State PCS

• 22 Feb 2024

PM SHRI Scheme Launched in Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

Recently, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, launched the PM SHRI (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) scheme at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay auditorium in Raipur.

Key Points

• In the first phase of the PM SHRI scheme, 211 schools (193 elementary level and 18 secondary ones) will be upgraded in Chhattisgarh on a ‘hub and spoke’ model by spending Rs 2 crore on each.
• Under the model, the mentor institution, called the ‘hub’ will be centralized and have the responsibility of guiding the mentee institution through the secondary branches the ‘spoke’ via services provided to the mentee for self-improvement.
• According to the CM, the Centre plan’s under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, that from 2025-26 academic session, students will get an opportunity to appear for 10^th and 12^th class board exams twice.
  • According to the New Curriculum Framework (NCF) announced by the Ministry of Education in August 2023, board examinations will be held at least twice a year to ensure that students have enough time and opportunity to perform well. They will also get the option to retain the best score.

PM SHRI

• It is a centrally sponsored scheme for upgradation and development of more than 14500 Schools across the country.
• It aims at strengthening the selected existing schools from amongst schools managed by Central Government/ State/ UT Government/ local bodies.
• The aim of these schools will not only be qualitative teaching, learning and cognitive development, but also creating holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with key 21^st century skills.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• The NEP 2020 aims at making “India a global knowledge superpower”. It is only the 3^rd major revamp of the framework of education in India since independence.
  • The two earlier education policies were brought in 1968 and 1986.
• Salient Features:
  • Ensuring Universal Access at All Levels of schooling from pre-primary school to Grade 12.
  • Ensuring quality early childhood care and education for all children between 3-6 years.
  • New Curricular and Pedagogical Structure (5+3+3+4) corresponds to the age groups of 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively.
  • It covers four stages of schooling: Foundational Stage (5 years), Preparatory Stage (3 years), Middle Stage (3 years), and Secondary Stage (4 years).
  • No hard separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extracurricular activities, between vocational and academic streams;
  • Emphasis on promoting multilingualism and Indian languages
  • Setting up of a new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development).
  • A separate Gender Inclusion fund and Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups.

Khajuraho Dance Festival Completes 50 Years

Why in News?

Recently, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister inaugurated the golden jubilee (50^th edition) event of Khajuraho Dance Festival.

• On this occasion 1484 artists set a new world record for largest Kathak dance performance with the most number of performers.

Key Points

• The record setting (world record) performance of ‘Kathak Kumbh’ at the famous world heritage site is the 3^rd successive one after the Ujjain and Gwalior events, also recorded and recognised by the Guinness World Record.
  • In Ujjain 11 lakh 71 thousand and 78 diyas were lit.
  • While in Gwalior's Tansen Samaroh, a total number of 1600 tabla artists played in tandem during the Taal Darbar in Gwalior Fort.
• The CM announced the setting up of the country's first Gurukul for training tribal and folk arts in Khajuraho
• The Khajuraho Dance Festival (KDF) is being organized by the Cultural and Tourism Department under the guidance of Principal Secretary Sheo Shekhar Shukla.
• KDF has chosen to dedicate the event to Lord Natraj Mahadev, often referred to as the 'God of Dance'. This particular Shiva avatar represents how dance is a sacred medium of direct contact with God.
  • In the choreography of famous dance guru Rajendra Gangani, the artists from different cities of the state presented a mesmerizing performance in Raag Basant.
• All facilities will be made for aspirants training in traditional arts of tribal and rural communities with courses on teaching specialised crafts, leadership, singing, music, painting, regional literature with the help of senior experts and 'gurus' at the Gurukul.

Khajuraho Dance Festival

• It was started in 1975 and since then it has been successfully organised by Ustad Alauddin Khan Music and Arts Academy under the Department of Culture, Government of Madhya Pradesh. Since then, this dance ceremony has been held in the courtyard of well-known temples of Khajuraho.
• So far, young and senior artists of all the major classical dance styles of India like Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Kathak, Mohiniyattem, Kuchipudi, Kathakali, Yakshagana, Manipuri etc. have spread their aura in the Khajuraho Dance Festival.
• Through the festival, efforts have been made to innovate while maintaining the dignity of classical dance.

jharkhand-rural-bus-scheme

Why in News?

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai launched the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led coalition government’s ambitious ‘Mukhya Mantri Gram Gadi Yojana’ (MMGGY), a rural transport scheme, to facilitate bus services in far flung areas.

Key Points

• The primary objective of the scheme is to establish connectivity between blocks, subdivisions, and district headquarters to ensure that residents of remote villages have access to a convenient transportation system.
• Around 15,000 km roads are being constructed in rural areas. Senior citizens, school and college students, physically challenged, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive, widows and Jharkhand movement activists will get the facility of free travel in buses.
  • Under the first phase of the scheme, the government has decided to operate 250 vehicles. The permit, registration and fitness fees have also been reduced to Rs 1 to attract operators.
• According to the CM, more than 24,000 beneficiaries from Ranchi, Gumla and Lohardaga were given approval letters for the Abua Awas scheme.
  • An amount of Rs 72.35 crore was transferred as first installment to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.
    • After three months, nine lakh houses will be allotted under the scheme.

Mukhya Mantri Gramin Gaadi Yojana

• It is a scheme launched by the Jharkhand government in 2023 with the objective of providing easy transport facilities to people in rural areas.
• The scheme will operate vehicles in those areas where people have to walk for several kilometers to reach the main road or the nearest town.
• It will benefit farmers, laborers, students, patients, and other rural citizens who face difficulties in commuting due to a lack of transport options.

Abua Awas Yojana (AAY)

• Under this scheme, the state government will provide housing to the needy people from its own fund by spending more than Rs 15,000 crore in the next two years.
• Three room houses will be provided to the poor, deprived, labourers, farmers, tribals, backward and Dalits.   

Agra’s Jama Masjid Metro Station Renamed

Why in News?

The Uttar Pradesh metro has renamed the Jama Masjid station in Agra to Mankameshwar Mandir.

Key Points

• The metro service on the priority corridor is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi between 25 and 28 February.
• The Jama Masjid station was the third and final underground metro station on the priority corridor of six stations from the Taj Mahal to the Jama Masjid.
• According to the Mythological stories, Mankameshwar Mandir had been established by Lord Shiva himself in the Dwapar Yug when he had come to Mathura for the darshan of Lord Krishna’s child form. Shiva had stayed at this site on the way to Mathura from Kailash and vowed to establish a Shivalinga if he was able to hold Krishna in his arms.

Viksit Bharat-Viksit Haryana

Why in News?

Recently, a three-day multimedia exhibition titled 'Viksit Bharat-Viksit Haryana' was organised in Majra Bhalkhi village of Rewari district, Haryana.

Key Points

• The exhibition, organised under the aegis of the Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture Department of Haryana, aimed to familiarize the general public with the developmental initiatives and schemes of both the Central and State Governments.
• The exhibition showcased two models each of the upcoming 22nd All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to be built in Majra-Bhalkhi village and the Gurugram Metro.
  • Attendees were educated about various public welfare schemes implemented by institutions like AIIMS, Gurugram Metro, Indian Railways, as well as by the Government of India and Haryana Government.
• The event effectively raised awareness among youth, women, and school students. It served as an accessible platform for explaining the public welfare schemes of both the Central and State Governments in a comprehensible manner.

37th Surajkund International Crafts Fair

Why in News?

At the 37^th Surajkund International Crafts Fair, the 182-meter-tall replica of the Statue of Unity, situated on Sadhu Bet Island in Gujarat, remained the center of attraction for the tourists.

Key Points

• The Statue of Unity, crafted by sculptor Ram V Sutar and unveiled to the public in 2018, serves as a prominent tourist destination.
  • Through this grand sculpture, the pivotal role of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in political integration is vividly portrayed.
• Tourists were also drawn to the stalls of Dhordo, acclaimed as the premier tourist village of Gujarat.
  • During the fair, visitors eagerly captured moments with the renowned Garba dance showcased at the village's stall, highlighting Gujarat's vibrant culture.
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s recognition of Garba as a vital cultural symbol underscores its importance in Gujarat's heritage. This esteemed honor further emphasizes Garba's role in fostering social inclusion and unity, particularly during the nine-day Navratri festival.

Gujarat’s Dhordo - Best Tourism Village

• Dhordo has been conferred the prestigious title of Best Tourism Village by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Dhordo received this title at the Best Tourism Village - 2023 award ceremony organized by the UNWTO at Samarkand in Uzbekistan.
• The village has become a popular tourist destination due to its rich cultural heritage, handicrafts, and the famous Rann Utsav.
• The UNWTO awards the title of "Best Tourism Village" to villages that meet certain criteria.
  • The criteria include promoting sustainable tourism, preserving local culture and heritage, providing a safe and welcoming environment for tourists, and offering unique experiences to visitors.
  • Additionally, the village must have a well-developed tourism infrastructure and must be able to demonstrate its commitment to responsible tourism practices.

The Statue of Unity

• It is the tallest statue in the world. At 182 meters, it is 23 meters taller than China's Spring Temple Buddha statue and almost double the height of the Statue of Liberty (93 meters tall) in the US.
• In January 2020, it was added to the ‘Eight Wonders’ of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).