• 21 Dec 2022

ODOP Mall in Varanasi

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, Uttar Pradesh Industries Joint Commissioner Umesh Kumar Singh said that instructions have been given to prepare a plan for the construction of a Four-Storey ODOP (One District One Product) Mall at Chandpur Industrial Institute in Varanasi.

Key Points

• The ODOP Mall is proposed in a park spread over an area of about two acres at Chandpur Industrial Institute in Varanasi.This park used to have coal storage for industries and there was also a plan to build a flatted factory here.
• Due to the ODOP Mall being in the city, there will be better transport facilities here. This will provide relief to weavers, craftsmen in freight.
• Umesh Kumar Singh said that the Industries Department will give space to weavers, artisans and exporters on lease in ODOP Mall. By paying a lump sum amount, weavers and artisans will be able to stay there for a long time. This will relieve the hassle of frequent changes in the cost of rent etc.
• The construction of ODOP Mall will encourage the business of silk products, Meenakari and wooden toys. Saree traders of Chowk area of Varanasi will get the most benefit of the mall.

63rd Session of IHRC held at Uttar Pradesh State Archives

Why In News?

• The 63^rd session of the Indian Historical Records Committee (IHRC) was held at Uttar Pradesh State Archives, Lucknow on December 18-19, 2022.

Key Points

• The 63^rd session of IHRC was inaugurated on December 18 by Daya Shankar Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Transport, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• An exhibition titled 'Saga of Independence: Known and Little Known Struggles' based on original archival sources from the collection of National Archives of India was also inaugurated during the session.
• The two-day session included inaugural and professional sessions on the first day and academic sessions on the next day. Scholars in Indian history in 1600 AD. A total of 24 research papers based on the original sources of the latter were presented on various aspects of history.
• The Indian Historical Records Committee (IHRC) is an all-India forum of creators, custodians and users of records which was established in 1919 to advise the Government of India on all issues relating to the management of records and their use for historical research.
• The National Archives of India, New Delhi, is the secretariat of the Indian Historical Records Committee (renamed as the Indian Historical Records Committee in 1911).
• The IHRC is chaired by the Union Culture Minister and consists of 134 members including representatives of Government of India agencies, Government of India nominees, archives of State/Union Territories, universities and scholarly institutions. The IHRC has so far conducted 62 sessions.
• The Committee has two subsidiary bodies, (I) the Editorial Committee to examine and approve the papers based on archival sources for submission in the sessions of the Committees and (ii) the Standing Committee to review the action taken by the Committee on its recommendations and express its views on the agenda of the Committee's meeting in this regard. The Secretary of the Ministry of Culture serves as the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the IHRC.

Memorial of Benipuri will be Built on the Banks of Bagmati Dam

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, Dr. Mahant Rajiv Ranjan Das said that the government has approved the proposal to build a memorial of Ram Vriksh Benipuri on the land allotted by the Bihar government on the banks of Bagmati dam.

Key Points

• Dr. Mahant Rajiv Ranjan Das said that Rs 4.13 crore will be spent on the construction of Ram Vriksh Benipuri memorial to be built on the banks of Bagmati dam. There are 1.4 acres and 14 decimals of land allotted outside the Bagmati dam. His life-size statue will be installed in the memorial complex.
• He said that along with this memorial, construction of boundary wall, park, reading room and library and main gate is also proposed.
• It is known that Bihar Legislative Council Chairman Devesh Chandra Thakur was constantly making efforts for this memorial. With his efforts, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has approved the construction of the memorial.
• Ram Vriksh Benipuri was the father of the Muzaffarpur socialist movement, freedom fighter and eminent writer.
• It is noteworthy that the Bagmati River originates from Nepal in the Mahabharata ranges of the Himalayas. This river travels about 195 kilometers in Nepal and enters Sitamarhi district of Bihar in India. The total length of this river in Bihar is 394 kilometers. The total catchment area of this river in Nepal is 7884 square kilometers.

6th Elite Women's Boxing Championship 2022

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia inaugurated the 6^th Elite Women's Boxing Championship 2022 among 310 women boxers at the Martial Arts Building of TT Nagar Stadium, Bhopal.

Key Points

• A total of 27 qualifying bouts in different weight categories were held on the first day of the championship. On the first day, Anjali Sharma of Madhya Pradesh Boxing Academy won 45-48 kg. Qualified in the preliminary round by defeating Jyothi Gorli of Andhra Pradesh 5-0 in the minimum weight category. Academy's Manju Bamboria won 63-66 kg. Qualified his bout in the weight category.
• Telangana's international boxer Nikhat Zareen in 48-50 kg. Cleared the qualifying round by defeating Tamil Nadu's L.K Abinaya in the flyweight category. Nikhat won the bout via RSC (Referee Stop Contacts).
• The 6^th Elite Women's Boxing Championships 2022 will feature Asian boxing gold Medalist Lovlina Borgohain, world junior gold Medalist Nikhat Zareen and Arjuna awardees Nia Lather and Simranjit Kaur.
• In this championship, 12 boxers of Madhya Pradesh State Boxing Academy will showcase their power in different weight categories.

Madhya Pradesh is the First State in the Country to Computerize PACS

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, Madhya Pradesh's Principal Secretary Cooperative K.C Gupta told in the Legislative Assembly the meeting of the Consultative Committee of the Cooperative Department that Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to computerize PACS (Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society).

Key Points

• Principal Secretary Cooperative informed that 16 thousand 452 fair price shops are being operated through PACS. Ration is being distributed on time from shops to about 5 crore beneficiaries of 119 lakh families.
• 8 new services have been included in the Public Service Guarantee Act by the department. The system of online registration of cooperative societies has been started on the ICMIS portal.
• About 18 lakh farmers of Kharif season and 14 lakh farmers of Rabi season have been benefitted with crop loan of Rs 16 thousand 860 crore in the zero percent interest scheme by the department in the year 2021-22.
• In the year 2022-23, 19 lakh farmers of Kharif season and 7 lakh farmers of Rabi season have been benefited so far. So far, crop loans worth Rs 14 thousand 699 crores have been disbursed. 39 lakh 57 Kisan Credit Cards have been issued to the eligible beneficiaries of cooperative banks of PM Kisan Yojana.

'Artificial Intelligence' in School Education

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Minister of State for School Education (Independent Charge) Inder Singh Parmar inaugurated 'Artificial Intelligence' subject in EFA (Education for All) schools run by Madhya Pradesh State Open School Education Board for Class 8^th and Class 9^th. Madhya Pradesh is the first state in the country to teach 'Artificial Intelligence' in school education.

Key Points

• Minister Inder Singh Parmar said that the subject of 'Artificial Intelligence' has been started in a total of 53 schools in the state run by the Madhya Pradesh State Open School Education Board. It has been started for the students of class 8th and 9that present.
• Internet-enabled laboratories of 40 modern computers have also been set up in these schools by the State Open School Education Board.
• In order to provide quality education in Madhya Pradesh, the Education Department is emphasizing on the inclusion and application of modern technical subjects.
• Minister Inder Singh Parmar said that Madhya Pradesh is the first state where education is being imparted through a total of 240 hours of 'Artificial Intelligence' classes in classes VIII and IX in EFA (Education for All) schools. With the availability of well-equipped computer labs, students are getting easy in studying this subject.
• With the latest technology like 'Artificial Intelligence', students are being taught to use it creatively and use it towards human welfare to make India stand out in front of the world, in which this course will prove to be very useful.

Important Decisions of Madhya Pradesh Council of Ministers

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, in the meeting of the Council of Ministers held at Mantralaya under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, many other important decisions were taken along with giving approval for electricity connection in all 31 thousand 425 Anganwadi buildings of the state.

Key Points

• In the meeting of the Council of Ministers, from the financial year 2022-23 to the financial year 2024-25, approval was given to connect electricity in 31 thousand 425 buildings constructed, under construction and future construction in all Anganwadi centers of the state.
• From the current financial year to the financial year 2024-25, there will be three phases of power connection work. In the first year, 14 thousand 214, in the second year 10 thousand 907 and in the third year 6 thousand 304 Anganwadi buildings will be connected.
• This work will be done with 100 percent state head. For its implementation, a budget of Rs 79.07 crore has been approved from the year 2022-23 to the year 2024-25.
• The Madhya Pradesh Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was ratified by the Council of Ministers and the Cooperation Department was authorized to introduce the Bill in the Assembly.
• The Cabinet also approved the provision of setting up a committee of five persons to assist the administrator in the central society for the smooth functioning of primary agricultural credit cooperative societies.
• The Cabinet approved the Madhya Pradesh Drinking Water Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and authorized the Public Health Engineering Department to introduce and pass the Bill in the Assembly.
• The Cabinet decided to issue a notification amending Rule-15 of the Madhya Pradesh Higher Judicial Services (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2017, in pursuance of the recommendation of the High Court. In the 'oath of affirmation', the word district judge was substituted in place of a member of the service.

HAFED will Set Up Oil Mill in Rewari

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, Haryana's Cooperative Minister Dr. Banwari Lal, after presiding over a review meeting of Cooperative Department officials in Chandigarh, informed that a new oil-mill would be set up by HAFED at Rampura in Rewari district.

Key Points

• With the establishment of this mill, where there will be benefit in meeting the increasing demand of mustard oil in the market, the consumption of mustard produced by the farmers of the state will also be correct. The crushing capacity of this mill will be 150 TPD initially, but it can be increased to 300 TPD later.
• With the establishment of this mill, employment opportunities will be available to about 500 people, while it will benefit about 50 thousand farmers of South Haryana.
• Dr. Banwari Lal, after taking detailed information about the turmeric plant in the state and the work of making oil, powder and other spices and cold stores in it, gave instructions to complete the work within the prescribed period.
• Apart from this, he said that Vita-Cafe will be opened in Gurugram, so that people can get quality products made from Vita milk and milk. There are about a dozen HAFED sales outlets in Gurugram at present, now dairy development federation and HAFED booths or showrooms will be opened there.
• Hafed is Haryana's largest and top cooperative union. It came into existence only with the formation of Haryana as a separate state on November 1, 1966.

'Fard' of Land in the State will be Prepared with the Help of Software

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, Haryana's Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala told in a program organized in Mithi Surera village of Sirsa district of the state that a new software has been taken to prepare the 'Fard' of the land in the state. Due to this, now the farmers will not have to go round the Patwari offices to get the Fard of their land.

Key Points

• Dushyant Chautala told that the Fard i.e. Jamabandi which will be taken out through this software, QR code will be marked on it. This Fard will be considered as a verified document only because of the QR code being marked.
• He said that the Haryana government has purchased this software from the Central Government and with the help of this software, farmers will also be able to take loans and there will be no need to sign patwari.
• Apart from this, the Deputy Chief Minister also announced that now people will not have to visit government offices to get BPL cards, but from January 1, BPL cards will be automatically made on the basis of verifying income of families earning less than Rs 1 lakh 80 thousand annually.
• He said that the government has not only curbed corruption with the help of technology, but has also created such a system that now people are getting the benefits of government schemes sitting at home and now people do not have to visit offices.

Supplementary Budget of Rs 8533.89 Crore Presented in Jharkhand Assembly

Why In News?

• Recently, in the winter session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, Finance Minister Dr. Rameshwar Oraon presented the second supplementary budget of Rs. 8533.89 crore for the current financial year.

Key Points

• In the second supplementary budget for the current financial year, a provision of Rs 4671.14 crore has been made for revenue expenditure and Rs 3862.74 crore for capital expenditure.
• A provision of Rs 20.71 crore has been made as charged expenditure in the total amount of supplementary budget. In the form of charged expenditure, a provision of funds is made for the High Court, Governor, JPSC.
• The government has earmarked the highest amount (Rs 2733.15 crore) for the Department of Energy in the second supplement. This provision has been made for schemes related to improvement of electricity situation including rural electrification scheme.
• A provision of Rs 2000 crore has been made for disaster management and Rs 1158.85 crore for social security in the Social Welfare Department.

Exemplary Leadership Award 2022

Why In News?

• Recently, A.S. Gangwar, Principal of Delhi Public School (DPS) Bokaro, was honored with the 'Exemplary Leader of the Year 2022 Award' for digitization, innovation and development of leadership skills among teachers in the field of education in the school.

Key Points

• Renowned Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel, who was present as the chief guest at the Asia Pacific Education Summit and Awards 2022 held in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, presented the award to Gangwar.
• Gangwar was also awarded an honorary doctorate during the academic summit organized by the Global Human Rights Council, CED (Centre for Educational Development Foundation), Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Asia-Africa Development Council at The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam in Bangkok.
• This international honor was given for his remarkable contribution in the field of education for more than three decades.
• Gangwar was the only principal from Jharkhand to achieve this international feat. So far, about 50 teachers from DPS Bokaro have emerged as leaders as principals.
• In addition to the provision of e-library, language lab, computer lab, smart board in every class and other high-tech resources based on digitization, as well as virtual reality lab, commerce lab in innovation, innovative efforts are also being made to develop the spirit of community service among children.
• His achievements were announced at a special assembly on December 20 when the principal returned to Bokaro from Thailand.
• Gangwar was recently awarded the 'Excellence in Education Award 2022' at the international level in Mauritius. Prior to this, in Sri Lanka, he also received the International Education Excellence Award from DPS Bokaro.

Open Air Museum at Sonakhan and Balodabazar-Bhatapara Tourism Circuit

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel inaugurated the grand Open Air Museum and Balodabazar-Bhatapara Tourism Circuit built at Sonakhan in District Balodabazar-Bhatapara.

Key Points

• A grand open air museum has been constructed at Sonakhan by the district administration Balodabazar-Bhatapara to develop the birth and workplace of Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh according to his pride.
• This museum built in Sonakhan will be the first of its kind in the state, where the biography of Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh is being displayed through audio-visual setup and a special metal curtain steel.
• A special kind of curtain steel has been used to showcase the glorious story of Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, who opened a front against the British rule in the freedom struggle of 1857. Corten steel is a type of metal that already has a layer of rust attached to it. The special thing is that this metal does not harm nature. Amidst the greenery of Kurupath mountain, its panoramic beauty is seen.
• The biography of Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh is engraved on the tall and beautiful panels made of Corten Steel, whose magnificence can be seen in the day as well as in the night. Amazing setup of lights make it special and different.
• There is an audio setup on all the panels, through which the story of Martyr Veer Narayan Singh's birth to revolution and sacrifice can be heard. This audio is available in Hindi, English and Chhattisgarhi languages. People coming here can decide the language of the audio according to their choice.
• Corten steel has been used in the country to make art works in various great projects. It has been used in Kashi Vishwanath corridor, Bihar museum and prestigious projects of many countries.
• There will also be parking and canteen arrangements in the museum. Canteen arrangements will be run by self-help groups. Along with this, entry to the museum will be free for the people coming here. This innovation will boost tourism and also provide employment to the people.
• The Balodabazar-Bhatapara tourism circuit includes Giraudpuri, the birth and workplace of Baba Guru Ghasidas, Sonakhan, the birth and workplace of Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh, Damakheda, the famous shrine of Kabir Panthis, Turturiya, Siddkhol Falls, Balar Dam, Siddheshwar Temple Palari and Shiva Temple of Narayanpur. Various facilities will be made available to the tourists visiting this tourism circuit.

Now the Menu of Hotels will Include Dishes Made of Millets

Why In News?

• According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on December 20, 2022, millets-based dishes will be included in the menu of hotels in Chhattisgarh, including the capital Raipur. In this regard, a meeting was held between joint director agriculture and 64 hotel operators of capital Raipur.

Key Points

• Significantly, the year 2023 has been declared as the International Millet Year-2023 by the United Nations, due to which the product of millets is being included in the daily diet of the common man and promoted to promote consumption.
• In this context, the Agriculture Department held a meeting with the operators and representatives of hotels, restaurants, marts in Raipur area and requested to include millet products in the menu of the establishment along with the promotion of millet products. This will make millets-based dishes easily available to customers.
• Due to the benefits of nutrients found in millets, it was discussed to increase the consumption of millets in the daily diet. This will also boost the growth and production of millets crop area. Hotels, restaurant operators assured to include millets-based dishes and products in their establishment's menu.
• Due to the abundance of nutrients in millets, it is also called Nutricereals. It contains good amounts of protein, fiber, thiamine, riboflavin, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, etc. Millets contain free glucose for a very short period of time, which is a suitable diet for people suffering from diabetes.
• Ragi, which is included in the millet crop, contains high amounts of protein and calcium, which are helpful in strengthening bones and removing malnutrition. Ragi fiber protects the body from stomach disorders, high blood pressure and intestinal cancer.
• Similarly, Kutki contains 37-38 percent fiber, which is a useful food ingredient for baby foods, snacks and other processed products. At the same time, protein is found in 11 and fiber up to 14 percent in Kodo, which is a good diet for people suffering from heart disorders, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• It is noteworthy that 'Millet Mission' has been implemented by the Chhattisgarh government with the aim of increasing the crop area and production of millet crop as well as to provide the product easily to the common man by procuring, processing and adding value to the crop. In Chhattisgarh, Kodo, Kutki, Ragi and Jowar and Bajra are mainly produced among the Millet Crops.
• If we look at the statistics, 52,728 quintals of Kodo, Kutki and ragi produced in the state were procured in the year 2021 through Chhattisgarh State Small Forest Produce Association. At the same time, the target is to procure 13 thousand tonnes of millets in the year 2022-23.
• Ragi kheer, Laddoos, Malt, Cake, Vermicelli, Idli, Halwa, Pulav, Kutki kheer, Kutki Tea, Jam, Kodo kheer, Jowar Chocolate, Brownie etc. are made from millets. Kodo and Kutki are used as Staple Food.

Separate Directorate of Archaeological Archives and Museum and Culture and Official Language

Why In News?

• According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on December 20, 2022, the state government has declared the Department of Culture and Archeology under the Culture Department as a separate directorate. An order to this effect has been issued by the Department of Culture at The Mahanadi Bhawan.

Key Points

• According to the order issued by the Department of Culture, now the Directorate of Culture and Archeology Department will be known as Archaeological Archives and Museums and Directorate of Culture and Official Language.
• The name and address of the office have been changed from the administrative point of view for the orderly performance of the newly constituted heads of department offices. According to this, the address of the Office of directorate archeological archives and museum is Mahant Ghasidas Memorial Museum Civil Line Raipur.
• At the same time, the address of the office of directorate of culture and official language is Chhattisgarh Housing Board Commercial Complex 2nd Floor Sector-27 Nava Raipur Atal Nagar.

Uttarakhand State Parking (Site Selection, Construction and Operation etc.) Rules, 2022

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, the Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the Uttarakhand State Parking (Site Selection, Construction and Operation etc.) Rules, 2022 to overcome the problem of parking in the state.

Key Points

• Under the Uttarakhand State Parking (Site Selection, Construction and Operation etc.) Rules, 2022, open parking will now be made on agricultural land in the state. For this, there will be no need to change the land use nor any other government hurdles.
• Under this policy, parking will be constructed in four categories. Parking will be built on government land from the government level. Any person will be able to build parking on private lands. Private developers will also be able to build parking on government land, while on private lands, the government will be able to build parking.
• Those who build parking lots in the state will get electricity rebate at the rate of one rupee per unit for five years. The government will not charge them sub-divisional charge or development charge. Local youth will also be able to construct parking by taking a loan under The Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Tourism Self Employment Scheme.
• If a hotel, restaurant, hospital or college builds its own parking elsewhere, then it will have to follow the rules and keep a part of that parking for public parking, so that people coming from outside can park vehicles here.
• A committee will be formed under the chairmanship of the Vice Chairman of the concerned Development Authority for the selection of parking lots in all the cities in the state and the tariff charged there. This committee will include the Superintendent of Police or his nominated member, representative of the Town Planning Department, Additional District Magistrate Administration, Chief Municipal Officer or Executive Officer from the local body, Traffic Inspector, Fire Officer.
• It is noteworthy that due to lack of adequate parking in the tourist season in the state, there are long jams at tourist places like Mussoorie and Nainital. People either return or somehow move forward after struggling with the jam for hours. After the parking policy comes, there will be so much parking that people will not have trouble parking their vehicles.
• It is known that the number of vehicles is increasing at the rate of about 300 percent in the state. At the time of formation of the state, there were three lakh 63 thousand 916 vehicles, which has now increased to about 28 lakh 80 thousand 520. The number of private vehicles is more than 26 lakh.

Many Important Decisions Taken by Uttarakhand Cabinet Including Approval of New Hydro Power Policy

Why In News?

• In the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on December 20, 2022 at the Uttarakhand Secretariat, 20 proposals including the new hydro power policy were approved.

Key Points

• With the approval of the new hydro power policy in the cabinet meeting, it has become easier to exploit the potential of about 20 thousand MW of electricity generation from the rivers, drains and skins of the state. The policy has been formulated in line with the Hydroelectric Policy 2022 of Himachal Pradesh.
• With this policy, new investors in the state will have to pay only one lakh rupees development fee instead of Rs 25 lakh, while old stalled schemes can be transferred to other companies. Construction work will be done only with the materials released during the excavation of the project, stone crushers will also be installed.
• The duration of the project will be considered by its operation. All projects up to 25 MW will have to be mandatorily power purchase agreement (PPP) by UPCL.
• Some other important decisions taken by the state cabinet are:
  • Cabinet approves Uttarakhand Logistics Policy 2022 for carrying out industrial products. This will strengthen new and existing logistics infrastructure such as warehouses, inland container depots (ICDs), cold storages, industrial estates, rail-road connectivity to clusters. Economic relations between mountain-plains will be strengthened. The road to building a warehouse will be easy.
  • Prisoners will now be able to get 15 days parole from the dm level for the illness, death and marriage of the son and daughter. Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner had this right. For this, the cabinet approved the Uttarakhand (Suspension of Sentence of Detainees, Amendment) Rules.
  • Free textbooks will be provided to all class students of 9^th to 12^th class in government and non-government colleges of the state in the coming financial year 2023-24. Its plan has been approved by the cabinet. This will benefit about one lakh students.
  • It has also been decided to give 25 percent discount on stamp duty charge of Rs 25 lakh to disabled persons on the lines of women on the purchase of immovable property, plots and houses etc. This discount will be available only twice in a lifetime.
  • University of Engineering and Technology Roorkee to be renamed as core university.
  • 20 State Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will be upgraded as per the need and interest of industries.
  • Under the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment for the States, the Transport Department will be able to get financial assistance on some improvements. Under this, the exemption on motor vehicle tax was increased from 50 to 75 percent for city buses and 75 percent for buses operated in mountainous areas of the transport corporation.
  • On the lines of Uttar Pradesh, the Uttarakhand government has also done away with the condition of land use change in rail land development. Local bodies and authorities will work in coordination in rail development plans.
  • Only L&T tender has come in e-tender for works worth Rs 3358.75 crore under Lakhwad Multipurpose Project, permission to open it.
  • Approval of Uttarakhand Industrial Relations Rules 2022 under Industrial Relations Code 2020. In this, provisions have been made mainly in relation to simplification of business and giving favourable environment to industries, as well as giving employee benefits in a time-bound manner.
  • Approval of Uttarakhand Revenue Council Section Officer, Assistant Revenue Commissioner (Administrative) and Deputy Revenue Commissioner (Administrative) Service Rules 2022.
  • On the lines of Badrinath and Kedarnath Dham, master plans will also be made for Jageshwar Dham in Almora and Mahasu Devta in Dehradun.
  • Cabinet approves prorogation of Uttarakhand assembly session.

National Water Sports Competition First Time in Tehri Lake

Why In News?

• On December 20, 2022, R.K. Vishnoi, President and Director of THDC India Limited, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand informed that under the technical supervision of the Government of India and the Indian Olympic Association, Uttarakhand Olympic Association and ITBP, the Tehri Lake in the state from December 28 to 30 National Level Canoeing and Kayaking Competition will be organized.

Key Points

• R.K. Vishnoi informed that for the first time in this national level water sports competition, Asian Championship and Olympic Qualifying fourth ranking and Canoe (Dongi) Sprint Senior Men and Women Championship will have all the matches.
• In this three-day competition, 300 players from 17 states of the country, including 200 male and 100 female players, have registered.
• It is noteworthy that after about eight years, the canoeing and kayaking competition is being organized at an altitude of 840 meters above sea level.
• On the inspiration of Government of India, THDC India Limited is going to organize Tehri Water Sports Cup to promote Canoeing and Kayaking.
• Vishnoi said that holding of national level water sports competition in Uttarakhand will increase the interest of tourists and sportspersons. Tehri Lake has immense possibilities of water sports.
• If water sports activities will increase in Tehri Lake and rivers, then surely the youth will get employment. THDCIL is also working on a plan to train youth for water sports players and related jobs after the competition.
• AN Tripathi, Additional General Manager, Corporate Communications Department, THDCIL, said that earlier a canoeing and kayaking competition was organized at the same height in Kashmir. In Himachal too such competitions are held in high altitude areas.