National
Prime Minister witnessed the world's largest Bihu dance performance
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited Assam on 14th April, 2023.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation various projects worth more than Rs 10,900 crores at Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, Assam on 14 April.
- The projects include laying the foundation stone of a bridge connecting Palashbari and Sualkuchi on the Brahmaputra River, a project for the beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar, the inauguration of a 500 TPD Menthol Plant in Namrup and dedicating to the nation five railway projects.
» The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of a bridge connecting Palashbari and Sualkuchi on the Brahmaputra River. The bridge will provide much-needed connectivity in the region.
» He also commissioned a 500 TPD Methanol plant at Namrup in Dibrugarh.
» He also inaugurated five railway projects including the doubling and electrification of various sections in the region.
- The railway projects inaugurated include- Digaru – Lumding section; Gauripur – Abhayapuri Section; Doubling of New Bongaigaon – Dhup Dhara section; Electrification of Raninagar Jalpaiguri – Guwahati section; Electrification of Senchoa – Silghat Town and Senchoa – Mairabari section.
» The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of the project for the beautification of Rang Ghar in Sivasagar, which will enhance tourist amenities at the location.
- The project for the beautification of Rang Ghar will provide facilities like a fountain show built around a huge water body and showcasing the history of the Ahom dynasty, a boat house with a jetty for adventurous boat rides, an artisan village for the promotion of local handicrafts, diverse ethnic cuisines for food lovers etc.
- Rang Ghar located in Sivasagar is one of the most iconic structures to depict the Ahom cultures and traditions. It was built by the Ahom King, Swargadeo Pramatta Singha in the 18th Century.
Bihu programme:
» The Prime Minister also witnessed a mega Bihu dance which has been organized in order to globally showcase the Bihu dance of Assam as a mascot of the cultural identity and life of the Assamese people.
New Guinness World Record in the category of largest Bihu dance performance in the world in a single venue:
- Assam has set a new Guinness World Record for the largest recital of the Bihu dance, with 11,304 dancers and drummers performing the folk dance and playing the dhol in a single venue.
- The process to register Bihu for the Guinness World Records was initiated by the Assam government and the culture department bore the cost.
- The state of Assam set a world record for both Bihu dance and Bihu dhol with 11,304 dancers and 2,548 dhol players.
- This is the largest Bihu dance and Bihu dhol performance in a single venue i.e. Sarusajai Stadium. Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, also known as Sarusajai Stadium.
- Bihu is an ancient harvesting festival celebrated in the state of Assam, India.
“Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)” under National One Health Mission
⇒ Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala launched the ‘Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)’ and World Bank-funded Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH) project under the aegis of National One Health Mission.
- It was launched to enhance India’s preparedness and response to potential animal pandemics, in line with the One Health approach, on 14 April 2023 at India Habitat Center, New Delhi.
Aim of APPI:
This initiative aims to enhance India’s preparedness and response to animal pandemics, with a focus on zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to both animal and human health.
- This initiative will help to improve veterinary services and infrastructure, disease surveillance capabilities, early detection and response, build the capacity of animal health professionals, and awareness among farmers through community outreach.
World Bank-funded project on “Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH)”:
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has inked a collaborative project on the Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH) with the World Bank aiming to create an ecosystem for a better animal health management system using the One Health approach.
- The project will be implemented in five States and it envisages improving capacity building of stakeholders involved in animal health and disease management.
- The project calls for participation by Human Health, Forest and Environment Department at the national, regional as well as local for creating and strengthening the One Health architecture including community engagement.
- The project aims to cover 151 districts in five participating states, wherein it will target upgradation of 75 district/regional laboratories, upgradation/strengthening of 300 veterinary hospitals/dispensaries, aims to train 9000 para-veterinarians/diagnostic professionals and 5500 veterinary professionals.
- The collaborative project will be implemented over a five-year period as Central sector scheme with a financial provision of Rs 1228.70 Cr.
2-Day Global Conference on Compressed Biogas
⇒ IFGE- CBG Producers Forum organized Two Day Global Conference on Compressed Biogas under theme “Towards Progressive Policy Framework for a Robust CBG Foundation and Growth” supported by Ministry for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India.
- The Conference was held on 17th & 18th April 2023 at Silver Oak, Indian Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
Highlights of the Conference:
- The Conference was organized with the objective to apprise the industry regarding the initiatives taken by Government of India for development of Compressed Biogas Industry and to identify the areas where policy modifications are required.
- The discussion focused upon the Feedstock availability, CBG Offtake, Fermented Organic Manure, Carbon Credits, Incentives, Investment and Financing for CBG Industry and Biofuel Policies of different States + CBG producers on state policies & international experiences.
- The conference witnessed the participation of more than 200 delegates which includes CBG Plant Developers, LOI Holders of CBG Plant, Contractors, Prospective Investors, Consultants, Policy Makers, Representative from Central and State Government and OMCs like IOCL, HPCL, GAIL.
Key Points:
- India is dedicated to achieve net zero target by 2070, there are several initiatives taken by current leadership and government by various means to reduce emission.
- Compressed Biogas (CBG) has also an important role in emission reduction and it is being promoted by SATAT Scheme (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation).
- CBG has higher calorific value and properties similar to CNG and can be utilized as alternative green renewable and can replace CNG in automotive, industrial and commercial areas, given the abundance of biomass availability within the country.
About Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE):
- Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE) is an umbrella organization which represents the interests of the national renewable energy sector in its totality including bio-energy, solar, wind, mini hydel, tidal, geo-thermal etc.
- IFGE focuses on the area of Green Energy with the mission of promoting energy security in a sustainable manner in every sector of economic development through outreach activities like organizing workshops, conferences & policy advocacy initiatives.
About IFGE: CBG Producer Forum
- IFGE: CBG Producer Forum is dedicated forum for CBG Producers which aims the training and awareness programmes for LOI Holders, Stake Holders, Prospective Investors including the policy advocacy for the industry members.
Important Day
Himachal Diwas 2023
⇒ Himachal Diwas is celebrated every year on 15 April. This year Himachal Pradesh celebrated the 75th anniversary of its formation.
History:
- After Independence, 30 princely states of the area were united and the Chief Commissioner’s province of Himachal Pradesh came into being on 15 April, 1948. It became a Part C state on 26 January, 1950 with the coming into force of the Constitution of India. It became a Union Territory on 01 November, 1956.
- Kangra and most of the other hill areas of Punjab were merged with Himachal Pradesh on 01 November, 1966 though its status remained that of a Union Territory.
- On 18 December, 1970 the State of Himachal Pradesh Act was passed by Parliament and the new state came into being on 25 January, 1971. Thus, Himachal Pradesh emerged as the 18th state of the Indian Union. Ergo, on 25 January, 1971, Himachal Pradesh was made a full-fledged State.
Other Points:
- The State is bordered by Jammu & Kashmir on North, Punjab on West and South-West, Haryana on South, Uttarakhand on South-East and China on the East.
- The total geographical area of the State is 55673 Sq Kms.
- HP is known as the ‘Fruit & Vegetable Bowl of India’.