• 24 May 2023

MoU signed between UP Govt. & Gyeongsangbuk-do Province of the Republic of Korea

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on 22 May 2023, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Uttar Pradesh and Gyeongsangbuk-do province of the Republic of Korea, under which educational, economic and cultural relations will be encouraged for progress & development in both the provinces.

Key Points:

• The MoU was signed by Manoj Kumar Singh, Commissioner for Infrastructure & Industrial Development on behalf of the State Government and Lee Youngseok, Director General, Bureau of Economic & Industrial Affairs, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.
• Emphasizing the importance of this partnership and opening new vistas of development & cooperation between the two regions, the Chief Minister said that the signed MoU is an important step towards enhancing bilateral cooperation between Gyeongsangbuk-do province of South Korea and Uttar Pradesh.
• The Chief Minister said that the old spiritual relations between Uttar Pradesh and South Korea are getting stronger again. The dates of Independence Day of both the countries are the same. The relations between the two countries are centuries old.
• It is known that two thousand years ago, Ayodhya's princess Shriratna traveled to South Korea by water. She was married to King Suro of Jimgwan, after whom she was known as Heo Hwang-ok.
• The symbol of the Jimgawan kingdom is the twin fish, found in several historical monuments in the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh, including Ayodhya.
• It is to be known that on 6 November 2018, the Chief Minister along with the first lady of South Korea, Kim Jung Sook, had laid the foundation stone of the Queen Heo Memorial Park in Ayodhya. Its construction has been completed. Thus Ayodhya and Korea's Gimhae city are twin cities.
• Big industries like the world's renowned electronic company Samsung and LG are believed to be born in South Korea's GB Province. The state is the largest consumer center with a population of 250 million.

Industrial Corridor will be Developed along Ganga Expressway

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on 22 May 2023, an industrial corridor will be developed on the banks of Uttar Pradesh's largest Ganga Expressway.

Key points:

• Pharma parks, textile parks will be developed around Ganga Expressway. There is also a preparation to build large industrial corridors at the beginning and end of the expressway. Due to its proximity to the expressway, many investors will set up their industries here.
• The Uttar Pradesh government plans to develop potential sites for industry and investment in the respective districts before the expressway is built. Ganga Expressway will also pass through Hapur and there is a preparation to build a pharma park here.
• In Prayagraj, NH-2 is to end at Prayagraj bypass. An industrial corridor is already being developed there. The proximity of the expressway from here will benefit the industries being set up there.
• The land around the departure points of Meerut, from where the expressway is to start, will be developed for industries. The expressway will also pass through Hardoi, where land has been explored for a textile park.
• The scope of the textile park is up to Lucknow. The proximity of both the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and the Ganga Expressway will benefit the entrepreneurs visiting this park. Warehouses will be developed in Shahjahanpur along the expressway. Yield-based industries will get a boost from here.
• Apart from this, industrial training institutes, medical institutes are also ready to be opened. The state government will soon develop land for industrial corridors around the respective sites.
• The expressway is being constructed in eight packages by Adani and IRB companies. The project is being implemented in PPP mode. It will be completed by January 2025.
• It is worth mentioning that the Purvanchal Expressway passes through 12 districts. A total of 9172 hectares of land is being taken for the industrial corridor while a defence corridor is being built in the Bundelkhand region. Within this scope is the Bundelkhand Expressway, for which land is being developed in Jalaun and Banda.
• An industrial corridor will also be developed along the Gorakhpur Link Expressway. A provision of Rs 200 crore has been made for this.
• Industrial corridors are already being developed in Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Jaunpur and Barabanki on the Purvanchal Expressway.

Patna becomes the 1st municipal corporation to use CBDC

Why in News?

According to the information received from the media on 23 May 2023, the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Municipal Commissioner of Patna Municipal Corporation of Bihar launched the digital currency E-Rupee generated by the Reserve Bank of India due to which now this digital currency will be used in the entire Patna Municipal Corporation area.

Key Points:

• This payment system will be completely adopted in the municipal headquarter, Mauryalok complex. Along with this, it will also be used at all zonal and payment counters of Patna Municipal Corporation.
• Significantly, Patna Municipal Corporation is the first Municipal Corporation in India to use CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency). During this, a workshop was also organized for the corporators, where they were given information about the benefits and uses of digital e-Rupee.
• During this, Sanjeev Dayal, Regional Head, Reserve Bank of India said that this is a better and safer system, where the amount is credited immediately as soon as the payment is made. Common citizens will get convenience if it is digitally trendy. Easy payments will be done in one click.
• Municipal Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar said that continuous efforts are being made to make the works of Patna Municipal Corporation accessible to the public and to ease the process of payment. Apart from increasing the income of Patna Municipal Corporation through online payment system under no cost process, facilities are being provided to common people sitting at home.
• He said that at present online payment is being done in Patna Municipal Corporation at 30%, the target is to make it 90 to 95%.
• It is worth mentioning that CBDC is a digital currency, but this currency is different from private currency. The cryptocurrency market has grown rapidly in the last decade. Private digital currencies do not represent liabilities of any individual, as they do not have an issuer.

Food Processing Units will be Set up in Every Panchayat of Bihar

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, Pankaj Dixit, director of Bihar Industries Department, said that work has started on the plan to set up food processing industries in all 8387 panchayats of the state under the 'Pradhan Mantri Micro Food Industry Upgradation Scheme'. The Industries Department has entrusted the responsibility to the General Manager of the District Industries Center.

Key points

• The state government will provide all kinds of assistance to entrepreneurs setting up food processing industries. They will be provided facilities ranging from subsidy to loans. For this, the District Industries Center will select entrepreneurs and verify their projects.
• With this, agro-based products will be used extensively in the food processing industry in the state, as well as, inspired by self-employment, unemployed youth will be made employment-givers. With the promotion of food processing industries, migration to the surrounding areas will be stopped.
• According to official sources of the department, the program will also invite applications for loans to start new jobs under PM-FME, so that interested applicants can be helped to start new industries by providing financial assistance through the bank.
• Also, eligible people can avail credit-linked capital subsidy at 35 percent of the project cost with a maximum of Rs 10 lakh per unit for upgrading existing units.
• Through this scheme, the central government will provide financial assistance to all those people who want to start their new work in the food industry.

Sameer Pandey of Bihar became the 1st Indian to hold the post of Mayor in Australia

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, The City of Parramatta Council elected Indian-origin (Bihar) Councilor Sameer Pandey as the Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta, in Sydney, Australia. Sameer is the first person of Indian origin to hold this position.

Key Points:

• Sameer Pandey's election coincided with the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Australia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the election of Sameer Pandey as the first Indian-origin mayor.
• Parramatta is an important city in New South Wales adjacent to Sydney. Parramatta has a significant population of Indian origin and is growing rapidly. In this city with a population of more than two and a half million, more than 11% of the people are of Indian origin.
• Sameer Pandey, who arrived in Australia about twenty years ago, is an IT specialist as well as an industrialist, who came to Australia as an engineer. He is a member of the Labor Party and has also contested elections to the Legislative Assembly, in which he was defeated by a very narrow margin.
• In 2017, he won the election of corporator for the first time and in 2022 he became corporator for the second time. In 2022 itself, Sameer was elected the deputy mayor of the council.

MoU between the Department of Medical Education and the University of Manchester

Why in News?

On 23 May 2023, an MoU was signed between the Medical Education Department of Rajasthan and the University of Manchester (UK) with the aim of promoting research in the field of science and humanities & health.

Key Points:

• The MoU was signed in the presence of T. Ravikant, Principal Secretary Medical Education and Professor Keith Brennan, International Vice-Dean, University of Manchester.
• T. Ravikant told that this MoU has been signed with the aim of developing research partnership under the direction of Medical Minister Parsadi Lal Meena. This will encourage academic activities & research and establish new dimensions in the field of medical education.
• Due to sharing of mutual experience, doctors & nursing staff working in medical colleges will get global recognition and capacity building will take place.
• He said that Rajasthan is the first state, where medical college and nursing college are being opened in each district. With this, Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to give the right to health to its citizens.

Story Collection by senior litterateur Dr. Vinod Somani Hans gets released

Why in News?

On 23 May 2023, Ajmer District Collector Dr. Bharti Dixit released the newly published story-collection 'Chaurahe Ke Teen Raaste' by renowned veteran litterateur of Hindi & Rajasthani language Dr. Vinod Somani Hans.

Key Points:

• This is the 34th work of Dr. Vinod Somani Hans. This work is dedicated as a tribute to his life partner Vidya Somani. Vidya Somani herself was a writer, publisher & social worker throughout her life.
• The writings of Dr. Vinod Somani Hans have been filled with hope, faith, sense of direction and spirituality. The book 'Chaurahe Ke Teen Raaste' is a collection of his 23 stories. Each story underlines the events, characters from the general to the special person's life.
• Psychoanalytical and reality emerge clearly in the stories where the reader feels the story as his own. The book has been reviewed by Dr. Sushma Sharma, Secretary, Rajasthani Writers' Literature Institute, Jaipur.
• Storyteller's writing, language style, script is such that the reader feels real while reading the story. The reel of the story starts playing in his mind. The title of the book 'The Three Ways of Crossroads' leaves anindelible mark on the mind.
• Dr. Vinod Somani Hans has been ornamented with many prestigious awards of the country. The presentation of the book is attractive. The book is readable for all classes.

Chief Minister Inaugurated 'Jungle Safari'

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the 'Jungle Safari' at Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary through video conference in Udaipur district of the state on International Biodiversity Day.

Key points:

• With the introduction of 'Jungle Safari' in Jaisamand Sanctuary, tourism will be promoted in Udaipur district, a major ecotourism site will be developed in the state and employment opportunities will also be available in the area.
• It is known that due to the efforts made under Project Leopard in Jaisamand Sanctuary, the number of leopards has increased to 19 at present.
• It is worth mentioning that in the year 1972, former Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi understood the importance of forest and wildlife conservation and laid the foundation of 'Project Tiger'. As a result, India today has 70 percent of the world's tigers.
• It is known that there are three tiger safaris in Rajasthan. Recently, Ramgarh Vishdhari has been developed as the fourth tiger project of the state. A committee has also been formed for the Kumbhalgarh Tiger Project.
• The state government is constantly making efforts to protect the forest and wildlife. To maintain biodiversity, the notification of Rajasthan Biological Diversity Rules was issued in the year 2010.
• There are 3 national parks, 27 wildlife sanctuaries, 16 conservation reserves and 4 tiger projects in the state. Work is being done with more sensitivity for the protection and promotion of all these.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that several historic decisions have been taken by the state government for forest and environment conservation. In this sequence, wildlife, forest area and ecotourism are being continuously developed in the state.
• The Eco-Tourism Policy-2021 was implemented by the present state government. Also, a special tiger conservation force has been set up by deploying border home guards in Sariska and Mukandra Hills Tiger Reserves, which is a unique initiative.
• For eco-tourism, two eco-tourism Luv-Kush gardens are being developed near forest areas in each district.
• A wildlife management training centre has been set up at Talchapar Sanctuary in Churu and infrastructure facilities are being developed in Chambal Gharial Sanctuary from tourism point of view.
• An agreement was signed between the Central Government, Wildlife Institute of India and the State Government for the conservation of the state bird Godawan and the State Government with the help of an artificial breeding center of Godawan in Jaisalmer.
• Forestry parks are also being developed in Jodhpur, Bikaner, Kota, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Ajmer on the lines of World Forestry Park at Jhalana Dungri in Jaipur.

Maharana Pratap Lok will be Established in Bhopal

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the construction of Veer Shiromani Maharana Pratap Lok in Bhopal at a function organized at Bhopal Lal Parade Ground on the occasion of Maharana Pratap Jayanti.

Key points:

• The life and works of Maharana Pratap will be depicted in the memorial. Along with this, the contribution of his seven associates Bhamashah, Punjabhil, Chetak and others will also be depicted.
• Maharana Pratap Lok will be built with the aim that the coming generation can be aware of Maharana Pratap's struggle to protect his culture and freedom and his ability to stick to the values of life and adopt rites accordingly.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that stories of bravery and valour of Maharana Pratap will be taught in the school curriculum in the state. Along with this, Maharana Pratap Welfare Board will also be formed.
• Maharana Pratap Singh Sisodia was born on 9 May 1540, in Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan. He was the grandson of Mahavir Rana Sanga. They are immortal in history for their valour, bravery, sacrifice, valour and determination.
• He did not accept the subordination of Mughal emperor Akbar and struggled for many years, ultimately Akbar failed to subdue Maharana Pratap. Maharana Pratap's policies became a source of inspiration for everyone from Shivaji Maharaj to freedom fighters.
• The horse on which Maharana used to sit was 'Chetak' , one of the best horses in the world. Maharana used to wear 72 kg armor and hold an 81 kg spear in his hand. They used to fight the war by lifting a total weight of 208 kg, including the weight of shields and swords, including spears and armor.
• On May 30, 1576, a fierce battle broke out between the huge Mughal army and the Ranbankuri Mewari army in the plains of haldi valley. In the war, Maharana freed the enemies, but the Rajput army could not stand in front of Akbar's huge army and Rana Pratap had to take refuge in the forest, but he did not accept Akbar's slavery.
• Except Chittor, Maharana again snatched all his forts from the enemy. Apart from Chittorgarh and Mandalgarh, Maharana re-established his kingdom over the entire Mewar. He made Udaipur his capital. After this, the Mughals challenged Maharana many times, but the Mughals had to face defeat. Finally, Maharana Pratap died in Chand on January 29, 1597, due to injuries sustained during war and hunting.

Institutions with Excellent Work for Road Safety will be Awarded

Why in News?

On 22 May 2023, Hardeep Singh Doon (IPS), Inspector General of Police, Traffic and Highways, Karnal district of Haryana informed that the institutions which are doing good work in promoting awareness in the field of road safety in the state will be rewarded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.

Key points

• The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India will award corporate houses, auto industries and their associations, university institutions, various agencies of NGOs and trust societies etc. for their outstanding work in the field of road safety.
• Interested institutions can apply for registration on the ministry's website https://morth.nic.in till 30 May 2023.
• Interested institutions can send their proposals in this regard on the online portal.

Gift for Jharkhand Agriculture sector: Soil Testing Labs to be built in 500 Schools

Why in News?

Recently Manoj Ahuja, Agriculture & Welfare Secretary, Government of India at Krishi Bhavan in New Delhi said that 500 high schools will be identified for soil testing in Jharkhand so that Soil Testing Lab would be arranged here by the Government of India.

Key Points:

• State Agriculture Minister Badal & Agriculture Secretary Abu Bakar Siddiq said that school students will be given training in soil testing, so that he will bring the soil of his and other farmers' land and get it tested in the lab.
• After the test, we will be able to tell the farmers how the soil of the tested field is and which grains can be grown there. This will be a good experiment, which will benefit the farmers.
• Apart from this, the Government of India has arranged a portal for seed tracking, it should be implemented soon in Jharkhand as well, so that the right seeds can be distributed in the market.

Residential Hockey Academy Bilaspur's Player Geeta Yadav Selected in 'Khelo India Annual Scholarship'

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on 23 May 2023, hockey player Kumari Geeta Yadav of the Residential Sports Academy run by the Sports & Youth Welfare Department at B.R. Yadav State Sports Training Center, Bahtarai Bilaspur has been selected for the Sports Authority of India's 'Khelo India Annual Scholarship''.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that the assessment camp was organized by Khelo India, New Delhi from 16 to 20 May 2023.
• Kumari Geeta Yadav, who was a member of the national team from Chhattisgarh, performed brilliantly in the West Zone Junior Hockey Competition held at Rajnandgaon. On the basis of performance, hockey trainee player Kumari Geeta Yadav was selected for Khelo India scholarship. Kumari Geeta Yadav will be given 6 lakh 20 thousand rupees every year under scholarship.
• Residential academies of hockey, archery and athletics are operated in Bahtarai Bilaspur. Based on the availability of modern training and better facilities, it has been recognized by the Sports Authority of India as a Center of Excellence.
• 95 players are trained in this academy, which includes 57 players in hockey, 12 in archery and 26 in athletics.

Tribal Vachikotsav 2023

Why in News?

According to the information given by the Chhattisgarh Public Relations Department on 22 May 2023, a three-day 'Tribal Vachikotsav 2023' will be organized by the Primitive Caste Research and Training Institute (TRTI), Raipur from 25 to 27 May 2023 with the aim of preserving, promoting and documenting the oral tradition related to tribal life.

Key points:

• It is noteworthy that this event is organized by TRTI in collaboration with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India and the State Government. It will be in the newly constructed building of the institute.
• In the event, tribal readers from different regions of the state will give their performances under various genres of tribal oral tradition.
• After organizing 'Tribal Vachikotsav 2023', the institute will also publish a book with a view to preserving and documenting the tribal oral tradition.
• About 240 tribal readers are expected to participate in the 'Tribal Vachikotsav 2023'. Prominent among them will be tribal litterateurs Ashwani Kumar Pankaj (Ranchi, Jharkhand) and Pankaj Chaturvedi (National Book Trust, New Delhi).
• The following 09 genres will be recited in the tribal oral festival:
  • Oral knowledge about tribal deities and Madai Mela,
  • Folk stories prevalent among the tribes,
  • Proverbs and legends prevalent among the tribes,
  • Tribal folk songs, their meaning and meaning,
  • Verbal knowledge related to tribal festivals,
  • Oral tradition of tribal life rites (birth, marriage, death etc.),
  • Perception and oral knowledge of origin of tribal community,
  • Oral knowledge of the concept of gotra occupation and gotra symbols in the tribal community,
  • Specific traditions prevalent among the tribes (Godna, Lal Bangla, Ghotul, Dhankul, Jagar, Jatra, Dhumkuria etc.) customs and traditional knowledge and beliefs.
  • The programme is divided into 8 sessions per day. At the end of the programme, all the tribal readers will be honoured with mementos and certificates.

Uttarakhand and Goa will become Partners in the field of Tourism

Why in News?

On 23 May 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Goa Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte to promote mutual cooperation in various aspects of tourism.

Key Points:

• The MoU was signed by Uttarakhand Tourism Secretary Sachin Kurve and Goa Tourism Director Sunil Achipka.
• Through bilateral cooperation in the field of tourism, both the states will also try to increase the number of tourists on the basis of a joint action plan and improve travel facilities between the two states in the development of tourism facilities.
• Under the MoU, focus on more than one direct flight connectivity facility from Goa to Uttarakhand for the convenience of tourists, cultural exchange programs to acquaint tourists with the distinctive cultural heritage of Goa and Uttarakhand, efforts will be made to create opportunities for road shows, organizing mutual festivals, showcasing local cuisine, folk culture & handicrafts.
• Both sides will work on exploration of joint packages for promotion of various tourism products keeping in view the convenience of tourists. Both the states will also share best practices in the field of tourism.
• In adventure tourism activities, both the states will jointly promote major adventure activities like water sports, aero sports and land based activities. States will focus on encouraging private sector and youth participation to develop adventure tourism activities.
• Land Based Activities like Paragliding, SkyDiving, Hot Air Balloon, Skiing etc, including Mountain Biking Trekking/Hiking, all Terrain Motor Biking, possibilities will be explored in destinations like Tehri Nainital, Baur Jal, Nanakmatta in Uttarakhand and other water body areas.
• These activities include aero sports powered hang glider, water sports parasailing, scuba diving, white water rafting, jet boats, jet boats, flyboarding, along with the water sports of Water Goa, the focus will also be on jointly developing and promoting water sports.
• In the field of eco-tourism, there are many national parks and wildlife in both the states. Sanctuaries which can be promoted as ecotourism. Both the states can jointly work for a strategy to promote and develop spiritual & religious tourism.
• In the field of wellness tourism, Uttarakhand has huge potential in the field of Ayurvedic and Yoga, while Goa has many spa & wellness resorts which can be promoted jointly.
• Similarly, in the field of heritage tourism, both Uttarakhand & Goa have colonial history and there are many places with rich cultural heritage, for which joint promotional strategy can be worked out.
• Both sides will work together in the field of human resource development and also partner in ensuring exchange of knowledge & expertise in the field of tourism.
• Describing the occasion as historic, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that this initiative would inspire other states as well. Citizens of both the states will be able to take advantage of the first direct flight service from Goa to Dehradun, which will boost tourism in both the states.
• This direct flight between Goa and Dehradun will encourage the people of both the states to travel, tourists will get the opportunity to see the Himalayas from the sea.
• This MoU will help in getting familiar with each other's rich cultural heritage besides promoting tourism of both the states. Both Uttarakhand and Goa are tourism oriented small states. Both the states can take advantage of these opportunities by mutual coordination and can also solve the problems.
• Goa's Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte also termed the MoU signed between Goa & Uttarakhand as historic and said that this will lead to unprecedented growth in the tourism sector of both the states. Tourism is a major part of Goa's GDP. More than 35% of the jobs in Goa are generated from tourism.
• Goa government is working on the vision of trade, technology and tourism. States can promote tourism in their respective areas with mutual coordination. At present, Goa has moved beyond the principle of Sun, Sand and Sea. Here work is being done in various areas like adventure tourism, eco tourism, spiritual tourism, wellness tourism, heritage tourism.