The Centre has written to the Uttarakhand government about the need for stringent measures to control the spread of Covid-19 during the ongoing KumbhMela in the state (at Haridwar). Important points: KumbhMela comes under UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity KumbhMela is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims on earth, …

Recently, the Prime Minister called 17th century Ahom general LachitBorphukan a symbol of India’s “AtmaNirbhar military might”.  LachitBorphukan: Born on 24th November, 1622, Borphukan was known for his leadership in the Battle of Saraighat, 1671 in which an attempt by Mughal forces to capture Assam was thwarted. He was the inspiration behind strengthening India’s naval force and revitalising inland water …

Recently, the Government has launched the Gram UJALA Programme – an ambitious scheme offering the world’s cheapest LED bulbs in rural areas at a mere Rs. 10. Important points: In its first phase launched from Arrah in Bihar, 15 million LED bulbs will be distributed across villages of 5 districts – Aarah (Bihar), Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), Vijayawada …

Recently, the Chief Minister of Rajasthan announced the implementation of the Rajasthan Model of Public Health that would include a Right to Health as well as measures for preventive, primary and curative care as envisioned by the WHO Rajasthan Model of Public Health: The MukhyaMantriChiranjeeviYojana will also be launched as a Universal Health Care scheme as part of …

Built water reservoir capacity per person is decreasing globally as reservoir expansion has not been able to keep pace with population growth, said the United Nations World Water Development Report released on March 22, 2021 observed as World Water Day.  Important points: While the world population is expected to reach …

The government has recently formed a Maharaja Anangpal II Memorial Committee to popularise the legacy of 11th-century Tomar king, Anangpal II. Crediting him with giving Delhi its present name and also repopulating it, the National Monument Authority — which functions under the Ministry of Culture — has embarked on a mission …

The United Nations observes March 21 as the International Day of Forests, commemorating the green cover around the world and reiterating its importance. The theme of the International Day of Forests for 2021 is “Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being”. Why is the International Day of Forests celebrated? The United Nations …

Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) told a special court in Mumbai that the arrested assistant police inspector Sachin Waze, now suspended from Mumbai Police, was not cooperating in the probe against him and was insisting on his lawyer being present during interrogation. Separately, Waze filed an application seeking to be allowed …

Astrome, a women-led startup, has developed an innovative wireless product that gives fibre like bandwidth at fraction of cost of fibre to help telecom operators deliver reliable low-cost internet services to suburban and rural areas. Reaching internet access to remote places in countries like India is difficult because laying fibre is too …

The induction of new aircraft, weapons etc into the Armed Forces is a continuous process.  The details of important recent inductions in this regards are as under:- Indian Army:           (i) Cheetal Helicopters.           (ii) Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Mark 0/I/II/III.           (iii)  ALH (Weapon System Integrated [WSI]).           (iv)  …