State PCS

• 14 Aug 2024

Haryana Launches Schemes for Youth

Why in News?

Recently, The Haryana Chief Minister participated in an International Youth Day programme organised by the Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship Department.

• He launched the Drone Didi Yojana, Contractor Saksham Yuva Yojana and the IT Saksham Yuva Yojana.

Key Points

• Haryana has helped over one lakh youth in skill development under the Haryana Kaushal Vikas Mission and provided 1.44 lakh jobs to the youth.
• Contractor Saksham Yuva Yojanaz:
  • The government will provide skill training to 10,000 engineering diploma and degree holders for three months so that they can become self-dependent.
  • The government will also provide these youth with Rs 3 lakh interest-free loan for one year.
  • The youth will be able to apply for government contracts of up to the value of Rs 25 lakh of the state Panchayati Raj Department.
• IT Saksham Yuva Yojana:
  • Through this scheme the state government will provide IT training to graduate and postgraduate youth to help them make a career in the sector.
  • The youth will be provided training in coding, Java language, web designing, networking and digital marketing, among others.
• Drone Didi Yojana:
  • Under this scheme, the state government will provide training to 5,000 young women in drone operation and management in 2024-25.
  • The government will provide them 80% of the cost of drones and other equipment.
• Unemployment grant hiked:
  • The Chief Minister announced an increase in the unemployment allowance for Class XII pass youth from Rs 900 per month to Rs 1,200 from 1st August, 2024.
  • The unemployment grant for the graduate youth has been increased to Rs 2,000 per month and for the postgraduate youth to Rs 3,500 per month.
  • The government will provide such grants to 2.61 lakh youth.

Haryana Skill Development Mission (HSDM)

• It was established in May 2015 by the State Government.
• Its aim is to empower youth to take part in the economic and all around growth of Haryana and India.
• It is a single point of contact within the Government to formulate and steer skill development schemes across the Department.
• HSDM acts as an integrated mission which combines the efforts of various State Departments in achieving the skill development target of the State.

Chhattisgarh School Textbooks As Per NEP

Why in News?

Chhattisgarh has become the first state to take the initiative of textbook writing and curriculum development for school students in accordance with the norms of National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 in collaboration with National Council of Educational Research and Training.

Key Points

• The aim is to introduce changes in the curriculum by the next academic session for Classes 1-3 and 6.
  • The Chhattisgarh Chief Minister has urged and directed the officers to expedite the process for the sincere implementation of the NEP in the state.

National Education Policy, 2020

• The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 aims to address India's evolving development needs by overhauling the education system to meet 21st century goals and Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), while preserving India's cultural heritage.
• It replaced the National Policy on Education, 1986, which was modified in 1992.

National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)

• The NCERT is an autonomous organization that was established in 1961 underthe Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• It is the apex body for advising the central and state governments on matters related to school education.

Campaign to end Discrimination Towards HIV Patients

Why in News?

According to the sources, a campaign will be started in Jharkhand on 1^st September, 2024 to create awareness for eliminating discrimination against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients.

Key Points

• It was announced during the launch of an intensified IEC (information, education, communication) campaign at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University auditorium.
• According to the Jharkhand State AIDS Control Society's Project Director the campaign will be conducted at district, block, and village levels.
  • Especially the youth will be made aware of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases through the campaign.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

• About:
  • HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system in the human body.
  • It primarily targets and damages CD4 immune cells, which are essential for the body's ability to fight infections and diseases.
    • Over time, HIV weakens the immune system, leaving the body vulnerable to opportunistic infections and cancers.
• Transmission:
  • HIV is primarily spread through the exchange of certain bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk.
• Severity:
  • If left untreated, the virus destroys a person’s immune system and they are said to be in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome stage (AIDS) where they get several opportunistic infections that may result in death.
• Cure:
  • Although there are no cures for the infection at present, the disease can be managed using antiretroviral therapy.
    • These medicines suppress the replication of the virus within the body, allowing the number of CD4 immune cells to bounce back.

Injured Vulture with 'Dhaka' Inscription Found in Jharkhand

Why in News?

Recently, an endangered white-backed vulture with an injury was discovered in a dam in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district. The vulture had a metallic ring fitted to one of its legs, which was inscribed with the word 'Dhaka'.

Key Points

• The police suspect that John Malot, a bird researcher from Dhaka who is associated with the UK-based Royal Society for Protection of Birds, released the vulture after fitting it with a solar-powered radio tracking collar in order to monitor the bird's movements from Dhaka to Jharkhand.

Indian white-backed vulture

• They are medium-sized, dark vultures.
• Scientific name: Gyps bengalensis
• Distribution: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam.
• Habitat: Found mostly in plains and less frequently in hilly regions. Can also be seen in villages and cities near to cultivation.
• Features:
  • Adults are 75 to 85 cm tall.
  • White neck ruff, rump and under wing coverts.
  • Adults tend towards black coloration, while younger individuals are browner.
  • Their wingspan is 180 to 210 cm.
  • Weight: Ranges from 3.5 to 7.5 kg.
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

Multipurpose Buildings on Waqf Board Land

Why in News?

The government of Bihar is making preparations to construct multipurpose buildings, wedding halls, market complexes and other structures to develop the properties that are registered under the Sunni and Shia Waqf Boards.

Key Points

• Ten projects had been proposed for construction of multi-purpose buildings, market complexes and libraries in Patna, Purnea, Kaimur, Katihar, Kishanganj, Nawada and Siwan in 2023-24.
• Under the Bihar Rajya Madarsa Sudridhikaran Yojana (BRMSY) the state government has also decided to set up 21 new madrasas in various parts of the state.
• Facilities such as drinking water, libraries, equipment, toilets and computer science labs are provided for strengthening the madrasa infrastructure.

Waqf Board

• A Waqf board is a legal entity capable of acquiring, holding and transferring property. It can sue and be sued in court.
• It administers Waqf properties, recovers lost properties and sanctions the transfer of immovable Waqf properties through sale, gift, mortgage, exchange, or lease, with at least two-thirds of the board members voting in favour of the transaction.
• The Central Waqf Council (CWC), established in 1964, oversees and advises state level Waqf Boards across India.
• Waqf Properties: The Waqf board is said to be the third-largest landholder in India after the Railways and the Defence department.
  • Currently, there are 8,72,292 registered Waqf properties spread across 8 lakh acres. These properties generate Rs 200 crore in revenue.
  • Once a property is designated as a Waqf, it becomes non-transferable and is detained perpetually as a charitable act toward God, essentially transferring ownership to God.

Resolution of Issues in NH Projects

Why in News?

In an official statement, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured the Centre of timely resolution of any issues in the execution of national highway projects in the state.

Key Points

• The departmental land will be provided free of charge for the expansion of national highways in Uttar Pradesh.
  • The process of land acquisition and compensation distribution would be completed within the stipulated time.
• The CM also emphasised the need to complete projects related to the Mahakumbh, which will be held in 2025.

Maha Kumbh

• Kumbh Mela comes under United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• It is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, during which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river.
  • It takes place on the banks of the Godavari river in Nashik, the Shipra river in Ujjain, the Ganges in Haridwar, and the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river in Prayagraj. The confluence is referred to as the ‘Sangam‘.
• As it is held in four different cities in India, it involves different social and cultural activities, making this a culturally diverse festival.
• The over month-long fair is marked by the construction of a massive tented township, complete with cottages, huts, platforms, civic facilities, administrative and security measures.
  • It is organized immaculately by the government, the local authorities and the police.
• The mela is especially renowned for the presence of an extraordinary array of religious ascetics enticed from remote hideaways in forests, mountains and caves.