• 25 Jan 2025

UP Foundation Day 2025

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh, celebrating 75 years as a state, was renamed from the United Provinces in 1950 and plays a pivotal role in India's politics and economy. 

• The state has grown in political and economic prominence, setting ambitious goals like becoming a trillion-dollar economy. 

Key Points 

• Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day 2025: 
  • The theme for Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day 2025 is "Development and Heritage: Uttar Pradesh on the Path to Progress". 
  • The state government will confer the ‘Uttar Pradesh Gaurav Samman’ award on six individuals from the fields of music, agriculture and education during the state foundation day.  
• Historical Significance: 
  • Uttar Pradesh, formerly known as United Provinces, was renamed on 24 January, 1950, by the governor general of India through the United Provinces (Alteration of Name) Order, 1950. 
  • The state began celebrating 24 January as UP Foundation Day in 2018, following a suggestion by governor Ram Naik. 
• Political Importance:       
  • The state contributes 80 Members of Parliament to the Lok Sabha, giving it considerable influence in national politics. 
  • It has produced nine Prime Ministers, including the current PM, Narendra Modi, who represents Varanasi in Parliament. 
• Economic Aspirations: 
  • Uttar Pradesh strives to move beyond its BIMARU (economically underdeveloped) tag and achieve a trillion-dollar economy status. 
    • BIMARU: Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh 
• Introduction of ODOP Scheme: 
  • The One District One Product (ODOP) scheme was launched during the first Foundation Day celebrations in 2018 to promote local industries and crafts. 
    • The occasion is aimed to launch new schemes and initiatives aimed at boosting the state's development and welfare. 

Uttar Pradesh’s First Double-Decker Bus Restaurant

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh’s first double-decker bus restaurant, named Pumpkin, has been inaugurated at the Media Centre in the Maha Kumbh Mela area, Prayagraj.  

Key Points    

• The restaurant serves exclusively vegetarian and satvic food, catering to the religious atmosphere of the Kumbh Mela. 
• Designed to be affordable, it aims to accommodate the budgets of common devotees. 
• Founder of the Pumpkin brand announced plans to expand the brand to other religious destinations such as Kashi, Mathura, and Ayodhya. 

Maha Kumbh 

• Kumbh Mela comes under United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 
• It is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, during which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river. 
  • It takes place on the banks of the Godavari river in Nashik, the Shipra river in Ujjain, the Ganges in Haridwar, and the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati river in Prayagraj. The confluence is referred to as the ‘Sangam‘. 

Haryana Cabinet Approves Clean Air Project

Why in News? 

The Haryana Cabinet has approved the Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development (HCAPSD), a ₹3,647 crore initiative aimed at improving air quality and reducing emissions across the Indo-Gangetic Plain.  

Key Points 

• Haryana Clean Air Project (HCAPSD): 
  • The project is supported by the World Bank to improve air quality and reduce emissions in Haryana and the Indo-Gangetic Plain. 
  • It aims to implement air pollution control technologies and coordinate efforts with other states to reduce cross-border emissions. 
  • The project will also work on enhancing the ease of living for citizens through cleaner air. 
• Project Implementation and Governance: 
  • The project will be led by the Haryana Department of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, in collaboration with several other departments, including agriculture, transport, and industries. 
  • A three-tier governing structure will oversee progress, with the chief secretary chairing the top-tier committee. 
• Clean Air Ambassadors Program: 
  • A state-wide fellowship program will be launched, including 24 "clean air ambassadors" at the district level to drive implementation. 
• Other Steps Taken by the State Government: 
  • Women’s Empowerment Scheme - Lado Lakshmi Yojana: 
    • Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini announced that a framework for the Lado Lakshmi Yojana for women will be presented in the upcoming state budget.  
      • The Haryana government has launched the Lado Lakshmi Yojana to support economically disadvantaged women in the state. Through this program, women living below the poverty line will receive ₹2,100 per month. 
  • Civil Judges’ Departmental Exams: 
    • The Cabinet amended the rules for civil judges’ departmental exams, now to be conducted by the high court or a nominated authority. 
  • Relief for Ex-Employees: 
    • The state government has waived recoverable amounts from ex-employees of Haryana Minerals Limited (HML), and Handloom and Export Corporation. 
    • A fixed monthly honorarium, ranging from ₹36,000 to ₹20,000, will be provided to these ex-employees, effective from October 2020. 

 

Chinar Trees

Why in News? 

The J&K Forest Department, in partnership with the J&K Forest Research Institute (JKFI), has introduced a unique initiative by assigning Tree Aadhaar numbers to thousands of Chinar trees throughout the region to conserve the iconic Chinar trees of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Key Points 

• The Chinar Tree’s Heritage Significance: 
  • The Chinar tree, also known locally as boonyi, is a symbol of Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural and natural heritage.  
  • These majestic deciduous trees are characterized by their height (up to 30 meters) and vibrant golden-red leaves during winter. 
  • The number of Chinar trees has significantly decreased in recent decades. 
• The Tree Aadhaar Project: 
  • Under this project, over 28,560 Chinar trees have been geo-tagged to create a comprehensive database.  
  • The trees are assigned unique Tree Aadhaar numbers, and a QR code attached to a digital plate allows anyone to scan and access critical details, including the tree's location, height, girth, canopy, health status, ecological threats, and pest presence. 
• Conservation Efforts: 
  • The initiative is part of a larger effort to conserve these trees, whose numbers have been dwindling due to various factors.  
  • A total of 28,000 trees have been geo-tagged and assigned their Tree Aadhaar IDs between 2021 and 2023.  
• Further Plans: 
  • In addition to this innovative documentation, the J&K Forest Department plans to create a Chinar Atlas, a comprehensive catalog of all Chinar trees across the region.  
  • The initiative also focuses on geo-tagging trees in restricted areas, ensuring even the most remote trees are included in the conservation efforts.