• 24 Jan 2025

Prayagraj’s First Super Speciality Hospital

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government, during the ongoing Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, announced several significant initiatives, including the construction of the city’s first super speciality hospital and the approval of municipal bonds for infrastructure development in different districts of UP.   

Key Points 

• Major Announcements by the State Government:   
  • Super Speciality Hospital in Prayagraj: 
    • Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister AK Sharma announced the construction of a super speciality hospital in Prayagraj at an investment of ₹100 crore. 
    • This will be the city's first such hospital, funded by the Urban Development Department. 
  • Municipal Bonds for Development: 
    • The Cabinet approved the issuance of municipal bonds for infrastructure development in Prayagraj, Varanasi, and Agra. 
    • A fund of ₹50 crore has been allocated for these districts. 
    • Bonds have previously been issued for Lucknow and Ghaziabad, yielding promising results. 
  • New Medical Colleges: 
    • The government announced the establishment of three medical colleges in Hathras, Kasganj, and Baghpat. 
  • Industrial and Educational Development: 
    • The State Government plans to establish 62 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and five centres of innovation, invention, and training across the state. 
  • Policy Renewal: 
    • The Uttar Pradesh Aerospace and Defence and employment policy, which has completed five years, will be renewed with new incentives to attract investment. 

Municipal Bonds 

• A municipal bond is a debt security issued by a state, municipality or county to finance its capital expenditures, including the construction of highways, bridges or schools. 
  • Through municipal bonds, a municipal corporation raises money from individuals or institutions and promises to pay a specified amount of interest and returns the principal amount on a specific maturity date. 
• These are mostly exempt from federal taxes and from most state and local taxes, making them especially attractive to people in high income tax brackets. 

Haryana’s Tableau at 2025 Republic Day Parade

Why in News? 

The Haryana tableau at the 2025 Republic Day parade will highlight the state's progress across various sectors, with a particular focus on government schemes benefiting the public.       

Key Points 

• Haryana's Tableau at Republic Day Parade: 
  • The tableau has the portrayal of the Bhagavad Gita's divine message delivered by Lord Krishna to Arjuna in Kurukshetra.  
  • The theme of Haryana’s Tableau, "Samridh Haryana- Virasat Aur Vikas," reflects Haryana's journey from its historical roots in Kurukshetra to its modern achievements. 
• Highlights of Republic Day Parade 2025: 
  • The theme of Republic Day 2025 is ‘Swarnim Bharat – Virasat aur Vikas' (Golden India – Heritage and Development), reflecting India's rich cultural heritage and its ongoing journey of progress. 
  •  The Republic Day Parade of 2025 will also include a tri-services tableau, emphasizing the spirit of collaboration and integration among the Armed Forces. The theme for this tableau is "Shashakt aur Surakshit Bharat." 
  • 31 tableaux from various states, union territories, and central ministries will participate, reflecting India’s cultural diversity and progress. 
  • The Republic Day Parade 2025 promises to be a unique blend of India's cultural diversity and military prowess, with a special focus on 75 years since the enactment of the Constitution and public participation (Jan Bhagidari).  
• Participation of Indonesia: 
  • Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto will be the Chief Guest at the parade. 
  • Indonesia will also have a 160-member marching contingent and a 190-member band contingent marching alongside the Indian Armed Forces. 

Republic Day 

• Republic Day commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of India on 26th January 1950, and the country’s transition to a republic which came into effect on 26th January 1950. 
  • The constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26th November 1949 and came into effect on 26^th January 1950. 
• The Constitution repealed the Indian Independence Act of 1947 and Government of India Act, 1935 when it became effective on 26^th January 1950. India ceased to be a dominion of the British Crown and became a sovereign, democratic republic with a constitution. 
• On Republic Day every year, the President of India, who is the head of state, ‘unfurls’ the tricolour, while on Independence Day (August 15), the Prime Minister, who heads the Union government, ‘hoists’ the national flag. 
  • While the two terms are often used interchangeably, these represent different techniques of presenting the tricolour. 

Earthquake in Uttarkashi

Why in News? 

According to the National Center for Seismology (NCS), an earthquake of magnitude 3.5 on the Richter scale hit Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand. 

• The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 5 km, is part of a sequence of seismic events, with another earthquake of magnitude 4.8 reported earlier in Myanmar.  

Key Points 

• Uttarkashi and Seismic Sensitivity: 
  • Uttarkashi is located in the Himalayan seismic belt, making it highly prone to earthquakes. 
  • The region has previously experienced destructive earthquakes, including the Uttarkashi earthquake (6.8 magnitude) in 1991 and the Chamoli earthquake in 1999. 
• Geological Factors and Vulnerability: 
  • The region is seismically active due to the collision between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate. 
  • Unchecked construction and deforestation have worsened the situation, increasing the risk of destruction in case of major earthquakes. 
  • Uttarkashi and surrounding cities like Dehradun, Nainital, and Mussoorie are densely populated, adding to the vulnerability during seismic events. 

Earthquake 

• About:  
  • An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth's surface caused by the sudden release of energy beneath the Earth’s crust.  
  • This natural event generates seismic waves that travel in all directions through the Earth, resulting in ground movement.  
• Key Terms Related to Earthquake: 
  • Hypocenter: The location beneath the Earth’s surface where the earthquake originates. 
  • Epicenter: The point on the Earth's surface directly above the hypocenter, where the strongest shaking is felt. 
  • Types of Earthquakes: 
    • Fault Zones: Earthquakes that occur due to the movement along fault lines in the Earth’s crust. 
    • Tectonic Earthquakes: Result from the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s surface. 
    • Volcanic Earthquakes: Caused by volcanic activity, typically due to the movement of magma beneath the Earth’s surface. 
    • Human-Induced Earthquakes: Earthquakes triggered by human activities, such as mining or the injection of fluids into the ground. 
  • Scales of Measuring Earthquakes 
    • Magnitude Scale: 
      • The magnitude of an earthquake refers to the amount of energy released. This is measured using the Richter scale, which ranges from 0 to 10, with each number representing a tenfold increase in amplitude. It provides a measure of the earthquake's strength. 
    • Intensity Scale: 
      • The intensity of an earthquake refers to the level of shaking experienced and the damage caused. The Mercalli intensity scale, developed by Italian seismologist Giuseppe Mercalli, ranges from 1 to 12, with higher numbers indicating more severe shaking and destruction. ]

Rajasthan HC Issues Notice on Transgender OBC Reservation

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan High Court has issued a notice to the state government in response to a petition. A transwoman, challenging the government’s classification of transgender people as Other Backward Classes (OBC) for reservation in public education and employment.  

Key Points 

• Petitioner: Ganga Kumari, the first transwoman to join Rajasthan police as a constable, filed the petition. 
• About the Issue: The Rajasthan government’s January 2023 circular categorises transgender people under OBC for reservation, which petitioner argues could lead to exclusion from both OBC and transgender-related benefits. 
• Legal Basis: Petitioner contends that this classification violates the Supreme Court's National Legal Services Authority Vs. Union of India (2014) judgment, which calls for treating transgender people as a distinct group eligible for reservations, but not necessarily within the OBC category. 
• NALSA Judgment: The 2014 Supreme Court decision instructed governments to offer reservations to transgender people, considering them "socially and educationally backward."  
  • However, there is ambiguity on whether this implies inclusion within existing socio-economic categories like OBCs or horizontal reservation for transpeople. 
• Court Interpretations: Other states, such as Madhya Pradesh, have interpreted the NALSA judgment as placing transpeople within the OBC category, while states like Karnataka, Madras, and Calcutta have upheld horizontal reservation. 

 Transgender 

• Transgender person means someone whose gender does not match with the gender assigned to that person at birth.  
• It clarifies terms like ‘person with intersex variation’ and ‘transgender person’ to include trans men and women, regardless of surgery or therapy.  

Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 

• Non-discrimination: Prohibits discrimination in education, employment, healthcare, and public facilities, and affirms rights to movement, property, and office.  
• Certificate of Identity: Grants the right to self-perceived gender identity and requires district magistrates to issue certificates without medical exams.  
• Medical Care: Ensures HIV surveillance, access to medical care, sex reassignment surgeries, and therapy with insurance coverage.  
• National Council for Transgender Persons: Established to advise the government and address grievances.  
• Offences and Penalties: Punishes offences like forced labor, abuse, and denial of rights with imprisonment (6 months to 2 years) and fines.