1. 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.
2. 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
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. PM Modi participates in 'Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan' at Vadodara
Tags: State News
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of various development projects worth 21,000 crore rupees digitally at Vadodara in Gujarat on 18 June.
This includes a series of railway projects worth over Rs 16,000 crore.
Different developmental projects
The Prime Minister dedicated to the nation the 357-km New Palanpur-Madar section of the Dedicated Freight Corridor, gauge conversion of the 166-km Ahmedabad-Botad section and electrification of the 81-km Palanpur-Mitha section.
He also laid the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Surat, Udhna, Somnath and Sabarmati stations along with some other initiatives in the railway sector.
These projects will help reduce logistics costs in the region and give a boost to the industry and agriculture sector.
He also laid the foundation stone of Gujarat Central University at Kundela village in Dabhoi taluka near Vadodara.
He also launched Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojana and Poshan Sudha Yojna to further improve maternal and child health in the state.
Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojana and Poshan Sudha Yojana
Under “Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Yojana”, pregnant and lactating mothers will be given 2 kg gram, 1 kg tur dal and 1 kg edible oil free of cost every month from Anganwadi centers in Gujarat.
Poshan Sudha Yojana is presently being extended to all tribal beneficiaries in the State.
The scheme provides nutritious food once a day to pregnant and lactating women.
Objectives of the schemes
Helping during the first 1,000 days of a child's life, which is the period from pregnancy to the age of two.
To reduce the number of low birth weight newborns as well as improve infant mortality and maternal mortality.
6. Centre approves Rs.1,043 crores as Disaster Response Fund to Rajasthan and Nagaland
Tags: State News National News
A high-level committee headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on June 17 approved additional central assistance of Rs 1,043 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to Rajasthan and Nagaland, which were affected by drought during 2021-22.
The committee approved additional central assistance of ₹ 1,043.23 crore, of which ₹ 1,003.95 crore would be received by Rajasthan and ₹ 39.28 crore for Nagaland.
During the financial year 2021-22, the central government has released Rs 17,747.20 crore to 28 states in their SDRF and Rs 7,342.30 crore from NDRF to 11 states.
National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)
It is a fund managed by the Central Government.
It is used to meet the expenses of emergency response, relief and rehabilitation for any disaster situation.
It was earlier called National Disaster Contingency Fund (NCCF).
In 2005, the Disaster Management Act was enacted and its name was changed to National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
NDRF was established in accordance with Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
In June 2020, the Finance Ministry approved a proposal to allow individuals and institutions to contribute directly to the NDRF.
State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF)
It has been constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
It was constituted on the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission.
It is the primary fund available with the State Governments to meet the expenditure for providing immediate relief for the response to notified disasters.
The Centre contributes 75% of the SDRF allocation for general category States and Union Territories.
The Centre contributes 90% for special category States and Union Territories (northeastern States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir).
Disaster covered under SDRF are Cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, frost and cold waves.
7. YSR Yantra Seva Scheme launched by Andhra Pradesh
Tags: Government Schemes State News
YSR Yantra Seva Scheme has been launched by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
About the Scheme
Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy started this scheme from the village of Chuttugunta.
Under this scheme, tractors and combine harvesters will be provided to the farmers at low rates.
The total cost of this scheme is 2016 crores.
The government will give a 40 percent subsidy on all machinery and loans will also be provided to the farmers.
Apart from this, it was also decided by the state government to set up custom hiring centres in the entire state.
In this program, an amount of Rs 175 crore was sent to the accounts of 5260 farmers under the Ritu Bharosa scheme.
The Andhra Pradesh government aims to set up a total of 10,750 YSR Yantra Seva Kendras (CHCs).
About Andhra Pradesh State
Historically, Andhra Pradesh has been called the "Rice Bowl of India".
Andhra Pradesh was formed on 1 November 1956.
Kuchipudi is the most famous classical dance form of the state.
Capital- Amravati
Official language - Telugu
Governor- Biswa Bhushan Harichandan
Chief Minister- Jagan Mohan Reddy (Congress)
Legislative Assembly seats- 176
Rajya Sabha Seats - 11
Lok Sabha seats - 25
8. India's first road constructed from steel slag inaugurated in Surat
Tags: State News National News
Union Steel Minister Ram Chandra Prasad Singh on June 15 inaugurated the first 6-lane highway built using steel slag in Gujarat's Surat city to connect the port with the city.
The road, built using 100 percent steel-processed slag, is a true example of "converting waste into wealth" and improving the sustainability of steel plants.
The Minister emphasized the need to promote circular economy and resource efficiency by converting all waste into money.
Promoting a circular economy is the need of the hour as all types of natural resources are getting depleted in the world.
The use of such material in road construction will not only increase the durability but will also help in reducing the cost of construction as the slag-based material has better properties.
The production of steel slag through various processes in India is expected to increase by 2030.
What is a steel slag road?
The slag is generated from a steel furnace burning at around 1,500-1,600 degree centigrade in the form of molten flux material as an impurity.
The molten material is then poured into slag pits for cooling as per the optimized process and further processed to develop stable steel slag aggregates.
It is a substitute for natural aggregates commonly used in road construction with better physical properties.
What is a circular economy?
In the current economy, products are made from materials taken from the earth, and they are finally thrown away as waste.
In a circular economy, by contrast, we first stop producing waste.
In such an economy, all kinds of waste such as clothing, scrap metals and obsolete electronics are returned to the economy or used more efficiently.
The circular economy is based on three principles-
Eliminate waste and pollution
Circulating products and materials (at their highest value)
Nature of regenerate
9. President lays foundation stone for new Raj Bhavan in Goa
Tags: State News
President Ram Nath Kovind on 15 June laid the foundation stone of the New Raj Bhavan building in Dona Paula, Goa near the capital Panaji.
The construction of the existing building began in the 16th century, which became the Governor's House at the end of the 19th century.
The new building is being constructed in the premises of the existing Governor's House, which was constructed during the then Portuguese rule.
While constructing the new building, care will be taken to reduce the impact of climate change by taking steps like rainwater harvesting.
The new building is inspired by Rashtrapati Bhavan, other Raj Bhavans and Goa architecture.
Governor P S Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and other leaders were present on this occasion.
About Goa
Capital - Panaji
Established - 30 May 1987
District - two
Official language - Konkani
High Court - Bombay High Court bench in Panaji
Governor - P S Sreedharan Pillai
Chief Minister - Dr Pramod Sawant
10. Cabinet approves development of new Dholera greenfield airport in Gujarat
Tags: State News
On June 14, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the proposal for phase 1 development of the new greenfield airport at Dholera, Gujarat.
Estimated cost of the project is Rs 1305 crore and will be completed by 2025-26.
The project is being implemented by Dholera International Airport Company Limited (DIACL).
DIACL is a Joint Venture Company comprising Airports Authority of India (AAI), Government of Gujarat (GoG) and National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) holding equity in the ratio of 51:33:16.
About Dholera Airport
It is situated at a distance of 80 Km from Ahmedabad Airport.
It is being constructed to facilitate passenger and cargo traffic from the Dholera Special Investment Zone (DSIR), which is expected to make the industrial area a major cargo hub.
The airport will serve as a second airport to Ahmedabad.
The initial passenger traffic is estimated to be three lakh passengers per year, which is expected to increase to 23 lakh over a period of 20 years.
Annual cargo traffic of 20,000 tonnes is also projected from the year 2025-26, which will increase to 2.73 lakh tonnes over a period of 20 years.
What is Greenfield Airport?
The Government of India has formulated the Greenfield Airport Policy, 2008.
This policy provides the existing guidelines for the development of greenfield airports in the country.
The term 'Greenfield' is derived from software engineering.
It refers to a project that is not hindered by prior work.
Such airports are constructed to meet the anticipated requirements of the existing airport traffic.
At present, there are 29 international airports in India. With the establishment of nine greenfield airports, the total number will reach 38.
