• 24 Aug 2023

Winners honored at the Closing Ceremony of Wrestling Competition in Gorakhpur

Why In News?

• On August 21, 2023, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath honored the winning players with Uttar Pradesh 'Kesari', Uttar Pradesh 'Kumar' and Uttar Pradesh 'Veer Abhimanyu' awards at the closing ceremony of the two-day wrestling competition organized in district Gorakhpur.

Key Points:

• The state government along with the sports lovers of Gorakhpur organized this wrestling competition and made it interesting with mass participation.
• Uttar Pradesh 'Kesari' award winner Jonty was given Rs 01 lakh 01 thousand and mace and runner-up Viresh Kundu was given Rs 51 thousand.
• Uttar Pradesh 'Kumar' award winner Saurabh Yadav was given Rs 51,000 and mace and runner-up Baghel Yadav was given Rs 25,000.
• Aditya Yadav, who won the Uttar Pradesh 'Veer Abhimanyu' award, was given Rs 51,000 and mace and runner-up Vineet was given Rs 25,000.
• Apart from these, volleyball player Yuvraj Pratap Singh, wrestler Saurabh Yadav and tennis ball player Aman Raj were also honored.
• The central and state governments have provided a platform for sports and sportspersons to showcase their talent through sporting events like 'Khelo India' and 'Sansad Khel Mahakumbh'.

Country's Largest Exam Centre 'Bapu Pariksha Parisar' Inaugurated in Patna

Why In News?

• On August 23, 2023, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the country's largest examination center 'Bapu Pariksha Parisar' at Kumhrar, Patna.

Key Points:

• This center is efficient in organizing online and offline exams for around 16 to 20 thousand students (about the seating capacity of Madison Square Garden). Along with this, the Chief Minister also planted saplings in the 'Bapu Pariksha Parisar'.
• To make the examination system more excellent, 'Bapu Pariksha Parisar' has been constructed on about six acres in Kumhrar area at a cost of Rs 281.11 crore.
• The Chief Minister also started free coaching for the meritorious students of Bihar Board for the preparation of engineering and medical entrance examinations.
• Bihar School Examination Board has started a free residential coaching program in Patna division and free non-residential coaching program in the remaining eight divisional headquarters.
• Arrangements have been made regarding this test center's sophisticated facilities so that there won't be any issues with the administration of different exams.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister also launched various schemes of Bihar School Examination Board through remote.
• The Chief Minister also launched the action plan of the second phase. In the second phase, examination halls will be established in 29 districts and Vajragriha in 38 districts of the state. Online examination centers-cum-computer training centers will be set up for computer-based examination in all the nine divisions of the state.
• A single window system will be arranged for all the services of Bihar School Examination Board. GIS based online affiliation and inspection system will be arranged for new intermediate and matriculation level educational institutions.
• There will be artificial intelligence-based form filling process and artificial based data sanitization in all the examinations of Bihar School Examination Board.
• There will be arrangement of RFID based security and tracking system in all the examinations of Bihar School Examination Board.

Chief Minister Released Three Directories of 'No Bag Day'

Why In News?

• On August 23, 2023, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot released three directories of 'No Bag Day', which include 'Ankur-Pravesh' for classes 1 to 5, 'Disha' for classes 6 to 8 and 'Kshitij-Unnati' for classes 9 to 12.

Key Points:

• Along with this, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also unveiled the logo of the 'Safe School Safe Rajasthan' campaign.
• It is known that 'No Bag Day' is an ambitious program run by the state government. With this, students are being led towards their overall development along with academic development.
• Every Saturday is celebrated as 'No Bag Day' in the government schools of the state. Rajasthan is a leading state in the country to do this. In this, students are given important information about road safety, information against tobacco, good touch bad touch awareness and personality development.
• Naveen Jain, Secretary, School Education Government said that 'Safe School Safe Rajasthan' is an innovative initiative. Under this, the students studying in government and private schools of the state will be informed about 'good touch bad touch' and measures to be taken to avoid such situations.
• On the coming Saturday (26 August 2023), more than 65 lakh students in more than 65 thousand government schools across the state will be informed about 'Good Touch Bad Touch' under this campaign.

33 Centres of Khelo India Inaugurated in Rajasthan

Why In News?

• On August 23, 2023, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur inaugurated 33 centers of Khelo India in the state of Rajasthan at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.

Key Points:

• The Union Minister announced that a National Center of Excellence along with a dedicated Sports Science Center will be set up in 18 other Khelo India centers in Rajasthan. Thus, the total number of Khelo India centers in the state will be 51.
• Along with this, it was also announced that competitions would be organized between Khelo India centers, while the 'Coaching the Coach' program would be extended to 'Khelo India' centres. The coaches and the coaches at the Khelo India Center will be trained in association with national and international coaches.
• It is known that more than 17,000 athletes are currently training at Khelo India Centers (KICs) and 699 former champion athletes are already on the job across the country.
• At present the total number of Khelo India centers notified across India is 960, out of which 715 are operated by KIC. The total number of notified KICs in Rajasthan is 33, out of which 32 KICs are functional. These KICs are specialized training centres, focused on sports disciplines such as cycling, basketball, wushu, hockey etc.
• The small Khelo India centers help in strengthening the sports eco-system at the grassroots level by enhancing the utilization of existing sports related infrastructure available in schools, organizations and other eligible agencies at the block or district level.
• Former champion athletes become coaches and mentors for the youth at KIC, autonomously running sports training centers and earning their livelihood. Under the Khelo India scheme, along with these former champions, initial and annual financial assistance is also provided to these centers for sports training, coaching and operations.

Mukhyamantri Scooty Yojana

Why In News?

• On August 23, 2023, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan provided funds to 7 thousand 790 students who got first position in government high schools and higher secondary schools in Shahdol in the state level scooty distribution program in 2022-23 and to buy scooties. Launched 'Mukhyamantri Scooty Yojana'.

Key Points:

• As a symbol, the Chief Minister handed over the keys of scooty to six students of Shahdol division and gave offer letters to the trainees of 'Mukhyamantri Sikho Kamao Yojana'.
• It is noteworthy that Mukhyamantri Scooty Yojana' has been started to honor the toppers in class 12^th. Through this scheme, the government will release funds to these students to buy scooty in their account. Every year 8 thousand students of the state will get its benefit.
• To get the benefit of this scheme, students will have to apply, in which they will also have to mention whether they want to buy an electric scooter or a petrol scooty. The government will give Rs 1 lakh 20 thousand for the electric scooty, while Rs 90 thousand will be released for the normal scooty.
• On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that an airport would be constructed soon in Shahdol. This will accelerate industry establishment and investment in the region, which will create new employment opportunities.
• The Chief Minister also announced to make Shahdol a Municipal Corporation and start another college here.
• On this occasion, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan also virtually inaugurated Asia's largest ISC certified sports climbing wall built at a cost of Rs 6 crore 43 lakh at Vicharpur sports complex.
• Along with this, Bhoomi Pujan of works worth Rs 96 crore 62 lakh was done and works worth Rs 6.43 crore were inaugurated.
• The Chief Minister also distributed benefits to the beneficiaries of Yuva Anna Doot Yojana, SSG Credit Linkage, Prime Minister Employment Generation, National Old Age Pension and Chief Minister Kalyani Pension Scheme.
• On this occasion, a short film focused on the sports facilities being provided at the school level in Shahdol district was screened.

Indore is also First in the Country in clean Air Survey

Why In News?

• In the Clean Air Survey-2023 released by the Central Pollution Control Board on August 23, 2023, Indore has once again hoisted the flag of success in the country. Indore has secured the first position in the category of cities with a population of more than 10 lakhs.

Key Points: 

• In this category, Bhopal has secured 5th position, Jabalpur 13th and Gwalior 41st.
• Principal Secretary Environment Gulshan Bamra said that in the category of cities with a population of 3 lakh to 10 lakh, Sagar has got the 10th place in the country with a score of 188.02.
• Among cities with less than 3 lakh population, Dewas has secured 6th position in the country with a score of 180.
• It is notable that last year Dewas had secured the first position with 175.05 marks out of 200. Indore has got 187 out of 200, Bhopal 181, Jabalpur 172 and Gwalior 114.
• In the Clean Air Survey-2023, among the cities with population of more than 10 lakhs, Madhya Pradesh has got the fifth award out of the first five. Indore got first, Agra second, Thane third, Srinagar fourth and Bhopal 5th.
• Self-assessment is also done by the cities on the 'PRAN' online portal in the National Clean Air Program for the purpose of pollution control.
• Cities are required to report on activities and measures implemented with respect to solid waste, road dust, construction and demolition waste management, control of vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.

Now the Biography of Maharaja Agrasen will be Read by the Students of Class V in Haryana, Included in the Syllabus

Why In News?

• According to the information received from the media on August 23, 2023, the Haryana government has included the biography of Maharaja Agrasen in the school curriculum. This biography will be taught in the Hindi subject of class V. For this, the green signal has also been received from the State Educational Research and Training Council, Gurugram.

Key Points:

• It is worth mentioning that in a letter written by the State Educational Research and Training Council to the Director of the Secondary Education Department, it has been said that according to the guidelines of the Haryana School Education Project Council, Maharaja Agrasen's biography has been included in the syllabus of Hindi subject of class V.
• It is known that on July 6, 2021, under the leadership of National President of All India Agrawal Conference, Gopal Sharan Garg, the people of Agrawal community had demanded that the biography of Maharaja Agrasen be included in the school curriculum.
• On July 26, 2021, the Assembly Speaker put this demand in front of Chief Minister Manohar Lal. Now notification has been issued in this regard.
• It is known that Maharaja Agrasen has been the promoter of humanity, the priest of non-violence, the founder of the republic, the messiah of the poor, a strong supporter of nationalism. He gave a new direction to society by starting the tradition of 'Ek Eint-Ek Mudra'. Maharaja Agrasen has a deep connection with the history of Haryana.

Jharkhand Government Gave Big Gift to PVTG Students

Why In News?

• Recently Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a major initiative for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) students of the state inaugurated free residential coaching for PVTG students at Dr. Ramdayal Munda Tribal Welfare Research Institute in Ranchi.

Key Points:

• This is the first of its kind in the country, where such a scheme has been launched for the upliftment of PVTGs.
• Over 400 students belonging to eight tribes including Asur, Mal Paharia, Sauria Paharia, Birjia, Korwa, Birhor and Sabar of the state had applied for free coaching to prepare for the examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC). 156 candidates have been shortlisted for free coaching.
• Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that out of total 32 tribes of the state, eight tribes of Jharkhand are listed in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
• He said that the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, i.e. PVTGs are moving towards extinction. In such a situation, it is the responsibility of the government to protect them and provide employment opportunities.

Chandrayaan-3: A Team of 50 Engineers from MECON had Designed the Launching Pad for ISRO.

Why In News?

• On August 23, 2023, the successful soft landing of India's mission Chandrayaan-3 has been done on the surface of the moon. Jharkhand's capital Ranchi has made a big contribution in this, whose two organizations MECON and HEC have designed the launching pad.

Key Points:

• This was the third time that India's space agency Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has launched Chandrayaan.
• Many important equipment of Chandrayaan-3 was also manufactured in HEC. MECON prepared GSLV, the biggest launching pad for ISRO. Its equipment is also made in Ranchi and Tata. MECON handled it from concept to commissioning.
• MECON engineer Nishith Kumar, who was a part of this project, said that in the year 1999, MECON got the contract to make a launching pad for rocket launch for ISRO. This was the first time that a launching pad was built to launch a rocket in India. Prior to this, India had no experience in building a launching pad for launching rockets.
• MECON didn't even have any old references. ISRO gave its requirements and a core team of 50 engineers from MECON under the leadership of S. R. Majumdar of MECON started the work and made the project a success.
• Apart from two companies in Jharkhand, MECON also got equipment made by companies from different parts of the country. Some things were also imported from abroad.
• MECON's engineer said that the country's prestigious company Tata had manufactured some equipment in Jamshedpur's unit. Ranchi's HEC also manufactured a number of equipment and also did the assembling work. Apart from Chennai company KTV, Mumbai company Godrej, many companies also made equipment for the launching pad. Some equipment was also imported from Russia and Europe.
• It is known that Ranchi-based Heavy Engineering Corporation (HEC), which is called Mother of All Industries, has made the Horizontal Sliding Door, Folding cum Vertical Repositionable Platform (FCVRP), Mobile Launching Pedestal and 10 Ton Hammer Head Tower Crane for GSLV. A 10-ton hammer head tower crane maintains the balance of the rocket.
• ISRO launches all its big rockets from this mobile launching pedestal.