1. Mizoram Statehood Day
Tags: State News Important Days
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Mizoram on the state's foundation day on February 20.
An overview of the news
Every year 20 February is celebrated as the Statehood Day of Mizoram.
The state of Mizoram was formed on 20 February 1987 following the 53rd Amendment to the Constitution of India, 1986.
At the time of independence, the Mizo Hills region became the Lushai Hills district within Assam.
In 1954 it was renamed Mizo Hills District of Assam.
Mizoram was granted union territory status in 1972 following the signing of an important accord with the moderates of the Mizo National Front (MNF).
It became the 23rd full state of India on 20 February 1987.
Geographical Situation
International Border - Myanmar and Bangladesh
State boundary - Tripura (North-West), Assam (North) and Manipur (North-East).
Demography
It is the second least populous state in India after Sikkim.
Sex ratio - 975 females per 1000 males (at national level it is 943).
The literacy rate of the state is 91.58%. (National rate - 74.04%).
Protected Areas
Murlen National Park
Phawngpui National Park
Dampa Tiger Reserve
Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary
Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary
Important Festivals
Chapchar Kut
Christmas Festival
Anthurium Festival
Lyuva Khutla Festival
2. First state-level ‘shrimp mela’ in Punjab
Tags: Festivals State News
Punjab's first state level 'Prawn Fair' began on February 17 at Enakheda village in Muktsar district.
An overview of the news
This mela is an effort of the state government to create more awareness about shrimp farming.
This fair is being organised to make farmers aware of various schemes for fish farming and to encourage more and more people to participate in it.
In this, experts will help farmers understand about aquaculture.
Shrimp farming began in the state in 2016-17.
What is shrimp farming?
It is an aquaculture-based activity in marine or freshwater to produce shrimp for human consumption.
Five south-western districts of Punjab, Muktsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Bathinda and Faridkot are known for shrimp farming.
Why was shrimp farming introduced in Punjab?
South-west Punjab has saline groundwater which is not suitable for agriculture. Waterlogging is a perennial problem in this belt.
Therefore, shrimp farming was proposed as a solution for farmers whose land was lying unutilized.
Shrimp cultivation was started in 2016-17 on a one acre plot in Ratta Kheda village of Muktsar district.
The project was a success, with a one-acre pond producing four tons of shrimp.
The project was funded jointly by the central and state government.
By 2022-23, a total of 1,212 acres of land has been taken up for shrimp farming in southwest Punjab, with a total production of 2,413 tonnes of shrimp.
3. Uttarakhand's New Anti-Copying Law
Tags: State News
The Governor of Uttarakhand recently gave his assent to an ordinance brought by the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government to prevent the use of unfair means in examinations.
An overview of the news
The name of the ordinance is Uttarakhand Competitive Examinations (Measures for Control and Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance, 2023.
It provides for a fine of up to Rs 10 crore and life imprisonment for the guilty.
The ordinance aims to reduce cheating during examinations and promote fairness in the educational system.
The ordinance comes after the UKPSC paper leak due to which the exam of around 1.4 lakh government job aspirants was cancelled.
Key provisions
Candidates involved in cheating will be penalised and `10 years ban` will be imposed on them.
In this, there is a provision to impose a fine of 10 crores along with life imprisonment or 10 years in jail to the copycat mafia.
Apart from this, there is also a provision to attach the property of the copycat mafia.
4. India International Seafood Show concludes in Kolkata
Tags: State News
Asia's biggest seafood show, India International Seafood concluded in Kolkata on 17 February.
An overview of the news
The three-day event, organised by the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) in association with the Seafood Exporters Association of India, began on February 15.
It held a buyer-seller meet with special focus on G20 countries.
The program was inaugurated by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel.
India has set a target of $14 billion in marine products exports by 2025 and efforts are on to achieve the target.
About five thousand delegates from India and other countries participated in this event.
The government announced a new sub-scheme named Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samriddhi Saha-Yojana in the Union Budget 2023 and allocated six thousand crore rupees.
Importance of fisheries sector of India
Fishing is one of the fastest growing primary producing sectors.
India is the second major producer of fish through aquaculture in the world.
India is the fourth largest exporter of fish in the world as it contributes to 7.7% of the global fish production.
Presently this sector provides livelihood to more than 28 crore people within the country.
Blue revolution
The Centrally Sponsored Scheme "Blue Revolution" was launched in the year 2016 for the integrated development and management of fisheries.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana
Sanctioned in 2020, it is a flagship scheme for the focused and sustainable development of the fisheries sector in the country.
It seeks to provide direct employment to 15 lakh fishermen etc. which is almost three times this number in the form of indirect employment opportunities.
It aims to double the income of fishermen and fish workers by the year 2024.
Under this scheme, it has been envisaged to create 68 lakh jobs by the end of the year 2024-25.
5. UN recognised World Interfaith Harmony Week concludes in Ludhiana
Tags: State News Important Days
The “World Interfaith Harmony Week 2023”, an event recognised by the United Nations (UN) , concluded at SCD Government College, Ludhiana on 16 February.
An overview of the news
The World Interfaith Harmony Week 2023 was organised by Team 1699 in association with NGO Cityneeds.
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains called upon the youth to spread the message of peace, love and harmony and stand up for the welfare of the society.
More than 65 percent of the population in India is below 35 years of age. No other country in the world has such a large population of young adults.
This generation has immense potential to spread love and unity which can bring revolutionary change in the society.
Religious leaders and followers of Buddhism, Valmiki Samaj, Jainism, Christianity, Muslim, Hindu and Sikhism participated in the activities during the World Interfaith Harmony Week.
About World Interfaith Harmony Week
World Interfaith Harmony Week is an annual event recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2010.
It is organised every year in the first week of February.
The week, initiated to promote culture, peace and non-violence, was first proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan at the United Nations in 2010.
6. India’s first electric AC double-decker bus inaugurated in Mumbai
Tags: State News
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) inaugurated the country’s first electric air-conditioned (AC) double-decker bus on 13 February in Mumbai.
An overview of the news
According to BEST, the regional transport agency in Mumbai is yet to complete the registration process for the electric bus.
After the approval of this bus, this bus will ply between Kurla Bus Depot and Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).
The ticket price has been kept at a minimum of Rs 6 for a distance of 5 km.
The seating capacity of the Electric Double Decker Bus is 73.
It is equipped with CCTV cameras and automatic doors and can be charged in 80 minutes.
At present, the transport department has 45 electric AC buses of various sizes, and 100 more will be inducted this year.
The Electric Buses or SWITCH EiV boasts of latest technology, state-of-the-art design, highest safety and best-in-class comfort features for 22 passengers.
7. DHARA - Annual Meeting of Members of the River Cities Alliance to be held In Pune
Tags: Summits State News
A first of its kind two-day international conference, DHARA 2023, is being organised in Pune to discuss strategies for managing urban rivers.
An overview of the news
DHARA stands for -Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers.
DHARA is the annual meeting of the members of the River Cities Alliance (RCA).
The meeting is being organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) in association with National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) from 13 to 14 February in Pune.
Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will deliver the keynote address on the inaugural day of the event, while Kaushal Kishor, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, will deliver the concluding speech on the second day.
DHARA 2023 will provide a forum for commissioners, additional commissioners, chief engineers and senior planners of the 95 member river cities in India to discuss management and solutions for local water bodies.
The event has strong synergy with the Urban 20 (U20) initiative under India's G20 Presidency.
River Cities Alliance (RCA)
It was launched in 2021 as a dedicated platform for river cities of India for discussion and exchange of information for sustainable management of urban rivers.
It was started with 30 cities in 2021 and currently has 95 cities as members across India.
It is formed by the successful partnership of the two Ministries - Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
It focuses on three broad themes - networking, capacity building and technical support.
It will enable cities to learn from each other's success and failure and connect people to rivers.
8. Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2023 begins in Mumbai
Tags: Festivals State News
Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on 11 February inaugurated the Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav- 2023 (RSM) at Azad Maidan, Churchgate in Mumbai.
An overview of the news
The festival has been organised by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India from 11 to 19 February to promote national unity and integrity through cultural exchange.
Minister of Cultural affairs, Forest and Fisheries, Govt of Maharashtra Sudhir Mungantiwar and Minister of Tourism, Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Women and Child development, Govt of Maharashtra Mangal Prabhat Lodha were the guests of honour present for the inaugural function.
The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav conveys the message of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', which signifies that despite the many diversities in language and cultural expressions, India is united and one.
Around 1000 artists will perform during the Mahotsav for the people of Mumbai.
About 350 folk and tribal artistes from across India along with around 300 local folk artistes, some transgender and differently-abled artistes, renowned classical artists as well as renowned star artists will enthral the audience with their enthralling performances.
On April 14, a special tourist Babasaheb Ambedkar Circuit train will be inaugurated.
9. ADB approves $130 million loan to promote horticulture in Himachal
Tags: State News
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $130 million (over Rs 1,072 crore) loan to enhance agricultural productivity and farmers' income in Himachal Pradesh and promote horticulture agribusiness.
An overview of the news:
ADB aims to benefit Himachal Pradesh, where more than half of its land area is mountainous and 90 percent of its population lives in rural areas dependent on agriculture.
Through this, improving subtropical horticulture in the state will create a lot of economic opportunities for the farming families.
Supporting horticulture value chains will also enhance the contribution of this sub-sector to the development and food security of the country.
Asian Development Bank (ADB):
It is a regional multilateral financial institution focused on countries in the Asia and Pacific region.
It currently has 68 members – of which 49 are from the Asia and Pacific region and 19 from outside.
ADB President: Masatsugu Asakawa
Headquarters: Mandaluyong City, Manila, Philippines
10. Rohit Sharma became the first Indian captain to score a century in all three formats of the game
Tags: Person in news State News
Indian captain Rohit Sharma has become the first Indian captain to score a century in all three formats of cricket.
An overview of the news:
Rohit achieved this feat by playing an innings of 120 runs on the second day of the first test of the series being played in Nagpur against Australia.
At the international level, three captains have achieved this feat before Rohit, including former Sri Lankan captain Tillakaratne Dilshan, former South African captain Faf du Plessis and Pakistan captain Babar Azam.
This is Rohit Sharma's 9th century in Test cricket.
Rohit has scored three centuries as captain in ODIs and two in T20s. While Rohit has scored a total of 30 centuries in ODI cricket and 4 centuries in T20.
Records of Rohit Sharma:
The player who scored the most runs (264) in a match in One Day International cricket is
He is the only batsman to have scored three double hundreds in ODI history.
Rohit is the player with the most centuries (5) in a single World Cup (2019).
Rohit is the player to hit most sixes (16) in a match.
