Current Affairs search results for tag: state-news
By admin: Sept. 25, 2023

1. Elephant Festival begins in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

Tags: Festivals National State News

Elephant Mahotsav began in Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and will continue for seven days.

An Overview of the News

  • Elephants play an important role in protecting the tigers in the reserve and keeping out wild elephants.

  • The Elephant Festival gives villagers and nearby families a chance to interact with elephants.

  • The primary goal of the festival in 2023 is to educate villagers about elephants and remove misconceptions about the wild animals.

  • The festivities will end on September 26, after which the elephants will return to their patrolling camps.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:

  • Located in the Eastern Satpura hill range of Umaria and Katni districts in Madhya Pradesh.

  • Boasts a healthy population of tigers and a diverse range of herbivorous animals.

  • It has diverse topography, including hills, valleys, rivers, swamps and grasslands supporting diverse vegetation.

Other tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh:

1. Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve:

  • Located in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh.

  • Established in 1975

  • Known for saving the world-famous white tiger "Mohan".

  • Forms a wildlife corridor connecting Bandhavgarh and Palamu Tiger Reserve.

  • Sometimes wild elephants keep coming from the neighboring Chhattisgarh region.

2. Panna Tiger Reserve:

  • Located in the Vindhya hill region of northern Madhya Pradesh.

  • Characterized by dry deciduous forests, plateaus, and valleys.

  • The Ken River flows through the reserve.

  • It is surrounded by teak forests in the north and teak-Kardhai mixed forests in the east.

  • The Vindhya hill ranges connect wildlife populations in the east and west.

3. Pench Tiger Reserve:

  • Inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Book".

  • Known for natural beauty and historical importance.

  • Awarded the "Best Maintained Tourist Friendly National Park" award in 2006-07.

4. Kanha Tiger Reserve:

  • Home to the hard ground Barasingha, the state animal of Madhya Pradesh.

  • Conservation efforts have led to an increase in the population of this emblematic deer.

  • The forests are mainly composed of Sal (Shorea robusta) and mixed forest trees.

5. Satpura Tiger Reserve:

  • Home to arboreal mammals such as flying squirrels, Indian giant squirrels, and leaf-nosed bats.

  • The Eurasian otter and smooth-coated otter are also found here.

  • Allows pollution-free activities like cycling, canoeing, and trekking.

By admin: Sept. 23, 2023

2. Pramila Malik becomes the first woman Speaker of Odisha Assembly

Tags: State News

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) party member Pramila Malik became the first woman Speaker of the Odisha Assembly.

An Overview of the News

  • The election of Pramila Malik as the Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly took place on September 22, 2023, and she was elected unopposed.

  • The post became vacant due to the resignation of Bikram Keshari Arukha in May 2023.

The political background of Pramila Malik:

  • Pramila Malik has been a six-time MLA from the Binjharpur assembly seat in Jajpur district of Odisha. This seat is reserved for the Scheduled Caste community.

  • She initially became an MLA in 1990 as a member of the Janata Dal and later joined the BJD party led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

  • Before his role as Speaker, he held the post of Minister of Revenue and Disaster Management in the BJD government.

Notable firsts in Indian politics:

  • Amrit Kaur was the first woman cabinet minister of India, responsible for health in the Nehru government from August 16, 1947 to 1957.

  • Sarojini Naidu was the first woman Governor of India, serving the United Province (now Uttar Pradesh) from August 15, 1947 to March 2, 1949.

  • The first female Chief Minister of India was Sucheta Kripalani, who led Uttar Pradesh from 1963 to 1967.

  • Shanno Devi was the first woman Speaker of a state legislative assembly in India, serving in Haryana from December 6, 1966 to March 17, 1967.

  • In 1966, Indira Gandhi became the first female Prime Minister of India.

  • Pratibha Patil Singh was the first woman President of India, who served from 2007 to 2012.

  • Meira Kumar was the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha, who held the post from 4 June 2009 to 5 June 2014.

About Odisha

  • Formation - 1 April 1936

  • Capital - Bhubaneswar

  • Governor - Ganeshi Lal

  • Chief Minister - Naveen Patnaik

  • Rajya Sabha - 10 seats

  • Lok Sabha - 21 seats

  • There are a total of 147 seats in Odisha Assembly.

By admin: Sept. 21, 2023

3. The Prime Minister will inaugurate 16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas in Uttar Pradesh

Tags: State News National News

16 Atal Awasiya Vidyalayas in Uttar Pradesh will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi.

An Overview of the News

  • Built at a cost of over Rs 1,100 crore, these schools aim to provide quality education to laborers, children of construction workers, and orphans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Each school is spread over 10 to 15 acres and has classrooms, sports facilities, recreational areas, a mini auditorium, hostels, mess halls, and staff accommodation.

  • The ultimate goal of each of these Awasiya Vidyalayas is to accommodate 1,000 students.

The foundation stone of the International Cricket Stadium:

  • The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the international cricket stadium in Varanasi.

  • Located in Ganjri, Rajatalab, Varanasi, this cricket stadium will cover a vast area of 30 acres and is estimated to cost around Rs 450 crore.

  • It is designed to seat 30,000 spectators.

Closing Ceremony of Kashi Sansad Cultural Mahotsav 2023:

  • The Prime Minister will also attend the closing ceremony of the Kashi Sansad Cultural Festival 2023.

  • This cultural festival saw the participation of over 37,000 persons representing 17 different disciplines including singing, musical instrument playing, street theater (nukkad natak), and various dance forms.

By admin: Sept. 21, 2023

4. President inaugurates first Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show

Tags: Economics/Business State News

President Draupadi Murmu inaugurated the first Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show at the India Expo Center and Mart in Greater Noida on September 21, 2023.

An Overview of the News

  • Prominent personalities including Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and Industries Minister Nand Gopal Nandi attended the inauguration ceremony.

  • The trade show will run from September 21 to 25 and will include over 2000 exhibitors from various sectors such as automobile, handicrafts, healthcare, food processing, pharmaceuticals, dairy, electronics and e-commerce.

  • State government departments, institutions, and Mumbai Dabbawala Services will organize informative sessions on business activities.

  • The event will showcase 108 new startups.

  • It is expected to attract more than five lakh visitors, including international attendees.

Event location and global participation:

  • The trade show will be held at India Expo Mart in Knowledge Park, Greater Noida.

  • The event aims to provide a platform to showcase the products, specialties, cuisine, and culture of Uttar Pradesh to gain international exposure and explore market opportunities.

  • Over 400 participants from over 60 countries have registered for the event, highlighting its international appeal. EEntry to the show is free for the general public.

By admin: Sept. 19, 2023

5. Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur railway station officially named 'Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station'

Tags: place in news State News

The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir formally renamed Udhampur railway station after local hero martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan.

An Overview of the News

  • The naming ceremony took place at Udhampur railway station, in which Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh participated.

  • This station is now officially known as "Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station".

  • Parents of martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan, local dignitaries, army officers, and BJP members were present at the event.

  • Captain Tushar Mahajan, a native of Udhampur, served in 9 PARA, a special forces unit of the Indian Army. He sacrificed his life while protecting the country during the terrorist attack on the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute building in the Pulwama district of South Kashmir in February 2016.

About Jammu and Kashmir

  • Jammu and Kashmir was a state of India until August 2019, which was divided into two union territories named Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on 31 October 2019.

  • Capital- Srinagar (May-October), Jammu (November-April)

  • Lieutenant Governor - Manoj Sinha

  • Legislative Council - 36 seats

  • Legislative Assembly - 89 seats

By admin: Sept. 19, 2023

6. Andhra Pradesh's 'Atreyapuram Putharekula' receives coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag for traditional sweet

Tags: place in news State News

Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) has awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 'Atreyapuram Putharekula', a sweet made from rice and jaggery originating from Atreyapuram village in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh.

An Overview of the News

  • 'Atreyapuram Putharekula' sweets GI registration comes under the 'Food Ingredients' category.

  • The official GI certificate handover ceremony took place at Damodaram Sanjeevayya National Law University (DSNLU) in Visakhapatnam.

  • The event coincides with the National Workshop on “Geographical Indications and GI Certificate Handover Ceremony for Atreyapuram Putharekula”.

  • The event was organized by the Center for Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Group and brought together experts and dignitaries from the field.

  • The GI tag was awarded to Sir Arthur Cotton Atreyapuram Putharekula Manufacturers Welfare Association, and it is valid from June 14, 2023, to December 12, 2031.

  • GIR, headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).

About Putharekula:

  • Putharekula is a sweet dish made of a paper-thin layer of paper-like rice starch and filled with a mixture of sugar, dried fruits, and nuts.

  • The name "Putharekula" is derived from Telugu, where "putha" means "coating" and "reku" (plural "rekulu") means "sheet".

  • Local sweet makers usually use the MTU-3626 paddy variety, locally known as "Bondalu", which is extensively cultivated in the Konaseema region, to prepare this sweet.

About GI Tag:

  • The Geographical Indication (GI) mark is a certification that ensures the quality and uniqueness of products primarily linked to their place of origin.

  • As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act in 1999, which came into effect on September 15, 2003.

By admin: Sept. 18, 2023

7. Madhya Pradesh government unveils 108-feet statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Omkareshwar

Tags: State News

On September 18, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled a massive 108-feet-tall statue of eighth-century philosopher Adi Shankaracharya in Mandhata town (also known as Omkareshwar) in Khandwa district, about 80 km from Indore.

An Overview of the News

  • This event has been named 'Ekatmata Ki Pratima' or 'Statue of Oneness'.

  • This statue is located on Mandhata mountain near the holy Omkareshwar temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

Tribute to Adi Shankaracharya:

  • The statue is a tribute to Adi Shankaracharya, an eminent philosopher who visited Omkareshwar at the age of 12 to attain enlightenment on Advaita Vedanta philosophy.

  • Adi Shankaracharya spent four years in Omkareshwar studying this philosophy before embarking on a journey to preach Advaita Vedanta across the country.

Chief Minister's Vision:

  • Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan mooted the idea of this statue during his visit to Omkareshwar in January 2017.

Sculpture:

  • The statue depicts Adi Shankaracharya at the age of 12, the age at which he visited Omkareshwar.

  • No photographs or paintings of him existed at the time, so a painter was chosen to create an image based on various ancient literary sources.

  • Then the statue was conceptualized and constructed on the basis of this painting.

Development Plans:

  • The state government has ambitious plans to develop Omkareshwar as a cultural and spiritual heritage site.

  • They are planning to establish 'Advaita Lok', a museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the philosophical traditions of Advaita Vedanta.

  • Additionally, an 'Advaita Van' spread over 36 hectares is being created at Omkareshwar to preserve the natural beauty and sustainability of the area.

By admin: Sept. 16, 2023

8. Assam Governor unveils 'Sarpanch Samvad' mobile app

Tags: State News

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria unveiled the 'Sarpanch Samvad' mobile application developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI) at Raj Bhavan.

An Overview of the News

  • QCI launched 'Sarpanch Samvad' as an initiative with the goal of connecting approximately 2.5 lakh Sarpanches (village heads) from across India.

  • It serves as a comprehensive platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and promoting collaboration among Sarpanches.

  • This initiative enables Sarpanches to showcase the developmental activities taking place in their respective villages, gain knowledge of best practices, and network with fellow Sarpanches across the country.

About Assam:

  • Location: It is a state located in the north-eastern region of India. It is bounded by Bhutan in the north, Arunachal Pradesh in the east, Nagaland in the northeast, Manipur in the southeast, Mizoram in the south, and West Bengal in the west.

  • Wildlife: Includes Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, and Nameri National Park.

Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950

Capital - Dispur

Official Language - Assamese

Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma

Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria

Rajya Sabha - 7 seats

Lok Sabha - 14 seats

Official Dance - Bihu Dance

By admin: Sept. 16, 2023

9. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' in the state

Tags: Government Schemes State News

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' to promote nutrition.

An Overview of the News

  • The primary objective of the program is to meet the nutritional needs of mothers, adolescent girls, and children in Odisha.

  • Specific provisions of the scheme include supplementary nutrition for adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years, additional dry food for pregnant women, and complete meals for severely malnourished children. Moderately malnourished children will get vitamin-rich Chhatua (roasted gram flour) and eggs.

  • Odisha is the first state in India to make a dedicated nutrition budget for the financial year 2020-21.

'Pada Pushti Yojana':-

  • Apart from the 'Chief Minister Sampoorna Pushti Yojana', Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also launched the 'Pada Pushti Yojana' especially targeting children.

  • The initiative aims to provide high-quality cooked food to children, especially those living in remote and tribal areas of Odisha.

  • The Government of Odisha has launched various programs including 'Mamta Yojana' to ensure the health and well-being of pregnant women and newborn babies in the state.

About Odisha

  • Formation - 1 April 1936

  • Capital - Bhubaneswar

  • Governor - Ganeshi Lal

  • Chief Minister - Naveen Patnaik

  • Rajya Sabha - 10 seats

  • Lok Sabha - 21 seats

By admin: Sept. 15, 2023

10. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of Saragarhi Memorial in Firozpur, Punjab

Tags: State News

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of Saragarhi Memorial at a formal ceremony in Firozpur, Punjab.

An Overview of the News

  • The Saragarhi Memorial is dedicated in honor of the brave Sikh warriors who sacrificed their lives during the Battle of Saragarhi.

  • The memorial is planned to be a state-of-the-art memorial and is expected to be completed within six months.

Historical Battle of Saragarhi:

  • The Battle of Saragarhi took place on September 12, 1897, near Samana Ridge (Pakistan), in which 21 soldiers of the 36 Sikh Regiment bravely defended their post against about 10,000 Afghan attackers.

  • He chose to fight to the death rather than surrender, making this an important chapter in military history.

Firozpur as a tourist centre:

  • Chief Minister Mann's vision includes transforming Ferozepur district into a major tourist destination in the state.

  • The district hosts not only the Saragarhi Memorial but also the Hussainiwala Memorial, where famous freedom fighters Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev and Shaheed Rajguru were martyred.

  • It aims to showcase these historically important sites to attract tourists from across the world, highlighting the rich heritage and sacrifices made by Indian heroes.