1. Nainital High Court bans beautification works of Sukhatal lake
Tags: State News
The Nainital High Court has banned the beautification of Sukhatal lake and other construction works. The court has issued notice by making the State Environment Impact Authority and the State Wetland Management Authority as parties.
About Sukhtal lake
It is a freshwater lake having a length of 150m and 10m deep.
It is surrounded by the dense pine and oak forests.
Sukhatal is a major source of water recharge for Nainital lake.
It was earlier known as Khudaiyatal.
Renamed as Sukhatal because the entire water from this lake was drained in the extreme region of the Nainital lake.
These verdant forests are the home to a number of migratory birds who visit this place from all over the globe.
Sukhatal is the main recharging center of Naini Lake and unscientific constructions are being done at the same place.
The water sources of the lake have dried up, which is affecting the Naini lake.
2. Lieutenant Governor inaugurates Annual Youth Festival ‘Sonzal-2022’at University of Kashmir in Srinagar
Tags: Festivals State News
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on 23 November inaugurated the Annual Youth Festival ‘Sonzal-2022’ at the University of Kashmir.
Important facts
The 'Sonzal' annual festival is a great opportunity for young artistes to showcase their talent and provide them the necessary platform to realise the dream of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'.
Sonzal means rainbow, which is a symbol of hope, inspiration and good fortune.
He said that a rainbow comes for the students when they have the opportunity to discover their own hidden treasure for personal growth, independent thinking and contribution to nation building.
He said that educational institutions must discharge their responsibility to ensure freedom, creativity and engagement to the students to become "multi-achievers".
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that educational institutions should ensure that the new teaching framework and key concepts recommended by the National Education Policy are included in the curriculum.
The University of Kashmir has transformed into a center of excellence and has been promoting scientific research, new ideas and knowledge, and adapting to rapid changes in fundamental aspects of the educational landscape across the globe.
3. Karnataka's groundnut festival 'Kadalekai Parishe' begins after a gap of two years
Tags: Festivals State News
Karnataka's famous groundnut festival 'Kadalekai Parishe' begins on November 21, 2022, after a two-year Covid-19 hiatus.
Important facts
A special puja was performed at the Doddabasavanna temple, and Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai officially inaugurated the event.
Different varieties of groundnut supplied by farmers from all over Karnataka and neighboring states are the main attraction of the fair.
Bull Temple Road was lined with hundreds of vendors offering everything from flowers to jewellery, food and fruits, tattoos and artefacts, which drew crowds.
Kadalekai Parishe Festival
In the street opposite Basavanagudi is the famous Bull Temple, where the Kadalekai Parishe is held every year.
Groundnut farmers from Karnataka as well as neighbouring areas of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh bring bags of groundnuts to sell at the fair.
Many Bengaluru residents enter Kadalekai Palli to buy groundnuts and participate in cultural exchange.
The festival originated when a bull attacked the crops of groundnut farmers in Sankenahalli, Mavalli, Dasarahalli and Hosakerehalli (Karnataka villages), destroying the entire crop and causing them huge losses a few centuries ago.
Thereafter, King Kempegowda of Bangalore built a large temple at Basavanagudi to ward off the bull, and groundnut farmers made it a custom to pray at the temple with their first crop.
Every year, on the final Monday of the holy month of Karthika Masa, the Kadlekai Parishe is held.
4. Yogi Adityanath inaugurates the UNESCO-India-Africa Hackathon 2022 at Noida
Tags: place in news Science and Technology State News
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the UNESCO-India-Africa Hackathon 2022 at the Gautam Buddha University in Greater Noida on 22 November 2022.
The Hackathon has been organized by the Union Ministry of Education and students from 22 African countries are participating in the Hackathon.
What is a Hackathon?
A hackathon, also known as a codefest, is a social coding event that brings computer programmers and other interested people together to improve upon or build a new software. In the present Hackathon students will engage themselves in coding for 36 hours non-stop to find technology-based solutions for issues in education, agriculture, health, energy and drinking water, among others. They will also try to figure out smart solutions for global issues such as climate change, environmental issues, and renewal energy.
The students participating in the Hackathon have come from countries, including Botswana, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The U.P. CM also invited participating African students to travel to ancient cities like Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, and others in the state.
UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization)
- It is a specialised agency of the United Nations.
- It was set up on 16 November 1945.
- Its Headquarters : Paris, France
5. Zorba, the first dog of anti-poaching dogs squad K9 is no more
Tags: State News
The first dog of the anti-poaching dog’s squad K9 Zorba died in Guwahati, Assam on 22 November 2022 due to old age .He was 12 years old. He was given a warm farewell by wildlife activists.
India’s first dog squad named K9, raised to combat poaching of wildlife, was set up in Assam under the initiative of biodiversity organisation ‘Aaranyak’ in 2011.
The Zorba of Belgian Malinois breed was mainly deployed in Kaziranga National Parks and retired from service in 2019. He helped the authorities in tracking down the poachers of wildlife.
The K9 dog squad, comprising six Belgian Malinois dogs along with their handlers, has been actively assisting forest and police officials in Kaziranga and Manas National Parks as well as other rhino-inhabited areas in Assam resulting in the arrest of many poachers by law enforcement agencies.
Kaziranga National Park
It is spread in 430 sq.Km in the Golaghat and Nagaon district of Assam .
It was created in 1908 as a reserved forest area.
It was declared as a National Park in 1974 and as a Tiger Reserve in 2006 .
In 1985, the park was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Around two-third of the world's one horned Rhino population is found in Kaziranga National Park. As per the 14th Rhino census there are 2613 rhinos in the park.
6. Assam government to organise a 3 day Lachit divas in New Delhi
Tags: Festivals Person in news State News
The Assam government will organize Lachit Divas in New Delhi from 23-25th of November 2022. Lachit Divas is observed in Assam on 24th of November every year as a tribute to the Ahom General Lachit Borphukan who defeated a large Mughal Army on the banks of Brahmaputra in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671 to defend Guwahati. He was born on 24 November.
The 400th Birth Anniversary of great warrior of Ahom Dynasty Lachit Borphukan will be held with a grand programme with an exhibition on 600-year-old history of Ahom dynasty at Vigyan Bhawan.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will inaugurate the exhibition on November 23 with Union Home Minister Amit Shah gracing the occasion as chief guest on November 24.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the function of the 400th birth anniversary of Ahom General Lachit Borphukan in the national capital on November 25.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju will inaugurate a cultural program at Sunder Park on November 23.
In order to popularize Assamese culture the government of Assam has decided to organise Lachit divas in various parts of the country starting this year in New Delhi.
7. Biggest Manipur festival Sangai commences in the state
Tags: Festivals State News
Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy inaugurated the biggest tourism festival of Manipur -Sangai festival on 21 November 2022 at Moirang Khunou in Bishnupur district of Manipur.
The 11th Sangai festival will be held from 21 -30 November 2022. The festival which started in 2010 is being held after a 2 year gap due to covid. It is being held in 13 venues across six districts.
The festival is called Sangai festival to highlight the uniqueness of the shy and gentle deer popularly known as the Sangai in the region. It is a rare species of deer which is also the state animal of Manipur.
The theme of the Sangai festival 2022 is :‘ Festival of Oneness’.
The indigenous sagol kangjei, a sport that has now evolved into the modern game of polo, will also be featured during the festival in its very own birthplace. The Men’s International Polo Tournament will be held in Imphal and the CM’s Sagol Kangjei Tournament in Kangla as part of the festival.
Other major festivals of Manipur
Gang-Ngai
Celebrated for five days in the month of December/January, Gang-Ngai is an important festival of the Kabui Nagas.
Lui-Ngai-Ni
It is a collective festival of the Nagas observed on the 15th day of February every year. This is a seed sowing festival after which tribes belonging to the Naga group begin their cultivation.
Yaoshang
Celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguna (February/March), Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipur. The Thabal Chongba – a kind of Manipuri fold dance, where boys and girls hold hands together and sing and dance in a circle, is particularly associated with this festival. Yaoshang to Manipur is what Durga Puja is to Bengal, Diwali in north India and Bihu to Assam.
Cheiraoba: The Manipuri New Year
It is celebrated during the month of April. Villagers climb the nearest hilltops in belief that it will enable them to rise to greater heights in their worldly life.
Kang: The Ratha Yatra of Manipur
One of the greatest festivals of the Hindus of Manipur, this festival is celebrated for ten days in the month of July. Lord Jagannath leaves his temple in a car known as “Kang” in Manipur pulled by devotees who vie with one another for this honour.
Heikru Hitongba
Celebrated in the month of September, Heikru Hitongba is a boat race. Long narrow boats are used to accommodate a large number of rowers. An idol of Lord Vishnu is installed before the commencement of the race.
Ningol Chak-kouba: A social festival of the Manipuris
It is a remarkable social festival of the Meiteis. Married daughters of the family come to their parental house along with their children and enjoy a sumptuous feast. It is celebrated on the second day of the new moon in the month of Hiyangei (November) as per Manipur Calendar system.
Kut: Festival of Kuki- Chin- Mizo
It is an autumn festival of the different tribes of Kuki-Chin-Mizo groups of Manipur. It is a happy occasion for the villagers whose food stock is bountiful after a year of hard labour. It is observed on the 1st November every year.
Chumpha: Festival of Tangkhul Nagas
Celebrated for seven days in the month of December, the Chumpha Festival is a great festival of the Rangkhul Nagas. The festival is held after harvest.
8. First Unani medicine Regional Center of Northeast inaugurated in Silchar, Assam
Tags: place in news Person in news State News
The Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the new, state of the art complex of Regional Research Institute of Unani Medicine (RRIUM) in Silchar, Assam on 20 November 2022. It is the first Unani medicine regional center in the North-East. The new complex is spread over an area of 3.5 acres built with an investment of Rs 48 crores.
The newly built complex of RRIUM, which will be under Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), the apex government organization for research in Unani Medicine,
The RRIUM, besides providing a wide range of patient care services, will also focus on conducting scientific research on different aspects, fundamental and applied, of Unani medicine, and on diseases that are more prevalent in the North East. The centre is also equipped to screen patients with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like cardiac, pulmonary, stroke, cancer and diabetes.
Unani System of Medicine
The Unani System of Medicine owes its origin to Greece. The roots of this system go to Egypt and its sister civilization Mesopotamia. It was further adopted by the Arabs, and was developed and improved tremendously by them.
The Unani System of Medicine was introduced to India by the Arabs in the eighth century.
To promote Unani Medicine in India, the government of India set up the Central Council for Research in Unani, Medicine (CCRUM). Now it comes under the Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy).
9. Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh amongst top ranked district of the country on the Jal Jeevan Mission
Tags: State News
Several districts of Uttar Pradesh have performed very well in the October month 2022 ranking of the Jal Jeevan Mission released by the Union Jal Shakti Ministry on its web site. The districts are ranked according to the target achieved by the districts in providing drinking water through tap to the houses of the identified beneficiaries in the rural areas.
Giving this information Principal secretary (Namami Gange and rural water supply) Anurag Srivastava said that several Uttar Pradesh districts have done well in the rankings, especially Shahjahanpur that has topped across the country in the “aspirant districts as well as best performing district” category..
Classification of Districts
In Jal Jeevan Survekshan-2023, districts across the country are grouped in various categories. They are as follows;
- The districts with 100% tap connections in a month are front- runners.
- Those with 75 to 100% tap connections are high achievers.
- Those providing 50 to 75% connections have been classified as performers.
- The ones with up to 25% tap water connections are included in the aspirant category.
Ranking District of Uttar Pradesh
Below is the list of the Uttar Pradesh districts which has performed well and top ranked in the country in various categories:
Aspirant’s category districts
No.1 ranked district in India, Shahjahanpur
No.2 ranked district in India, Bulandshahr
No.3 ranked district in India, Bareilly
Fastest moving districts within the categories (for month of October 2022)
Aspirant category
No.1 ranked district in India, Shahjahanpur
No2. Ranked district in India, Mirzapur
No.3 ranked district in India, Bulandshahr
Performers (ranked districts in India)
No1. Mon (Nagaland)
No 2. East Jaintia Hills (Meghalaya)
No 3. Mahoba (Uttar Pradesh)
Districts which graduated from one category to another in October month 2022
Districts which graduated to Performer category;
Bulandshahr graduated from Aspirant category to Performer and it was ranked 2nd in the country.
Mirzapur graduated from Aspirant category to Performer and it was ranked 4th in the country.
Lalitpur graduated from Aspirant category to Performer and it was ranked 28th in the country.
Saharanpur graduated from Aspirant category to Performer and it was ranked 38th in the country.
The Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide functional household tap connection to every rural household with service level at the rate of 55 litres per capita per day. The whole country is to be covered by 2024.
Union Minister for Jal Shakti : Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
10. PM Modi to inaugurate Arunachal Pradesh’s first Greenfield airport Donyi Polo Airport
Tags: Environment Economy/Finance State News
In an aim to boost connectivity in the North East, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the first Greenfield airport built in Arunachal Pradesh on 19 November 2022. The newly constructed Donyi Polo Airport was opened at Hollangi, Itanagar on 19th November. The foundation stone for this airport was laid by PM Modi himself in February, 2019.
About the Donyi Polo Airport
This is the first Greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh developed by the Airport Authority of India at a cost of around Rs 650 crore. Green field means that it is newly constructed.
This will also be the third airport in Arunachal Pradesh after the Zero Airport and Tezu airport.
The airport has been designed to support the operations of an A-320 aircraft.
According to the Prime Minister Office (PMO) the name of the airport reflects the traditions and rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh and its age-old indigenous reverence for the Sun (‘Donyi’) and the Moon (‘Polo’).
Airport in North Eastern Region
According to the Prime Minister Office after Independence only 9 airports were built in the region till 2014. However in the last 8 years the present government has built 7 new airports in the region.
With the Donyi Polo Airport becoming operational the total airports in North East will be 16.
According to the PMO, aircraft movement in the North-East has also witnessed an increase by 113% since 2014, from 852 per week in 2014 to 1817 per week in 2022.
PM to inaugurate the 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station
During his visit to Arunachal Pradesh, the Prime Minister will also dedicate 600 MW Kameng Hydro Power Station to the nation. The station has been developed at a cost of more than Rs 8450 crore and is located in the West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh.
Kameng Hydro Power Station is a run-of-the river scheme to harness the hydro power of Bichom and Tenga Rivers (both tributaries of the River Kameng). The Power Station has two dams, one at Bichom & the other at Tenga.
The project has been developed by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited,(NEEPCO ltd), a wholly owned Subsidiary company of NTPC ltd.
Run of the River project
In the run of the river project, reservoirs are not built for water storage purposes and the natural flow of water from a height is used to run micro turbines to produce electricity.
Arunachal Pradesh
It is the easternmost region of India. It is also called ‘Land of the Dawn-lit-Mountains’ or land of rising sun.
It was earlier called as North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) and it was renamed as Arunachal Pradesh in 1972. It was a Union Territory.
It became a state on 20 February 1987.
Governor of the State: Brig BD Mishra (Retd)
Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
Capital: Itanagar
