State PCS - Bihar (BPSC)

• 06 Oct 2025

Makhana Mahotsav 2025 Held in Patna

Why in News? 

Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, visited Patna during his one-day tour of Bihar to participate in the ‘Makhana Mahotsav 2025’ at Gyan Bhavan, Gandhi Maidan.  

• On this occasion, he released the report titled ‘Makhana: From Culture to Prosperity’ (Makhana: Sanskriti se Samriddhi).

Key Points 

• About: The mahotsav aims to position Bihar as a leader in makhana production while promoting its economic and cultural significance across India. 
  • The Central Government has established the Makhana Board with ₹475 crore for modern machinery, improved varieties, and processing infrastructure to enhance makhana production, marketing, and export competitiveness. 
  • Strengthened by research at NRCM Darbhanga, the initiative aims to diversify India’s agro-export basket, generate rural employment, and increase farmers’ incomes through integration with global value chains. 
  • Bihar accounts for over 90% of global makhana output, with cultivation expanding from about 3,000 to 35,000–40,000 hectares, and exports now reaching markets in Europe, the U.S., and East Asia. 
• National Research Centre for Makhana (NRCM): The NRCM in Darbhanga serves as India’s premier institute for makhana research and innovation. 
  • It has developed high-yielding makhana and thornless water chestnut varieties, and introduced water-efficient integrated farming systems such as makhana-cum-fish cultivation. 
  • Over 15,824 kg of high-yield makhana seeds have been distributed to farmers, KVKs, and institutions like NABARD and the Bihar Horticulture Development Society. 
  • Several machines for makhana processing have been designed and commercialised, including seed washers, graders, roasting and popping machines, and graders for popped makhana. 
  • The NRCM has trained thousands of farmers and entrepreneurs, promoting rural employment and sustainable livelihoods across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. 

PM Pays Tribute to Shyamji Krishna Varma

Why in News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Shyamji Krishna Varma on his birth anniversary, highlighting his unwavering dedication to India’s freedom struggle and urging the youth to emulate his fearless spirit and commitment to justice. 

Key Points 

• He was an Indian revolutionary, patriot, lawyer, and journalist, born on 4^th October 1857, in Mandvi, Gujarat.   
• In London, he established the Indian Home Rule Society in 1905, which aimed to inspire young Indians to engage in revolutionary activities against British rule.  
• He founded 'India House' as a hostel and meeting place for Indian students in London. 
• He also launched 'The Indian Sociologist,' a journal which aimed to inspire young Indians to engage in revolutionary activities against British rule. 
• He was the first President of the Bombay Arya Samaj and influenced Veer Savarkar.  
• In response to British criticism, Varma transitioned from England to Paris and subsequently settled in Geneva during World War I, where he remained until his death on 30^th March 1930. 
• He had wished for his ashes to be brought back to a free India,  a wish realised in August 2003 by then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. 
  • A memorial called Kranti Teerth dedicated to him was built and inaugurated in 2010 near Mandvi.