1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. Third edition of the Jammu Film Festival begins
Tags: Festivals State News
In Jammu and Kashmir, the third edition of the Jammu Film Festival, sponsored by the J&K Tourism Department, began with a grand opening at Abhinav Theatre on 8 April.
An overview of the news
The festival featured parallel screenings of 25 feature films, short films and documentaries from Iran, India, France and the United States.
The inaugural section of the festival featured short films and a documentary from countries such as Iran, India, France and the United States.
These included Nahid, Kav Kav, Fatih the Conqueror, Sandhanam and Liturgy of Anti-Tank Obstacles.
The festival aims to promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and provide a platform to filmmakers to showcase their talent.
About 25 feature films, short films and documentaries were screened on the first day of the festival.
The festival features screening of 50 feature films, short films and documentaries from 11 countries.
In addition to screenings, the festival will also host side events such as panel discussions, red-carpet events, culture showcases and painting exhibitions.
7. Ladakh’s wood carving gets GI Tag
Tags: State News
Exquisite Ladakh wood carvings, also known as 'Ladakh Shingskos', have been granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
An overview of the news
This is the first time in the history of GI registration that Jammu region has got GI tag for handicrafts.
Wood carving is a traditional art form in the handicraft sector and is part of the five major areas of knowledge in the traditional education system of Ladakh.
The traditional knowledge system in Ladakh is classified into ten areas of knowledge.
The craft of woodcarving is an integral part of the social and religious spheres of life.
The process of GI tagging of nine products from the Jammu region was initiated by NABARD in December 2020 in consultation with the Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms.
After a long legal process, finally these products have been given GI tag.
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 authorized 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 awarded the GI tag in the year 2004-05.
8. PM Modi flags off Secunderabad-Tirupati Vande Bharat Express
Tags: State News
PM Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express train from Secunderabad to Tirupati at Secunderabad Railway Station on 8 April.
An overview of the news
This is the second Vande Bharat train for the two Telugu States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
He laid the foundation stone of various projects worth over Rs 11,300 crores at Parade Ground in Hyderabad, Telangana.
The projects include foundation stone for AIIMS Bibinagar, Hyderabad, five National Highway Project and redevelopment of Secunderabad Railway Station.
He also inaugurated other development projects related to Railways.
He dedicated the Secunderabad-Mahabubnagar electrification and doubling project to the nation on the occasion.
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.
About Telangana State
Capital- Hyderabad
Governor- Tamilisai Soundararajan
Chief Minister- K. Chandrashekhar Rao
Legislative Assembly seats- 119
Lok Sabha seats - 17
State Bird- Palpitta or Neelkanth
State Animal – Jinka or Blackbuck
State flower- Tangedu
9. Amit Shah unveils 54 feet tall statue of Lord Hanuman at Gujarat's Sarangpur temple
Tags: State News
On April 6, 2023 Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled a 54 feet tall statue of Lord Hanuman at Sarangpur temple in Botad district of Gujarat.
An Overview of the News
The statue was unveiled on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti, which is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Hanuman.
The idol is located in the Sarangpur Temple, a popular pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Hanuman.
The idol is 54 feet tall, making it one of the tallest idols of Lord Hanuman in the country.
Apart from unveiling the statue, Amit Shah also inaugurated the temple's new community kitchen on April 6, 2023.
The new community kitchen has the capacity to serve around 4,000 pilgrims at a time, making it easier for devotees to get food during their visit to the temple.
About Gujarat
It is a state located in western India on the Kathiawar Peninsula with a long coastline of about 1,600 km.
It is the fifth largest Indian state by area and the ninth most populous state.
Some of the famous tourist attractions in Gujarat include Rani ki Vav stepwell, Somnath Temple, Gir Forest National Park and Sabarmati Ashram, which was the home of Mahatma Gandhi.
Establishment - 1 May 1960
Capital - Gandhinagar
Official language - Gujarati
Governor - Acharya Devvrat
Chief Minister - Bhupendrabhai Patel
10. President Droupadi Murmu inaugurate Gaj Utsav at Kaziranga in Assam
Tags: Festivals State News
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated a two-day 'Gaj Utsav-2023' on April 7 at the Kaziranga National Park High School’s playground field in Assam.
An overview of the news
Meanwhile, President Murmu also enjoyed cultural performances including Bhortal, Jhumur and Bihu dance forms by Assamese artistes at Kohora.
The President also flag off the ‘Mount Kanchenjunga Expedition-2023’.
President Murmu attended the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Gauhati High Court as the chief guest and also launched a mobile app "Bhoroxa" designed for the safety of women and the elderly.
President Murmu is on a three-day visit to the northeastern state.
The Gauhati High Court was established on 5th April, 1948 for the seven North Eastern States.
However, after the establishment of separate High Courts for the 3 states, the Gauhati High Court now exercises jurisdiction over the remaining four states.
About Gaj Utsav
Kaziranga Gaja Utsav is an annual festival held in the national park to promote the conservation and protection of elephants.
It is jointly organized by the Forest and Tourism Departments to draw attention and find a solution to the growing human-elephant conflict in the state.
This is being organized to mark the completion of 30 years of Project Elephant.
The Government of India started Project Elephant in the year 1992 to protect elephants, their migration routes and natural habitats.
Assam has the second largest population of elephants in the country after Karnataka.
Kaziranga National Park being a UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ideal place for Gaja Utsav.
About Assam State
Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria
Number of Districts - 33
Lok Sabha seats - 14
Rajya Sabha seats - 7
State Animal - Indian Rhinoceros
State Bird - White Winged Duck
National Parks – Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Nameri National Park, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park
