• 22 Aug 2022

Mithila's Makhana gets GI Tag

Why In News?

• On August 20, 2022, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal informed that the central government has provided GI (geographical indication) tag to Makhana of Mithila in Bihar, famous all over the world.

Key Points

• So far, 5 agricultural products of the state, including Makhana in Mithila, have got the GI tag. Earlier, in the year 2016, Jardalu mango and katarni paddy of Bhagalpur, Magahi paan of Nawada and Shahi litchi of Muzaffarpur have been given GI tag.
• It is noteworthy that Mithila makhanas are famous all over the world. The taste of these makhanas and the process of growing them naturally makes them special. More than 90% of the makhanas found in different regions of the country come from Mithila.
• With the GI tag, now about five lakh farmers and makhana growers of Mithila region will get better prices for their produce.
• Significantly, the GI tag is mainly given to a natural or manufactured product (handicrafts and industrial goods), originating from a certain geographical area. Usually such a name assures quality and uniqueness, which is due to its place of origin.
• The benefits of GI registration include legal protection of that item, prevention against unauthorized use by others, and promotion of exports.
• It is known that makhana is basically a crop grown in water. It contains 9.7 grams of protein and 14.4 grams of fiber. It is also a good source of calcium. People use it to make sweets, namkeen and kheer. Apart from this, soaked in milk and fed to young children.

State's First Motor Market Inaugurated

Why In News?

• On August 21, 2022, Rajasthan's Autonomous Government Minister Shanti Dhariwal inaugurated the state's first well-organized motor market in Kota and gave a big gift to motor businessmen.

Key Points

• Apart from providing facilities to the citizens doing motor business in different places in the city, this motor market will also get rid of the problem of traffic jam in the city.
• The Autonomous Government Minister said that this is the first well-organized motor market of the state, in which the citizens doing motor business will get all the facilities at one place. Here those who buy old vehicles at one place will also get many options.
• He said that all the facilities have been constructed here by the Urban Development, the ownership of the shop has been provided by taking only the cost of shop construction from the businessmen doing motor business.
• The Minister said that Devnarayan Integrated Housing Scheme has been made for the convenience of cattle rearers in the city, in which all facilities have been included for cattle rearers. This has relieved the cattle rearers from the problems faced in daily life, while also getting rid of unauthorized cattle enclosures in the city.
• The state's first motor market, prepared by the City Development Trust, has been developed near Shivaji Park on DCM Road. At present, 247 shops are manufactured and 9 shops will be constructed. In this, construction of CC road for businessmen, modern toilets, road lights, electrification of all shops have been done. About 15 bighas of area is reserved for this.

Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitra Samvad App and Incubation Center in Kota, Bikaner and Churu

Why In News?

• On August 20, 2022, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated world class incubation centres in Kota, Bikaner and Churu at the closing ceremony of Rajasthan Digifest held at Birla Auditorium.

Key Points

• After Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur, centres have been set up in these three districts to provide better facilities to startups. These centers will also get guidance from experts in the IT sector.
• On this occasion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also gave away prizes to the e-governance award winners of the last three years. He also distributed an incentive of Rs 41.15 lakh to 74 students under school startup program and rural iStart program.
• He also launched three websites 'WebMyway', 'Sotto' and 'Rajsambal' and Rajiv Gandhi Yuva Mitra Samvad App, which proved useful to the common man.
• The Chief Minister said that during the Corona period, Rajasthan was at the forefront of corona management in the entire country due to the use of information technology. During this time more than 500 video conferences were held, in which members up to the gram panchayat level joined.
• IT also played an important role in the management of medicines and medical equipment, the survey of the working class who lost employment during the lockdown, the hawkers. During this period, the financial assistance amount was sent through DBT to the accounts of about 35 lakh people.
• Chief Minister Shri Gehlot said that under the Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship for Academic Excellence, 200 talented students are being sent for higher education in reputed educational institutions of the country and abroad at government expense.

Rajiv Gandhi Center of Advanced Technology

Why In News?

• On August 20, 2022, former Prime Minister Late. On the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the 'Rajiv Gandhi Centre of Advanced Technology' (R-CAT) in Jaipur.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that this will provide an opportunity to the youth of the state to learn advanced and emerging technologies in areas like Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Robotics, Machine Learning, Data Analytics.
• The youth will be trained by experts from big companies in these fields. World class IT In the finishing school, youth will get training in advanced technology. Tech graduates will get up to 6 months training in IT technology. This will provide excellent employment opportunities to the youth and they will be able to play an important role in the development of the state.
• The Chief Minister said that to strengthen the IT sector in Rajasthan, the construction of fintech university is going to start in Jodhpur at a cost of Rs 650 crore. Apart from this, institutes of IT education will soon be set up at divisional headquarters in the name of Rajiv Gandhi.
• In order to ensure availability of quality technical manpower as per the demand of the government and industry in the state, R-CAT has been awarded to the Department of Information Technology and Communication under the Rajasthan Societies Registration Act, 1958 in 2022 to conduct certificate courses on a partnership basis with leading it sector institutions by adopting a world-class certification program. established under the patronage of the Government of Rajasthan.
• Now this institute will be trained by partner institutes on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI-ML), Blockchain, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality (AR/PR), Big Data Analytics, Robotics and Tum Computing etc. and successful candidates will also be given world-class certificates.
• R-CAT will act as a finishing school for the development of youth and working professionals, technical and soft skills to tailor them to industry-driven demand and support start-ups for industry update support, use of already established laboratories etc.
• Advanced and emerging IT-based technologies of one week to six months duration for professional graduates like BE, BTech, BCA, MCA MBA and MSc (IT) in collaboration with global tech giants like Oracle VMware SAS RedHat Sisco and Cadotafina, such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI-ML) Blockchain, Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (Azar/Azar) Training programmes on VR, Big Data Analytics Robotics and Quantum Computing etc. will be conducted.

Rajasthan Digifest-2022

Why In News?

• Rajasthan Digifest-2022 was organized by the state government on August 19-20, 2022 to promote youth in the field of technology and entrepreneurship. In this two-day Digifest-2022, the youth participated actively with their startups.

Key Points

• The multi-faceted event saw young startups, investors, corporates, and academicians coming together on one platform.
• In the two-day Digifest, 45 accredited iStart startups representing various universities and ATLs from across the state showcased their startup products and services. All these startups got the facility of their interaction in front of government officials for direct purchase of products and services.
• In the startup market, 30 startups from product-based urban and rural areas are being given the opportunity to showcase and sell their products.
• Digifest invited various industry, bodies and supporters of the startup ecosystem to participate in the discussion, which was attended by various stakeholders from the startup and youth ecosystem.
• Speakers invited from across the country at these conferences not only gave direct feedback to the government but also built relationships for startups and other key stakeholders in the ecosystem.
• More than 3000 students from more than 50 schools of Rajasthan participated in B-Quiz, Ad-MAD competition in Digifest. The objective of the event was to make young students of Rajasthan aware of the ecosystem.
• On this occasion, 51 students of division and district level were awarded under School Innovation Challenge under School Startup Program and 23 students under Rural iStart Program.
• It is worth mentioning that under the Rajasthan Startup Policy, 2015, funding has been evaluated and approved by the Evaluation Committee and The State Level Implementation Committee to 67 startups with a funding value of about Rs 441 crore.

GIFLIF Drive In Music Festival Receives WOW Award Asia 2022

Why In News?

• On August 21, 2022, Madhya Pradesh Tourism's GIFLIF Drive in Music Festival was awarded the Gold Award of the prestigious WOW Award Asia 2022.

Key Points

• The GIFLIF Drive in Music Festival was given the award in the Best Covid Safety Event of the Year category.
• The award has been presented at the 13th edition ceremony of WOW Awards Asia 2022 at Jio World Convention Centre Mumbai.
• Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board Shiv Shekhar Shukla said that this innovation of Madhya Pradesh Tourism has been appreciated internationally. This award will inspire us to innovate more for the audience and tourists.
• The Principal Secretary informed that this was India's first drive-in music festival in the time of COVID-19, in which all the norms of Covid-19 and social distancing were followed.
• It is organised by MP Tourism, Mansarovar Global University and White Walls Media. The festival was organized in collaboration with GIFLIF organization while keeping out of the box thinking.
• The comedy and music fest, The Great Indian Film and Literature Festival (GIFLIF) took place on March 26 and 27, 2022, at MPT DDX Drive-in-Cinema. Renowned artists and music bands of the country Bombay Bandook, Balli Maran, Char Hazari and Agni had given their performances at the festival.
• WOW Awards is Asia's largest business and recognition platform in the experimental marketing, MICE, live entertainment and wedding industry.

Halsa President Inaugurated ADR Center of Rewari

Why In News?

• On August 20, 2022, Justice Augustine George Masih, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman, Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA) duly inaugurated the new building of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) centre at Rewari district headquarters with the significance of 'Justice for all'.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Justice Augustine George Masih and Administrative Judge of Sessions Division Rewari, High Court, Justice Manoj Bajaj launched the special campaign 'Aging with Dignity' of Haryana State Legal Services Authority and released the rights poster of the elderly.
• Augustine George Masih, executive president of HALSA, said that through this center, the public will get a meaningful option to settle their cases. This is the 14th alternative dispute resolution centre building at the district level in Haryana. Haryana is the leading state in the country in terms of separate alternative dispute resolution centre.
• He praised the 'Aging with Dignity' campaign and said it is a commendable initiative in honour of senior citizens who have built the future of the country.
• Justice Manoj Bajaj said that the services provided through the ADR centre will provide accessible, affordable and speedy justice to the complainants, which will save both their money and time. Due to family disputes, people compromise after fighting the pending battle in court, ADR center proves to be effective for such people.
• He said that due to the publicity of legal services, now the trend of people towards Lok Adalats and ADR centers is increasing continuously, through which lakhs of pending cases of the state are being settled every year. Legal services have also proved to be very beneficial in providing justice to the poor sections of the society, women and the needy.

Approval of Formation of Sub-Committee to Suggest Reservation Percentage for ST, SC and Backward Classes

Why In News?

• On August 20 , 2022, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren gave his approval to the proposal to constitute a sub-committee to discuss and suggest the percentage of reservation for ST, SC, Extremely Backward Classes (SC-1) and Backward Classes (SC-2) in the state.

Key Points

• A Jharkhand government spokesperson said the present government is considering increasing the reservation limit in the state. A sub-committee will be formed for this.
• This high-level sub-committee will give its suggestion to the state government after considering every point regarding increasing the reservation limit for ST, SC and Backward Classes in Jharkhand.

Chhattisgarh got its First Skin Bank

Why In News?

• On August 20, 2022, Anirban Dasgupta, director in-charge of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), inaugurated Chhattisgarh's first 'Skin Bank' at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and Research Centre, the main hospital of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) located at Bhilai in Durg district.

Key Points

• With this, Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital and Research Centre will be the first institute for autopsy in the state.
• Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Medical Head of Skin Bank Dr. Anirudh Mene said that this skin bank is the first of its kind in Chhattisgarh. It is the fifth skin bank in the country after Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kochi.
• "The Centre has all the necessary equipment. Six employees of the burn department of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) were trained at the Skin Bank of the National Burn Centre, Mumbai.
• The centre has been started after the approval of a four-member inspection team of The State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO), Chhattisgarh. The registration number issued will be valid for five years.
• In addition to the burn unit, CMO Dr. Uday Kumar said that the skin bank will prove to be a boon for patients with severe burns through skin transplant and plastic surgery.
• Dr. Uday Kumar said that usually the upper layer of the skin of the patient's foot or back is removed and then 50 percent glycerol in the skin bank and stored in the incubator. This skin can be stored at 4 degrees centigrade for about 5 years. Also, the skin can be cut from the donor's body within a limited time even after his death.

GI Board for Products to be Set up in Uttarakhand

Why In News?

• On August 21, 2022, Vinay Kumar, managing director of Uttarakhand Organic Development Council, informed that a blueprint has been prepared for the formation of GI (Geographical Indications) Board to promote the identification and marketing of local products of the state.

Key Points

• Vinay Kumar said that its formation can be given a green signal in the upcoming cabinet board meeting. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had announced the formation of a GI board in the state. The Agriculture Department has prepared a proposal to form a board and sent it to the government.
• The proposed board will have several senior officials as members besides a chairman. The board's job will be to select local products and register GI. By getting the GI tag, fake products will be avoided in the market.
• The board will also have one or two special invitees and experts as members. Officers and employees of agriculture department and Uttarakhand Organic Products Council will work on the board. This will not put any additional expenditure burden on the Government from the constitution of the Board.
• The state government believes that there are more than 100 products in the state that can be given the GI tag. These include cereals, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruits, vegetables, handicrafts and handloom products, traditional instruments. Getting the GI tag will give these products legal protection.
• It is worth mentioning that so far nine products of the state have received gi tag. These include Tejpat, Basmati Rice, Aipan Art, Munsiyari's White Rajma, Ringal Craft, Thulma, Bhotia Dan, Chura Oil and Tamta.
• Apart from this, the process of GI registration of 14 other products is underway. These include Berinag Tea, Manduva, Jhangora, Gahat, Lal Rice, Kala Bhatt, Malta, Amaranth, Lakhori Chilli, Pahari Tur Dal, Buransh Juice, Sajavati Candle, Kumaoni Pichoda, Kandali (Scorpion Herb) fibers are included.
• It is known that geographical indication is given to the products of a particular region, which has a special geographical importance and place. Due to the same geographical origin, the product has special properties and identity. One cannot copy another product after getting the GI tag.

Critical Care Centers will Open in Seven Districts of Uttarakhand

Why In News?

• On August 21, 2022, Uttarakhand Health Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said that critical care centers will be set up in seven districts of the state. Detailed project reports of all the centres are being prepared. The budget will be given by the central government to set up these centers.

Key Points

• The health minister said that the construction of each centre is estimated to cost Rs 23.7 crore. For this, an amount of Rs 166 crore will be given by the Central Government from the National Health Mission (NHM).
• He said that the Centre has sanctioned funds for setting up seven critical care centres in Uttarakhand for the current financial year 2022-23 under NHM. These centers will be built in Champawat, Bageshwar, Nainital, Chamoli, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi districts.
• DPR is being prepared by selecting 1550 square meters of space for the center around the district hospitals. Construction work will be done through irrigation department in three districts of Bridkul and Garhwal division in three districts of Kumaon division.
• After the construction of the critical care center, the people of the state will get better treatment facility in emergency situations. In these, serious patients suffering from epidemic or any other disease and injured in road accidents will be given all medical facilities at one place.
• The critical care center will have facilities for the treatment of all serious diseases , including modern medical equipment for the treatment of heart disease, gynecology, pediatrics, orthopedics and many other diseases. Apart from this, the injured in the epidemic and road accidents will also get all the treatment facilities at one place in case of emergency. All other types of tests including dialysis, oxygen, ECG, ultrasound will be done in the center.