• 23 Dec 2025

State-Level Youth Festival in Madhubani

Why in News?

A two-day state-level youth festival has commenced in Madhubani district of Bihar to promote cultural and creative talents among youth. 

Key Points 

• Organising Department: Organised by the Bihar Department of Art, Culture and Youth with support of the Madhubani district administration. 
• Venues: Events are organised at multiple locations in Madhubani. 
• Objective: To identify, encourage and showcase youth talent and promote Bihar’s folk culture and heritage. 
• Participants: Youth from various districts of Bihar are participating in the festival. 
• Cultural Events: Competitions include group folk dance, folk singing, painting, poetry writing, story writing and elocution. 
• Significance: Enhances youth engagement, cultural preservation and grass-roots talent development in Bihar. 

Ramgarh Thermal Power Project

Why in News? 

Patratu Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (PVUNL) has invited Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to visit the Ramgarh power plant following the commissioning of one of its major power generation units.

Key Points 

• Organisation: PVUNL is a joint venture between National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL). 
• Shareholding: NTPC holds 74%, and JBVNL holds 26%. 
• Commissioning: One of the power plant’s units has recently started commercial production, marking a key milestone in the project’s progress.  
• Invitation: PVUNL formally invited CM Hemant Soren. 
• Location: It is located in Ramgarh district of Jharkhand. 
• State Support: The invitation highlights state government support and cooperation in advancing energy infrastructure projects. 
• Energy Impact: The plant’s operational units are expected to significantly boost regional power supply.  
• Some Important Energy plants in Jharkhand 
  • Tenughat Thermal Power Plant – Bokaro 
  • North Karanpura Thermal Power Project – Hazaribagh 
  • Maithon Hydroelectric Project – Dhanbad/Purulia  
  • Konar Hydroelectric Project – Hazaribagh/Bokaro

Bhopal Joins India’s Metro Cities Network

Why in News? 

Bhopal has become the 26th city in India to have an operational metro rail service after the commencement of metro operations. 

Key Points 

• Bhopal in Metro Map: Bhopal has joined the list of 26 Indian cities with an operational metro rail system. 
• Inauguration: The metro was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal and Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr. Mohan Yadav.  
• Metro Structure: The Bhopal Metro covers 30.8 km with two corridors, including the Orange Line (16.74 km) and Blue Line (14.16 km). 
• Operational Metro Length: The total operational metro network in India has reached 1,090 km. 
• Features: The metro system is equipped with modern facilities, accessibility features for Divyangjans (persons with disabilities), AI‑based surveillance, and air‑conditioned coaches. 
• Significance: The service aims to make urban travel faster, cleaner and greener, reduce congestion, and improve quality of life in the capital city of Madhya Pradesh. 

Digital Libraries Launched in Agra

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government is establishing digital libraries in 104 gram panchayats of Agra to improve rural education and provide students with digital learning resources. 

Key Points

• Implementing Agency: The project is led by the Panchayati Raj Department of UP. 
• Objective: To bridge the educational gap between rural and urban students by providing access to computers, e-books, video lectures, quizzes, and competitive exam material. 
• Infrastructure and Resources: Each library will have computers, high-speed internet, e-books, and around 20,000 digital learning resources, including video lectures and test content. 
• Financial Outlay: About ₹4 lakh per library will be spent. 
• Management: The libraries will be managed locally by the gram pradhan and gram panchayat secretary.

Elephant Safaris Resume in Uttrakhand

Why in News? 

Elephant safaris have resumed in Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett and Rajaji Tiger Reserves after seven years. 

Key Points 

• Background: Safaris were halted in 2018 due to a High Court ban under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960; however, the Supreme Court later lifted the ban, permitting resumption after regulatory preparations. 
• Tourism Experience: Elephant safaris provide a slow-paced, elevated forest experience, enabling better wildlife observation and promoting biodiversity awareness. 
• Economic Impact: The safaris are expected to boost eco-tourism revenues and benefit local communities dependent on tourism. 
• Challenges and Concerns: Concerns include animal welfare, habitat disturbance, and ethical use of elephants, requiring strict welfare protocols, limited rides, and veterinary monitoring. 
• Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve: Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand is India’s first national park and a major tiger conservation site under Project Tiger. 
  • Ancient Name: Hailey National Park (1936), renamed after Jim Corbett (1957). 
  • River: Ramganga flows through the park. 
  • Location: Spread across Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, and Almora districts. 
  • Significance: India’s first national park, part of Project Tiger. 
  • Wildlife: Known for tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, and birds.

PM MITRA Textile Park in Karnataka

Why in News? 

The Karnataka government has assured execution of the PM MITRA Textile Park in Kalaburagi. 

Key Points 

• Project Location: The PM MITRA Textile Park is planned in Kalaburagi district, part of the Kalyana Karnataka region. 
• PM MITRA Scheme: PM MITRA (Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel) Parks are large integrated textile clusters covering the entire textile value chain from fibre to finished products. 
• National Significance: Kalaburagi is one of the seven locations selected across India under the PM MITRA scheme. 
• Other Seven Location under the PM MITRA scheme are: 
  • Tamil Nadu – Virudhunagar 
  • Telangana – Warangal 
  • Gujarat – Navsari 
  • Karnataka – Kalaburagi 
  • Maharashtra – Amravati 
  • Madhya Pradesh – Dhar 
  • Uttar Pradesh – Lucknow–Hardoi region 
• Employment Generation: The project is expected to create large-scale direct and indirect employment, particularly benefiting local youth and skilled workers. 
• Industrial Growth: The textile park aims to attract private investment, promote exports, and enhance India’s global competitiveness in textiles.