• 22 Dec 2021

PM Transfers Rs1,000 crore to accounts of 1.60 lakh Women Self-Help Groups

Why in News

• On December 22, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing over two lakh women representatives of self-help groups at Parade Ground near Sangam in Prayagraj, transferred Rs 1,000 crore to the accounts of 1.60 lakh women self-help groups.

Key Points

• On this occasion, the Prime Minister also laid the foundation of 202 'Take Home Ration Plants' in 43 districts in the 'Matri Shakti Mahakumbh' in Prayagraj. Along with this, he transferred Rs 20 crore to the accounts of 1.01 lakh new beneficiaries of 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana'.
• Throwing light on the 'Pushtahar Plant Project' in different blocks, he said that this would benefit women self-help groups as well as local farmers, who would supply them with raw materials. He said that more than 16 lakh women would be directly benefited by this ambitious project and nutritious food would be provided to the needy.

First Phase of Khelo India Women's Hockey League Concludes

Why in News

• The first leg of the Khelo India Women's Hockey League (U-21) played at the Major Dhyan Chand Hockey Stadium in New Delhi from December 15 to 21, 2021 came to an end. Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy played 6 matches.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that the Women's Hockey League is being played in three phases, the first phase of which ended on December 21.
• The final match of the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw between Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy and Haryana Hockey Academy. Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy has scored 22 goals in six matches played so far. Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy drew three matches and the academy won three matches.
• Madhya Pradesh Hockey Academy stood second in Group B with 12 points, while Haryana Hockey Academy stood first with 16 points.
• Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) formerly Khelo India School Games (KISG) are annual national level games organized in India for two categories, namely Under-17 Year School Students and Under-21 Year College Students.

Governor Inaugurates Central Diagnostic Laboratory at Aurobindo University

Why in News

• On December 20, 2021, Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel launched the Sickle Cell Anemia Project at Sri Aurobindo University, Indore. Also inaugurated Sickle Cell Clinic, Ultrasound Simulator Lab and Central Diagnostic Laboratory.

Key Points

• Governor Mangubhai Patel said that this campaign will give a new direction in making Madhya Pradesh free from sickle cell anemia.
• Vinod Bhandari, founder of Sri Aurobindo University said that through the Sickle Cell Anemia Project, efforts would be made to provide free treatment to the people of the tribal belt suffering from anemia disease of the state.
• He said that with the participation of the state government, administration and society, the concept of making a sickle cell anemia free state can be given a meaningful shape.

Tata Steel Gets 'Safety and Health Recognition 2021'

Why in News

• Recently Tata Steel has been recognized by the World Steel Association (WorldSteel) for its Safety and Health Excellence Initiative under the category 'Occupational Health Management'.

Key Points

• On behalf of Tata Steel, Neeraj Sinha, Chief Safety, Tata Steel received the award during the Safety and Health Committee meeting in Brussels, Belgium.
• Sanjeev Paul, Vice President (Safety Health and Sustainability) of Tata Steel said that Tata Steel has implemented many technological innovations and leveraged its digital transformation journey to advance workforce safety and business sustainability. The award will inspire Tata Steel to pursue excellence and prepare it for the future.
• The initiative consists of two technology driven innovative concepts 'POD Concept' and 'Digital COVID Safety Track' deployed at the company's manufacturing units. These applications ensured workforce safety and business continuity by mitigating COVID-19 risks and were rapidly implemented through the COVID Impact Center.
• POD (A Workforce Modernization Concept) has introduced self-sustaining clusters consisting of operation and maintenance personnel including contractors with self-contained skill sets to perform specific tasks.

Supplementary Budget of Rs 2926.12 Crore Passed in the Assembly

Why in News

• Recently, despite the BJP's walkout in the Jharkhand Assembly, the supplementary budget of Rs 2926.12 crore was passed by voice vote. The opposition BJP staged a walkout from the House to protest against the discrepancy in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) preliminary examination results.

Key Points

• According to the budgetary allocation, maximum provision of Rs 620 crore has been made in the pension head. After this, a provision of Rs 588 crore has been made for the Energy Department, Rs 518 crore for the Health Department and Rs 231 crore for the Water Resources Department.
• Similarly, a provision of Rs 208 crore has been made for Home Prison and Disaster Management Department, Rs 172 crore for Higher and Technical Education Department and Rs 188 crore for Women and Child Development Department.

Guru Ghasidas University becomes Partner of Malaysian University

Why in News

• Recently Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, became an international participant in a postgraduate seminar organized by Kelantan University, Malaysia on the topic 'Research and Innovation towards Sustainable Food System'.

Key Points

• A letter of appreciation has been issued to Guru Ghasidas University for being an international participant in the program organized by the Faculty of Agro-based Industry of Kelanton University.
• The conference was organized by Guru Ghasidas University School of Life Sciences and Kelanton University in online mode.
• Yogyakarta University (Indonesia), Yogi Vemana University (Andhra Pradesh), Princess of Naradhivas University (Thailand) and Vikram Singhpuri University (Andhra Pradesh) also joined as partners.

Star Cricketer Rishabh Pant becomes the Brand Ambassador of Uttarakhand

Why in News

• On December 20, 2021 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appointed Indian cricket team wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant as the 'State Brand Ambassador' with an aim to promote the sport in the state and create mental health awareness among the youth of the state.

Key Points

• Dhami took to Twitter to share the news of Pant's appointment as the 'State Brand Ambassador' with an aim to encourage the youth of the state towards sports and public health. Dhami made a video call to the young cricketer and invited him for a meeting.
• Rishabh Rajendra Pant is an Indian cricketer who plays as a middle-order wicket-keeper batsman for India, Delhi and Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. In December 2015, he was named in India's squad for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.