1. Amit Shah lays foundation stone of 'Balidan Stambh' in Srinagar
Tags: State News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the construction of 'Balidan Stambh' in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on 24 June.
An Overview of the News
The opening ceremony took place at a park near Lal Chowk, the commercial centre of Srinagar.
The 'Sacrifice Pillar' is a monument that is being built as part of the Srinagar Smart City project.
The aim of the memorial is to honour the courageous martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice for the country.
About Jammu and Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir was a state of India until August 2019, which was bifurcated as two union territories namely Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on 31 August 2019.
Capital- Srinagar (May-October), Jammu (November-April)
Lieutenant Governor - Manoj Sinha
Legislative Council - 36 seats
Legislative Assembly - 89 seats
Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, Justice - Koteshwar Singh
2. Surat sets Guinness World Record for largest gathering on Yoga Day
Tags: State News
A new Guinness World Record was created with the participation of 1.53 lakh people in the Yoga Day event in Surat, Gujarat.
An Overview of the News
Largest gathering for a yoga session at one place, with 1.53 lakh people participating.
The previous record was set in 2018 in Kota, Rajasthan with 1,00,984 participants.
Event Description and Recognition:
Gujarat Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi announced the new record.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel attended the state level 'International Yoga Day' celebrations in Surat.
The representatives of Guinness World Records presented the certificate to Chief Minister Patel.
The participants were given wristbands with QR codes for accurate counting.
The QR code data confirmed the participation of 1.53 lakh people surpassing the previous record.
Scale and Organization:
2.20 lakh people registered through the online link.
The participants of the Yoga Day event in Surat were accommodated on two stretches of roads spread over 10.5 km.
A total of 135 blocks were built with LED screens and trainers, each accommodating around 1,000 people.
International Day of Yoga was celebrated across Gujarat at 72,000 places with 1.25 crore participants.
Significance and Schemes:
Chief Minister Patel highlighted the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in popularizing Yoga globally.
Yoga and Pranayama played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state government is planning to open 21 "Yoga studios" to promote yoga.
The State Yoga Board has trained 5,000 instructors.
Broad Participation and Location Selection:
Other Ministers, MLAs, MPs and officials participated in the programs organized in various districts.
75 iconic places including Sabarmati Riverfront, Statue of Unity, White Rann of Kutch and Modhera Sun Temple were selected for Yoga Day celebrations.
Yoga Day programs were held in villages, towns, cities, colleges, schools, health centers, police headquarters, jails, police stations and public gardens all over Gujarat.
3. Tamil Nadu Police Launches New Scheme for Women Traveling Alone at Night
Tags: State News
The Tamil Nadu police have introduced a new scheme called 'Pengal Pathukaaptu Thittam' (Women Safety Scheme) in Chennai city on 20th June.
An overview of the news
The scheme aims to provide safe transportation for women who return from work between 10 pm and 7 am. It is operational every day of the week.
Women who feel unsafe while traveling alone at night can dial helpline numbers such as 1091, 112, 044-23452365, and 044-28447701.
Upon receiving a call, the police will dispatch a patrol vehicle to accompany the women and ensure their safe transportation to their residences.
Addressing Safety Concerns
The scheme has been implemented in response to the increasing number of women working in various shifts.
Often, women are dropped off at a location by office vehicles, and they have to walk alone to reach their homes.
Use of Mobile Applications
Previously, the police encouraged the use of the 'Kaavalan' SOS mobile application for safety purposes.
In October of the previous year, the Coimbatore police launched the 'Police Akka' project, which focused on preventing crimes against female students.
Police personnel were designated to visit colleges, interact with students, and build a strong rapport with them.
About Tamil Nadu State
The state was formed on 26 January 1950 but its boundaries were redrawn on 14 January 1969.
Tamil Nadu is located at the mouth of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
Bharatanatyam is a very popular and famous dance form of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of bananas and flowers, the second largest producer of mango, rubber, groundnut, coconut and the third largest producer of coffee.
Governor- Ravindra Narayan Ravi
Chief Minister- M.K.Stalin
Assembly seats- 235 seats
Rajya Sabha Seats - 18
Lok Sabha seats- 39
4. Karnataka's Anna Bhagya Scheme
Tags: Government Schemes State News
The Karnataka government is currently facing challenges in implementing the Anna Bhagya scheme starting from July 1 due to the unavailability of the required amount of rice.
An overview of the news
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) has halted the sale of rice to state governments, including Karnataka, since June 12.
This discontinuation of rice supply has created difficulties for the implementation of the Anna Bhagya scheme.
However, Punjab has in principle agreed to supply rice to Karnataka in the required quantity.
FCI initially agreed to provide the required 2.28 lakh tonnes of rice, but later refused to do so.
Telangana and Andhra Pradesh expressed their inability to supply, while the Chhattisgarh government offered to supply 1.5 lakh tonnes.
About Anna Bhagya Scheme
The state government intends to increase the allocation of free rice from 5 kg to 10 kg per person on Below Poverty Line (BPL) cards under the Anna Bhagya scheme.
The aim of this increase in free rice allocation is to provide more support and food security to the persons belonging to BPL category.
The implementation of this revised allocation is scheduled to begin from July 1.
The increased allocation of free rice will cost the state government an estimated ₹840 crore per month.
Annually, the scheme is expected to cost Rs 10,092 crore to the state exchequer.
5. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister launched an app called 'Arunpol App' of Arunachal Pradesh Police
Tags: State News
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu launched the 'Arunpol App' of Arunachal Pradesh Police on 14 June 2023.
An Overview of the News
This app allows common people to register complaints without visiting the police station.
The app also enables people to apply for clearance from the police.
An APP Awareness Generation Vehicle named Arunpol Sewa Van was flagged off during the event.
The vehicle will travel to various places, engage with the public and create awareness about the Arunpol App.
E-Vigilance App:
The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh also launched the e-vigilance app for the state government employees.
The e-Vigilance app ensures timely vigilance clearance for government employees.
The launch of these apps reflects the government's focus on using technology to improve public services and enhance administrative processes.
About Arunachal Pradesh
It is a state located in the northeastern region of India. It shares its borders with the countries of Bhutan, China and Myanmar.
Establishment - 20 February 1987
Capital - Itanagar (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister – Pema Khandu
Official flower - Rhynchostylis retusa
Official Animal - Gayal
6. Guwahati becomes first railway station in Northeast to get FSSAI's 'Eat Right Station' certification
Tags: State News
The Guwahati Railway Station located in Assam under the North East Frontier Railway recently received the prestigious 'Eat Right Station' certification from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
An Overview of the News
FSSAI has acknowledged Guwahati Railway Station for its commitment to providing high-quality and nutritious food options to passengers.
As the first railway station within the North East Frontier Railway to receive this certification, Guwahati Railway Station has successfully met the stringent guidelines laid down by FSSAI.
The 'Eat Right Station' certification is a testament to the station's compliance with FSSAI's established standards for food storage and hygiene practices.
This certification is an acknowledgment of the station's efforts in maintaining the benchmark in serving safe and wholesome food to the passengers.
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI):
It is a statutory body.
It functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
FSSAI was established as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 is a comprehensive law that governs food safety and regulation in India.
Established - 5 September 2008
Headquarters - New Delhi
Founder - Anbumani Ramdas
About Assam
Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950
Capital - Dispur
Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria
Rajya Sabha - 7 seats
Lok Sabha - 14 seats
Official Animal - Indian Rhinoceros
Official Bird - White-winged Duck
Official Dance - Bihu Dance
Official flower - Rhynchostylis retusa
7. Women 20 summit begins at Mahabalipuram near Chennai
Tags: State News
The third and final working group of the summit on W-20 began at Mahabalipuram near Chennai.
An Overview of the News
The conference also emphasised the importance of women's health and gender empowerment, and the role of families in supporting the rights of children.
Emphasis was placed on the private sector to actively participate and contribute positively in gender-specific planning.
The first session focused on the convergence of women's health, gender equality, and social and economic development in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The 2nd Women 20 (W20) International Meeting was held on 13 April in Jaipur, Rajasthan and the meeting was attended by 120 women leaders from 18 G20 countries.
About the G20
It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
8. IOC partners with LanzaJet to set up aviation fuel plant in Haryana
Tags: State News
Indian Oil Corp (IOC) partnered with LanzaJet to set up an aviation fuel plant in Haryana.
An Overview of the News
The aim of the collaboration is to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The investment for the aviation fuel plant is around 23 billion rupees ($280.1 million).
IOC President S.M. Vaidya announced the partnership during an industry event in New Delhi.
The collaboration promotes sustainable aviation solutions in India.
It contributes to addressing the environmental impact of the aviation industry.
Sustainable aviation fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions and mitigates climate change.
Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL):
It is owned by the Government of India and operates as a Central Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Its headquarter is in New Delhi.
It is a major government owned corporation and works as a public sector undertaking.
Its operations are monitored and regulated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Establishment - 30 June 1959
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - Shrikant Madhav Vaidya
9. Tiger Safari in Ramgarh Reserve is expected to be open in July
Tags: Environment State News
The Forest Department is making preparations to launch a wildlife safari within the buffer zone of the recently established Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Rajasthan's Bundi district.
An overview of the news
By setting up wildlife safaris within the buffer zone of the tiger reserve, the forest department aims to promote eco-tourism and raise awareness about wildlife conservation.
It will provide visitors a chance to see tigers and other wildlife in their natural habitat.
This will ensure the protection of wildlife and reduce the distress caused to the animals.
About Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR)
Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary was designated as a tiger reserve on July 5, 2021, after receiving in-principle approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
It is situated in the Bundi district of southeastern Rajasthan.
It was initially established as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1982 under the Rajasthan Wild Animals and Birds Protection Act, 1951.
The sanctuary comprises a core area of 481.9 sq. km and a buffer area of 1019.98 sq. km, providing ample space for wildlife conservation.
Mez River, a tributary of the Chambal River, flows through the sanctuary, enhancing the ecological significance of the reserve.
Flora
The habitat of Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary is predominantly characterized by Dhok trees (Anogeissus pendula), which play a significant role in shaping the landscape.
Alongside Dhok, the sanctuary features a diverse range of important flora, including Khair, Ronj, Amaltas, Gurjan, Saler among others.
Fauna
Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Jungle cats, Golden jackals, Hyenas, Crested porcupines, Indian hedgehogs, Rhesus macaques, Hanuman langurs.
The sanctuary provides a natural habitat for the Indian Star tortoise (Geochelone elegans), contributing to its conservation efforts.
10. 5 buildings and structures from Telangana selected for International Green Apple Awards
Tags: Awards State News
Five buildings and structures from Telangana have been selected to receive the 'International Green Apple Awards for Beautiful Buildings' in the Urban and Real Estate Sector category.
An overview of the news
These awards are presented by 'The Green Organisation,' an independent non-profit organization based in London.
This is the first time any building or structure in India has received these prestigious awards and all five nominated structures from Telangana have been recognised.
Selected buildings and constructions from Telangana
Mozzam-Jahi Market (Heritage category)
This building has been acknowledged for its exceptional restoration and re-use.
The market holds historical significance and has been beautifully preserved and adapted for contemporary use.
Durgam Cheruvu Cable Bridge (Bridge category)
The unique design of this cable bridge has earned it recognition.
It showcases innovative engineering and adds to the aesthetic appeal of the surrounding area.
B R Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat Building (Aesthetically designed office and workspace building category)
This building stands out for its architectural beauty and well-thought-out design.
It provides an efficient and visually appealing workspace for government officials.
Integrated Command Control Centre of Telangana Police (Unique office category)
This structure has been acknowledged for its uniqueness and functionality as a command and control center.
It incorporates advanced technology and serves as a hub for monitoring and managing various operations of the Telangana Police.
Yadadri Temple (Excellent religious structures category)
The temple, dedicated to Lord Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, has been recognized for its excellence in religious architecture.
It showcases intricate craftsmanship and devotion to detail.
About Green Organization
The Green Organization, founded in 1994 in London, is an independent non-profit organization that focuses on acknowledging, rewarding, and promoting environmental best practices globally.
Since 2016, they have been organizing the annual 'Green Apple Awards' in London, UK.
These awards aim to recognize and appreciate businesses, local authorities, and communities that demonstrate outstanding efforts in environmental sustainability.
One of the categories within these awards is the "International Beautiful Buildings Green Apple Awards," which specifically honors buildings that have a positive and visually appealing impact on their surroundings, among other criteria.
The Green Apple Awards play a significant role in recognizing and encouraging environmentally responsible construction and design practices.
