• 10 Sep 2025

Govind Ballabh Pant

Why in News?

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Vallabh Pant on his 138th birth anniversary on 10th September 2025, recalling his significant role in Uttar Pradesh's post-independence development.

Key Points

• Early Life: Born in Almora, Uttarakhand (then United Provinces). Pant was inspired by Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Madan Mohan Malaviya.  
• Role in the Freedom Movement: Played an active participant in the Salt March(1930), Civil Disobedience Movement(1930), and Quit India Movement (1942). 
• Political Journey: Became a member of the Constituent Assembly, contributing to the framing of the Indian Constitution. 
  • GB Pant, as CM of UP, worked towards Zamindari abolition and emphasized modernization. 
  • GB Pant was appointed as Union Home Minister by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955.
  • He played a pivotal role in establishing Hindi as one of India's official languages. 
• Honour and Legacy: In 1957, he was conferred with the Bharat Ratna. His political legacy includes mentoring UP leaders like Chaudhary Charan Singh.

Udaipur Receives Ramsar Wetland City Accreditation

Why in News?

Udaipur, often referred to as the 'City of Lakes', has achieved a significant milestone by receiving the esteemed Ramsar Wetland City accreditation. 

• This recognition was conferred during the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan Awards and Wetland Cities Recognition Ceremony 2025, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Udaipur’s Efforts in Wetland Conservation

• About: Udaipur city is surrounded by five major wetlands, namely, Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai.
  • These wetlands are an integral part of the city’s culture and identity, help maintain the city’s microclimate, and provide a buffer from extreme events.
• Recognition: Udaipur earned this distinction for its exemplary wetland conservation practices, placing it among a select group of cities worldwide recognized for their comprehensive approach to wetland protection and management.
  • Udaipur’s efforts include active community engagement in lake and wetland protection, as well as the successful integration of wetland management into urban planning.

Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)

• About:
  • The WCA is a voluntary accreditation system established by the Ramsar Convention during the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP) 12, 2015, to recognize cities that have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands.
  • It is awarded to urban centers that exhibit exceptional efforts in safeguarding wetlands, promoting biodiversity conservation, and supporting sustainable livelihoods. 
  • The scheme aims to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
  • The WCA is valid for 6 years.
• Significance:
  • Encourages cities to develop positive relationships with valuable ecosystems like Wetlands of International Importance.
  • Aims to gain international recognition for cities valuing their natural or human-made wetlands.

Sambal Scheme

Why in News?

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the Sambal Scheme as a crucial support system for labourers, calling it a reflection of India’s cultural ethos of “serving humanity.”

• The CM virtually transferred ₹175 crore to 7,953 workers in the fifth round of single-click Direct Benefit Transfer, offering swift, transparent, and meaningful relief.

Key Points

• About: In 2018, the State Government launched the Chief Minister Jan Kalyan (Sambal) Scheme to provide social security to millions of unorganized workers in the state.
  • The Sambal Scheme now has over 1.77 crore workers registered, with registrations still ongoing. 
  • The program provides ex gratia financial assistance to workers and their families in cases of death, accidents, or other crises.
• Assistance: Under this scheme, the following assistance is provided:
  • Funeral Assistance: ₹5,000
  • Natural Death Assistance: ₹2,00,000
  • Accidental Death Assistance: ₹4,00,000
  • Partial Disability Assistance: ₹1,00,000
  • Permanent Disability Assistance: ₹2,00,000
• Disbursement: Since its inception, over ₹7,000 crore has been disbursed to 7,60,886 beneficiaries across Madhya Pradesh. 
• New Category: Since March 2024, the scheme has been extended to include gig and platform workers, those engaged in door-to-door delivery of goods and services.
• Healthcare Linkage: Sambal beneficiaries are also entitled to benefits under the Ayushman Bharat Niramay Scheme, which provides free medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family.

Pratibimb App

Why in News?

The Jharkhand Police’s Pratibimb App, developed under the initiative of Jharkhand DGP Anurag Gupta, is proving to be a key tool in the fight against cybercriminals in the country.

• IPS officers, including those from Jharkhand, were trained on using the app to catch cybercriminals during an induction course at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad.

Key Points

• About: 
  • The Pratibimb app is a specialized GIS-based software tool developed by the CID (Crime Investigation Department) in collaboration with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the Ministry of Home Affairs. 
  • Its key purpose is to help law enforcement agencies track, map, and apprehend cyber criminals involved in fraud and related digital offenses.
  • The app was launched during the 1st Regional Conference of Joint Cyber Crime Coordination Teams (JCCTs)-II meeting in November 2023 at Ranchi, Jharkhand. 
  • It facilitates data sharing and analysis among law enforcement agencies through the "Samanvaya" platform.
• Features:
  • Real-Time Criminal Mapping: Pratibimb projects mobile numbers linked to cybercrimes on a GIS map, revealing their geographic locations across Jharkhand and India.
    • Police utilize the app to identify hotspots, leading to successful raids and arrests, with over 200 cyber criminals apprehended in Giridih district in five months.
  • Database Integration: It compiles and analyzes data on SIM cards, mobile phones, and fraudulent accounts used by criminals, which aids the police in locating offenders quickly.
  • Helpline Integration: The app connects with the national cybercrime helpline (1930), allowing the public to report fraud and helping authorities respond rapidly.
  • Academic Collaboration: Jharkhand Police has also partnered with premier institutions (IIM Ranchi, BIT-Mesra, XLRI Jamshedpur, NIT Jamshedpur) for enhanced technology, management, and knowledge support.

Formation of Transgender Support Unit

Why in News?

The Jharkhand government will establish a special support unit to address the issues and challenges faced by transgender individuals. 

• The decision was made at a meeting of the Jharkhand Transgender Welfare Board, led by the Chief Secretary. 

Key Points

• About: The new unit will help transgender individuals with obtaining identification, benefiting from reservations, and accessing various government welfare schemes. 
  • This initiative is part of the state government's broader efforts to promote the socio-economic development and dignity of the transgender community.
  • The transgender support unit formed under the Board will address related issues, propose solutions, and make comprehensive recommendations.
• District-Level Committees: District-level committees, led by Deputy Commissioners, will be set up to address local needs. 
  • These committees will assist in identifying transgender individuals and ensuring they receive the necessary support.
• Current Population: The 2011 Census recorded 487,803 transgender individuals nationwide, with 13,463 living in Jharkhand.
• Statewide Survey: A statewide survey will assess the status of transgender individuals, identify district-wise populations, and document their needs. 
  • This will help the government allocate resources efficiently, implement welfare schemes, and foster inclusion in mainstream society.
• Challenges: Many transgender individuals are hesitant to disclose their identity, hindering access to identity cards, reservations, pension schemes, Ayushman cards, dignity homes, and protection against discrimination.
  

Note: In Bokaro, the Deputy Commissioner launched an initiative to provide transgender individuals with identity cards, moving away from the term "Kinnar" and offering them a distinct identity.

Transgender

• About: According to Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, a transgender person is someone whose gender identity does not align with the gender assigned at birth.  
• Part of LGBTQIA+: Transgender individuals are part of the LGBTQIA+ community, represented by the "T" in the acronym. 
  • LGBTQIA+ is an acronym that represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual. 
  • The "+" represents the many other identities that are still being explored and understood.  
  • The acronym is constantly evolving and may include other terms like non-binary and pansexual. 
• Transgender Welfare Boards: Transgender Welfare Boards in India are established under the provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019, and its associated Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020.

Uranium Mining Project in Sikar District

Why in News?

In a recent address to the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, the Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Sumit Godara, revealed the details of a uranium mining project in Khandela tehsil, Sikar district.

Key Points

• Investment: The Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) will invest nearly Rs 3,000 crore in the uranium mining project. 
• Employment: The development is aimed at improving local employment rates and enhancing the socio-economic status of the area.
  • This initiative is expected to create 1,623 direct jobs, with 80 percent of these positions reserved for local residents. 
• Collaboration: The project is being carried out in collaboration with the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) and the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). 
  • These organizations are already conducting exploratory mining in the region, with decline mining and related operations underway.