1. Gond painting of Madhya Pradesh gets GI tag
Tags: State News
Gond paintings from Madhya Pradesh have bagged the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, a recognition that protects and acknowledges the work of tribal artists.
An Overview of the News
- Patangarh village in Dindori district is home to many Gond artists, one in every household whose artwork is popular in the state and recognized internationally.
- Narbadia Armo, a physically challenged tribal woman from Khannat village, makes mouth paintings and acts as a role model for women who feel helpless.
- With the GI tag, Narbadiya Armo's paintings will get recognition, a unique identity and a fair price for her artwork.
What is GI Tag?
- A Geographical Indication (GI) is a name or sign given to products coming from a specific geographical location.
- GIs certify that products have been made using traditional methods or have specific qualities due to their origin.
- GI is used for food, handicrafts and industrial products.
- GI tag ensures that only authorised users can use the name of the product.
Who grants and regulates Geographical Indications?
- Geographical Indications (GI) are a type of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) recognized and protected under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
- The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) provides a framework for the protection of GIs at the international level.
- In India, the registration and protection of GI is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect in September 2003.
- The first product in India to receive the GI tag was Darjeeling tea, which was given the GI tag in the year 2004-05.
About Madhya Pradesh
- It is the second largest state of India by area after Rajasthan.
- Forests occupy 25.14 percent of its area.
- Governor - Mangubhai Patel
- Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chouhan
- Capital - Bhopal
2. Maharashtra government announces Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's birth anniversary as 'Swatantraveer Gaurav Din'
Tags: State News Important Days
On 11 April, the Maharashtra government declared 28 May, the birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, as 'Swatantraveer Gaurav Diwas'.
An Overview of the News
- Various programs will be organised to promote and propagate the thoughts and works of Veer Savarkar on Swatantraveer Gaurav Divas.
- It aims to highlight Savarkar's contribution to India's independence movement, his ideology and his campaigns for social reforms and the eradication of untouchability.
About Veer Savarkar
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also known as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, was an Indian freedom fighter, writer and politician who played an important role in the Indian independence struggle.
- He was born on May 28, 1883 in Bhagur village of Nashik district, Maharashtra.
- Savarkar is credited with establishing the concept of Hindutva, which aimed to create a Hindu nationalist identity for India.
- In addition to his role in the Indian independence movement, Savarkar was a prolific writer, writing several books, including "The Indian War of Independence of 1857", "Six Glorious Ages of Indian History", and "Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?"
About Maharashtra
- Capital - Mumbai
- Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde
- Governor - Ramesh Bais
- State Industries Minister - Uday Samant
3. Sanjeevani Project launched by the Government of Himachal Pradesh
Tags: State News
To support small dairy farmers and cattle rearers, the state government launched a project called Sanjeevani on April 9 to enhance their livelihood.
An Overview of the News
The Sanjeevani project uses telemedicine and technology to provide convenient and high-quality livestock care services to farmers' doorsteps, potentially preventing outbreaks and reducing turnaround time for services.
The Animal Husbandry Department of Himachal Pradesh collaborated with Bharat Financial Inclusion Limited (BFIL) for the National Animal Disease Control Programme-Mobile Veterinary Van (NADCP-AHD-MVU) project.
The objective of the NADCP-AHD-MVU project is to provide door-to-door livestock care services through a toll-free telephone number.
About Himachal Pradesh
Chief Minister - Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu
Governor - Shiv Pratap Shukla
Official tree - Deodar (Scientific name: Cedrus deodara)
Capitals - Shimla (Summer), Dharamsala (Winter)
4. New species of frog discovered in Meghalaya cave
Tags: Science and Technology State News
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) recently discovered a new species of frog, Amolops siju, in the South Garo Hills district of Meghalaya.
An Overview of the News
Researchers found the frog inside a cave in Meghalaya and named it Amolops siju after the cave in which it was found.
Three new species of cascade frog (Amolops) were also found in Arunachal Pradesh.
About Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) was established in 1916 with the objective of survey, exploration and promotion of research on various aspects of animal life in India.
The primary objective of the ZSI is to study and document the biodiversity of India, including the classification, distribution and abundance of animal species.
ZSI is responsible for preparing national and regional animal databases, which serve as important tools for conservation planning and management.
Apart from its research activities, ZSI also plays an important role in providing taxonomic expertise and training to researchers, students and conservationists.
The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is the administrative ministry of the ZSI, and it redefined the objectives of the ZSI in December 1987 to focus on the conservation and management of biodiversity.
Formation - 1 July 1916
Objective - Animal Classification and Conservation
Headquarters - Kolkata
Place - West Bengal, India
Director - Dr. Dhriti Banerjee
Parent Organization - Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
5. Justice Apresh Kumar Singh appointed as new Chief Justice of Tripura High Court
Tags: Person in news State News
On 11th April 2023, Justice Apresh Kumar Singh was appointed as the new Chief Justice of Tripura High Court by the Central Government.
An Overview of the News
Apresh Kumar replaced Justice T Amarnath Goud, who was serving as the Acting Chief Justice of the Tripura High Court from November 2022.
The Tripura High Court was established on 23 March 2013 following an amendment to the Constitution of India and the North-Eastern Areas Act of 1971.
Chief Justice of High Court
Allahabad High Court - Uttar Pradesh - Pritinkar Diwakar - 26 March 2023
Andhra Pradesh High Court - Andhra Pradesh - Prashant Kumar Mishra - 13 October 2022
Chhattisgarh High Court - Chhattisgarh - Ramesh Sinha - 29 March 2023
Delhi High Court - Delhi - Satish Chandra Sharma - 28 June 2022
Gauhati High Court - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Mizoram, Nagaland - Sandeep Mehta - 15 February 2023
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court - Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh - N Kotiswar Singh - 15 February 2023
Jharkhand High Court - Jharkhand - Sanjay Kumar Mishra - 20 February 2023
Karnataka High Court - Karnataka - Prasanna B. Varale - 15 October 2022
Kerala High Court - Kerala, Lakshadweep - S Manikumar - 11 October 2019
Madhya Pradesh High Court - Madhya Pradesh - Ravi Malimath - 14 October 2021
Meghalaya High Court - Meghalaya - Sanjib Banerjee - 24 November 2021
Orissa High Court - Odisha - S Muralidhar - 4 January 2021
Patna High Court - Bihar - K Vinod Chandran - 29 March 2023
Punjab and Haryana High Court - Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh - Ravi Shankar Jha - 6 October 2019
Sikkim High Court - Sikkim - Biswanath Somadar - 12 October 2021
Telangana High Court - Telangana - Ujjal Bhuiyan - 28 June 2022
6. UP's Suhelwa sanctuary records first photographic proof of tigers
Tags: State News
The recently released report on the census of tigers in the country states that Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary is a new area where photographic evidence of tigers has been recorded for the first time.
About Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary, located in Shravasti, Balrampur and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1988.
It is spread over an area of 452 sq km.
It is situated on the Indo-Nepal international border and is rich in natural resources.
It is named after King Soheldev.
Adjacent to the sanctuary area are the Shivalik ranges of the Himalayas.
It is one of the important places in the Bhabar-Tarai eco-system region which is rich in biodiversity.
Vegetation: Sal, Asana, Khair, Teak etc. are the main trees. The sanctuary area is rich in medicinal plants. Some species of medicinal plants are Safed Musuli, Kali Musuli, Piperwala Longum and Adhtoda Vasika etc.
Fauna: Various types of mammals are found here. Leopard, bear, wolf, hyena, jackal, wild boar, sambar, spotted deer etc.
7. PM Modi flags off Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat Express train
Tags: State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Rajasthan’s first Vande Bharat Express train on 12 April.
An overview of the news
The inaugural train will run between Jaipur and Delhi Cantt Railway Station. Regular train service will start between Ajmer and Delhi Cantt with stops at Jaipur, Alwar and Gurgaon.
New Vande Bharat Express will cover the distance between Delhi Cantt and Ajmer in 5 hrs 15 mins.
The fastest train on the same route, Shatabdi Express takes 6 hrs 15 mins from Delhi Cantt to Ajmer.
Thus the new Vande Bharat Express will be 60 minutes faster than the existing fastest train running on the same route.
About Vande Bharat Express Train
The first Vande Bharat Express was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 February 2019.
These trains have a self-propelled engine which can save diesel and reduce electricity usage by up to 30%.
The first Vande Bharat Express was manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai.
It was manufactured under the ‘Make in India’ programme, at a cost of about Rs 100 crore.
These trains can achieve a maximum speed of 160 kmph.
In the Union Budget for 2022-2023 the government has proposed the development and manufacture of 400 new Vande Bharat trains in the next three years.
8. Telangana Governor approves three bills passed by the state government
Tags: State News
Telangana Governor Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan has given her assent to three bills passed by the state government.
An Overview of the News
The bills passed by the governor are the Telangana Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, the Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and the Telangana Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
The Telangana Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 aims to amend the current tax structure for motor vehicles in the state.
Professor Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to amend the existing provisions relating to the governance structure of the university.
The Telangana Municipal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022 aims to amend the existing laws relating to municipal corporations and municipalities in the state.
About Telangana
Telangana is a state located in the southern region of India, with Hyderabad as its capital.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Hyderabad is the Charminar, a 16th-century mosque with four arches and four towering minarets. It is located in the heart of the city, overlooking Lad Bazaar.
Chief Minister - K Chandrasekhar Rao
Governor - Tamilisai Soundararajan
Official Animal - Chital
Official Bird - Indian Roller
Official flower - Senna auriculata
Official Song - Jaya Jaya Hey Telangana
9. Nilesh Sambre conferred with 'Maratha Udyog Ratna 2023' by Maharashtra State
Tags: State News
Nilesh Bhagwan Sambre, founder of Jijau Educational and Social Foundation, was recently awarded the "Maratha Udyog Ratna" at the "Maratha Entrepreneurs Conference 2023" organised by the "Maratha Entrepreneurs Development and Guidance Institute Maharashtra State".
An Overviews of the News
- The award was given to Nilesh Sambre for his impressive achievements in the industry sector and his tireless work in remote areas like Palghar.
- Nilesh Bhagwan Sambre is also known as Appa.
- The award was presented by eminent entrepreneurs from Maharashtra, including Suresh Haware, Purushottam Khedekar, Nirmalkumar Deshmukh, Dr. Sachin Bhadane and Vijay Ghogare.
- Jijau Educational and Social Organization is a non-profit organisation that focuses on the upliftment of underprivileged communities in 5 districts of India: Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.
- The organisation was established in 2008, Jijau Sanstha founded by Nilesh Sambare has been providing education, health, employment and agriculture with its own funds for the last 14 years without taking any donation.
- The headquarter of Jijau Foundation is located in Jadpoli.
- The organisation runs two medical camps daily and has a well-equipped hospital that provides free treatment.
- There are 8 CBSE schools for education in Palghar district, 43 competitive examination libraries, and various activities on employment, agriculture and women empowerment are run by the organisation free of cost.
- The Jijau Foundation also runs 20 police academies and provides 10 free ambulance services every day.
About Maharashtra:
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.
Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde
Governor - Ramesh Bais
Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance - Lavani
10. Amit Shah launches Vibrant Village program at Kibithu border village in Arunachal Pradesh
Tags: State News
Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on 10 April launched the 'Vibrant Villages Programme' at Kibithu, a border village in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh.
An Overview of the News
- 'Vibrant Village Programme' approved by the government with a central component of Rs 4800 crore including Rs 2500 crore specifically for road connectivity for the financial years 2022-23 to 2025-26.
- Under the programme, 2967 villages in 46 blocks of 19 districts along the northern border in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Ladakh were identified for comprehensive development.
- In the first phase, 662 villages have been identified for priority coverage, which includes 455 villages in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The Union Home Minister will also inaugurate nine micro hydroelectric projects of the Arunachal Pradesh government built under the "Golden Jubilee Border Lighting Programme" at Kibithu.
- The Union Home Minister will also inaugurate Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) projects to enhance infrastructure at Likabali (Arunachal Pradesh), Chhapra (Bihar), Nooranad (Kerala) and Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).
About Arunachal Pradesh
- Arunachal Pradesh is a state in northeastern India, bordering Bhutan, China, Myanmar and the Indian states of Assam and Nagaland.
- English is the official language, but regional languages such as Nyishi, Apatani and Gallo are widely spoken.
- Losar, Solang, Dri Utsav and Chalo-Loku Utsav are the major festivals of Arunachal Pradesh.
Establishment - 20 February 1987
Capital - Itanagar (Executive Branch)
Governor - Kaivalya Trivikram Parnaik
Chief Minister - Pema Khandu
Official flower - Rhynchostylis Retusa
Official Animal - Gayal
