• 30 Apr 2025

Tourism Security Force

Why in News? 

The Maharashtra government has created a 'Tourism Security Force (Paryatan Mitra)' to improve tourism and ensure tourist safety.  

• The pilot launch will take place during the Mahabaleshwar festival from 1st - 4th May in Satara district. 

 Key Points 

• About the Tourism Police: 
  • The Tourism Department will appoint tourism police on a contractual basis to instill a sense of security among tourists visiting Maharashtra. 
  • The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation will bear the project’s expenses in coordination with the Maharashtra State Security Corporation and the Satara police department. 
• Objectives: 
  • The State Tourism Minister stated that the force will safeguard tourists and act as a knowledge guide, providing valuable information on Maharashtra’s cultural heritage, historical landmarks, major tourist attractions, legal norms, and sustainable tourism practices. 
    • Under this initiative, the government aims to attract Rs 1 lakh crore in private investment and generate 18 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities in the tourism sector. 
  • This initiative will rejuvenate the tourism sector and simultaneously generate employment opportunities at the local level. 

 Mahabaleshwar 

• About: 
  • It is located in Sahyadri Hills (Western Ghats), at 4500 ft above sea level. 
  • Origin of five rivers: Krishna, Venna, Koyana, Savitri, and Gayatri – at Panchganga Temple. 
  • It is known for dense forests, deep valleys, and waterfalls; key viewpoints include Arthur Seat, Echo Point, and Bombay Point. 
  • Famous for Venna Lake, built in 1842 by Chhatrapati Appasaheb Maharaj of Satara. 
  • It was the summer capital of the Bombay Presidency during British rule. 
  • It is home to Krishnabai Temple (13th century) and Mahabali (Shiva) Temple in Old Mahabaleshwar. 
  • Renowned for strawberry farming and local produce like jams, honey, Kolhapuri items.  
• The Mahabaleshwar Festival:  
  • It is a three-day celebration showcasing the region's natural beauty, cultural heritage, and local cuisine to promote tourism.  
  • It features folk performances, a Strawberry and Agrotourism Festival, adventure sports, heritage walks, and sightseeing to nearby attractions like Kaas Plateau and Koynanagar.  
  • Exhibitions of local handicrafts and a regional food fest further highlight the area's traditional arts and community participation. 

Jagannath Temple in Digha

Why in News? 

The Lord Jagannath temple is being inaugurated at the coastal town of Digha in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district. 

 Key Points 

• About the Digha Jagannath Temple: 
  • The Rs 250 crore Digha Jagannath Temple, built on 20 acres of land, will be inaugurated by the state Chief Minister on 30 April 2025. 
  • The temple is expected to significantly enhance Digha’s tourism appeal, potentially bringing international recognition to the town.  
  • It is also envisioned as a symbol of spirituality and unity, reflecting the principle of “Shorbo Dhormo Somonnoy” (universal religious harmony). 
    • The Jagannath Temple is a replica of the 12th-century shrine in Puri, and its inauguration has been highly anticipated. 

 Jagannath Temple 

 

• The temple is believed to have been constructed in the 12th century by King Anatavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. 
• Jagannath Puri temple is called ‘Yamanika Tirtha’ where, according to the Hindu beliefs, the power of ‘Yama’, the god of death has been nullified in Puri due to the presence of Lord Jagannath. 
• This temple was called the “White Pagoda” and is a part of Char Dham pilgrimages (Badrinath, Dwaraka, Puri, Rameswaram). 
• The temple is known for its unique architecture, which includes a massive compound wall and a large temple complex with multiple towers, halls, and shrines. 
• The temple's main attraction is the Annual Rath Yatra festival, in which the three main deities of the temple, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are taken out in a grand procession on a chariot. 
• The temple is also known for its unique food offering, the Mahaprasad, which is prepared in the temple kitchen and is distributed among the devotees. 

POCSO Fast Track Courts in Haryana

Why in News? 

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Haryana to notify four Fast Track Special Courts in Faridabad, Panchkula, and Gurugram within two months for effective POCSO Act implementation. 

 Key Points 

• Creation of Additional Courts: 
  • The directive came during the hearing of a petition seeking the creation of additional courts to deal with offences under the POCSO Act. 
  • The petition also sought implementation of the Supreme Court's guidelines issued in the suo motu case “Re: Alarming Rise in the Number of Reported Child Rape Incidents – Suo Motu Writ Petition (Criminal) No.1 of 2019.” 
  • According to the Solicitor-General of India, the Union Government had allocated Rs 200 crore for setting up and running Fast Track and POCSO courts across the country. 
• About the POCSO Act: 
  • About: The law aims to address offences of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children. The Act defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years.  
    • It was enacted in consequence to India’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1992.  
  • Features:  
    • Gender-Neutral Nature: The Act recognises that both girls and boys can be victims of sexual abuse and that such abuse is a crime regardless of the gender of the victim.  
    • Confidentiality of Victim’s Identity: Section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012 mandates that the identity of child victims must be kept confidential. Media reports cannot disclose any details that could reveal the victim’s identity, including their name, address, and family information.   
    • Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Cases: Sections 19 to 22 compel individuals who have knowledge or reasonable suspicion of such offenses to report them to concerned authorities. 

 Solicitor General of India (SGI) 

• Second highest law officer after the Attorney General of India. 
• Not a constitutional post; governed by statutory rules. 
• Headquarters in New Delhi, as per Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1987. 
• Appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by the PM. 
• Tenure is three years; reappointment possible for up to three more years. 
• Duties include advising the government, appearing in courts, and handling Article 143 references. 
• Cannot appear against the government or defend criminal accused without permission. 
• Cannot advise PSUs or ministries directly; must go through the Department of Legal Affairs. 
• Barred from private practice except for specified public or government-controlled entities. 
• May not hold corporate positions without prior government approval.

Shiva idol Leaves for Kedarnath Shrine

Why in News? 

The idol of Lord Shiva, adorned with flowers and carried in a palanquin, left its winter abode in Ukhimath for the Kedarnath shrine, which will reopen to devotees on 2 May 2025. 

 Key Points 

• The Ritual:  
  • Before Kedarnath temple reopens in summer, a key ritual involves shifting the idol of Lord Shiva from Ukhimath’s Shri Omkareshwar Temple, where he is worshipped during winter back to the Kedarnath shrine. 
  • The Panchmukhi Doli, a five-faced palanquin carrying Lord Shiva's idol, undertakes its traditional journey to Kedarnath with scheduled halts at Guptkashi, Phata, and Gaurikund. 

 Char Dham Yatra   

 

• Yamunotri Dham:   

• Location: Uttarkashi district.   
• Dedicated to: Goddess Yamuna.   
• River Yamuna is the second-most sacred river in India after River Ganga.   

• Gangotri Dham:   
  • Location: Uttarkashi district.   
  • Dedicated to: Goddess Ganga.   
  • Considered the most sacred of all Indian rivers.   
• Kedarnath Dham:   
  • Location: Rudraprayag district.   
  • Dedicated to: Lord Shiva.   
  • Situated on the bank of the Mandakini River.   
  • One of the 12 Jyotirlingas (divine representations of Lord Shiva) in India.   
• Badrinath Dham:   
  • Location: Chamoli district.   
  • Home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple.   
  • Dedicated to: Lord Vishnu.   
  • One of the holy shrines for Vaishnavites

Green Municipal Bonds

Why in News? 

Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation in Uttar Pradesh has become the first in India to issue a certified Green Municipal Bond under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban to promote sustainable water management. 

Key Points 

• About Green Bond: 
  • Green bonds are debt instruments used to raise funds for green projects , particularly in areas such as renewable energy, clean transportation, sustainable water management , etc. 
    • A bond, which is a fixed income instrument, represents a loan made by an investor to a borrower (usually a corporate or governmental). 
    • Traditional bonds (other than green bonds) pay a fixed interest rate (coupon) to investors. 
  • Green bonds enhance the reputation of the issuer, as it helps demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development. 
• Ghaziabad’s Success: 
  • Ghaziabad raised Rs 150 crore via India’s first Green Municipal Bond. 
  • The funds built a modern tertiary sewage treatment plant (TSTP). 
  • The project runs on a PPP-HAM model with 40% civic investment. 
  • The bond's success boosted investor trust in urban local bodies. 
  • Ghaziabad won the 2024–25 Best Municipal Treated Water Award. 

Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 

• Introduction: 
  • Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) was launched on 2 October 2014 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as a national campaign to promote cleanliness, hygiene and proper waste management in urban areas. 
  • Its objective is to make the cities and towns across India clean and free from open defecation . 
• Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 1.0: 
  • The first phase of SBM-U focused on achieving the goal of making urban India open defecation free by providing access to toilets and promoting behavior change. 
  • SBM-U 1.0 was successful in achieving its target and 100% of urban India was declared ODF . 
• Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (2021-2026): 
  • SBM-U 2.0, announced in the Budget for 2021-22, is a continuation of the first phase of the same scheme. 
  • Its second phase aims to move towards the goals of ODF as well as ODF+ and ODF++ and focuses on making urban India garbage-free . 
  • It emphasizes on promoting sustainable sanitation practices, waste management and a circular economy.

Uttar Pradesh Leather and Footwear Policy-2025

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government is set to approve the Leather and Footwear Policy-2025. 

Key Points 

• About the Policy: 
  • Objective: 
    • To increase production capacity. 
    • Encouraging exports and enhancing global brand presence. 
    • To make the state economically strong by increasing revenue. To realize the vision of making Uttar Pradesh an "enterprise state". 
  • Strategic Initiatives: 
    • Kanpur will be given a central role in this regional development strategy. 
    • This will boost regional development in cities like Agra, Kanpur, Unnao , Lucknow and Bareilly . 
  • Promotion of private industrial parks: 
    • Incentives such as capital subsidy and 100% per cent stamp duty exemption to private investors . 
    • It is mandatory to develop all parks within 5 years . 
    • At least 25% of the land must be reserved for green and open areas. 
    • Each entity (plant, cluster or park) will have to make a minimum investment of Rs 150-200 crore . 
    • One unit is likely to generate 1,000 to 3,000 employment opportunities. 
• Current Scenario:
  • Uttar Pradesh has a 46% share in the total leather exported from India . 
  • Agra is considered the footwear capital and Kanpur, the global hub for safety footwear and leather goods. 
• Importance: 
  • This policy will help Uttar Pradesh to emerge as an industrial hub in line with the “Make in India” and “Local to Global” initiatives . 

  Make in India  

• Introduction:  
  • Launched in 2014, Make in India aims to transform the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination . 
  • This campaign was launched to facilitate investments, promote innovation and skill development, protect intellectual property and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure. 
• Goal: 
  • To increase the growth rate of the manufacturing sector to 12-14% per annum. 
  • To create 100 million additional manufacturing jobs by 2022 (revised date 2025). 
  • To increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to GDP to 25% by the year 2025. 

Encroachment along Indo-Nepal Border

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government launched a campaign against illegal encroachment in the districts along the India-Nepal border between 25-27 April 2025 . 

Key Points 

• About the Campaign: 
  • Its objective is to remove illegal constructions and strengthen the security system in the India-Nepal border area.  
  • Under this illegal structures located within a radius of 0 to 15 kilometres from the border were identified and removed. 
  • The government took action against unrecognized madrasas, mosques, and other religious structures.
  •  The campaign was actively conducted in the districts of Lakhimpur Kheri, Shravasti, Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Bahraich, Balrampur and Pilibhit bordering Nepal 

Tejaswi Programme

Why in News? 

The Madhya Pradesh government has launched the Tejaswi programme to develop entrepreneurial confidence and skills in students. 

Key Points 

• About the Program: 
  • A multilateral MoU was signed between the School Education Department to implement Tejaswi Programme, Training Programme, State Open School and partner organizations Udyam Learning Foundation and The Education Alliance. 
  • It aims to provide information on self-employment and new industries to students. 
  • The government plans to equip the students with vocational skills so that they are able to face the challenges of life and become self-reliant. 
  • This programme is in line with the National Education Policy 2020, which focuses on developing vocational competencies and life skills among school students . 
• Training: 
  • Under this programme, a curriculum based on new industries and self-employment has been prepared  during school time . 
  • In the training program, students will be given information related to experience based work, project work , and innovative business. 
  • Special classes will be conducted for class 9 and 11 students in Bhopal and Indore. 
• Effect: 
  • Self-employment and entrepreneurship will be promoted in the state . 
  • To increase self-reliance and hard work of the youth.
    

National Education Policy 2020  

• The National Education Policy 2020 focuses on access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability in education.  
• Formulated by a committee led by Dr. K. Kasturirangan, it is India's third education policy after 1968 and 1986.  
• It introduces the 5+3+3+4 curriculum model, promotes technology, aims to invest 6% of GDP, and encourages creativity and innovation.