• 16 Aug 2022

Strategy to Achieve the Target of $1 Trillion Economy

Why in News?

• On August 14, 2022, Dr. Navneet Sehgal, Additional Chief Secretary, MSME informed that a sector-wise strategy has been started to fulfill the target of making the state's economy one trillion dollars.

Key Points

• Under this, 95 products imported into the state have been identified. It has been planned to produce them in the state itself.
• It is worth mentioning that Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had recently directed the MSME department to mark the products to be imported into the state.
• In the financial year 2021-22, 95 products worth more than Rs 55,000 crore have been imported from the dry ports (connection of port by rail or road transport) of UP. Among these 48 products ranging from Rs 10 thousand crore to Rs 100 crore have been imported.
• Among the top-10 products imported in the state, electrical and electronics products worth Rs 10,200 crore are transformers, generators, mixer grinders, semiconductor chips, processors and memories etc. In second place are fish oil, castor oil, soybean oil and other edible oils worth Rs 6592 crore.
• Nuclear reactors, boilers and machinery used in large plants worth Rs 6315 crore in third place, plastic pallets worth Rs 4906 crore in fourth place and aluminum, iron, steel and copper products worth Rs 2817 crore in fifth place.
• Organic chemicals worth Rs 1592 crore are in sixth place, surgical instruments worth Rs 1590 crore in seventh place, gold and silver jewelery and gems worth Rs 1515 crore in eighth place, paper board worth Rs 1207 crore in ninth place, card board, chemical. Made hard boards and imports of nickel and nickel scrap metals worth Rs 1106 crores are in the tenth place.

Three Jawans Honoured in Rohtas

Why in News?

• On August 15, 2022, three soldiers of Rohtas Police were awarded the President's Police Meritorious Service Medal in the Independence Day program organized at Rohtas Police Line, Bihar.

Key Points

• Rohtas district's SP Ashish Bharti and DM Dharmendra Kumar gave this award to the three jawans - constables Deepak Kumar Poddar, Vyas Prasad and Basant Kumar.
• On this occasion, the SP informed that Rohtas Police had sent a proposal of 6 qualified police officers and personnel, out of which 3 policemen have been awarded President Police Meritorious Service Medal.
• It is worth mentioning that the President's Police Medal has been announced on the eve of 76th Independence Day. The names of three police constables of Rohtas have been included in them. The police personnel who have received the President's Medal include Deepak Kumar Poddar of Dehri Police Line and two jawans of Rohtas District Police, Vyas Prasad and Basant Kumar.
• The SP said that the President's Police Meritorious Service Medal is one of the highest police awards. It is given to those police officers/personnel who have completed at least 18 years of their service and their entire service life has been commendable.
• It is noteworthy that Sepoy Deepak Kumar Poddar has been working in the police service since the year 2000, Vyas Prasad from the year 1999 and Basant Kumar since the year 2000.

President's Civil Defence Medals for two Officers of Civil Defence Department of Rajasthan

Why in News?

• On the eve of Independence Day on August 14, 2022, two officers of the Civil Defense Department were announced to be awarded the President's Civil Defense Medal by the Government of India.

Key Points

• The two officers who have been announced to be awarded the President's Civil Defense Medal are Jitendra Kumar Soni, Collector and Controller Civil Defense, Alwar District, and Jagdish Prasad Rawat, Deputy Controller (Retd).
• Jitendra Kumar Soni has done excellent work in various disaster management and civil defense works as Collector of Jhalawar, Jalore and Nagaur districts. He has been awarded the President's 'Jeevan Rakshak Medal' by the Government of India in the past for rescuing 8 people trapped in the floods, regardless of his death as the Jalore Collector.
• Along with this, he has also been awarded the Best Controller Civil Defense Award in the year 2016 by the Government of India at the National Civil Defense College, Nagpur. On the occasion of August 15, 2022, for his important contribution in disaster management and civil defense works, the President's Civil Defense Meritorious Service Medal has been announced.
• Similarly, Jagdish Prasad Rawat has been announced to be awarded 'President's Civil Defense Distinguished Service Medal' on the occasion of August 15, 2022, for his meritorious and outstanding services in civil defense and disaster management.

Ramsar Site status to Indore's Yashwant Sagar

Why in News?

• On August 13, 2022, 11 water bodies in five states were given Ramsar site status by the Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, including Yashwant Sagar in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• With this, there are four Ramsar sites in Madhya Pradesh now. Earlier Sirpur Talab of Indore district and Sankhya Sagar Lake located in Madhav National Park of Shivpuri district got the status of Ramsar site, whereas Badi Jheel (Bada Talab/Bhoj Tal) of Bhopal was already a Ramsar site.
• The 11 new Ramsar sites nominated by the Union Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change include four in Tamil Nadu, three in Odisha, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one each in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. Including these, the number of Ramsar sites of international importance in India has gone up to 75. These wetlands sites are spread over an area of 13,26,678 hectares in the country.
• It is noteworthy that India is one of the contracting parties to sign the Ramsar Convention in Ramsar, Iran in 1971. India signed it on February 1, 1982. In the era of climate imbalance and change taking place in the world, the role of Ramsar site is very important in the environmental improvement of the world.
• During 1982 to 2013, a total of 26 sites were added to the list of Ramsar sites, however, during this period from 2014 to 2022, 49 new wetlands have been added to the list of Ramsar sites by the country.
• This year (2022) a total of 28 sites have been declared as Ramsar sites. Based on the date of the site mentioned in the Ramsar certificate, there are 19 sites for this year (2022) and 14 for last year (2021).
• Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of Ramsar sites (14), followed by Uttar Pradesh with 10 Ramsar sites.

Saraswati Rajamani: the 'Unsung Heroine' of Freedom

Why in News?

• On August 13, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with two 10-year-old girls, Devyani and Shivranjani, planted saplings and released the book 'Saraswati Rajamani - Ek Bhuli-Bisri Jasoos' (Saraswati Rajamani: the 'Unsung Heroine' of Freedom) written by them.

Key Points

• In 'Azadi Ke Amrit Mahotsav', Devyani and Shivranjani introduce India's youngest female detective, Saraswati Rajamani, through their book. Devyani and Shivranjani are twin sisters.
• These girls have written an illustrated book on Saraswati Rajamani, a detective of Azad Hind Fauj, at the age of just 10. Devyani and Shivranjani say 'At this time when the country is celebrating the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, we should also remember those people, about whom not much has been written and read, who are our unsung heroes/heroines. Their contribution is important, but we hardly know about them.
• It is noteworthy that in 2021, the first book of these girls 'Surya Namaskar' has been published, which was praised by former President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Saraswati Rajamani was a spy of the Azad Hind Fauj and an anonymous revolutionary at a very young age. She greatly influenced Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
• Saraswati Rajamani was born into an affluent and patriotic family in Burma. When she was 16 years old, she was so impressed by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose's speech that she donated all her ornaments to the Azad Hind Fauj.
• Seeing Rajamani's courage and passion, Netaji made him a part of the army. Rajamani, along with his friend Durga, spied on the British camp and gave many important information to the Azad Hind Fauj. During this, she showed her valor on many occasions but she could not get respect in her own country.
• Devyani and Shivranjani say that Saraswati Rajamani's life inspires a young Indian to realize their dreams with patriotism, dedication, bravery, loyalty and without any fear.

Haryana Government Announces Creation of New Municipal Council, Pataudi-Mandi

Why in News?

• On August 14, 2022, Haryana Government has announced to form a Municipal Council, Pataudi-Mandi by merging Pataudi Municipality and Helimandi Municipality (Revenue Estate Jatauli) and 10 adjoining villages. A notification in this regard has been issued by the Urban Local Bodies Department.

Key Points

• According to the notification issued, villages Narhera, Janola, Rampur, Chhawan, Milkpur, Mirzapur, Mubarakpur, Devlawas, Herahedi and Khanpur will be part of this new Municipal Council, Pataudi-Mandi.
• On the formation of Pataudi-Mandi Municipal Council, Pataudi MLA Satyaprakash Jarawata said that finally after 75 years of independence, the word Haley, a symbol of slavery, has been liberated. People said that Haley was an English governor. The name of the city is not proper after his name. Now this controversy has ended with the formation of a new city council.

Chief Minister Felicitates Police Officials and Police Personnel

Why in News?

• On August 15, 2022, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren honored police officers and policemen of the state with President's Police Medal and other medals.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister honored Murari Lal Meena, Additional Director General of Police (HQ), Ranchi and Havildar Mahendra Prasad, (Special Branch), Ranchi with the President's Police Medal for distinguished service.
• Martyr, Assistant Sub Inspector Banua Oraon, Police Under Inspector Prakash Kumar Rajak, Commander (CRPF), Kunal were awarded President's Police Medal/Police Medal for Gallantry.
• Deputy Superintendent of Police Ranchi/Deputy Superintendent of Police Musabani Chandrashekhar Azad, Inspector of Police Shyam Kishore Mahato were awarded the Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in Research.
• Junior Inspector Tovius Topno, Junior Inspector Chandra Bhushan Singh, Assistant Junior Inspector Vijay Kumar Ram, Assistant Junior Inspector Vijay Kumar Yadav, Assistant Junior Inspector Manindra Kumar, Havildar Sanjay Kumar Shrestha, Havildar Dharmendra Kumar, Havildar Vinay Manjhi, Havildar Ajit Kumar, Havildar Sanjay Kumar Yadav, Havildar Mumtaz Khan, driver constable Raghavendra Narayan Choubey and police inspector Ashok Kumar Ram were awarded police medals for meritorious service.
• Similarly, Police Inspector Hulas Purti, Police Inspector Devki Saga, Police Sub Inspector Pankaj Oraon, Assistant Sub Inspector Rajiv Ranjan, Assistant Junior Inspector Rajesh Kumar, Assistant Sub Inspector Somnath Pandya, Havildar Baleshwar Yadav Havildar Praduman Gupta, Havildar Jitendra Kumar Singh and Havildar Arun Kumar Singh was awarded Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
• It is noteworthy that the President's Police Medal is the highest honor given to any police officer for his service to the nation.

CM Felicitates Three Outstanding Self-reliant Gothans of the State

Why in News?

• On August 15, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel honored three self-reliant Gauthans of the state for their efficient conduct of economic activities and excellent work in the state level function of Independence Day organized at Police Parade Ground in the capital Raipur.

Key Points

• Kesara Gauthan of Patan block of Durg district, Chattod Gauthan of Arang block of Raipur district and Donde, Harangarh Gauthan of Koylibeda of Kanker district were awarded.
• The Chief Minister felicitated these three Gauthans with an incentive amount of Rs 50,000 each, a memento and a citation.
• Kanak Soni, Tilak Verma and Vishnu Sahu, the presidents of the Gauthan committee of these three Gauthans respectively, received this honor on behalf of their respective Gauthans.
• In Kesara Gauthan, 4900 quintals of cow dung has been purchased and sold by the self-help group to 1700 quintals of compost. Under the economic activities in Kesara Gauthan, activities like poultry, goat rearing, fish farming, garden development and oil crushing machines are being conducted by women self-help groups.
• So far, 5500 quintals of cow dung has been purchased from the cattle owners in Chataud Gauthan Committee and 2200 quintals of compost has been prepared and sold. In Gauthan, Sita Mahila Sangathan is producing poultry, fish farming, goat rearing, mushroom production along with garden development, papad, pickle, badi, washing powder etc. Sita Mahila Sangathan is making insecticides Neemastra and Brahmastra by purchasing cow urine, which are chemical free pesticides for organic farming.
• In Donde, Harangarh Gauthan, 2900 quintals of compost has been prepared by purchasing 6200 quintals of cow dung from cattle rearers through the group. In Gothan, women of self-help groups are conducting income-oriented activities like fisheries, garden development, mushroom production, lamp making. The work of selling vermi compost and purchasing of cow dung is also being done by Gothan.
• In the program, four officers were also honored for their excellent work in the operation, implementation and coordination of the scheme in the state level Godhan Nyay Cell under Suraji village.
• These officers include Agriculture Department's Joint Director Ramlakhan Khare, OSD Dr Mausam Mehra, Assistant Director Chandan Rai and Chips (CHIPS) Senior Advisor Nilesh Soni. The Chief Minister honored them with a citation and a memento.

Litterateur Liladhar Mandloi gets Vasundhara Samman

Why in News?

• On August 14, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel honored well-known litterateur and journalist Leeladhar Mandloi with the Vasundhara Samman at the 22nd Vasundhara Samman ceremony held at his residence office.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel honored Leeladhar Mandloi with a citation, memento and award fund in the award ceremony.
• It is noteworthy that Vasundhara Samman is conferred in the memory of Late Devi Prasad Choubey. This is the 22nd continuous event of Vasundhara Samman organized on the 46th death anniversary of Late Devi Prasad Choubey.
• The program was jointly organized by Culture Department Chhattisgarh Lok Jagran's monthly magazine Kriti Vasundhara and Chaturbhuj Memorial Foundation.
• Remembering late Devi Prasad Choubey, the Chief Minister said that he was a pioneer of rural journalism. He did a lot of work in the field of social reform. He was vehemently opposed to the sacrificial system. He had also stopped the practice of sacrifice in the temple of his village.
• Liladhar Mandloi was born in 1954 in a village called Gudhi in Chhindwara district of undivided Madhya Pradesh. His education took place in Bhopal and Raipur.
• Liladhar Mandloi has also been a member of the Prasar Bharati Board, apart from the Director General of Doordarshan and All India Radio.
• Mandloi is basically a poet. In his poems, there is a vivid depiction of the sweetness of the dialect of Chhattisgarh and the life of the people there. He is inclined towards writing folktales, folk songs, travelogues, diaries, media, journalism and criticism.

Chief Minister confers Chief Minister's Meritorious Service Medal to Police Officers

Why in News?

• On August 15, 2022, on the occasion of 75th anniversary of Independence, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami awarded Chief Minister Meritorious Service Medal for distinguished work to police officers and employees.

Key Points

• Presented Chief Minister Meritorious Service Medal to Deputy Inspector General of Police Senthil Abudai Krishnaraj S, Sub-Inspector Rekha Danu, Kripal Singh and Chief Constable Ved Prakash Bhatt.
• The Chief Minister also presented the Chief Minister Meritorious Service Medal to the team of STF investigating the rigging of UKSSSC examination under the leadership of Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Singh, in line with the zero tolerance policy on corruption.
• Senior Superintendent of Police STF Ajay Singh, Sub-Inspector Dilwar Singh, Narottam Bisht, Umesh Kumar and Vipin Bahuguna were awarded Chief Minister Meritorious Service Medal.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister honored the families of freedom fighters and also visited the photo exhibition.

Gallantry Awards to 13 Brave Women and 12 Army Officers

Why in News?

• On August 13, 2022, in a ceremony organized by the Uttarakhand Sub Area Headquarters, the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmeet Singh (Sen.) honored 13 Veer Naris and 12 ex-servicemen and military officers/present Army officers by presenting gallantry awards.

Key Points

• During this, the Governor also visited the exhibition put up by the students and interacted with the soldiers, students, kin of the sacrificed soldiers and ex-servicemen.
• The Governor said that the dedication of the brave women towards nation building can never be forgotten. He said that it is a matter of great fortune that this program is being held at such a place, from where the country got a hero like Somnath Sharma, the first person to get Param Veer Chakra.
• The Governor suggested to the officers of the Sub Area Headquarters that like the Uttarakhand Sainik Welfare Board, they can also prepare a database by collecting the information of ex-servicemen, veterans and relatives of the sacrificers. Various welfare schemes are being run by the Uttarakhand government for the soldiers and brave women of the state.
• Gallantry awards were awarded to Sunita Bisht, Shanti Devi, Chitra Devi, Lakshmi Tomar, Rampyari, Urmila Devi, Anju Devi, Parvati Devi, Vimala Devi, Lata Devi, Sujata Thapa, Kiran, Anita Devi as Veer Naris.
• Ex-servicemen and military officers Pramod Chandra Bhardwaj, Major General Shamsher Singh, Commodore AK Sinha, Honorary Captain Khusing Gurung, Dal Bahadur Limbu, Devi Prasad, Subedar Bagh Singh and Subedar Major Veer Bahadur Pun (the honor was received by his son-in-law Lal Bahadur) were awarded gallantry award.