Karnataka’s Hoysala temples added to UNESCO’s World Heritage site list

Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, the group of Hoysala temples in Karnataka have made it to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Hoysala architecture was a building style of the Hoysala empire in the 12th and 13th centuries. Temples built during this era include the Channakeshava Temple at Belur and the Hovsaleshwara Temple at Halebidu. The Hoysaleswara temple, also known as the ‘Halebidu’ temple, stands as a magnificent 12th-century architectural masterpiece dedicated to Lord Shiva, the God of Destruction.

Karnataka:

• Chief minister:Hon Mr.Siddaramaiah
• Capital: Bengaluru (Executive Branch)
• Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot
• Districts: 31 (4 divisions)

Shantiniketan included in UNESCO World Heritage list

Shantiniketan has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The decision to include Santiniketan in the list was taken during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee currently underway in Saudi Arabia. Santiniketan becomes the 41st UNESCO World Heritage Site in India and the third in West Bengal, after the Sundarbans National Park and the Darjeeling Mountain Railways. Last year,the state’s Durga Puja got space in “Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity” under UNESCO.

Shantiniketan:

Santiniketan was established by poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore’ father Maharshi Debendranath Tagore as a meditation centre. It was later expanded by Rabindranath into a university town,with the establishment of the Visva-Bharati University in 1921.

Madhya Pradesh CM unveils Adi Shankaracharya statue at Omkareshwa

MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled the 108-foot-tall ‘Statue of Oneness’ of AdiShankaracharya at Omkareshwar. The statue depicts Shankaracharya as a 12-year-old child when he is said to have visited Omkareshwar. The government has invested Rs 2,200 crore to develop the temple town located on the Mandhata island of Khandwa district, which will form an important tourism circuit, along with Ujjain, Maheshwar and Mandu religious towns.

About the statue:

The multi-metal Adi Shankaracharya statue is installed atop Mandhata Parvat hill, facing southwards towards the Narmada river. The idol weighs 100 tons and has been installed on a 75-foot-high platform. It is made up of bronze that contains 88% copper, 4% zinc and 8% tin and its internal structure is made up of high-quality steel. At the base of the statue is the Shankar Stambh,which features wooden domes and stone pillars with “carvings depicting 32 stories related to Acharya Shankar. ”Award-winning painter Vasudeo Kamath, created the conceptual sketch and painting of the statue

Andhra Pradesh: GI tag for ‘Atreyapuram Pootharekulu’

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade has announced the issuance of the Geographical Indication tag to “Atreyapuram Pootharekulu. “The ‘Atreyapuram Pootharekulu’, a sweet made of rice and jaggery. The production of the sweet is confined only to the Atreyapuram village on the banks of the Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. The tag was allotted after Sir Arthur Cotton Pootharekula Sahakara Sangham, a cooperative society, applied for securing a GI tag for the Pootharekulu sweet.

Andhra Pradesh:

• Capital: Amaravati
• Governor: S. Abdul Nazeer
• Chief Minister: Y.S. Jagan Mohan Redd

Centre launches three game-changing initiatives for farmers focusing on agri-credit and crop insurance

The government will launch a series of transformative initiatives, aimed at revolutionizing agriculture in the country in New Delhi. The transformative initiatives, include Kisan Rin Portal (KRP), Door to Door KCC Campaign, and Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) Manual. These initiatives aim to amplify financial inclusion, streamline data utilization, harness technology, and enhance the livelihoods of the agricultural community. KRP: The Kisan Rin Portal (KRP), developed in collaboration with multiple government departments, is poised to revolutionize access to credit services under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC). This digital platform offers a comprehensive view of farmer data, loan disbursement specifics, interest subvention claims, and efficient agriculture credit. KCC: The Ghar Ghar Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Abhiyaan is an ambitious campaign to extend the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme to every farmer across India. This campaign aims to achieve universal financial inclusion, ensuring that every farmer has unhindered access to credit facilities. The Ministry said total number of operative KCC accounts as of March 2023 is 7. 35 Crores with total sanctioned limit of 8. 85 lakh crores rupees. WINDS: The Weather Information Network Data Systems (WINDS) initiative is an instrumental innovation, that leverages advanced weather data analytics to provide stakeholders with actionable insights on weather

Social welfare scheme “Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam” to be launched by Tamil Nadu Government

Tamil Nadu government will provide monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 to more than 1 crore female family heads through Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam. Chief Minister MK Stalin officially announced the scheme, with the launch date set for September 15. The scheme aims to provide Rs 1,000 per month to 1. 06 crore eligible women who are heads of families.

Tamil Nadu:

• Capital: Chennai
• Chief minister: M. K. Stalin
• Language: Tamil
• Governor: R. N. Ravi

India declares August 23 as National Space Day in honor of Chandrayaan-3’s moon landing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the designation of 23 August as National Space Day in honor of India’s Chandrayaan-3 moon landing. The specific spot where Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon will be named ‘Shivshakti’, and the spot where Chandrayaan-2 landed will be called ‘Tiranga Point’.

Women’s Reservation Bill passed in Parliament

The Women Reservation Bill seeking to guarantee 33% quota for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies was passed in Parliament. The Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill as the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill. What does the Bill say The bill mandates the reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament. Also the bill extends its provisions to the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi in which one-third of the total number of seats filled by direct election in the Delhi Assembly (including those reserved for women belonging to Scheduled Castes) are also reserved for women. The bill specifies that the provisions related to the reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly will come into effect after a delimitation exercise is conducted. The bill allows for the rotation of reserved seats for women in the Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and the Delhi Assembly after each subsequent delimitation exercise.

6 Creatures Guard 6 Gates Of New Parliament Building, What They Symbolise

The six gates of new Parliament building are named after real and mythological creatures. Each door boasts a sculpture of the creature it is named after.

Gaja Dwar

Ashwa Dwar

Garuda

Makara Dwar

Shardula

Note : The six gates are Gaja Dwar, Ashwa Dwar, Garuda Dwar, Makar Dwar, Shardula Dwar and Hamsa Dwar

PM Modi launches PM Vishwakarma Scheme

In commemoration of ‘Vishwakarma Jayanti’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘PM Vishwakarma’ scheme for the benefit of traditional artisans. Under the PM Vishwakarma scheme, the government will provide up to ₹3 lakhs loan without any (bank) guarantee. It has also been ensured that the interest rate is also very low. Govt has decided that ₹1 lakh loan will be given in the beginning and when it is repaid, govt will provide additional ₹2 lakhs loan to the Vishwakarma partners.

Salem sago gets GI tag

The Salem Starch and Sago Manufacturers Service Industrial Cooperative Society Ltd (popularly called as SAGOSERVE) received Geographical indication tag or GI tag for Salem sago recently. Sago, derived from raw tapiocas, is in the form of small hard globules or pearls and is pearl white in colour. Tapioca is a major horticulture crop cultivated on nearly 3 lakh hectares in Tamil Nadu, producing 60 lakhs tones of the crop. Sago was produced first in Salem district, which is the main Centre for sago production in the country, on a cottage scale basis. Sago is manufactured from the wet starch powder crushed from tapioca roots. The wet starch powder is used for producing sago and the dry powder has been used as a raw material for industrial purposes.

Himachal CM Sukhu launches SABAL Yojna to empower specially-abled children

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Mukhya Mantri Sporting Abilities, Rebuilding Aspirations and Livelihood Scheme (SABAL). The SABAL scheme intends to take care of specially-abled children in around 400 schools across Hamirpur, Solan and Shimla districts.

Himachal Pradesh:

• > Capital: Shimla, Dharamshala (winter)
• Governor: Shiv Pratap Shukla
• Chief minister: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Koraput Kalajeera Rice Gets GI Tag

Odisha’s ‘Koraput Kalajeera Rice’, which is famous for its unique aroma and nutritional value, was granted the Geographical Indications (GI) status. The ancestors of the present tribal communities of Koraput district have domesticated the rice in the region for thousands of years, contributing to the conservation of the crop.

Govt forms high-level committee to examine One nation, One election

The Government of India has constituted an eight member high-level committee to examine One Nation, One Election. Former President Ram Nath Kovind has been appointed as Chairman of the committee. Other members are HM Amit Shah, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Former Rajya Sabha member Ghulam Nabi Azad, Former Chairman 15th Finance Commission N. K. Singh and others. Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal will attend the meetings of the committee as special invitee.

Working:

The high level committee will examine and make recommendation for holding simultaneous elections of Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Municipalities and Panchayats, keeping in view the existing framework under the Constitution and other statutory provisions.

Bhaderwah Rajma & Ramban Sulai Honey of Jammu and Kashmir get GI Tag

Two world-famous local specialty products of Jammu and Kashmir, namely Bhaderwah Rajma and Ramban Sulai Honey have earned coveted Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Jammu, initiated the process for GI Tagging of these products. GI tagging will also promote the economic prosperity of locals in the geographical territory and will act as a tool for social economic growth of the producer. A Geographical Indication Tags is a trade name or label applied to a particular product that designates a particular geographic region or country of origin. The tag’s primary feature is its uniqueness, which guards against any form of third-party misuse.

Jammu and Kashmir:

• Union territory: 31 October 2019
• Capitals: Srinagar (May–October), Jammu (November–April)
• Lieutenant Governor: Manoj Sinha

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah launched ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme

The Karnataka government launched the ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ women’s financial aid scheme in Mysuru. Under this scheme, about 1. 1 crore women heads of family will get ₹2,000 each at a function in Mysuru. The Karnataka government has earmarked ₹17,500 crore for ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ programme in the current financial year. ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ scheme is one of the five pre-poll ‘guarantees’ of the Congress. Karnataka government has already implemented three of the five ‘guarantees’ (pre-poll promises) — ‘Shakti’, ‘Gruha Jyothi’ and ‘Anna Bhagya’ — and ‘Gruha Lakshmi’ is the fourth one. The fifth one is the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme that promises to provide unemployment allowance to the state’s youth.

Gruha Lakshmi Scheme:

For this scheme, Karnataka has allocated a substantial ₹32,000 crore annually to support this scheme. Women listed as family heads on Antyodaya, Below Poverty Line (BPL), and Above Poverty Line (APL) ration cards are eligible for the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme. Only one woman in a family will be the beneficiary of this scheme. Women government employees taxpayers and families whose husbands pay income tax or file GST returns are not eligible for the scheme.

Gujarat government announces 27% reservation for OBCs in local bodies like panchayats, municipalities & civic corporations

The Gujarat government announced a 27 percent reservation for Other Backward Classes in local bodies like panchayats, municipalities, and civic corporations. In the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas notified areas, the reservation for OBCs will continue to be 10 percent to protect the interest of tribals. The existing quota for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will remain unchanged and there has been no breach of the 50 percent reservation ceiling.

Gujarat:

• Capital: Gandhinagar
• Chief minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
• Governor: Acharya Devvrat

MP announced Ladli Behna Yojana aid hike, 35% job reservation for women

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan raised the financial aid given to women in the Ladli Behna scheme from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,250 per month. He also announced 35 percent reservation for them in government jobs and provided gas cylinders for Rs 450. Under the programme, women between the ages of 23 and 60, who do not pay income taxes and whose families make less than Rs 2. 5 lakh annually, receive Rs 1,000 every month. Women will be given free land in villages and plots in cities that have been cleared of encroachments.

Madhya Pradesh:

• Capital: Bhopal
• Governor: Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel
• Chief Minister: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme

launched by the Chief Minister of Assam Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme is a government initiative launched by the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. It aims to provide employment opportunities and financial assistance to the unemployed youth of the state. Its primary goal is to connect 2 lakh eligible individuals in two years, with a focus on assisting 1 lakh people in the financial year 2023-2024 and another 1 lakh people in the financial year 2024-2025. The scheme has an online registration portal launched on September 23, 2023

Mukhyamantri Atmanirbhar Asom Scheme:

• Financial assistance for 2 lakh recipients with interest-free loan and training:-
• Assam Atmanirbhar Yojana aims to provide assistance to 2 lakh individuals in the next two years.
• In the financial year 2023-2024, 100,000 recipients will receive an amount of Rs 1 lakh, and an additional 100,000 will receive the same amount in the next financial year, depending on their performance.
• Since the government funds the loan, no interest will be charged on the principal amount.
• Beneficiaries are not required to repay the loan for a period of five years. The specific loan tenure and repayment schedule have not yet been determined.
• Selected applicants will undergo a one-month training program to enhance their skills in management, accounting, and business.

PM Narendra Modi to lay foundation stone for new state-of-the-art cricket stadium in Varanasi

The nation is all set to get another stadium added to its long list as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the state-of-the-art international cricket stadium in the Ganjari Area of Varanasi. The cost of the stadium is estimated to be around INR 450 crore which will be full of modern amenities with a seating capacity of around 30,000. The stadium has been designed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and drawings of the project has been finalised. In the next steps, UPCA (Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association) will approve the project and attain no-objection certificates from various departments such as forest and ground water. The stadium’s architectural design will draw inspiration from Lord Shiva. It will incorporate elements such as floodlights in the shape of tridents, roofing with crescent-shaped covers, seating arrangements resembling steps found in ghats, and metallic sheets on the facade shaped like Bilvipatra leaves. The government has allocated INR 120 crore for land acquisition. The Uttar Pradesh government has disclosed that they allocated ₹121 crore for the land acquisition required for this project. The construction of the stadium, which will have a seating capacity for 30,000 spectators, will be funded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at a cost of ₹330 crore