1. Rajasthan's Menar bird village will become a wetland
Tags: State News
Menar village in Udaipur district, recognized as "Bird Village" after various conservation efforts, has been decided to be notified as the new wetland of Rajasthan.
This will pave the way for this rural area of Mewar region to get the status of Ramsar site.
About Menar Wetland
The two lakes of Menar village- Brahma and Dhandha host a large number of migratory birds every year.
More than 150 species of local and migratory birds reside in both the lakes during the winter season.
These include the Greater Flamingo, White-tailed Lapwing, Pelican, Marsh Harrier, Bar-headed Goose, Common Teal, Greenshank, Pintail, Wagtail, Green Sandpiper and Red-Wattled Lapwing.
Bird lovers and tourists visit this village after the arrival of migratory birds from Central Asia, Europe and Mongolia.
Presently there are two wetlands recognized as Ramsar sites in Rajasthan-
Keoladeo Ghana in Bharatpur District.
Sambhar Salt Lake in Jaipur District.
What is wetland?
Wetlands are seasonal or permanent ecosystems located in water.
These include mangroves, swamps, rivers, lakes, deltas, floodplains and floodplains, rice fields, coral reefs, marine areas (places with high tides less than 6 m) as well as man-made wetlands such as wastewater treatment ponds and Reservoir etc. are included.
More than 1 billion people depend on wetlands for subsistence and 40% of the world's species live and breed in wetlands.
30% of land-based carbon is stored in peatlands (a type of wetland).
2. Rajasthan's entry into the field of uranium mining
Tags: State News
Rajasthan has entered the field of uranium mining with the issuance of Letter of Intent (LOI) for uranium exploration in the state on June 26, 2022.
This LOI has been issued for mining lease to Uranium Corporation of India for mining of Uranium Ore at Rohil in Khandela Tehsil near Sikar.
Huge deposits of uranium have been found in an area of 1086.46 hectares in Rohil of Khandela tehsil of Sikar district. According to preliminary estimates, about 12 million tonnes of uranium reserves are possible in this area.
Uranium is currently being mined in the country at Jaduguda in Singhbhum in Jharkhand and in Andhra Pradesh.
Most of the uranium produced globally is in Kazakhstan, Canada and Australia. Apart from this, uranium minerals have also been found in Russia, Namibia, Uzbekistan, USA and Ukraine.
Uranium is mainly used to generate electricity. However, apart from nuclear power, uranium is also used in medicine, defence equipment, photography, among others.
About Uranium -
Uranium is the third element of the actinide series, an intermediate series of the periodic table.
The element uranium was discovered in 1789 by Klaproth from an ore called pitchblende.
In 1896, Henri Becquerel discovered radioactivity in uranium.
Uranium is a shiny white metal. Its symbol is U, atomic number 92, atomic weight 238.03.
3. 17th 'Shala Praveshotsav' started from Banaskantha in Gujarat
Tags: State News
In Gujarat, the 17th edition of 'Shala Praveshotsav', an annual campaign for enrollment of students in class I, was launched by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on June 23 at a government primary school in Vadgam taluka of Banaskantha.
The Shala Praveshotsav has been organised by the state government from 23rd to 25th June, 2022 in the entire state.
The dropout rate of students has come down drastically after the massive enrollment drive of children in the state after the launch of 'Shala Praveshotsav' campaign.
The drop out rate of the state has come down from 37.22 per cent in 2002 to just 3.07 per cent.
About 32,000 government primary schools were covered by officials and elected representatives during this three-day campaign.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi started 'Shala Praveshotsav' in 2003, when he was the chief minister of the state, with the main objective of ensuring maximum enrollment in schools.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
About Gujarat State -
Formation - 1 May 1960
Gujarat is also known as 'The Land of Legends'.
The Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat is home to the only wild population of Asiatic Lions in the world.
Gujarat is the main producer of cotton, tobacco and groundnut in the country.
Garba is the main traditional dance of Gujarat.
Lothal was the ancient city of Gujarat where India's first port was established.
Capital- Gandhinagar
Governor- Acharya Devvrat
Chief Minister- Bhupendrabhai Patel (BJP)
Assembly seats-182
Rajya Sabha seats- 11
Lok Sabha seats- 26
4. Three-day workshop on 'Gender Responsible Governance' organized in Dharamshala
Tags: State News
A three-day workshop on 'Gender Responsive Governance' ie 'Gender Responsible Governance' is being organised in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh.
The workshop is being organised in collaboration with the Women's Commission and Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA).
116 women MLAs from five states and one union territory of North India will participate in this workshop.
The chief guest of the workshop is Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel.
Ms. Rekha Sharma, Chairperson, National Commission for Women said that the workshop has been organised with the idea of 'Strong Women Leadership, Strong Democracy'.
The program was conceptualised and developed with the aim of promoting capacity building of women leaders.
About Himachal Pradesh
The literal meaning of Himachal Pradesh is "Province of Snowy Mountains", Himachal Pradesh is also known as "Dev Bhoomi".
Himachal Pradesh was made a union territory in 1956, but in 1971, it was made the eighteenth state of India on 25 January 1971 under the Himachal Pradesh State Act, 1971.
Himachal Pradesh is part of the Shivalik range of the Himalaya Mountains.
Four of the five rivers that flow in Himachal Pradesh are mentioned in the Rigveda.
At that time they were known by other names such as Arikari (Chenab), Purushni (Ravi), Vipasha (Beas) and Shatdui (Satluj) The fifth river (Kalindi) which originates from Yamunotri has a mythological connection with the Sun God.
Capital- Shimla (summer), Dharamsala (winter)
Governor- Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar
Chief Minister- Jai Ram Thakur
Legislative Assembly seats - 68
Rajya Sabha seats - 3
Lok Sabha seats - 4
5. Maharashtra political crisis and anti-defection law
Tags: Popular State News
The anti-defection law has once again come into the limelight after 34 MLAs wrote to the Maharashtra Governor promising their support to Shiv Sena's 'rebel' MLA Eknath Shinde.
Some MLAs have formed an alliance with the rebel party leader and are camping in Guwahati.
The party has warned its MLAs that their absence from the meeting would lead to speculation that they want to leave the political party.
Therefore, action will be taken against them under the Anti-Defection Act.
What is the Anti-Defection Law?
The Tenth Schedule, popularly known as the Anti-Defection Act, was included in the Constitution via the 52nd Amendment Act, 1985.
It lays down provisions for disqualification of elected members on the ground of defection to any other political party.
The anti-defection law provides for the disqualification of legislators who, after being elected on a political party ticket, "voluntarily give up their party membership".
This law also applies to independent MLAs.
But this law does not apply when the number of legislators leaving a political party is two-thirds of the party's strength in the legislature.
These MLAs can merge with another party.
Rule of two thirds in Maharashtra
According to reports, 30 MLAs are with the rebel leader.
Shiv Sena has 55 MLAs in the Maharashtra Assembly, if the rebel MLAs want to merge, then two-thirds of the 55 i.e. 37 MLAs will have to go to another party together.
If this happens then there will be no constitutional action against those MLAs.
But if this does not happen, then action can be taken against these MLAs under the anti-defection law.
6. One Nation, One Ration Card scheme implemented in Assam
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Assam has become the 36th state of the country to implement the One Nation One Ration Card scheme.
After being implemented in Assam, this scheme has been successfully implemented in 36 states and union territories across the country.
The scheme has made a significant contribution in ensuring subsidized food grains to the beneficiaries especially the migrant beneficiaries during the COVID pandemic.
In a very short span of time, it covered 80 crore beneficiaries.
Since the scheme's implementation in August 2019, around 71 crore portable transactions have taken place under it, food grains equivalent to Rs 40 thousand crore have been distributed as food subsidy.
Mera Ration mobile app
Mera Ration mobile application was launched to make this scheme more seamless and faster.
This mobile app is providing useful real time information to the beneficiaries and is available in 13 languages.
About ‘One Nation, One Ration Card' scheme
It was launched by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution in 2019 on a pilot basis in 4 states.
It aims to ensure hassle free delivery of subsidized food grains to all migrant beneficiaries anywhere in the country under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).
Under this scheme, migrant beneficiaries are entitled to get food grains from any Fair Price Shop (FPS) of their choice anywhere in the country using their existing ration card with biometric authentication.
Benefits of the scheme
This will help in reducing the number of dual ration card holders.
This is in line with the motto of Minimum Government Maximum Governance.
Centralised authorised shop data can be used to formulate policies on inter- and inter-state migration.
It will help to improve India's ranking in the Global Hunger Index.
National Food Security Act, 2013
It was introduced by the Government of India in 2013.
The Act is in line with Goal Two of the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly.
Goal 2 aims to end hunger in all its forms by 2030 and create sustainable solutions to achieve food security.
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS), Public Distribution System (PDS), and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are covered under this Act.
7. International literary festival 'Unmesh' organised in Himachal Pradesh
Tags: State News International News
An International Literature Festival, Unmesh, was organised in Shimla as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Sahitya Akademi, Department of Art and Culture, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
The festival was inaugurated by the Union Minister of State for Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal.
UNMESHA is the country's largest literary festival representing over 60 languages and 64 events with over 425 writers, poets, translators, critics and distinguished personalities from different walks of life from 15 countries including India.
Unmesh, the festival of expression, is the largest international literary festival in the country so far.
Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi was formally inaugurated by the Government of India on 12 March 1954.
Sahitya Akademi functions as an autonomous organisation. It was registered as a society in January 1956 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
The Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, is the central body for literary dialogue, publication and publicity in the country and the only organisation to conduct literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English.
It also conducts literary exchange programs with various countries around the world to promote Indian literature.
The Sahitya Akademi Award is the second highest literary award given by the Government of India after the Jnanpith Award.
8. Tamil Nadu Government launched the Ennum Ezhuthum scheme
Tags: State News
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin launched the Ennum Ezhuthum scheme in June 2022. The objective of this scheme is to achieve basic literacy and to ensure numeracy.
The scheme has been launched at a program at Azhinjivakkam Panchayat Union Middle School, Tiruvallur.
This scheme has been launched to bridge the learning gap among students below 8 years of age as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the programme, the education department will distribute workbooks to students of classes 1 to 3 to assess and understand the learning gap.
Under this initiative children will be trained in three subjects: Tamil, English and Mathematics.
Under the programme, teachers were advised to opt for interactive teaching methods and encouraged students to read newspapers and books in the school library.
Why was this scheme launched?
The scheme was launched due to the closure of schools in the state of Tamil Nadu for more than 19 months during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this learning gap cannot be bridged by regular classes alone. Thus, this scheme has been started to help each child individually.
About Tamil Nadu State
The state was formed on 26 January 1950 but its boundaries were redrawn on 14 January 1969.
Tamil Nadu is located at the mouth of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
Bharatanatyam is a very popular and famous dance form of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu is the largest producer of bananas and flowers, the second largest producer of mango, rubber, groundnut, coconut and the third largest producer of coffee.
Governor- Ravindra Narayan Ravi
Chief Minister- M.K.Stalin
Assembly seats 235 seats
Rajya Sabha Seats - 18
Lok Sabha seats- 39
9. India’s first ‘Balika Panchayat’ constituted in five villages of Gujarat
Tags: State News
Taking a unique initiative towards empowering women, the country's first girl panchayat has been started in Kutch, Gujarat.
The unique initiative of Balika Panchayat has been started in four villages of Kutch district of Gujarat namely Kunaria, Maska Motaginya, Vadasar Kukma village.
Its responsibility is given to the girl child in the age group of 11 to 21 years.
Its main objective is to promote the social and political development of the girl child and to solve their problems by removing the evils present in the society.
This is a unique initiative of the Government of Gujarat for Women and Child Development Welfare under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development is planning to start Balika Panchayat across India.
The member of the girl's panchayat is nominated in the same way as the village panchayat.
About Panchayati raj
The Panchayati Raj system was implemented by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 2 October 1959 in Bagdari village of Nagaur district of Rajasthan.
The three-tier Panchayati Raj system in India consists of Gram Panchayat (at the village level), Panchayat Samiti (at the intermediate level) and Zilla Parishad (at the district level).
Panchayats are mentioned in Article 40 of the Constitution of India and Article 246 empowers the State Legislature to make laws on any matter relating to local self-government.
Panchayati Raj Institution is a system of rural local self-government in India.
To establish democracy at the grassroots level, through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, the Panchayati Raj Institution was given constitutional status and was entrusted with the task of rural development in the country.
Part IX titled "Panchayats" was added to the Constitution by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
The tenure of Panchayats is fixed for five years but it can be dissolved even before the tenure.
10. PM inaugurates the redeveloped temple of Shree Kalika Mata at Pavagadh Hill
Tags: State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the redeveloped temple of Shri Kalika Mata at Pavagadh hill in Panchmahal district of Gujarat on June 18.
The first phase of the redevelopment was inaugurated by PM Modi in April earlier this year.
The foundation stone of the redevelopment of the second phase was laid by PM Modi in 2017.
This includes the expansion of the base of the temple and the installation of facilities like 'campus', street lights, CCTV systems on three levels, etc.
'Shikhar dhwaja’ sacred flag was hoisted on the temple.
This 'Shikhardhwaj' flag is not only a symbol of our faith and spirituality, but this flag is also a symbol of the fact that centuries change, eras change, but 'Aastha' remains eternal."
About the Temple
Kalika Mata Temple Complex is situated atop Pavagadh hill in Panchmahal district of Gujarat.
The literal meaning of the word Kalika Mata is black mother.
In the ground floor of the main temple there are idols of three goddesses.
The central idol of Kalika Mata is depicted in the form of a red coloured head, or 'Mukhwato'.
She is flanked by idols of Goddess Kali on the right and Goddess Bahuchara on the left.
The temple is the site of one of the major Shakti Peethas.
Presently, the temple complex is a part of an archaeological park.
The temple is considered as a World Heritage Site.
History of Temple
The history of the temple dates back to the 10th century and the 11th century and is therefore the oldest temple in the region.
Originally, goddess Kalika Mata was worshipped by the local Patidar, Koli and Bhil community.
The idol of the goddess was installed by Vishwamitra on the Pavagadh hill, where she is worshipped as an incarnation of Goddess Durga or Chandi.
