• 16 May 2026

Uttar Pradesh Launched ‘Visit My State’ Tourism Campaign

Why in News?  

The Uttar Pradesh government launched the ‘Visit My State’ campaign to boost domestic tourism, promote heritage destinations, and encourage visitors to explore cultural, religious, and eco-tourism sites across the state.  

Key Points  

• Campaign Launch: The ‘Visit My State’ campaign was launched by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department as part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic tourism and local economic activity.  
  • Under the initiative, state-run museums across Uttar Pradesh will provide free entry to children and families for two months.  
• Tourism Circuits: The government plans to develop destination-based travel packages covering major tourist centres such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, Agra, Mathura, Prayagraj, Lucknow, and Mirzapur.  
• Key Heritage Sites: Chunar Fort and Chhattar Manzil are being prepared as major venues for weddings, cultural events, and tourism activities.  
  • The campaign also focuses on promoting temple circuits, gaushala tourism, wellness tourism, and rural tourism experiences.  
• Objective: The initiative aims to increase tourist footfall, generate employment, support local artisans and businesses, and strengthen Uttar Pradesh’s position as a major tourism destination in India.  

Read More: Tourism, Heritage Sites 

Ladakh Hosts Grand Exposition of Holy Buddha Relics

Why in News?  

The 14-day Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Tathāgata Buddha concluded in Ladakh, making it one of the largest spiritual gatherings held in the Union Territory.  

Key Points  

• Grand Exposition: The Sacred Exposition of the Holy Buddha Relics was organised in Leh and Zanskar regions of Ladakh over a period of 14 days.  
• Inauguration: The exposition was inaugurated in May 2026 on the occasion of the 2569th Buddha Purnima by Union Home Minister Amit Shah at Jivetsal in Leh.  
  • The concluding ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena at the Dharma Centre in Choglamsar.  
  • The closing ceremony coincided with the annual Monlam Chenmo, the Great Prayer Festival of Ladakh dedicated to world peace and universal happiness.  
• Cultural Significance: Sacred mask dances known as ‘Chhams’ were performed by monks during the event, reflecting Ladakh’s rich Buddhist cultural traditions.  
• Holy Relics: The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha were brought from the National Museum, New Delhi, for public exposition in Ladakh.  
• Objective: The event aimed to promote peace, spiritual harmony, Buddhist heritage, and cultural tourism in Ladakh.  

Read More: Holy Relics of Tathāgata Buddha, Tourism 

Union Minister Reviews Jharia Rehabilitation and Coal Sector Projects in Dhanbad

Why in News?  

Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey visited Dhanbad during his three-day tour of Jharkhand and reviewed rehabilitation works under the Jharia Master Plan along with coal sector development activities.  

Key Points  

• Inspection: The Minister inspected Belgaria Township in Dhanbad, where rehabilitation of fire-affected families from the Jharia coalfield region is being carried out under the Jharia Master Plan.  
  • The Minister laid the foundation stone of a livelihood and employment generation project by Bharat Coking Coal Limited and distributed e-rickshaws to beneficiaries under the company’s CSR initiative.  
• Focus: The Minister stated that the rehabilitation initiative is aimed not only at physical relocation but also at ensuring long-term socio-economic stability for displaced families.  
• Review Meeting: A meeting was held at Koyla Bhawan, the headquarters of Bharat Coking Coal Limited, where discussions focused on coal quality improvement, rehabilitation progress, operational performance, and mining safety measures.  
• Objective: The visit aimed to strengthen rehabilitation efforts, sustainable development, and safe mining operations in the Jharia coalfield region.  

Read More: CSR initiative, Jharia Master Plan 

Shivraj Singh Chouhan Meets Punjab CM on Sustainable Agriculture

Why in News?  

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Bhagwant Mann in New Delhi to discuss key issues related to agriculture, crop diversification, water conservation, and farmer welfare in Punjab.  

Key Points  

• High-Level Meeting: The meeting focused on agriculture and farmer welfare issues in Punjab, including paddy milling, crop diversification, conservation of water resources, and sustainable agricultural development.  
  • The Centre presented a roadmap for promoting crop diversification through oilseed, pulse, cotton, and horticulture missions to reduce dependence on water-intensive crops.  
• Support to Punjab: Shivraj Singh Chouhan stated that the Central Government would provide full support to Punjab in all agriculture-related initiatives and missions.  
  • He highlighted the importance of balanced fertilizer use for maintaining soil health and improving climate resilience in agriculture.  
  • He also described Punjab as the pioneer of the Green Revolution and acknowledged its major contribution to India’s food security.  
• Objective: The meeting aimed to strengthen sustainable agriculture, farmer welfare, water conservation, and long-term agricultural resilience in Punjab.  

Read More: Crop diversification, Climate resilience, India’s food security 

CISF Regional Training Centre to Be Set Up in Kishanganj

Why in News?  

The Bihar Cabinet has approved allocation of land for the establishment of a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Regional Training Centre in Kishanganj district, aimed at strengthening security infrastructure and training capacity in the state.  

Key Points  

• Land Allocation: The Bihar Cabinet approved around 110 acres of land in the Pothia area of Kishanganj district for setting up a CISF Regional Training Centre.  
  • This transfer has been carried out by the Revenue and Land Reforms Department.  
  • The proposed centre will be developed to train approximately 1,000 CISF personnel, enhancing the force’s operational preparedness.  
• Objective: The project aims to strengthen internal security capacity, improve industrial protection, and promote regional development in Bihar.  
• Strategic Location: Kishanganj, located in the Seemanchal region, holds strategic importance due to its proximity to international borders.  
• CISF: 
  • It is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) of India functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs.  
  • Headquarters: New Delhi 
  • Motto: “Protection and Security”  

Read More: CISF 

Union Minister Inaugurated Mega Grih Pravesh Programme under PMAY-G in Satara

Why in News?  

A large-scale Grih Pravesh (housewarming) ceremony was organized in Satara, Maharashtra, under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G).  

Key Points  

• Programme: Shivraj Singh Chouhan is scheduled to attend the “Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) Beneficiary Conference & Maha Awaas Abhiyan State-Level Award Distribution Ceremony” in May 2026 in Satara, Maharashtra.  
  • The Union Minister will release the PMAY-G Mother Sanction, providing Central assistance of ₹8,368.50 crore to Maharashtra for the financial year 2026–27.   
• Beneficiary Focus: House keys were symbolically handed over to beneficiaries, marking the successful completion of rural housing projects under the scheme.  
• Objective: The scheme aims to provide pucca houses to homeless rural families and those living in kutcha or dilapidated houses, ensuring housing for all.  
•  Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin:It was launched in 2015 as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Urban and in 2016 as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin.  
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development 
  • Objective: To provide pucca (permanent) houses with basic amenities to all houseless families, as well as those residing in kutcha (temporary) or dilapidated houses in rural areas. 
  • Funding: The cost is shared between the Central and State Governments in a 60:40 ratio in plain areas, 90:10 in North Eastern and Himalayan states, and 100% by the Centre in Union Territories.  

Read More: PMAY-G