Chhattisgarh

• 25 Mar 2022

Union Rural Development Minister Honored 6 MGNREGA Workers of the State

Why in News?

On March 24, 2022, six MGNREGA workers of Chhattisgarh, who changed their lives by getting training in skill development through Project 'Unnati', were felicitated by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.

Key Points

• Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav organised on the occasion of 75 years of independence of the country, 75 beneficiaries of Project 'Unnati' from across the country have been honoured.
• Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (R-SETIs) and officials of Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushal Yojana (DDU-GKY) were also honoured in the program for their outstanding contribution in skill development of MGNREGA workers under Project 'Unnati'.
• Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh honoured these workers by presenting them mementoes and citations in a program organised at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
• Senior scientist of Balod Krishi Vigyan Kendra of the state, Dr. KR. Anita Tudu, in-charge of the Rural Self-Employment Training Institute (R-SETI) run by Bank of Baroda at Sahu and Dhamtari, was also honoured for her contribution to the project 'Unnati'.
• In the financial year 2018-19, these members of the families who got 100 days of employment under MNREGA have been prepared for self-employment by training them in skill development through the project 'Unnati'. All of them were provided training at the Rural Self-Employment Training Institute (R-SETI) located in their respective districts.
• These workers of families who got 100 days of employment under MNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) in the financial year 2018-19, are now doing their own business after skill upgradation.
• Among the MGNREGA workers to be honoured are Neetu Bai Sahu (mushroom production) of Bhanpuri gram panchayat of Dhamtari district, Poolwanti Kanwar (candle making work) of Sarangpuri panchayat, Geetanjali Dhruv of Loharsi of Fingeshwar block of Gariaband district and Omeshwari Kanwar of Patora panchayat (Sewing work), Krishna Kumar (goat rearing) of Podi Gram Panchayat of Sonhat block of Koriya district and Bimal Saw (mobile repairing) of Durgapali of Basna block of Mahasamund district.

Ishwari of Chhattisgarh Won Silver Medal in World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai

Why in News?

On March 23, 2022, visually impaired runner Ishwari Nishad from Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh won the silver medal for India in the running competition at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2022 under the 13th Faiza International Athletics Championships held in Dubai.

Key Points

• Ishwari Nishad secured second position by completing the 400 metres race in one minute 25 seconds. With this, Ishwari has managed to achieve the minimum standard qualification for the Asian Para Games to be held in Hangzhou, China in October this year.
• It is noteworthy that the 13^th Faiza International Athletics Championships was held in Dubai from March 17 to 25, 2022.
• Ishwari Nishad, native of village Samhar of Bagbahra tehsil of Mahasamund district, is studying in Fortune Foundation Blind Special School, Bagbahra.
• Ishwari started representing Chhattisgarh in national competition in 2016 and has been winning gold medals for five consecutive years. So far, she has won 11 medals in national events, including 5 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze.
• She won the gold medal in the 200m race at the India National Open Para Athletics Championships held at Bangalore Sai Training Centre in 2021-22.
• It is worth mentioning that Social Welfare Minister Anila Bhediya had honoured Ishwari Nishad for receiving gold medal in para athletics at the national level at the state level honour ceremony held in the capital Raipur on March 5.
• After returning from Dubai, Ishwari will participate in the 20^th National Para Athletics Championships to be held in Bhubaneswar.