Uttar Pradesh State PCS

• 13 Dec 2023

Helicopter service for sightseeing in Agra and Mathura

Why In News?

Regarding starting helicopter service for sightseeing in Agra and Mathura on December 12, 2023, an MOU was signed between the Tourism Department and M/s Rajas Aero Sports and Adventure Private Limited in the presence of State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh.

Key Points

• Heliports are ready at both places to start helicopter service in Agra and Mathura. It will be operated on PPP mode. It is likely to be inaugurated on December 25, the birth anniversary of former Bharat Ratna Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• The Minister of Tourism and Culture said that with the facility of heliport at these places, domestic and foreign tourists and devotees will get the opportunity of air service. This will increase the number of tourists, increase activities at the local level and create new employment opportunities.
• He said that in the next phase, the process of selection of institutions is being done for its operation on PPP mode at other major tourist destinations of the state (Lucknow, Kapilvastu, Ayodhya, Varanasi and Naimisharanya).
• Helicopter service is being started to meet the needs of tourists and provide special services. It is being given on a 30 years lease to M/s Rajas Aerosport and Adventure Private Limited for operation on PPP mode.
• First, six plus one seater helicopters will be operated, then this number can be increased as per need. Three types of services will be provided in Mathura – first aerial tour, second aerial tour of the entire Mathura and third connectivity tour.
• Similarly, a tour will be organised in Agra under Air Safari Agra. Keeping in mind the foreign tourists in Agra, connectivity with Delhi Airport will be provided. Besides, the facility of hot air balloons will also be provided. Taj Mahal Air Safari will also be organised for the first time.
• Let it be known that this is happening for the first time in the country, when air parikrama of a religious place is being started.

Kanpur's Adarsh Singh selected in Indian team for Under-19 World Cup

Why In News?

On December 12, 2023, BCCI announced the Indian team for the Under-19 World Cup and Tri-Series to be held in South Africa, in which the name of Kanpur's Adarsh Singh is also included.

Key Points

• Due to his consistent performance in domestic cricket, Adarsh Singh has been selected in the Indian team for the Under-19 World Cup. Earlier, he was also selected in the UP T-20 Cricket League.
• Adarsh Singh, son of farmer Narendra Kumar Singh and Manju Lata, originally from Jaunpur, has learned cricket by staying in a rented house.
• On the basis of his excellent game, Adarsh Singh was the captain of Uttar Pradesh in Under-14 as well as Under-16 and Under-19 cricket teams.
• In the year 2023, Adarsh Singh was selected in the National Cricket Academy. Here Adarsh learned the nuances of cricket from VVS Laxman, Irfan Pathan, Pragyan Ojha, Lokesh Rahul.
• It is worth mentioning that Adarsh Singh is the fourth player to play for Kanpur in the Indian team of Under-19 World Cup. Before him, those who played in the Under-19 Indian team from the city include Arvind Solanki, Kuldeep Yadav and Archana Devi. Arvind Solanki and Kuldeep Yadav played as spin bowlers. Archana Devi played as an all-rounder. Whereas Adarsh Singh will play as an opening batsman.