• 22 Nov 2024

Bihar to Host Khelo India Youth Games & Para Games in 2025

Why in News?

Bihar will host the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) and Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) in 2025.

Key Points

• Khelo India Youth Games:
  • About:
    • KIYG is a national-level, multi-disciplinary sports competition for school and college students in India.
    • The games are held annually in January or February and are part of the government's Khelo India initiative.
    • It aims to promote sports culture and identify sporting talent at the grassroots level.
    • The previous 5 editions of the Youth Games have been held in Delhi, Pune, Guwahati, Panchkula and Bhopal.
  • Format:
    • It is held in two categories, namely under-17-year-old school students and under-21 college students.
    • It operates in a team championship format, wherein the medals earned by individual athletes or teams contribute to the overall medal tally of their respective state or Union Territory (UT).
    • Upon the event's conclusion, the state or UT securing the highest count of gold medals is declared the winner.
• Khelo India Para Games:
  • The Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) is aimed at empowering para athletes in India.
  • It is organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Sports Authority of India, and other bodies.
  • It is part of the broader Khelo India Initiative.
    • Khelo India was introduced by the Indian government in 2017.
• Sports Infrastructure in Bihar:
  • Bihar has 38 Khelo India Centres and one Khelo India State Centre of Excellence, which provide facilities for athletes at various levels.
  • There are three Sports Authority of India Training Centres catering to the state’s sporting needs.

NIA Conducts Raids to Investigate Militant Infiltration

Why in News?

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at multiple locations across five districts of Jammu and Kashmir.These searches were linked to a case involving terrorist infiltration from across the border and recent attacks on security forces and civilians.

Key Points

• Background:
  • The NIA registered a case based on information about the infiltration of active terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) into Indian territory through the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC).
• NIA Searches:
  • Locations:
    • NIA teams conducted extensive searches at eight locations across the districts of Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, Ramban, and Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Outcomes:
    • The searches resulted in the seizure of materials linking banned terrorist outfits to overground workers (OGWs) and hybrid terrorists.
    • The premises of sympathisers and cadres of banned organisations were also searched as part of the operation.
  • Link to Banned Outfits:
    • The suspected hybrid terrorists and OGWs were associated with new offshoots and affiliates of banned terrorist outfits such as LeT and JeM.

National Investigation Agency (NIA)

• About:
  • The NIA is the Central Counter-Terrorism Law Enforcement Agency of India mandated to investigate all the offences affecting the sovereignty, security and integrity of India. It includes:
    • Friendly relations with foreign states.
    • Against atomic and nuclear facilities.
    • Smuggling of arms, drugs and fake Indian currency and infiltration from across the borders.
    • The offences under the statutory laws enacted to implement international treaties, agreements, conventions and resolutions of the United Nations, its agencies and other international organisations.
  • It was constituted under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act, 2008.
  • The agency is empowered to deal with the investigation of terror related crimes across states without special permission from the states under written proclamation from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Headquarters: New Delhi

Action Against Illegal Mining

Why in News?

Recently, the Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir chaired a high-level meeting to deliberate on the pressing issue of illegal mining across Jammu and Kashmir.

Key Points

• Strict Measures Against Illegal Mining:
  • The Deputy CM directed officials to implement stringent measures to eradicate illegal mining.
  • He stressed the need for night-time vigilance and frequent inspections to monitor activities.
  • Emphasis was placed on ensuring accountability at all levels of administration.
  • Issues of mismatch between field data and records on the J&K Mining Web Portal were also highlighted.
• Data Management and Coordination:
  • Officials were instructed to provide updated and comprehensive data on mining activities.
  • Consistent coordination with police was urged to enhance field-level monitoring.
• Environmental Concerns and Sustainable Management:
  • Concerns were raised over pollution in water bodies caused by illegal mining.
  • The need for concerted efforts to address ecological damage as part of sustainable resource management was emphasized.

Illegal Mining

• About:
  • Illegal mining is the extraction of minerals, ores, or other valuable resources from land or water bodies without the necessary permits, licenses, or regulatory approvals from government authorities.
  • It can also involve the violation of environmental, labor, and safety standards.

• Issues:
  • Environmental Degradation:
    • It can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution and can result in the destruction of habitats for wildlife, which can have serious ecological consequences.
  • Hazards:
    • Illegal mining often involves the use of hazardous chemicals such as mercury and cyanide, which can pose serious health risks to miners and nearby communities.
  • Loss of Revenue:
    • It can lead to a loss of revenue for governments as miners may not pay appropriate taxes and royalties.
    • This can have significant economic impacts, particularly in countries where natural resources are a major source of revenue.
  • Human Rights Violations:
    • Illegal mining can also result in human rights violations, including forced labor, child labor, and exploitation of vulnerable populations.

Survey on Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradesh

Why in News?

Recently, the Court ordered a survey on the 16^th century Mughal era Jama Masjid in Sambhal district of Uttar Pradesh. The order is followed by a petition filed by a senior advocate.

Key Points

• Claims on Historical Conversion:
  • The petition alleges that the Jama Masjid in Sambhal was originally aHari Har temple located in mohalla Kot Purvi and was converted into a mosque in 1529.
  • It asserts that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for managing and controlling the disputed site.
• Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind:
  • Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, highlighted the importance of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991, which preserves the religious character of all places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947.
  • They expressed concerns over the disregard for this legislation in recent judicial actions and emphasized the Supreme Court’s endorsement of the Act in the Ayodhya verdict.
• Historical Context of the Jama Masjid:
  • The Jama Masjid in Sambhal is one of three mosques constructed during Babur’s reign (1526–1530). The others include the mosque at Panipat and the now-demolished Babri Masjid.
    • Historian Howard Crane described the mosque’s architectural features in his work, The Patronage of Babur and the Origins of Mughal Architecture.
    • Crane noted a Persian inscription stating that Babur ordered the mosque’s construction in December 1526 through his subedar, Jahangir Quli Khan.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organisation for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
  • Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 governs the functioning of ASI.
• It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
• Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.
• It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.

NHRC Takes Suo Motu on Food Poisoning Report

Why in News?

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken Suo Motu cognizance of a media report about people dying due to food poisoning at a Patna shelter home. The shelter is funded by the Bihar government's Directorate of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

Key Points

• Human Rights Violation Concern:
  • The NHRC observed that the media report highlights a serious human rights violation concerning the victims.
  • The Shelter Home authorities are responsible for providing proper care to the inmates as their lawful custodians.
• Notice to Bihar Government:
  • The NHRC issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Bihar, requesting a detailed report within two weeks.
  • The report should include the victims' health status and information on whether any compensation has been provided to the victims or their families.
  • The Chief Secretary is also asked to inform the NHRC about the steps taken or proposed to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
• Unhygienic Conditions at the Shelter Home:
  • A media report highlighted that, during an inspection, authorities found unhygienic conditions at the Shelter Home.
  • The report also mentioned that proper hygiene was not being maintained during food preparation at the Shelter.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)

• About:
  • It ensures the protection of rights related to life, liberty, equality, and dignity of individuals.
  • Rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution and international covenants enforceable by Indian courts.
• Establishment:
  • Established on 12^th October 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.
  • Amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006, and Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2019.
  • Established in conformity with the Paris Principles, adopted for promoting and protecting human rights.