• 14 Feb 2022

Beautification of Mani Parvat

Why in News

• Recently, the work of restoration of Mani Parvat of mythological importance in Ayodhya has been started.

Key Points

• The ancient Mani Parvat, preserved by the Department of Archeology, is the main center of the famous Sawan Jhula Mela of RamNagari Ayodhya. There is also a temple of Lord Ram Janaki on the ancient mound.
• To preserve the mythology of Mani Parvat, Rs 45 lakh has been allocated by the Archeological Department. In the first phase of renovation, the stairs leading to the sanctum sanctorum of Mani Parvat are being renovated with red stones from Mirzapur. In the second phase, from the main gate of the temple to other premises, repairs will be done.
• It is noteworthy that in the year 1998-99, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department had approved proposals of Rs 88 lakh for the beautification of Mani Parvat. Under which the then Chief Minister Kalyan Singh had laid the foundation stone for the beautification scheme of Mani Parvat along with the inauguration of Ramkatha Park, but this plan could not be worked out and the tourism department surrendered the allocated amount of the scheme.
• In the year 1902, Edward Teerth Vivechani Sabha was formed for the protection and preservation of the historical and mythological sites of Ayodhya Dham. It marked 148 places of Ayodhya and placed Edward Tirtha Devechni's stones on them, so that these heritage could be preserved in future.

Tallest Statue of Mata Sita in Sitamarhi

Why in News

• On February 13, 2022, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Virendranand Ji Maharaj, National Coordinator of the Ramayana Research Council and Juna Akhara, announced the establishment of the world's tallest (251 m) statue of Mother Sita in Sitamarhi.

Key Points

• For its implementation, the council has constituted Shri Bhagwati Sita Teerth Kshetra Samiti, which has been chaired by local Sunil MP Sunil Kumar Pintu.
• 108 statues of Bhagwati Sita will also be installed in a circular form around the 251 meter high statue of Mata Sita which will express her philosophy of life. This place will be developed like a boating for the darshan of these idols.
• A digital museum, research institute and study center will also be built here based on the philosophy of life of Bhagwati Sita.
• Statues of major characters of Ramayana including Tulsidas, Valmiki, Kewat will also be installed here.
• On this occasion Mata Sita.com website has been launched on which the information about the work related to the construction of the temple will be updated from time to time.
• Sita Kund is a Hindu pilgrimage site located in Punora village near Sitamarhi town in the state of Bihar. Punaura Dham Janki Kund (Punaura Dham Janki Mandir) was famous as the ashram of Pundarik Rishi in mythological times. Goddess Sita was born in Punaura itself.

62nd Annual Art Exhibition Inaugurated

Why in News

• On February 13, 2022, the inauguration ceremony of the 62nd Annual Art Exhibition was held in the Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi complex at Jhalana in the chief hospitality of Dr. BD Kalla, Minister of Art and Culture of Rajasthan. On this occasion, 10 artists were awarded by the minister for their best works.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that after observing 584 artifacts, these 10 best artifacts were selected by the department. These artists were given a trophy, memento as well as a prize money of Rs 25,000.
• It is to be noted that on November 16, 2021, the State Art Awards for the 62nd Annual Art Exhibition were announced by the jury of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi.
• The ten artists whose artworks have been awarded in the exhibition are as follows-
  
  • Richa Maheshwari (Kosmos)
  • Kamal Kishore Joshi (Meghraj)
  • Dr. Mani Bhartiya (Landscape)
  • Yogendra Singh Naruka (A Marriage Party)
  • Durgesh Kumar Atal (Plover)
  • Nirmal Yadav (The Lunar Shades)
  • Kumudni Bharwa Soni (Kahan Ghumen Kahan Jaayen)
  • Rajendra Prasad Meena (Movement of Joy)
  • Sunil Kumawat (Hope-3)
  • Ritu Shekhawat (Flowing Whirlpool)
• Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi is the premier fine arts institute of the Government of Rajasthan to promote, spread and develop the fine arts culture of Rajasthan. It is a non-profit, autonomous body, financed by the Ministry of Art and Culture, Rajasthan.
• The main objective of the Department of Art and Culture is to provide a national and international platform to the artists of the state and encourage their talent.
• Minister Dr BD Kalla said that each region of the state has its own unique identity in the field of art and culture. In future, provision will be made to give NFT tokens to all the artists so that if their artwork is sold anywhere, a part of its value must reach the artist.

Haldighati War

Why in News

• Recently, a controversy has arisen again regarding the victory of Maharana Pratap in the Haldighati war.

Key Points

• In fact, history is being taught at Mohanlal Sukhadia University in Udaipur, Rajasthan, that Akbar had won the Haldighati battle, while many historians are against it. According to him, the evidence has proved that Maharana Pratap had won the Haldighati battle.
• After this controversy, the chairman of the Department of History in the university, Prof. Digvijay Bhatnagar has clarified about Akbar's victory in the Battle of Haldighati with reference to his book 'Outline of History of Rajasthan' that this book is based on the earlier published books of historians, which he has only edited. In such a situation, soon a new book will come with an amendment in which Maharana Pratap's victory in the Haldighati war will be mentioned.
• It is noteworthy that the Battle of Haldighati was fought on 18 June 1576 between Maharana Pratap of Mewar and the army of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
• Akbar's army was led by Raja Man Singh I of Amber, while Maharana Pratap was supported mainly by the Bhil tribe in this war.

Maru Mahotsav 2022 Launched

Why in News

• On February 13, 2022, Minority Affairs, Waqf, Sub-Inspection, Agriculture Irrigated Area Development and Water Utilities Minister Shale Mohammad and RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot inaugurated the four-day Maru Festival by flying a golden balloon in the sky at Pokhran, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Key Points

• This time the tourism department has named the Maru Mahotsav as 'Umeedon Ki Udaan'.
• Minority Affairs, Waqf, Colonization, Agriculture Irrigated Area Development and Water Utilities Minister Shale Mohammad also inaugurated the grand procession by flagging off the program organized on the sail of Salamsagar pond.
• In the procession, BSF braves, BSF women contingent, Mangal Kalash Yatra of girls and women riding on decorated camels and various tableaux were the center of attraction.
• Along the way, groups of artists performed folk dances like Kalbelia, Horse, Kachhi Ghodi, Gair etc.
• In this culture festival, Celebrities Night, events on the sandy dunes of Pokhran Khudi and Sam along with Marushree, Miss Mumal, Mustache Competition, Safa Dam, Mumal Mahindra, Camel Shringar and Shaan-e-Marudhara, Panihari Matka Race competitions were also organized.
• Mr and Miss Pokhran competition was held in the main program of Maru Mahotsav. Nikita Rathod won the title of Miss Pokhran and Bharat Bohra won the title of Mr. Pokhran. Among these participants, Khushi Gaur of Girls College Pokhran participated in the competition despite being a disabled person.
• Durjan Singh Bhati was the winner in the Safa Bandho competition of the main event. Team Kapil was the winner in Rassa Kasi. Vikram Joshi won the title of Mallashree and Rukri won the Matka race.
• Along with this, Tanisha Khatri was the winner in the Mehndi competition, Jasoda in Mandana and Khushboo in the Rangoli competition. The first day's program culminated with a group performance by Padmashree Anwar Khan and the artists of Langa Party.
• The winners were awarded by Minority Affairs Minister Shale Mohammad and RCA President Shri Vaibhav Gehlot and other guests.
• An exhibition was organized in the main function premises. In this, an exhibition of weapons provided by the BSF to the soldiers engaged in security on the first line of the country was put up. Other weapons including 7.66 mm gun, assault rifle, X-95, INSAS, LMG, 84 mm GRL, barista were displayed here. Along with this, exhibitions related to Pokhran Development Institute, Urmul, camel milk, cleanliness, environmental protection, handicrafts etc. were organized.
• It is noteworthy that on February 7, 1979, the then Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat had inaugurated the Maru Mahotsav.

40th Anniversary Celebrations of Bharat Bhavan Inaugurated

Why in News

• On February 13, 2022, Usha Thakur, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Spirituality of Madhya Pradesh inaugurated the various arts festival on the 40th anniversary of Bharat Bhavan.

Key Points

• Minister Usha Thakur honored artists, litterateurs and theater artists in various categories for the National Kalidas Samman and Rajya Shikhar Samman at the Bharat Bhavan Muktakash Manch. Along with this, an exhibition of paintings of Durga Bai Vyam selected for Padma Shri, Illustration Art Exhibition- Surekha and works of eminent artists were also inaugurated.
• National Kalidas Samman for Roopankar Arts was given to Jyoti Bhate of Gujarat for the year 2017, Ira Choudhary of New Delhi for 2018, Paramjit Singh of New Delhi for 2019 and Dhruv Mistry of Baroda for the year 2020.
• National Kalidas Samman for Rangkarma was given to Dr. Anil Rastogi of Lucknow for the year 2019 and Vaman Kendra of Mumbai for the year 2020.
• For the year 2019 and 2020, the following persons were awarded the Rajya Shikhar Samman in various subjects-

Subject	2019	2020
Hindi Literature	Shaiwal Satyarthi (Gwalior)	Hari Joshi (Bhopal)
Urdu Literature	Naeem Kausar (Bhopal)	Devisharan (Bhopal)
Sanskrit Literature	Dr. Rameshwar Prasad Gupta (Datia)	Pro. Rahas Bihari Dwivedi (Jabalpur)
Classical Music	Pt. Prabhakar Laxman Gohadkar (Gwalior)	Pt. Sajjan Lal Brahmabhate (Bhopal)
Metaphorical Arts	Devi Lal Patidar (Bhopal)	Manish Pushkale (New Delhi)
Drama	Vaishali Gupta (Bhopal)	KG Trivedi (Bhopal)
Tribal and Folk Arts	Agnesh Kerketa (Bhopal)	Poornima Chaturvedi
Rare Instrument	Babulal Bhola (Sagar)	Dr. Varsha Agarwal (Ujjain)

• On the first day of this function, under the direction of Santosh Sant, the artists of Swara Venu Gurukul Indore gave a melodious musical performance of flute saptak.
• The five-day event will see cultural activities like smooth music, engaging dance, slide shows, dance drama and poetry recitation at Bahukala Kendra Bharat Bhawan from 13 February to 17 February 2022.

Vindhya and Mahakaushal Region Got the Gift of New Trains

Why in News

• On February 12, 2022, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav gave the gift of many new trains to Madhya Pradesh through virtual medium from Delhi. Along with this, State Medical Education Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang flagged off these trains from Rani Kamlapati station.

Key Points

• The newly operated trains include Train No. 02195 Rani Kamlapati- Rewa, Train No. 02196 Rewa-Rani Kamlapati Weekly Superfast Train and Train No. 05713 Jabalpur-Nenpur Passenger Train from Rani Kamlapati Railway Station, Bhopal.
• The people of Vindhya and Mahakaushal region of Madhya Pradesh will be benefited by the operation of these trains.
• Rewa - Rani Kamlapati Weekly Superfast train will cover 9 stations from Kamlapati station to Rewa.
• With the introduction of these new train services, the areas of Satna, Maihar, Katni, Mudhwara, Damoh, Sagar, Bina, Vidisha will be progressively developed and the people, students, business and tourism of these areas will be benefited.
• At the same time, Jabalpur-Nenpur passenger train has been restored for smooth rail travel of passengers. Jabalpur-Nenpur Passenger train will cover a total 19 stations.

'Community Radio Karmaveer' to be Established in Journalism University

Why in News

• On the occasion of World Radio Day on February 13, 2022, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. KG Suresh, informed that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Central Government has provided a letter of intent for the establishment of Community Radio Karmaveer in the newly constructed campus of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication at Vishankhedi.

Key Points

• Necessary process for community radio stations has been expedited by the university.
• It is to be known that the community radio movement started in India in 1995 when the Supreme Court declared airwaves as public property.
• Each community radio station gives priority to the languages of its own community, the language which is not found in the common TV channels or in the newspapers is found in the community radio station.
• A community radio station can broadcast in a radius of 15 km.
• The theme of World Radio Day-2022 is 'Radio and Faith'.
• It is noteworthy that on November 3, 2011, the 36th session of UNESCO declared World Radio Day to be celebrated on February 13, as UN Radio was established by the United Nations on February 13, 1946.

Water Security Assurance Dam Project

Why in News

• On February 13, 2022, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khater launched the Water Security Assurance Dam project at Pathkhori in Nuh district.

Key Points

• Its objective is to conserve the water flowing through the springs in the Aravalli and Shivalik hills in the state by building dams so that rainwater can be used for drinking and irrigation purposes throughout the year even after the rains.
• This project will meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of 9 villages of Nuh district, under which 224 hectare meter of water will be stored due to the construction of the dam.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister gave many development related information.
  
  • The Rainy Well Scheme has been started with an amount of Rs 263 crore to overcome the water scarcity in the southern Haryana region.
  • Mewat canal of 200 cusec capacity is being constructed, in which water will be drawn from Yamuna river including KMP Expressway.
  • Under the Mera Pani-Meri Virasat scheme, farmers are being given Rs 7,000 per acre for sowing alternative crops in place of paddy.

Asian Water Birds Census 2022

Why in News

• Census of Asian water birds under Asian Waterbird Census 2022 was carried out by Jharkhand Biodiversity Board in collaboration with Wetland International at Latratu Dam in Karra, Khunti by Jharkhand Forest Department on 12 February 2022 at Lalmatia Dam of Latehar district.

Key Points

• Species such as Common Kingfisher, Red-naped Ibis, Open Bill Stork, Common Comorant etc. were found during the census.
• It is noteworthy that during the winter season, various species of migratory birds make their shelter in the water bodies of Latehar district.
• On this occasion, discussions were held to build a bird watching tower in Lalmatia Dam and to develop eco-tourism. Along with this, inspection of beautification work of Lalmatia Dam and site for construction of cafeteria in Lalmatia Dam was done.
• Latehar district is famous for its natural beauty like Kanti Waterfall, Indra Water Waterfall etc.