• 19 Dec 2023

Prime Minister inaugurates Swarved Mahamandir in Varanasi

Why in News?

On 18 December 2023, the Swaraveda temple built in Umraha of Chaubepur area of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Key Points

• Swarveda Temple was constructed by Saint Sadaphal Maharaj, the founder of Vihangam Yoga Institute.
• Saint Sadaphal Maharaj has ashrams in many countries of the world, out of which this ashram in Varanasi is the largest.
• The biggest feature of Swarveda temple is that not God is worshiped here, but yoga-sadhana is worshiped.
• Swarveda temple is constructed from Makrana marble. Apart from this, amazing carvings have also been done on the walls of this temple.
• This temple is seven storeyed and it has also become the world's largest meditation center. About 20 thousand people can do yoga and meditation together in this temple.
• This temple is built in 64 thousand square feet, whose height is 180 feet.
• Swarveda Mandir The temple is spread over a 200-acre campus.
• About 4000 couplets of Swarveda are written on the inner walls on all the floors of the Swarveda temple. On the outer wall, 138 paintings have been made on the subjects of Vedas, Upanishads, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Geeta etc.
• The construction of Swarved Temple started in the year 2004. This temple has been shaped over the last 19 years.
• Along with inaugurating the Swaraveda Mahamandir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also laid the foundation stone of the 135 feet high statue of Saint Sadaphal Maharaj.

Prime Minister flags off second Vande Bharat in Varanasi

Why in News? 

On December 18, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the second Vande Bharat Express and dedicated it to the service of the nation in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Key Points

• This Vande Bharat Express train will run between Banaras and New Delhi.
• Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 04015) will leave from Banaras (formerly Manduadih) Railway Station of North Eastern Railway at 6 am regularly.
• The Railway Board has decided to run Vande Bharat Express six days a week and this train will not be run on Tuesday for maintenance.
• On this occasion, the new MEMU train from Indaraghat to Dohrighat was also inaugurated.
• It may be noted that the first Vande Bharat Express train departed on February 15, 2019.

Three new industrial areas will be built in Bihar

Why in News?

On December 17, 2023, the Bihar government announced the creation of three new industrial areas in the state.

Key Points:

• These industrial areas will be established in Gaya, Munger and Nalanda districts of Bihar.
• Various types of industries will be established in these industrial areas, which include heavy industries, medium industries and small scale industries.
• 1670 acres of land will be acquired in the industrial area to be built in Gaya district of Bihar.
• 1200 acres of land will be acquired in the industrial area to be built in Munger district of Bihar.
• 1000 acres of land will be acquired in the industrial area to be built in Nalanda district of Bihar.
• The construction of these industrial areas will increase employment opportunities in the state and boost the economy of the state.

Kalicharan Saraf took oath as Protem Speaker

Why in News?

On December 18, 2023, Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra administered the oath of office to former minister and senior BJP MLA Kalicharan Saraf as Protem Speaker of the Rajasthan Assembly in a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Assembly Speaker C.P. Joshi, Vasudev Devnani, Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa and other distinguished people were present.
• Governor Kalraj Mishra has also formed a three-member panel of senior MLAs for their cooperation. This panel includes MLA Dayaram Parmar, Pratap Singh Singhvi and Dr. Kirori Lal Meena.
• It is worth mentioning that the Protem Speaker will administer the oath to the newly elected MLAs. The party has already nominated senior MLA Vasudev Devnani as the Assembly Speaker.
• It is worth mentioning that the oath of membership of the Legislative Assembly is administered to the newly elected MLAs only by the Protem Speaker. After the oath of the members, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly are elected. The work and tenure of the Protem Speaker automatically comes to an end with the assumption of office by the permanent Speaker of the Assembly.
• Protem Speaker: Pro-Tem is a Latin phrase meaning ‘for the time being’. The Protem speaker is a temporary speaker who is appointed for a limited period.
• Requirement of Protem Speaker: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha/Assembly vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the newly elected House.
  • The President/Governor appoints the Protem Speaker to preside over the meetings of the newly elected House. Usually the most senior member of the House is made the Protem Speaker.
• Duties of Protem Speaker:
  • The Protem Speaker presides over the first sitting of the Lok Sabha, administers the oath of office to newly elected MPs.
  • To conduct voting for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
  • The post of Protem Speaker ceases to exist upon the election of a new Speaker.
  • He also conducts the floor test.

CM flags off Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon

Why in News?

On December 17, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off the Vedanta Pink City Half Marathon, realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's pledge of ‘Swachh Bharat'.

Key Points:

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said that the youth should remain healthy and enthusiastic & take a pledge to make Rajasthan the leading state in the country.
• This marathon is being organized with the important objective of ‘Run for Zero Hunger’. More than 12 thousand runners have been united in this event. With this, food will be provided to more than one lakh needy people.
• In the marathon, runners gave the message of fitness and unity by completing the 21 km half marathon, 10 km cool run and 5 km dream run categories.

Haryana Police and HSNCB announce ultra-modern innovative initiative Hackathon

Why in News? 

On December 16, 2023, Haryana Police and Haryana State Narcotics Control Bureau (HSNCB) launched a ultra-modern innovative initiative Hackathon under joint aegis.

Key Points:

• The objective of this hackathon is to stop the youth from consuming drugs and substances and to motivate them not to commit crimes.
• Under the Hackathon, an event will be organized in Panchkula on 14 January 2024.
• Through this hackathon, along with changing the outlook of the society, traditional awareness will be brought through methods like Blockchain, Web 3, Gamification etc.
• The goal of this hackathon is to create digital experiences that promote engagement, understanding, and awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse.
• Haryana Police Director General Shatrujit Kapoor said that through the hackathon, the aim is to promote ideas among the youth which inspire them to maintain law and order, promote social responsibility and ensure public safety.

Haryana Government approves construction of ROB to connect AIIMS with Rewari-Narnaul Road (NH-11)

Why in News? 

On December 16, 2023, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal gave administrative approval for the construction of ROB to connect AIIMS to Rewari - Narnaul Road (NH-11).

Key Points:

• A railway overbridge will be constructed on the Rewari Narnaul railway line and Rewari Narnaul Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited (DFCCIL) line at a cost of Rs 251.08 crore.
• This green field project covers 15 acres of land and flyover on NH 11 & 6 lane ROB.  
• The construction of this ROB will ensure quick and convenient access to AIIMS for patients, medical professionals & visitors.
• HLL Infra Tech Services Limited (HITES) has been appointed by the Government of India as the executing agency to oversee the comprehensive development of the AIIMS project.
• This project will be actively monitored through the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) portal, which will ensure transparency and accountability in its implementation.

Atal Medicity will be built with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore

Why in News?

According to the information given by Madhya Pradesh Public Relations Department on December 18, 2023, Atal Medicity will be established in Madhya Pradesh Niramay Infrastructure Mission with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore in the health sector and Madhya Pradesh Institute of Medical Sciences will be established in each division on the lines of AIIMS.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that in Madhya Pradesh Sankalp Patra 2023, health security has been guaranteed to every citizen. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has given instructions to prepare a roadmap within 7 days to fulfill the guarantee given in the Madhya Pradesh Sankalp Patra 2023.
• According to the Sankalp Patra, palliative care centers for cancer patients will be established in major cities.
• Under the ‘One Lok Sabha-One Medical College’ scheme, medical colleges will be established in every Lok Sabha constituency. Under the ‘One District-One Nursing College’ scheme, there will be a nursing college in every district. Under the ‘One Block-One Blood Bank’ scheme, blood banks will be created in every block.
• The number of advanced life support ambulances and the number of hospital & ICU beds will be doubled.
• It should be noted that at present 132 types of tests are available free of cost in the state. Every day around 10,000 patients are taking advantage of it.
• More than 800 health centers have been constructed and developed in the last three & a half years. The number of hospital beds has increased from 2,000 to 42,000 and the number of ICU beds has increased more than 10 times to 2,085.
• More than 11,000 'Health and Wellness Centres' have been started to ensure health services. More than 2,000 ambulances are available in the state. The number of doctors and paramedical staff has been increased more than 7 times to more than 51,000.
• If the expenditure exceeds Rs 5 lakh for the beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat, the additional expenditure will be borne by the 'CM Relief Fund'. A regulatory authority will be set up to control excessive medical charges in private hospitals.
• 500 new Jan Aushadhi Centers will be started in the entire state. Medicines will be available in these at low prices.
• There were 5 medical colleges in the year 2003, which have now become 24. MBBS seats have increased to more than 4,000. 2,000 medical seats will be increased in the next five years.
• In addition to the financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh given by the Central Government, financial assistance will also be given to rare disease patients. The state will be made TB free by the year 2025. TB patients will be given monthly financial assistance of Rs 1000.

Uttarakhand got the best state award in Adventure Tourism

Why in News?

Uttarakhand was awarded the Best State in Adventure Tourism award by the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI) in an event organized in Kevadiya, Gujarat on December 18, 2023.

Key Points:

• It may be noted that in view of new initiatives and encouragement in adventure tourism, Uttarakhand has been given the best state award. Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve received this award in the program.
• On this occasion, Secretary Sachin Kurve said that in the last one year, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Council has done remarkable work towards developing the state as the leading adventure tourism state of the country.
• The Paragliding Acro Festival was organised for the first time in Tehri Lake. In which 54 pilots from 26 countries participated. Apart from this, Aero Safari with Gyrocopter has been started in the country from Uttarakhand.
• The Secretary said that apart from Ganga, exemption in operator fee has been given for river rafting and kayaking in Sharda, Alaknanda, Tons & Bhagirathi rivers. This will provide new employment opportunities.
• He said that rules for adventure tourism like river rafting and kayaking, aero sports, trekking, and vote parasailing are being prepared.
• Apart from pilgrimage, the state government is focusing on adventure tourism to promote tourism activities in the state. Uttarakhand has a lot of potential in river rafting, paragliding, aero sports, mountaineering and trekking.
• The state government is moving towards making the state an adventure tourism destination. For this, a provision of 100 percent subsidy for adventure activities and services was made in the new tourism policy.

Ramvichar Netam took oath as Protem Speaker of Chhattisgarh Assembly

Why in News?

On December 17, 2023, Chhattisgarh Governor Vishwabhushan Harichandan administered the oath of office to former minister and senior BJP MLA Ramvichar Netam as Protem Speaker of Chhattisgarh Assembly in a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that the Protem Speaker will administer the oath to the newly elected MLAs for the Chhattisgarh Assembly. BJP has already nominated senior MLA and former Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh as the Assembly Speaker.
• It is worth mentioning that the oath of membership of the Legislative Assembly is administered to the newly elected MLAs only by the Protem Speaker. After the oath of the members, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly are elected. The work and tenure of the Protem Speaker automatically comes to an end with the assumption of office by the permanent Speaker of the Assembly.
• Protem Speaker: Pro-Tem is a Latin phrase meaning ‘for the time being’. The Protem speaker is a temporary speaker who is appointed for a limited period.
• Requirement of Protem Speaker: The Speaker of the Lok Sabha/Assembly vacates his office immediately before the first meeting of the newly elected House.
  • The President/Governor appoints the Protem Speaker to preside over the meetings of the newly elected House (Lok Sabha/Vidhan Sabha). Usually the most senior member of the House is made the Protem Speaker.
• Duties of Protem Speaker:
  • The Protem Speaker presides over the first sitting of the Lok Sabha, administers the oath of office to newly elected MPs.
  • To conduct voting for Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
  • The post of Protem Speaker ceases to exist upon the election of a new Speaker.
  • He also conducts the floor test.