centre: 100 crore people in the plains and 50 crore people in the mountains will get the benefit of this policy.
• Apart from the service sector policy, in the cabinet meeting, approval has been given to constitute Auli Tourism Development Authority to make Auli of the state a world class skiing centre.