National
Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report 2023 for India
⇒ The Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat released the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for the entire country for the year 2023 on 01 December 2023.
Carried out by:
The assessment was carried out jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States/UTs, which can be used for taking suitable interventions by various stake-holders.
As per the 2023 assessment report:
- The total annual ground water recharge for the entire country is 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM), marking an increase of 11.48 BCM compared to the previous year (2022) and annual ground water extraction for the entire country is 241.34 BCM.
- Further, out of the total 6553 assessment units in the country, 736 units have been categorized as ‘Over-exploited’.
- A detailed analysis of the information collected from the assessment indicates increase in ground water recharge which may mainly be attributed to increase in recharge from canal seepage, return flow of irrigation water and recharges from water bodies/tanks & water conservation structures.
- Further, analysis indicates improvement in ground water conditions in 226 assessment units in the country when compared with 2022 assessment data.
- In addition, overall decrease in number of over-exploited units and decrease in stage of groundwater extraction level have also been observed.
Highlights:
- Assessment indicates increase in ground water recharge.
- The total annual ground water recharge for entire country is 449.08 billion cubic meters (BCM), while extraction is 241.34 BCM.
- Stage of ground water extraction stands at 59.23%.
- Out of total 6553 assessment units, 4793 units categorized as ‘Safe’.
- Such joint exercises between CGWB & States/UTs were carried out earlier in 1980, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2020 and 2022.
Download Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report 2023 (Official Link)
Also Read: Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report 2022
2nd edition of SARAS Food Festival
⇒ Minister of State for Rural Development & Steel, Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste inaugurated the SARAS Food Festival, a confluence of taste and culture, at New Delhi on 01 December 2023.
» SARAS Food Festival was organized in national capital by the Ministry of Rural Development from December 01 to December 17, 2023 at the lawns of Handicrafts Bhawan, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi. This was the 2nd edition of SARAS Food Festival.
Key Points:
- During the festival, people enjoyed delicious cuisine from 21 States of India and entry to the festival is free.
- About 150 women entrepreneurs and members of the self-help groups from across the country participated with more than 30 stalls in this grand arrangement.
- Saras Food Festival provided a glimpse of Indian culture and food to the visitors where people enjoyed the delicious cuisine of 21 states along with glimpses of the culture and social fabric of the Rural India.
National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan)- 2023
⇒ The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu presented the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2023 in New Delhi on December 3, 2023 on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
- The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu was the Chief Guest on the ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ organized by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- The prestigious National Awards were presented to outstanding Persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) and Individuals/organizations, who are working for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities for the year 2023 were given under following categories:
I. National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities-2023 Individual Excellence
1) Sarvshrestha Divyangjan
2) Shrestha Divyangjan
(A) Locomotor Disability- (Locomotor, Muscular Disability. Dwarfism, Acid Attack VictiSushri, Leprosy Cured, Cerebral Palsy)
(B) Visual Impairment – (Blindness, Low Vision)
(C) Hearing Impairment (Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Speech & Language disability.
(D) Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation, Mental Behavior, Specific Learning Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder)
(E) Any specified disability except the disabilities mentioned from Sr. (a) to (d) above.
3) Shrestha Divyang Bal/Balika
4) Sarvshrestha Vyakti – Divyangjano Ke Sashaktikaran Ke Liye Karyarath
5) Sarvshrestha Punarvas Peshevar (Rehabilitation Professional/ worker) – Divyangatha Ke Kheshtra Mein Karyarath
II. National Award for Institutions engaged in Empowering Persons with Disabilities-2023
a. Divyang Sashaktikaran Hetu Sarvshrestha Sansthan (Private organization, NGO)
b. Divyangao Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Niyoktha – (Govt.organisation/ PSEs/Autonomous bodies /Pvt. Sector)
c. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan KeKaryanvayan/Badhamukta Vatavaran Ke Srijan Mein Sarvshrestha Rajya/UT/Zila
d. Sarvshrestha Sugamya Yatayat ke Sadhan/Soochana Ewam Sanchar Prodyogiki (Govt./Private organization)
e. Divyangjano Ke Adhikar Adhiniyam/UDID Evam Divyang Sashktikaran ki Anya Yojanaon ke Karyanvayan Mein Sarvshrestha Rajya/UT/Zila
f. Divyangjano Ke Adhikar Adhiniyam, 2016 Ke Apne Rajya Mein Karyanvayan Mein Sarvshrestha Rajya Divayngjan Aayukta
g. Punarvaas Peshewaron Ke Vikas Mein Sanlagn Sarvshrestha Sangathan
National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan) 2023 Winners (Official Link)
Background:
- The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment confers National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities every year.
- National Awards are presented to Individuals, Institutions, Organizations, State/District etc for their outstanding achievements and work done towards empowerment of Persons with Disabilities on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities i.e. 3rd December.
International
President of Madagascar
⇒ Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina was sworn in for a third term on 16 December 2023. The re-elected President, Andry Rajoelina took the oath of office in front of a packed Barea stadium.
President Andry Rajoelina won the presidential election in November 2023. He won 59% of the vote to defeat his two closest rivals, ousted ex-President Marc Ravalomanana and Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko.
Important Day
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2023
⇒ Every year on 3 December the world commemorates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) to spread awareness and mobilise support for the rights and well-being of people with disabilities globally.
Theme:
The theme of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) 2023 was “United in action to rescue and achieve the SDGs for, with and by persons with disabilities”.
About IDPD:
- The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3.
- The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
- It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.