Chhattisgarh

• 21 Dec 2022

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.