Uttar Pradesh State PCS

• 29 Jan 2024

Uttar Pradesh Foundation Day 2024

Why in News?

On 24^th January 2024, Uttar Pradesh celebrates its 75^th Foundation Day. This day is known as Uttar Pradesh Diwas or UP Diwas in Hindi.

Key Points

• The state was called the Brahmrishi Desh or the Madhya Desh in the Vedic period.
  • During the Mughal period, its territory was divided under governors.
• On 24 January 1950, the United Provinces was renamed as Uttar Pradesh.
  • From 1947 to 1950, India continued to adhere to British principles, leading to Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari serving as the Governor General during this time. As a result, Uttar Pradesh was established as a state under his leadership.
• The initiative to celebrate 'Uttar Pradesh Day' was taken by the then Governor Ram Naik and this event has been celebrated for three days every year since 2018.
• Several programs will be organised from January 24 to February 4, 2024, in Lucknow, Delhi and Noida.
  • Several products will be exhibited under One District One Product (ODOP), along with Shilpotsav in all the districts, like Awadh Shilpgram in Lucknow, Noida Haat Sector-32 and Kharak Singh Marg in Delhi’s Connaught Place.
    • Shilpotsav is the annual fair of artisans from across the country, belonging to the weaker sections of the society.
  • Products of craftsmen from different states and cultural programs of the states were organised under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

• This programme aims to enhance interaction & promote mutual understanding between people of different states/UTs through the concept of state/UT pairing.
• The states carry out activities to promote a sustained and structured cultural connection in the areas of language learning, culture, traditions & music, tourism & cuisine, sports and sharing of best practices, etc.

Khelo Uttar Pradesh Centre

Why in News?

According to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, 'Khelo Uttar Pradesh Centre' will be established in every block of the state on the lines of the 'Khelo India Centre' being established in every district by the Government of India.

Key Points

• The Union Sports Minister honoured the medal winners and participants in the 19^th Asian Games-2022, 4^th Para Asian Games-2022 and 37^th National Games-2023 at the Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar.
  • Prize money worth Rs 62 crore was distributed to 189 outstanding players of the state.
  • Along with this, appointment letters were also given to seven medal winning players as the Deputy Superintendent of Police, District Youth Welfare Officer and Passenger/Goods Tax Officer.
• The players, who can give their time after the games, will be appointed coaches at the 'Khelo UP Centre' on a fixed honorarium.
• Uttar Pradesh is the home of 16% of the country’s population and UP players have won 25% of the Asian Games medals.

Khelo India Programme

• The Khelo India Scheme aims to encourage sports all over the country, thus allowing the population to harness the power of sports through its cross-cutting influence, namely holistic development of children & youth, community development, social integration, gender equality, healthy lifestyle, national pride and economic opportunities related to sports development.
• Under the Scheme, talented players identified in priority sports disciplines at various levels are provided annual financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh per annum for 8 years.