1. Avian Influenza (H5N1) detected in Government Poultry Farm at Bokaro, Jharkhand
Tags: State News
National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (ICAR), Bhopal has confirmed Avian Influenza (H5N1) in samples received from Government Poultry Farm in Bokaro, Jharkhand on 7 February 2022.
An overview of the news
The presence of the H5N1 variant was confirmed in a protein-rich breed of chicken known as 'Kadaknath' at a farm in Lohanchal.
The last incident of Avian Influenza was reported in Godda district of Jharkhand during January 2019.
Areas falling within one km radius have been declared as affected zones and areas within 10 km radius have been declared as surveillance zones.
The health ministry has sent its central team to observe the surveillance in the human area.
About Avian Influenza (H5N1)
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza (AI), is a highly contagious viral disease that affects species of food-producing birds (chickens, turkeys, quail, guinea fowl, etc.), as well as domesticated birds and wild animals.
Avian influenza virus subtypes are A(H5N1), A(H7N9), A(H9N2) and A(H10N3).
Types B and C mostly infect humans and usually cause mild illness.
2. Northern India’s first nuclear plant to come up in Haryana’s Gorakhpur
Tags: State News
Union Minister Jitendra Singh on 19 February said that North India's first nuclear power plant is being set up in Gorakhpur, Haryana, about 150 km north of the national capital.
An overview of the news
The Center has approved the setting up of 10 nuclear reactors to increase India's nuclear capacity.
The Department of Atomic Energy has also been permitted to form joint ventures with Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) for resources to set up nuclear power plants.
Nuclear power plants were earlier mostly confined to southern states such as Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and western Maharashtra but will now be developed across the country.
About first nuclear plant in Haryana’s Gorakhpur
Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Project (GHAVP) consists of two units of 700 MW each.
Each of these has indigenously designed Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR).
It is under implementation near Gorakhpur village of Fatehabad district in Haryana.
So far, an amount of ₹4,906 crore has been spent out of the total allocated amount of ₹20,594 crore.
3. Khajuraho Dance Festival begin in Madhya Pradesh
Tags: Festivals State News
The 49th Khajuraho Dance Festival began on February 20 in Khajuraho.
An overview of the news
Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel inaugurated 'Khajuraho Dance Festival-2023'. The festival will end on February 26.
Madhya Pradesh State Rupankar Art Award will be given at the function and an exhibition of artefacts has also been organised at the venue.
Under the Department of Culture, this festival is being organised with the joint efforts of Ustad Alladin Khan Academy of Music and Arts, Department of Tourism, Archaeological Survey of India, World Dance Alliance and Chhatarpur District Administration.
The first meeting of the Culture Working Group under the chairmanship of India in G-20 is also being held in Khajuraho from 23 to 25 February.
Other festivals of Madhya Pradesh
Lokrang Festival, Bhopal
Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh, Ujjain
Bhagoria Haat Festival, West Nimar (Khargon) and Jhabua
Ujjain Kumbh Mela, Ujjain
Malwa Utsav, Indore & Ujjain
Chethiyagiri Vihara Festival, Sanchi
Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, Gwalior
4. Arunachal Pradesh Statehood Day
Tags: State News Important Days
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greeted the people of Arunachal Pradesh on the state's 37th statehood day on February 20.
An overview of the news
Every year 20 February is celebrated as the foundation day of Arunachal Pradesh.
Through the 55th Amendment of the Indian Constitution in 1986, Arunachal Pradesh became the 24th state of the India on February 20, 1987.
Historical Background
During British colonial rule, until 1972, the state was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA).
It became a Union Territory on January 20, 1972 and was named Arunachal Pradesh.
It was given full statehood by the Arunachal Pradesh State Act, 1986.
It was formed in the year 1987 by separating from Assam.
Geographical Situation
Arunachal Pradesh is bounded by Bhutan in the west and the Tibetan region of China in the north.
It is bounded by Nagaland and Myanmar in the South-Eastern region and Assam in the South-Western region.
Capital - Itanagar
Demography
Literacy rate of the state (as per Census 2011) 65.38% with male literacy rate 72.55% and females 57.70%.
Sex Ratio - 938 female per 1000 male (National- 943)
State Animal - Mithun (also known as Gayal)
State Bird - Hornbill
Protected Areas
Talle Wildlife Sanctuary (Protected area)
Dihang Dibang Biosphere Reserve
Namdapha Tiger Reserve
Sessa Orchid Sanctuary
Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary
Important Festivals
Tawang Festival
Solung, Losar
Torgya
Dree
Murung
Chalo Loku
5. 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
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
