• 30 Jan 2024

Jharkhand Showcases Tasar Silk Production in R-Day Parade

Why in News?

Jharkhand's tableau in the Republic Day parade on 26^th January 2024, showcased the skill of tribal women in the production of Tasar silk.

Key Points

• The tableau depicted the Tasar moth rearing, cocoon production, weaving and the modern journey of Tasar garments from design to global distribution.
• The performance exuded the vibrant spirit of Jharkhand through the "jhumar" folk dance and indigenous music.
• Tasar Silk:
  • It is a type of wild silk, which is made from silkworms that feed on plants like Asan and Arjun.
  • In different parts of India it is known as tusaar, tusser, tushar, tusa, tassore, and tasar etc.
  • The silk can also be found in shades of brown, cream, and orange.
  • The threads of tasar silk are often thicker than those of other silks, and they are woven in a way that creates a 'checkerboard' pattern.
  • It is lightweight yet strong, with a luxuriously soft feel often compared to that of cashmere or velvet.
  • It does not retain moisture, and can be worn in warmer climates of the world.
• India is the second-largest producer of tussar silk and the exclusive producer of Indian tussar (also known as tropical tussar), which is largely tended to by tribals.
• In India, it is primarily produced in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Currently, Jharkhand is one of the largest producers.
  • China, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are global producers of tasar silk.

Status of India’s Silk Industry

• India stands as the world's second-largest producer of raw silk after China.
• India boasts a diverse range of silk types, including Mulberry, Tasar, Muga, and Eri. The variations arise from the distinct feeding habits of the silkworms.
• The silk industry stands as one of India's largest foreign exchange earners, contributing significantly to the country's economic landscape.
• The major silk-producing states in the country are Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.

Khelo India Youth Games

Why in News?

Recently, Haryana bagged the boys and girls hockey titles in the 6th Khelo India Youth along with Orissa.

Key Points

• The Khelo India Youth Games was started in 2018 under the name Khelo India School Games.
  • The aim of these games is to find and groom sports talents at the local level and train them for national and international sports events.
  • The Khelo India Scheme is the flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
• Under this, the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) and the Khelo India Winter Games were set up as annual national sports competitions where youngsters, representing their states and universities, respectively, showcased their skills and competed for medals.
• Results of Hockey Finals:
  • Boys: Odisha won the final against Madhya Pradesh with 4 goals.
  • Girls: Haryana won the final against Madhya Pradesh with 1 goal.

Haryana Tableau Depicts 'Mera Parivar-Meri Pehchan' in R-Day Parade

Why in News?

Haryana tableau in the Republic Day parade on 26^th January 2024, depicted the theme of 'Mera Parivar-Meri Pehchan' which is an ambitious programme of the Haryana Government which is playing a meaningful role in realizing the dream of "Viksit Bharat' (Developed India).

Key Points

• The main objective of this program is to provide the benefits of government schemes to eligible families by connecting with technology through the data of every family collected and updated by the government.
• The government is delivering the schemes to every eligible person through the Parivar Pehchan Patra.
• The Tableau has been crafted as a traditional symbol of empowerment for women.
  • Woman holding a digital device symbolizes a developed digital India, enabling people across every corner of Haryana to access and redeem government schemes with just one click from the comfort of their homes through the Parivar Pehchan Patra.
  • Significant benefits were also highlighted of the "Parivar Pehchan Patra" such as the seamless procurement of ration, agricultural subsidies for farmer families, scholarships for young students, and pensions for the elderly.

Parivar Pehchan Patra

• The Parivar Pehchan Patra Scheme was started by the Haryana Government in the year 2020.
• Under Parivar Pehchan Card, considering each family as a unit, an eight digit unique family ID is being provided.
• Its objective is to prepare authentic, verified and reliable data of all the families in Haryana, so that the benefits of government schemes can be provided to every beneficiary in a hassle-free manner.

Note

• 'Rashtrapati Ke Angrakshak'- 2024 Republic Day (75th) is special for the elite Regiment as the 'Angrakshak' has completed 250 years of service since its raising in 1773.
• President of India and President of France, Emmanuel Macron, who is the chief guest at 75th Republic Day celebration arrived at Kartavya Path in the 'Traditional Buggy', a practice which made a comeback after a gap of 40 years.

MP Lokayukta Probes Scam in State Board

Why in News?

The Madhya Pradesh secondary education board is under scanner of the state Lokayukta organisation in connection with allegations of irregularities in purchase of computers amounting to nearly Rs 100 crore.

Key Points

• A complaint has been filed with the Lokayukta organization, citing major discrepancies in the purchase of computer desktops, photocopiers, and UPS.
  • The cost of each computer desktop was reported to be Rs 1,39,350, resulting in a total expenditure of approximately Rs 96.70 crore.
  • The department procured hardware for 4,519 cooperative societies, encompassing five devices per pack – desktop, multi-function device (photocopy, scan, print), UPS, VPN, and biometric. The total expenditure for this purchase amounted to about Rs 55 crore.
• It asserts that there is an evident financial irregularity of around Rs 45 crore in the hardware purchase.
• It highlights the inflated rates of the secondary education board's desktops, which were Rs 82,000 more per unit compared to the cooperative department's purchase.

Lokayukta Organisation

• The Lokayukta is the Indian Parliamentary Ombudsman, executed into power, through and for, each of the State Governments of India.
• It is an anti-corruption authority. The objective of the Lokayukta system in a state is to investigate grievances, allegations against public servants.
• The origin of the Lokayukta can be drawn to the Ombudsman in Scandinavian countries.
• In India, the Administrative Reforms Commission, (1966-70), had recommended the creation of the Lokpal at the Centre and Lokayukta in the states.
  • Maharashtra was first in this respect with its Lokayukta body established in 1971.

Merger of Public Health and Medical Education Departments

Why in News?

Recently, the Madhya Pradesh cabinet approved the proposal of merger of the Medical Education department and the Public Health department.

• Currently, hospitals come under the purview of the Public Health department while medical colleges and associated facilities fall in the domain of the Medical Education department.

Key Points

• With the merger, medical colleges will be able to focus on critical and specialised treatments and medical education instead of routine medical services and it will become easier to affiliate district hospitals with medical colleges.
• The cabinet also approved the following:
  • The proposal to Parliament seeking amendments to the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The proposed amendments include the removal of minor violations related to water pollution from the category of crime.
  • Amendments to Madhya Pradesh Ayurvigyan Vishwavidyalaya Adhiniyam, 2011.
  • A proposal to set up Pradhan Mantri College of Excellence in all 55 districts under the National Education Policy.
  • Creation of 1845 academic and 387 non-academic posts at these institutes.

The Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974

• This Act was enacted for the prevention and control of water pollution and maintaining or restoring of wholesomeness of water. The Central and State Pollution Control Boards have been constituted under section 3 and 4 of the Act respectively.
• The Act was amended in 1978 and 1988 to clarify certain ambiguities and to vest more powers in the Pollution Control Board.

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• The NEP 2020 aims at making “India a global knowledge superpower”.
• It is only the 3rd major revamp of the framework of education in India since independence.
  • The two earlier education policies were brought in 1968 and 1986.

Rajasthan Tableau for R-Day Parade

Why in News?

Rajasthan's tableau in the Republic Day parade on 26^th January 2024, depicted the desert state's mesmerising cultural traditions, striking handicrafts and world-famous tourism destinations.

Key Points

• With the theme "Viksit Bharat Mein – Padharo Mhare Desh – Rajasthan", the tableau sought to promote the state's tourism potential.
• The tableau was a demonstration of the development of women's handicraft industries, nurtured along with the festive culture of Rajasthan, giving a beautiful glimpse of the cultural and architectural legacy.
• A beautiful statue of Meera Bai, a symbol of devotion and power, was displayed in the rear end of the tableau.
• The rich handicraft traditions of the state, including bandhej, bagru print and applique work, skilfully crafted by women, depicted the entrepreneurship of the "Women of Rajasthan".
• The tableau had models of two camels adorned with Gorband, depicting the legacy of the Camel Utsav held every year in Rajasthan.
  • The United Nations has also declared the year 2024 as the International Year of Camelids.

Meera Bai

• She was a prominent saint, poetess, and devotee of Lord Krishna in the Bhakti movement of India.
• She became a prominent figure in the Bhakti movement, a spiritual and devotional movement that emphasized a personal connection with the divine and advocated love and devotion as a means of attaining salvation.

International Year of Camelids 2024

• The UN has designated 2024 as the International Year of Camelids.
• The Year is meant to raise the public's and policymakers' awareness of the significant role of camelids in protecting ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, assuring food security and adapting to climate change.

Uttarakhand CM Holds Roadshow in Rudraprayag

Why in News?

Recently, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a roadshow from Prachin Dewal to Sports Ground Agastyamuni in Rudraprayag and announced schemes worth ₹467 crores.

Key Points

• In the event, welfare schemes worth more than ₹467 crores were inaugurated.
• On this occasion, the CM also took information from the women about the changes in their livelihood after joining the Mahaprasad scheme of the government.
  • Various women's groups associated with the Kedarnath Yatra had done business worth more than ₹70 lakh during the 2023 Yatra.
  • Apart from this, women have earned ₹5 lakh from local herbal incense, churma, belpatri, honey, jute, silk bags, etc.
  • More than 500 women belonging to various women's groups also got employment from it.
• The district administration of Rudraprayag has set a target of selling prasad worth ₹2 crore in the next yatra.
• The CM also honoured all women police personnel included in the Guard of Honor giving them cash awards.

PRASHAD Scheme

• The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
• The name of the scheme was changed from PRASAD to “National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” in October 2017.
• Under the PRASHAD Scheme, several religious cities/sites in have been identified for development such as Amaravati and Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh), Kamakhya (Assam), Parasuram Kund (Lohit District, Arunachal Pradesh), Patna and Gaya (Bihar), etc.