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By admin: Oct. 12, 2022

Center approves ‘Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) Scheme’

Tags: National Economy/Finance Government Schemes

To boost economic and social development in the North Eastern region the central government has decided to launch a 100% centrally funded scheme Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE).  The scheme was approved by the Union Cabinet in a meeting held on 12 October 2022 and chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM-DevINE, was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 to address development gaps in the North Eastern Region. 

Duration of the Scheme 

The scheme will be of four year duration from 2022-23 to 2025-26, which will coincide with the remaining period of the 15th Finance Commission. 

Outlay on the scheme 

The scheme is 100% centrally funded and the outlay for the scheme is Rs 6,600 crore for the next four years.

Who will implement the scheme? 

The Scheme will be implemented by the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) through North Eastern Council or Central Ministries/ agencies.

Objectives of the new Scheme

PM-DevINE will provide support to infrastructure and social development projects which may be larger in size and will also provide an end-to-end development solution instead of isolated projects.

PM-DevINE will lead to creation of infrastructure, support industries, social development projects and create livelihood activities for youth and women, thus leading to employment generation.

The objectives of PM-DevINE are to:

(a)    Fund infrastructure convergent, in the spirit of PM Gati Shakti;

(b)    Support social development projects based on felt needs of the NER;

(c)    Enable livelihood activities for youth and women;

(d)    Fill the development gaps in various sectors.

North Eastern States in India 

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland and Sikkim.

Union Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region: Kishan Reddy

Grant of Rs 22, 000 crore approved by the government for oil PSU to compensate for LPG loss

Tags: National Economy/Finance

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on 12 October 2022 has approved a onetime grant amounting to Rs.22,000 crore to three Public Sector Undertaking Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs). The grant will be distributed among Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

In India LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is mainly used for cooking purposes and its price is linked to the International price. India imports about half of its requirement of LPG.

Government Subsidy on LPG 

The Government of India has freed the price of the LPG and linked it with the International market. However, the government of India also provides subsidies on LPG cylinders to certain sections of society .

The Centre provides subsidy, through direct bank transfer, on 12 LPG cylinders (14.2 kg) a year per household. On purchases beyond 12 cylinders a year, the household has to pay the non-subsidised price.

Losses incurred by the PSU Oil Marketing Companies 

In theory the prices of the LPG are determined by the international prices but in reality the government of India puts pressure on the PSU OMC not to increase the prices of LPG too much as it may hurt the public. So if the price of LPG goes up in the market and the prices are not increased in India then the loss is borne by the OMC. 

During the period from June 2020 to June 2022, the international prices of LPG increased by around 300%.  However, to insulate consumers from fluctuations in international LPG prices, the cost increase was not fully passed on to consumers of domestic LPG.  Accordingly, domestic LPG prices have raised by only 72% during this period.  

TO compensate the OMC government is giving them a grant. 

Grant means that the OMC will not return the money back to the government .

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas: Hardeep Puri 

First Sanctuary for 'Slender Loris' to be set up in Tamil Nadu

Tags: Science and Technology State News

India’s first sanctuary for the endangered species, Slender Loris was notified by the Tamil Nadu government on 12 October 2022. The first 'Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary' in will be set up in the Karur and Dindigul districts of the state, in about 11,806 hectares of land.

Slender Loris 

Slender Loris are small nocturnal mammals that are arboreal in nature as they spend most of their life on trees. These look like monkeys and are about 25 cm long and have long, thin arms. They weigh around 275 grams. They are mainly found in India and Sri Lanka.

Apart from insects they are also known to eat leaves, flowers, slugs and sometimes eggs of birds. The species acts as a biological predator of pests in agricultural crops and benefits farmers. The nocturnal mammal is listed as an endangered species as per the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUNC).

Sanctuary for Slender Loris 

A total of 11,806 hectares of forest areas in the Karur and Dindigul districts of Tamil Nadu have been identified as important habitats for Slender Loris. The Kadavur Slender Loris sanctuary will cover Vedasandur, Dindigul East, and Natham taluks in the Dindigul district and Kadavur taluk in the Karur district of Tamil Nadu.

NGT fines Delhi government Rs 900 crore for its failure in ‘solid waste management’

Tags: Science and Technology State News

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in an order passed on 12 October 2022 has ordered the Delhi government to pay Rs 900 crore as environmental compensation for improper management of solid municipal waste, stating that "citizens cannot be faced with an emergency situation due to lack of governance."

The NGT bench heard by Justice Adarsh Goel held the Delhi government responsible for not taking remedial steps to deal with the solid waste at the three landfills sites of Delhi- Ghazipur, Bhalswa, and Okhla .

The Bench said that there was continuous emission of methane and other harmful gasses along with groundwater contamination which posed a direct threat to the environment and people of Delhi.

The Bench directed the Delhi government to deposit the fine amount in a separate account which will be used by the Delhi Chief Secretary to for restoration of the environment by remediation of waste and other measures.

The NGT is monitoring compliance of Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and other environmental issues by states and Union territories. 

National Green Tribunal 

• It deals with cases relating to the environment protection and conservation of forest.
• It was set up in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
• The Tribunal is not  bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is  guided by principles of natural justice.
•  New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are  other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.

Chairperson : Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel

4 member committee to probe WHO report on contaminated syrup supplied by Maiden Pharma

Tags: committee National

The Government of India on 12 October 2022 has set up a four-member expert committee to investigate the report sent by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the deaths of 66 children in Gambia due to consumption of cough syrups from Sonipat-based Company Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited. 

The government has already suspended the production of cough syrup by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd after the report of the WHO.

The committee consists of Dr YK Gupta, Vice Chairperson, Standing National Committee on Medicines ; Dr Pragya Yadav, ICMR -National Institute of Virology(NIV), Pune; Dr Arti Bahl, Division of epidemiology, National Center for Disease Control(NCDC), New Delhi and AK Pradhan, JDC(I), CDSCO(Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation).

According to the reports, an American company Atlantic Pharmaceuticals Company Ltd which has permission to export medicines to Gambia, ordered combined syrup from Maiden Pharmaceuticals limited. 

The cough syrup was subsequently found contaminated by the WHO leading to the death of children in Gambia.

Republic of Gambia 

It is a West African situated along the Atlantic Ocean.

The country derives its name from the river Gambia.

Capital: Banjul

Currency: Dalasi 

President: Adama Barrow

World Health Organisation (WHO)

• The World Health Organisation is a specialised agency of the United Nations which was founded on 7 April, 1948.
• Headquarters of WHO : Geneva, Switzerland 
• Director General of WHO:  Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of Ethiopia.

India improves its ranks to 123 on the Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index 2022

Tags: National International News

India has improved its ranking by 6 places in the recently released Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII) 2022. It has been ranked 123th in the world out of 161 countries.  India was ranked 129 in the 2020 Index. 

India’s rank has improved primarily due to improvement in indicators quantifying the impact of public spending and the impact of tax on reducing inequality.

The index ranks the countries on the policies made by the government and action taken to fight inequality in the first two years of covid pandemic.

Norway has been ranked as the top country followed by Germany and Australia.  South Sudan has been ranked 161st at the bottom of the Index. 

Composition of the Commitment to Reducing Inequality Index (CRII)

The Index which is prepared by Oxfam International and Development Finance International (DFI) measures governments policies and actions in three areas proven to have a major impact on reducing inequality.

The three areas are public services (health, education, and social protection), taxation and workers' rights.

India’s performance 

Public service 

India has been ranked 129th in the Public service spending. It was ranked 141 in the 2020 report.

According to the Index, India features among the lowest performers on health spending. It dropped to 157th rank, a drop of two places. The Indian government spends 3.64 % of all it’s spending on health which is lowest among all neighbouring countries.  Pakistan spending is at 4.3%, Bangladesh is at 5.19%, Sri Lanka is at 5.88%, and Nepal is at 7.8%, 

Progressive taxation 

India was ranked 16 on progressive taxation in 2022 while it was ranked 19 in 2020.

Labour Ranking (workers’ rights and wages)

India was ranked 151 on labour ranking (which includes workers’ rights) while in 2020 also it was ranked 151.

South Asian country’s ranking 

OXFAM International

Oxfam International was formed in 1995 by a group of independent non-governmental organizations. They joined together as a confederation to maximize efficiency and achieve greater impact to reduce global poverty and injustice.

The name “Oxfam” comes from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, founded in Britain in 1942. 

The Oxfam International Secretariat is based in Nairobi, Kenya

Oxfam India CEO : Amitabh Behar 

RBI raises the minimum net owned fund requirement for Asset Reconstruction Company to Rs 300 crore

Tags: Economy/Finance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has raised the minimum net owned fund (NOF) requirement of the  existing Asset Reconstruction Company (ARC)  to Rs 300 crore from the present Rs 100 crore by March 2026.

The NOF for the newly set up ARC will be Rs 300 crore but for the existing ARC, the new NOF requirement is to be achieved phase wise.

The existing ARC will have to increase their NOF to Rs 200 crore by 31st March 2024 and to Rs 300 crore by 31st March 2026.

In a circular issued on 11 October RBI said that it has taken this step on the recommendation of the Sudarshan Sen committee that was set up by the RBI in 2021 to review the functioning of the ARC.

Asset Reconstruction Company 

Asset Reconstruction Company is a financial company which are set up under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002. 

They are registered as NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company)

They are regulated by the RBI.

ARC specializes in loan recovery which has turned into Non-Performing Assets (NPA). 

ARC buys these loans from the banks at a discount and then recovers the loan amounts from the defaulting borrower. However they should not be confused with loan recovery agents employed by banks, which often use illegal loan recovery methods.

NPA are those loans where the borrower fails  to repay either the  principal amount or the interest amount or both on the loans  taken from banks and financial institutions for the 90 consecutive days .(However agricultural loans and unsecured loans are do not comes under SARFAESI Act)

ARCIL (Asset Reconstruction Company of India Limited), was the first ARC to be set up in India in 2022.

Governor of RBI: Shaktikanta Das 

3 Indian factories join WEF’s Global Lighthouse

Tags: Economy/Finance

Three Indian factories are amongst the 11 factories and industrial sites worldwide which have been added to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Lighthouse Network.  WEF announced the inclusion of Pharmaceuticals company Cipla’s Indore factory, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories’ Hyderabad factory and the FMCG Company Mondelez factory in Sri City (Andhra Pradesh) on11 October 2022. 

The Global Lighthouse Network is a community of over 100 manufacturers that are showing leadership in applying Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D-printing and big data analytics. 

Incorporating advanced digital production (ADP) technologies into industrial production processes has given rise to the concept of Industry 4.0, also known as the Smart Factory.

In the 4IR, computers are connected and communicate with one another to ultimately make decisions without human involvement. 

Sustainability Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) Dapada factory, which manufactures home care products including Surf Excel, Rin, and Vim, has been recognised as a Sustainability Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum (WEF).

This is the first Unilever site and the first company across sectors to achieve this status in India. This recognition comes on the back of the unit being accorded the designation of an advanced Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Lighthouse earlier this year.

The unit has been recognised for its use of innovative solutions, specifically the use of machine learning and integrated energy management systems to reduce energy, water and material waste.

Fourth Industrial revolution 

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a term coined in 2016 by Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.  

Incorporating advanced digital production (ADP) technologies into industrial production processes has given rise to the concept of Industry 4.0, also known as the Smart Factory.

In the 4IR, computers are connected and communicate with one another to ultimately make decisions without human involvement. 

World Economic Forum Headquarters : Geneva, Switzerland.

SEBI approves HSBC acquisition of L&T Investment Management’s Mutual Fund business

Tags: Economy/Finance

The Capital market regulator Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) approved the acquisition of the L&T Investment Management by the HSBC Asset Management (India) on 11 October 2022. 

In December 2021 , HSBC Asset Management announced the deal to acquire 100% stake in the L&T Investment Management ,  a wholly owned subsidiary of the L&T Finance Holding for  $425 million (about ₹3,187 crore) .  L&T Investment Management manages the mutual fund business of L&T.

HSBC Asset Management (India) is a subsidiary of the HSBC Holding Company (United Kingdom) and manages its mutual fund and other wealth management business in India.

Now L&T Mutual fund business will be merged with the HSBC mutual fund business.

Mutual Funds are launched by an Asset Management Company. Mutual Fund pools the savings of the public and invest in the capital market or money market. 

HSBC 

It was earlier called Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.

It is a British bank which was set up in 1865 in Hong Kong. 

However the headquarters of HSBC is in London, Britain.

It is registered as a Foreign Bank in India with its headquarters in Mumbai.

Chief Executive Officer of HSBC India Operation: Hitendra Dave

Tagline of HSBC Bank: The world’s local bank

Indian Railways plans to replace fossil fuel fleet with electric fleet by 2025

Tags: National Economy/Finance Science and Technology

In  a big boost to the Centre’s ambitious plan to make India a 100% electric vehicle nation by 2030, the Indian Railways has proposed  to replace its entire fleet of vehicles that run on diesel, biofuels or even natural gas with electric vehicles by December 2025.

To achieve the ambitious target of 2030 the country needs to set up 46,000 EV charging stations by 2030 to match the global benchmark. 

Phase wise target of Railways 

According to the timeline proposed by the railways, it aims to achieve the target of installing EV-charging stations and phasing out 20% of its fleet by December 2023, 60% by 2024 and 100% by 2025. 

The replacement of inspection vehicles in divisional offices and attached units would not be mandatory in the initial phase of three years since the vehicles would be required by officials for frequent visits to far-flung areas where adequate charging infrastructure may not be available. 

The railways will also create an affordable and accessible charging infrastructure for users, including passengers, visitors and the general public, on its premises. 

INS Tarkash reaches South Africa to participate in 7th edition of IBSAMAR

Tags: Defence International News

INS Tarkash reached Port Gqeberha (also known as Port Elizabeth), South Africa to participate in the 7th edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multinational maritime exercise among Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies from 10 - 12 Oct 2022.

Important facts

• The previous edition of IBSAMAR (IBSAMAR VI) was conducted at Simons Town, South Africa from 1 to 13 October 2018.

• The Indian Navy is represented by a Teg class guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash, a Chetak helicopter and personnel from the Marine Commando Force (MARCOS).

• The Harbor phase of IBSAMAR VII includes major exercises such as damage control and fire fighting exercises, VBSS/Cross boarding lectures and interactions between Special Forces.

• This joint maritime exercise will strengthen inter-operability for maritime security, joint operational training, sharing of best practices and addressing common maritime threats.

INS Tarkash

• INS Tarkash is a state-of-the-art stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.

• It is built by Yantar Shipyard at Kaliningrad, Russia.

• It is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors capable of addressing threats in all three dimensions.

• The ship incorporates the latest stealth features such as low radar, infra-red, acoustic and magnetic signatures, making it difficult to detect at sea.

• The ship is part of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy based at Mumbai under the Western Naval Command.

NHRC 30th Foundation Day

Tags: Important Days

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is celebrating its 30th Foundation Day on October 12, 2022.

Important facts

• Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar Addresses the National Human Rights Commission's (NHRC) Foundation Day function in New Delhi.

•  He said, human rights are essential for human development and social stability, NHRC is playing a vital role in spreading awareness and human rights literacy among different sections of the society.

• NHRC, India has retained its A-grade status of recognition for its dedicated efforts and high standards with the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions for the fourth consecutive term.

• The commission has zealously defended human rights and freedoms.

National Human Rights Commission

• The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India was established on 12 October 1993 through  an ordinance issued by the President.

• It was provided statutory status by the The  Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993.

• Headquarters - New Delhi

• Chairperson -  A retired Supreme Court Chief Justice or a Supreme Court Judge can be appointed  by the President as the Chairman of the NHRC.

• The First Chairman of NHRC - Justice Ranganath Mishra

• The Current and the 8th  Chairman of NHRC is Justice Arun Kumar Mishra 

• Role - NHRC’s role is to protect human rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation. 

• MOTO of NHRC - “सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः / May all be happy.”

• It has been taken from  Brihadāraṇyaka Upanishad

Ananth Narayan Gopalakrishnan assumes charge as whole-time member at SEBI

Tags: Economy/Finance Person in news

Former banker Ananth Narayan Gopalakrishnan took charge as the fourth whole time member (WTM) in the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on 10 October.

Important facts

• Narayan, who was a member of various advisory committees of SEBI and RBI, has been appointed for the initial three years.

• Prior to taking over, Narayan was Associate Professor at the SP Jain Institute of Management and Research.

• He has over two and a half decades of experience in banking and financial markets, during which he held the position of Regional Head of Financial Markets for ASEAN and South Asia at Standard Chartered Bank.

• He has expertise in foreign exchange, interest rates, derivatives and debt capital markets.

• Narayan has also worked with Deutsche Bank and Citibank.

• Narayan has been given the Department of Market Intermediaries Regulation and Supervision (MIRSD), Department of Alternative Investment Funds and Foreign Portfolio Investors (AFD), Department of Integrated Monitoring (ISD), Department of Economic and Policy Analysis (DEPA) and Department of Information Technology (ITD) in SEBI.

Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairperson - Madhabi Puri Buch

World Arthritis Day

Tags: Important Days

World Arthritis Day is observed every year on 12 October to spread awareness about the existence and impact of arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases.

Important facts

• On this day, doctors and other professionals work to spread awareness through campaigns and different activities.

• On this day, the patients of Arthritis are also advised about proper treatment etc. to recover from this disease.

• On this day enough information is given about all types of arthritis like gout lupus, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis etc.

• Theme of World Arthritis Day 2022 - "It's in your hands, take action".

• The theme aims to encourage people with arthritis, their caregivers, families, and the general public to avail every opportunity to take action to improve their lifestyle.

Background of the day

• World Arthritis Day (WAD) was established by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) and was first observed on 12 October 1996.

• Since then many global communities such as the Arthritis Foundation have joined to raise awareness, provide support and outreach to communities, support stronger policies and research work.

What is Arthritis?

• Arthritis is a disease associated with inflammation and pain of the joints. Which is called arthritis or rheumatism.

• Two of the most common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• The most effect of arthritis is seen in the knees and then in the hip bones. Many people feel pain and stiffness in their body from time to time.

• Arthritis is caused by irritation and damage to the tissues of the joints.

• It is most commonly found in adults over the age of 65, but it can also occur in children, adolescents, and young adults.

Harmanpreet, Rizwan win ICC Player of the Month awards for September

Tags: Sports Awards Person in news Sports News

India women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Pakistan wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan won the ICC Player of the Month awards for September-2022 in the women's and men's categories.

Important facts

• Harmanpreet Kaur became India's first ever winner of the ICC Women's Player of the Month due to her leading role in her team's first ODI series win in England since 1999.

• She performed brilliantly during the ODI series, scoring 221 runs in three matches, maintaining a strike rate of 103.47 and getting dismissed only once.

• The women cricketers selected for the Women's Cricket Award included Bangladesh's Nigar Sultana and India's captains Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana.

• The ICC Men's Player of the Month nominees included Australia's Cameron Green and India's Axar Patel, but Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan managed to bag the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for the first time.

• Rizwan was in terrific form in September, putting up some stellar performances in T20Is.

Lucknow's Jagriti Yadav becomes UK high commissioner for a day

Tags: Person in news International News

20-year-old Jagriti Yadav of Lucknow has been appointed to the highest post of British High Commission in India for a day under women empowerment after winning a competition on the occasion of International Girl Child Day on 11 October 2022.

Important Facts

• Jagriti is the sixth person to receive this honour of becoming the British High Commissioner.

• According to the British Embassy, Jagriti is the sixth winner to win the 'High Commissioner for a Day-India Edition' competition held every year since 2017.

• Jagriti, who hails from Lucknow, remained Britain's highest diplomat in India for a whole day. She gained experience in many diplomatic activities.

• Including holding meetings with various parties and presiding over the meeting. Apart from this, she has been involved in many events throughout the day.

• During this, Jagriti met the Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi as well as met West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.

High Commissioner for a Day-India Edition

• The High Commissioner for a Day-India Edition competition is open to young girls in the age group of 18-23. Last year's winner was Aditi Maheshwari, 20, from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.

• To celebrate International Girl Child Day, the British High Commission provides a unique opportunity for women across India to experience the life of the UK's top diplomat in the country.

Complaint filed against Google in CCI, NBDA alleges

Tags: National National News

Several news organisations have filed complaints against Google with the Competition Commission of India i.e. CCI, this complaint has been filed on behalf of the News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) against Google.

Important facts

• It contains the names of several Google companies such as Alphabet Inc., Google LLC, Google India Private Limited, Google Ireland Limited and Google Asia Pacific, against whom a complaint has been filed with the CCI.

• NBDA in its complaint has alleged violation of Section 19(1)(a) of the Competition Act 2002 against Google.

• The whole matter in the complaint is about the payment of news.

• It has been alleged that Google shows news of media organisations on its platform, but not enough money is paid in return.

• NBDA alleges that Google forces its news members to give news in the name of priority of news on search engine and referral traffic.

• It is alleged that Google uses the content of its news members for services like Google News, Google Discover and Google Accelerated Mobile Pages only for its own economic benefit.

About NBDA

• The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) represents the private television news, current affairs and digital broadcasters.

• It is the collective voice of news, current affairs and digital broadcasters in India.

• It is an organisation fully funded by its members.

• At present NBDA has 26 leading news and current affairs broadcasters (119 news and current affairs channels) as its members.

Competition Commission of India (CCI) 

• The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is the chief national competition regulator in India. 

• It was set up under the Competition Act, 2002

• It comes under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.

• It promotes healthy market competition and prevents activities that have an adverse effect on competition in India. 

• CCI also approves combinations under the act so that two merging entities do not overtake the market.

• Headquarter - New Delhi

• Current Chairman - Ashok Kumar Gupta

Bengaluru-Mysuru superfast Tipu Express train renamed as Wodeyar Express

Tags: State News

A popular train on the Bengaluru-Mysuru route, Tipu Express was renamed as 'Wodeyar Express' by the Ministry of Railways on 9 October.

Important facts

• The name is given to the Wodeyar dynasty that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from the late 1300s to the 1950s.

• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pratap Simha had written a letter to the Railway Ministry regarding the renaming of the train.

• Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also appreciated the move.

• The Wodeyar Express, named after the Mysore royal family, covers a distance of two and a half hours from Bengaluru to Mysuru, which is faster than any other express train.

• It has two stoppages at Mandya and Kengeri.

Anurag Thakur inaugurates Water Sports Centre in Himachal Pradesh

Tags: Sports State News Sports News

Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur has inaugurated a Water Sports Centre in Koldam Barmana, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh on 9 October.

Important facts

• The water sports centre, a first of its kind in Himachal Pradesh, has been jointly started by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also exchanged between SAI and NTPC during the event.

• It has been jointly initiated by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC).

• The centre will be dedicated to training athletes in water sports such as rowing, canoeing and kayaking.

• The centre will select 40 players who will take part in rowing, kayaking and canoeing. The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and will also provide hostel and training facilities to boys and girls.

About Himachal Pradesh 

• It was made the eighteenth state of India on 25 January 1971 under the Himachal Pradesh State Act, 1971.

• Himachal Pradesh is also called the Land of Gods.

• Himachal Pradesh is part of the Shivalik range of the Himalaya Mountains.

• Major rivers and dams- Sutlej (Bhakra Dam, Gobind Sagar Reservoir, Koldam Dam), Vyas (Pandoh Dam, Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir), Ravi (Chamera Dam), Parvati

• Major Lakes- Renuka, Revalsar, Khajjiar, Dal, Beas Kund, Dasaur, Brighu, Parashar, Mani Mahesh, Chander Tal, Suraj Tal, Kareri, Sarolsar, Govind Sagar, Nako Lake

• National Parks- Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Khirganga, Inderkilla and Simbalbara National Parks

• Capital- Shimla

• Governor- Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar

• Chief Minister- Jai Ram Thakur

• Legislative Assembly seats- 68

• Rajya Sabha seats- 3

• Lok Sabha seats - 4