1. Home Minister unveils Statue of Peace of Swami Ramanujacharya in Srinagar
Tags: State News
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah unveiled the statue of Swami Ramanujacharya “Statue of Peace” in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir through video conference on July 07, 2022.
About Swami Ramanujacharya
Swami Ramanujacharya was a Vedic philosopher and social reformer.
He travelled across India and emphasised the principles of equality and social justice.
His teachings inspired the saints of the Bhakti movement and his disciple Ramananda started the Bhakti movement.
The works of mediaeval saint poets Annamacharya, Bhakta Ramdas, Tyagraj, Kabir and Mirabai were influenced by his philosophy.
Ramanuja was an advocate of social equality among all classes of people centuries ago and encouraged the opening of temple doors to all irrespective of caste or status in society, at a time when people of various castes was not allowed to enter temples.
He took education to those who were deprived of it.
His greatest contribution is the promotion of the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which is often translated as 'the whole universe is one family'.
2. Chhattisgarh gets Centre’s nod for World Bank funded school project
Tags: State News
The Chhattisgarh government has received in-principle approval from the Centre for a $300 million (approximately ₹2,100 crore) school education project, funded by the World Bank to the state government.
What is the proposal?
A World Bank team will visit Chhattisgarh later this month for the first phase of talks.
The discussion on this proposal started two months ago, and was then sent to the Centre after the approval of the state finance department.
The World Bank will lend the Chhattisgarh government $300 million over a five-year period at interest far below market rates and repay it over a period of 20 years.
After assessment by the World Bank team, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared, which will be placed before the World Bank Board and the Centre for final approval.
The DPR will also have a detailed plan of how the money will be spent.
What is an in-principle nod?
This means that the Centre has no objection to the state borrowing from an external financial institution like the World Bank.
It is not a final nod, but it paves the way for the state to move forward with subsequent discussions.
Similarly, the World Bank has also given in-principle approval that it is ready to fund the project.
World Bank's association with India’s school education
The World Bank has been associated with India’s school education system since 1994.
The World Bank signed a $500 million Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States Program (STARS) with India in 2021 to improve the quality and governance of school education in six Indian states.
However, Chhattisgarh is not included in that list.
3. 100 students of Sikkim College infected after coming in contact with Nairobi flies
Tags: State News
Around 100 students of an engineering college in East Sikkim suffered severe skin infections after coming into contact with Nairobi flies.
About Nairobi flies
These flies are native to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya in East Africa, and are therefore called Nairobi flies.
These flies are like dragon bugs.
They belong to two species, Paederus eximius and Paederus sabaeus.
They are orange and black in color, and thrive in areas of high rainfall.
Like most insects, they are attracted to bright light.
Effect of Nairobi flies on humans
Farm pests are the primary food source of Nairobi flies, so these insects are beneficial to humans.
Since they are attracted to bright lights, it is not rare for them to find their way into human habitats.
Unlike most insects, Nairobi flies do not bite, but when they do bite, they release a fluid called Pederin that causes chemical burns on the skin.
This chemical can cause unusual burns or sores on the skin.
Within a day or two, pinhead-sized blisters appear, which are filled with a yellowish fluid.
Even though the skin may heal in a week or two, the affected area may become infected for other reasons.
Outbreaks of the disease
Outbreaks have been seen in Kenya and other parts of East Africa.
Outside Africa, there have been outbreaks in the past in India, Japan, Israel and Paraguay.
Protection against Nairobi flies
Prevent it from coming near you.
Sleeping under a mosquito net can help.
The fly should not be distracted, crushed or touched to reduce the chances of releasing the toxin.
Any area where flies sit should be washed with soap and water.
4. Anthrax Outbreak In Kerala’s Athirappilly Forest
Tags: State News
Kerala Health Minister Veena George recently confirmed the outbreak of anthrax after several carcasses of wild boar were found at Athirapally in Thrissur district.
Important facts
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria.
It is commonly found in the southern states of India. It is found less in the northern states.
The disease has been reported in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Orissa and Karnataka.
Anthrax
Anthrax is also called Woolsorter's disease or malignant pustules.
It is a rare but serious disease caused by a rod-shaped bacteria called Bacillus anthracis.
These bacteria are naturally found in the soil.
According to WHO, anthrax is a disease of herbivores that affects wild and domestic animals.
It is a zoonotic disease; Thus, it is transferable from animals to humans.
When wild and domestic animals come in contact with contaminated soil, water, they can become infected.
Anthrax infection in humans
Humans become infected with anthrax disease directly or indirectly from animals or animal products.
Humans can become infected when they enter the body through eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, breathing or scratching the skin.
Symptoms of anthrax
The first sign is the sudden death of one or two animals within a herd of livestock species such as cattle, sheep or goats.
Symptoms of high fever may be seen.
Swelling, and sudden death with the absence of blood clots are common symptoms in wildlife.
5. Assam Cabinet approves ‘indigenous’ status for five Muslim communities
Tags: State News
The Assam government has decided to grant 'swadeshi' status to five Assamese-speaking Muslim communities in the state. Now the identity of these communities will be different from the Bengali speaking Muslims.
These Assamese Muslim communities includes Goria, Moria, Deshi, Jolah and Syed.
This step has been taken in line with the recommendation of sub-groups/committees constituted by the State Government.
This group has often expressed the need for a separate identity.
The decision has been taken following the recommendations of a panel constituted by the Assam government last year to discuss socio-economic issues related to the Assamese Muslim community of the state.
The panel was constituted in July last year after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's meeting with Assamese Muslims from different regions.
Why was this decision taken?
This step has been taken to identify the 'illegal infiltrators' in Assam.
This will help in identifying the origin of Assam i.e. Indian Muslims.
Bangladeshi infiltrators can be driven out of the country after Indian Muslims are identified.
Infiltration has been a major issue in Assam and other states of the Northeast.
The most affected by these infiltrators has been in Assam.
The move will ensure their development in health, cultural identity, education, financial inclusion, skill development and women empowerment.
Muslims population in Assam
Muslims constitute 34% of Assam's 3.12 crore population, of whom 4% are indigenous Assamese Muslims and the rest are mostly Bengali-speaking Muslims.
6. 'Nari Ko Naman' scheme launched by Himachal Pradesh government for women
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur launched the “Nari Ko Naman” scheme for the women of the state.
This scheme has been started in line with the announcement made before the state assembly elections.
Under the scheme, the Himachal Pradesh government has announced a 50% discount on ticket prices to women in state government buses.
The Himachal Pradesh government will spend Rs 60 crore annually to provide a 50% discount on ticket prices to women in the state.
According to an estimate, 1.25 lakh women travel in HRTC buses daily.
Minimum fare reduction / other announcements
Apart from giving concessions to women in tickets to women, the government also announced reduction of minimum fare in HRTC buses from Rs 7 to Rs 5.
In addition, 25 posts of women drivers will be filled in HRTC 'Ride with Pride' taxis.
In HRTC, 265 posts of Motor Mechanic, Electrician etc. will also be recruited.
About Himachal Pradesh
It was made the eighteenth state of India on 25 January 1971 under the Himachal Pradesh State Act, 1971.
Himachal Pradesh is also called the Land of Gods.
Himachal Pradesh is part of the Shivalik range of the Himalaya Mountains.
Major rivers and dams- Sutlej (Bhakra Dam, Gobind Sagar Reservoir, Koldam Dam), Vyas (Pandoh Dam, Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir), Ravi (Chamera Dam), Parvati
Major Lakes- Renuka, Revalsar, Khajjiar, Dal, Beas Kund, Dasaur, Brighu, Parashar, Mani Mahesh, Chander Tal, Suraj Tal, Kareri, Sarolsar, Govind Sagar, Nako Lake
National Parks- Great Himalayan National Park, Pin Valley National Park, Khirganga, Inderkilla and Simbalbara National Parks
Capital- Shimla
Governor- Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Chief Minister- Jai Ram Thakur
Legislative Assembly seats- 68
Rajya Sabha seats- 3
Lok Sabha seats - 4
7. BJP’s Rahul Narvekar elected Maharashtra Assembly Speaker
Tags: Person in news State News
After the formation of the new government, BJP candidate Rahul Narvekar won the election for the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly during a two-day special session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
Rahul Narvekar (164 votes) defeated Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress joint candidate Rajan Salvi (107 votes).
He is an MLA from the Colaba Assembly seat of Maharashtra.
In the assembly elections held in 2019, Rahul became an MLA for the first time.
Rahul Narvekar is the youngest Speaker of the entire country.
In the Maha Vikas Aghadi government, the post of the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was vacant since February 2021 after the resignation of Congress leader Nana Patole.
About Maharashtra State
This state was created on May 1, 1960, on the demand of Marathi speaking people.
Maharashtra is the top sugar producing state of India.
Its capital is Mumbai which is also known as the largest city of India and the economic capital of the country.
The only salt water lake formed by the collision of meteorites is Lunar Lake which is in Maharashtra itself.
Asia's first train started on 16 April 1853 between Mumbai and Thane.
Godavari and Krishna are the major rivers of the state.
The highest peak of Maharashtra is Kalsubai Peak.
Governor- Bhagat Singh Koshyari
Chief Minister- Eknath Shinde
Deputy Chief Minister- Devendra Fadnavis
Legislative Council Member - 78
Member of Legislative Assembly - 288
8. Eknath Shinde sworn-in as CM of Maharashtra
Tags: Popular State News
Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde was on 30 June sworn in as the 20th chief minister of Maharashtra, while BJP's former chief minister Devendra Fadnavis took oath as the deputy chief minister.
Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari administered the oath of office to Shinde and his deputy Fadnavis at the Raj Bhavan in south Mumbai.
Maharashtra Governor has asked Chief Minister Shinde to prove his government's majority in the state assembly.
The Cabinet decided to convene a two-day special session of the state legislature on 2nd and 3rd July.
The Speaker of the assembly will also be elected during the special session.
Shinde, who served as urban development minister in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi government, had rebelled against Shiv Sena chief and then chief minister Uddhav Thackeray.
He camped in a hotel in Guwahati and later in Goa with 39 other army MLAs, reducing the Aghadi government to a minority.
After the Supreme Court refused to stay the governor's decision to conduct a floor test, Thackeray resigned from his post.
About Eknath Shinde
Before emerging as the leader of Shiv Sena, Eknath Sambhaji Shinde drove an auto-rickshaw to earn a living.
Born on 9 February 1964, Shinde dropped out of college before completing his graduation.
He is 58 years old and hails from Satara district of western Maharashtra, he started his political career from Thane, Mumbai.
He is a four-time MLA, having handled the urban development and PWD portfolios in the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government led by Uddhav Thackeray.
Shinde was appointed the Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for a brief period in 2014.
Important facts about Maharashtra
Establishment - 1st May 1960
Official Language - Marathi
Neighbouring States - Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Dadra And Nagar Haveli, Chhattisgarh
Members of Parliament - Lok Sabaha 48 (Rajya Sabha seats 19)
Legislature - Bicameral ( Assembly 289 and council 78 seats)
Literacy - 82.91%
Districts - 36
Major Rivers - Tributaries of Tapti, Bhima, Godavari and Krishna
Capital - Mumbai
Population - 11.23 crore (2011 census)
9. Entry of medium and heavy vehicles banned in Delhi
Tags: State News
The Delhi government issued an order banning the entry of medium and heavy goods vehicles into Delhi from November to February to check vehicular pollution.
Entry of these vehicles will not be allowed from 1st November 2022 to 28th February 2023.
This is because vehicular pollution worsens air quality in the winter months.
Further, the Delhi government urged neighbouring states, including Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, to allow only BS VI-compliant buses to enter Delhi from October 1.
This step will help in controlling air pollution.
Air pollution in Delhi-NCR
Air pollution in Delhi-NCR as well as in the Gangetic plains of India depends on the following factors:
1. Change in wind direction – Monsoon returns to North West India in October. During this, the north-westerly winds prevail. This brings dust from northern Pakistan and Afghanistan, causing pollution.
2. Low wind speed – During the month of October (winter), the overall wind speed becomes less compared to the summer months, increasing the potential for air pollution across the region, as the low speed winds disperse the pollutants. are not effective.
3. Stubble burning – Due to stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, Delhi is covered with a thick blanket of mist during winters.
Stubble burning releases toxic pollutants containing harmful gases such as methane (CH4), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
4. Vehicular pollution – The biggest reason for deteriorating air quality in this area is vehicular pollution. About 20% of PM2.5 in winter comes from vehicles.
10. Goa celebrates Sao Joao festival
Tags: State News
Sao Joao is an annual Catholic festival celebrated in an unusual way in Goa every year on 23 June.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Sao Joao is also known as St. John the Baptist.
Catholic men jump into the water to find gifts thrown into wells, ponds and rivers to pay tribute to St. John the Baptist.
This festival is celebrated every year in June to mark the beginning of the season.
People wear crowns of fresh fruits and wild flowers traditionally called 'kopels' to celebrate the occasion.
About Goa -
Goa is the smallest state in India by area and the fourth smallest by population.
The Portuguese ruled Goa for about 450 years and it was handed over to the Indian administration on 19 December 1961.
Panaji, the capital of Goa, is situated on the banks of the Mandovi river.
Governor- PS Sreedharan
Chief Minister- Pramod Sawant
Assembly seat - 40
Rajya Sabha Seat-1
Lok Sabha seat - 2
