• 18 Aug 2022

Social Harmony Campaign

Why In news?

• On August 17, 2022, Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Department Minister Tikaram Juli held a meeting with high officials at the government secretariat. During this time, he directed the officers to conduct 'Social Harmony Campaign' across the state and prepare an action plan of the campaign.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that recently a meeting was held with the higher officials in the government secretariat in connection with the incident of death after the beating of a child by a school teacher in Jalore.
• He said that under the campaign, awareness will be created among the general public about the provisions mentioned in the Constitution and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act. People will be made aware about harmony, which binds all religions, ideas and society in the thread of unity.
• Along with this, Minister Tikaram Juli instructed to write a letter to the Home, Higher Education and School Education Department. He directed the Higher Education and School Education Department to write a letter to the Higher Education and School Education Department and to present challans at the earliest by examining the cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act.
• He also directed the officials to hold meetings of district and block level vigilance and monitoring committee constituted under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act from time to time.

Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University has Developed Two Improved Varieties of Mustard

Why In news?

• On August 17, 2022, the spokesperson of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, informed that the scientists of the university have developed two new advanced varieties of mustard. These varieties will also benefit farmers in the states of Punjab, Delhi, North Rajasthan and Jammu along with Haryana.

Key Points

• The spokesman said that the team of oilseed scientists of the university has developed two new varieties of mustard RH 1424 and RH 1706.
• Due to higher yield and better oil quality of these varieties, the All India Coordinated Research Project (Mustard) meeting held at Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapur (Rajasthan) has identified the states of Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, North Rajasthan and Jammu for cultivation.
• He informed that RH 1424 variety has been found to be very suitable for timely sowing and cultivation in rainfed conditions in these States, while RH 1706, which is a value added variety, has been found to be a very suitable variety for timely sowing in irrigated areas of these States. These varieties will prove to be milestones in increasing the productivity of the above mustard growing states.
• He informed that Haryana has been at the top position in the country in terms of productivity of mustard crop for the last several years. This has been possible due to the development of high yielding varieties of mustard in this university and the adoption of advanced techniques by the farmers.
• Haryana Agricultural University is a leading centre in mustard research in the country and so far a total of 21 varieties of mustard with good yield potential have been developed here. The recently developed mustard variety RH725 is very popular among farmers in many mustard growing states.

Approved the Proposal Not to Re-notify the Netarhat Field Firing Range

Why In news?

• On August 17, 2022, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren agreed to the proposal not to re-notify the Netarhat Field Firing Range keeping in mind the public interest. This decision of the Chief Minister will end the struggle of thousands of tribals for 30 years.

Key Points

• The Netarhat Field Firing Range, which started in 1964, was extended in 1999 by the then Bihar government.
• In protest against netarhat field firing range, about 39 revenue villages of Latehar district had also submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the general assembly, in which it was told by the people affected by Netarhat field firing range that Latehar and Gumla districts come under the Fifth Schedule. The PESA Act 1996 is applicable here, under which the Gram Sabha has constitutional rights.
• Under this, the village heads of the affected area of Netarhat Field Firing Range had decided not to provide land inside the village boundary for netarhat field firing range by organizing gram sabha on the demand of the affected public. It had also requested for cancellation of the project by duly publishing the notification of Netarhat Field Firing Range without further extension.
• It is worth mentioning that the public affected by netarhat field firing range was continuously protesting for the last about 30 years to cancel the notification of Netarhat field firing range. At present, like every year, protests were held on March 22-23 against the Netarhat Field Firing Range.

Chhattisgarh's Ankita Hoists Tricolour on Europe's Highest Peak Mount Elbrus on Independence Day

Why In news?

• On August 15, 2022, on the glorious occasion of Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, Ankita Gupta of Chhattisgarh hoisted the tricolor given by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Mount Elbrus, the highest peak of the European continent.

Key Points

• Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had presented the national flag to young mountaineer Ankita at his residence on August 3 before going to Europe.
• Mount Elbrus (West), the highest peak on the European continent, has an elevation of 5,642 metres (18,510 ft), with temperatures ranging from -25 to -30 degrees Celsius and wind speeds of 45 to 50 km. remains up to. Even in these odd circumstances, Ankita made the 76^th anniversary of Independence more memorable by waving the tricolor at 5.43 am on The morning of August 15.
• Reaching the peak, Ankita showcased the Chhattisgarh model of justice and empowerment of the state government. After this, on the second day on August 16, he hoisted the national flag at 4.23 am on mount Elbrus (East) mountain, 5621 meters high located in the continent of Europe.
• Ankita Gupta is originally from Kawardha. At present, she is working as a constable under the police department in Kabirdham district. The Chhattisgarh state government has given financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to Ankita to participate in mountaineering in Europe.
• Ankita Gupta said that this success is dedicated to the freedom fighters and martyrs of the country. He said that in the month of January, the 6080 meter high peak of UT Kangri in Leh Ladakh was fateh at -39 degrees Celsius. His goal now is to increase the value of the country by hoisting the tricolor in the top of the seven continents.

Two-Day National Workshop on Research and Development of Pulses Crops

Why In news?

• On August 17, 2022, Chhattisgarh Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey inaugurated the two-day Rabi Pulses Workshop and Annual Group Meeting organized by Indira Gandhi Agricultural University in collaboration with Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.

Key Points

• In this two-day Rabi Pulses Workshop, discussions are being held on the development, research and production technology of new improved varieties to increase the production of gram, moong, urad, masoor, tivra, rajma and peas.
• It is noteworthy that more than 100 pulses scientists from different states of the country have participated in this workshop and annual group meeting organized to prepare an action plan and strategy for Research and Development to promote the production of pulses crops in the country.
• Deputy Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research T. R. Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said that special efforts are being made by the Central Government to make India self-reliant in the field of pulses production and reduce its import, as a result of which the country is likely to produce 2 crore 80 lakh metric tonnes of pulses this year. Significantly, in the year 2016, 1 crore 60 lakh metric tonnes of pulses were produced in the country.
• He stressed on increasing the use of mechanization and growing resistant and improved varieties of pulses crops to boost their production.
• Assistant Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research Sanjeev Gupta said that Chhattisgarh, known as a paddy bowl, is also making its mark in the field of pulses production today. He congratulated Indira Gandhi Agricultural University for developing new improved varieties of pulses crops. He said that the tivda crop grown in Chhattisgarh can play an important role in the field of providing food security.
• Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University Girish Chandel said that at present pulses crops are being taken in about 11 lakh hectare area in Chhattisgarh, in which arhar, gram, moong, urad, masoor, kulthi, tivda, rajma and peas are prominent.
• Three All India Coordinated Research Projects - Mularp Crops (Moong, Urad, Masoor, Tivda, Rajma, Peas), Gram and Arhar are being conducted at Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur for research and dissemination work on pulses crops, under which development of new improved varieties, Production technology and frontline demonstration work is being done on the fields of farmers.
• So far, a total of 25 varieties of improved and disease-resistant varieties of various pulses crops have been developed by the university, including 2 varieties of moong, 1 urad, 3 of arhar, 6 of kulthi, 1 of cowpea, 5 of gram, 4 of peas, 2 of tivra and 1 variety of lentil.
• Vice-Chancellor Dr. Girish Chandel said that two improved varieties of Tivda, the major pulses crop of Chhattisgarh, have been developed by the university, which are completely safe for human use. New agricultural implements are being developed by the university to promote mechanization in pulses crops.
• On this occasion, State Agriculture Minister Ravindra Choubey said that in order to promote the production of pulses crops in Chhattisgarh, special incentives are being given to the farmers growing pulses, under which a grant of Rs 9,000 per acre is being given to the farmers producing pulses instead of paddy.
• He said that in order to promote pulses production, the state government is procuring tur and urad from farmers at the rate of Rs 8000 per quintal instead of the support price of Rs 6600.
• Due to the efforts of the state government, the area and production of pulses in the state has increased in the last years and today pulses crops are being cultivated in an area of 11 lakh hectares, which is expected to increase to 15 lakh hectares in the next two years.

Establishment of Regional Test Laboratory for Testing of Electrical Equipments in Naya Raipur

Why In news?

• On August 17, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between The Central Electricity Research Institute, Bengaluru and the Government of Chhattisgarh for the establishment of a National level laboratory and testing center for testing of electrical equipment at Naya Raipur in a program organized under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at his residence office.

Key Points

• Ankit Anand, Secretary, Chhattisgarh Energy Department and B. A. Sawale, signed the MoU.
• The Regional Test Laboratory to be set up by the Central Electricity Research Institute, Bangalore at Nava Raipur will be the largest laboratory in Central India, with facilities for transformers, routine tests, meter testing, oil testing and routine testing of all electrical equipment. At present, electrical equipment is sent to Bhopal for testing.
• With this facility available in Chhattisgarh, time and revenue will be saved. In this laboratory, power companies will be given a concession of 20 percent in testing. A training centre will also be set up under the laboratory, which will enhance the technical skills of employees of power companies and private institutions.
• Atal Nagar Naya Raipur Development Authority has allotted 10 acres of land in Layer-2 village- Leopard, Sector-30 of Naya Raipur area for setting up laboratory and testing center.
• The work of setting up the laboratory will be completed in 36 months at a cost of Rs 20 crore 70 lakh.
• The regional test laboratory to be set up in Raipur will have facilities of high voltage laboratory (impulse test 400 kV), routine test laboratory for transformer (up to 10 MVA), temperature rise test facility for transformer (up to 10 MVA), energy meter test laboratory for smart meter and cyber security test laboratory for substation equipment and smart meter.
• It is noteworthy that The Central Electricity Research Institute is a Public Sector Undertaking constituted under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. The institute provides various services to ensure quality in power sector manufacturers and utilities, promotion of applied research in power sector and consultancy services to improve efficiency and reliability in the field of engineering.

Historic International Boxing match 'The Jungle Rumble'

Why In news?

• On August 17, 2022, the international boxing competition 'The Jungle Rumble' was organized at Sardar Balbir Singh Juneja Stadium in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh. In one of the bouts, professional Indian boxer Vijender Singh defeated Ghana's Eliasu Sule.

Key Points

• The International Boxing Competition 'The Jungle Rumble' competition had five interesting bouts. The first match in the light weight group was between Ameya Nitin and Asad Asif Khan. Asad won the match. The second match was between Ashish Sharma and Karthik Satish Kumar, in which Karthik Satish Kumar was declared the winner. The third match was between Shaikom and Gurpreet Singh. Gurpreet Singh became the winner of this match.
• The fourth bout of boxing was between Sachin Nautiyal vs Faizan Anwar. Sachin Nautiyal was battered by rival Faizan's punch and left the ring. Under the rules of the game, the referee declared Faizan the winner.
• The biggest attraction of this boxing competition was the fight between professional Indian boxer Vijender Singh and Ghana's Eliasu Sule. In this match, Vijender Singh defeated Eliasu Sule with his strong punch. In the fifth and final match of 'The Jungle Rumble', Eliasu was dusted in just 02 minutes 07 seconds.
• Significantly, this is the first professional boxing competition in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur. Vijender Singh, India's first professional boxer, was training extensively for the bout.
• On June 8, professional boxer Vijender Singh had met Chief Minister Bhupendra Baghel and requested him to organise a professional boxing match in Chhattisgarh. The Chief Minister had accepted this request and in the same context, an international boxing competition was organized in the capital Raipur on the initiative of the Chief Minister. Vijender Singh entered the ring after almost 19 months.
• On the question of efforts to promote sports in Chhattisgarh, the Chief Minister said that a sports academy has been established in the state and a separate authority has also been created for sports. With this, the work of infrastructure development and grooming of players will be done simultaneously.
• Baghel said that cricket's road safety match was held in Chhattisgarh. Many big players have demonstrated their game. The state has already represented the state in women's hockey, now in the Commonwealth Games, the state's daughter Aarushi Kashyap has won a medal in badminton. There are many possibilities in archery too. Such events will give a new dimension to sports in the state.