• 11 Sep 2025

60th Martyrdom Day of Paramvir Abdul Hamid

Why in News?

The Chief Minister Hemant Soren inaugurated the restored Paramvir Abdul Hamid Memorial site and paid tribute to him on the occasion of his 60th Martyrdom Day.

Key Points

• About: Abdul Hamid was born on 1st July 1933, in Dhamupur, Ghazipur district, United Provinces, British India.
  • He served with the 4th Grenadiers Battalion of the Indian Army, fought and died during the Battle of Asal Uttar in the 1965 India-Pakistan war.
• Battle of Asal Uttar: The Battle of Asal Uttar was one of the largest tank battles fought during the 1965 war, where the Pakistani 1st Armoured Division's offensive was decimated by the Indian forces.
  • The battle resulted in the loss of 97 Patton tanks for the Pakistani Army, and the surrender of an entire Pakistani armoured regiment. 
  • During the battle on 10th September 1965, Abdul Hamid identified four Pakistani Patton tanks, destroyed three, and damaged one. He was later killed by fire from another tank.
• Recognition: Hamid was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest gallantry award, posthumously for his bravery. 
  • The site of his death is now part of a war memorial, with a captured Pakistani Patton tank standing as a tribute.

5 Biogas Plants to Come up in Jharkhand

Why in News?

Under the GOBARdhan Scheme, new biogas plants will be established in five districts of Jharkhand, bringing the total number of biogas plants in the state to 47.

• The five new biogas plants will come up in Bokaro (Petarwar Block), Ramgarh (Chitrapur), Dumka (Jarmudi), Jamtara (Kundhit), and Saraikela-Kharsawan (Ichagadh).
• These plants will generate 135 cubic meters of gas daily, benefiting local communities with cleaner energy. Additionally, a completed 25 cubic meter plant in Bandgaon will serve 20 households.

GOBARdhan Initiative

• About: Launched in 2018, the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) scheme is a national priority project under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen-Phase II.
• Implementation: The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti, serves as the nodal department.
• Objective: It aims to establish a strong ecosystem for Biogas/Compressed Biogas (CBG)/Bio-CNG plants to foster sustainable growth.  

Models of Scheme
Model	Description	Uses
Individual Household	Households with three or more cattle.	Biogas for cooking, slurry as manure.
Community	Plants for 5-10 households, managed by Gram Panchayats (GP) or Self-Help Groups (SHGs).	Gas for households/restaurants, slurry as manure or sold.
Cluster	Plants in multiple households in a village/group of villages.	Gas for households, slurry sold as biofertilizers.
Commercial CBG	Plants set up by Entrepreneurs/Cooperatives/Gaushalas.	Compressed gas for fuel, slurry as organic manure.

Honorary D.Litt. for Prashant Kumar

Why in News?

The former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) degree by Lucknow University. 

Key Points

• Prashant Kumar(a 1990-batch IPS officer) is the first IPS officer from the UP cadre to receive this prestigious honor. 
  • His career includes significant roles such as DG (Law & Order), Chief of the Economic Offences Wing, and central deputations with the CISF and ITBP.
• The recognition celebrates his outstanding contributions to policing, public safety, and strategic security management. 
  • He is widely credited for his leadership in enforcing strict measures against organized crime. He played a pivotal role in spearheading the Anti-Mafia Task Force and implementing reforms that reshaped UP's law-and-order landscape. 

Note: An Honorary D.Litt. (Doctor of Letters or Doctor of Literature) is a prestigious academic honor given by universities to recognize exceptional contributions to the arts, literature, education, culture, or society at large, without the recipient having to complete academic coursework, research, or examinations.

MP Wins Best Tourism Board Award

Why in News?

The Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presented the Best State Tourism Board Award to the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) at the India Travel Awards 2025 in New Delhi.

Key Points

• About: The award recognizes the MPTB's exceptional efforts in tourism development, focusing on innovation, excellence, and sustainability within the sector. 
  • Established in 2017, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board promotes tourism in the state through public-private partnerships, sustainable development, investor facilitation, skill development, and global promotion of tourist destinations.
• Tourism Potential: Madhya Pradesh is home to a rich tapestry of ancient temples, wildlife sanctuaries, and vibrant folk traditions, offering a unique blend of cultural and natural experiences. 
  • The state's evolving infrastructure aims to provide visitors with a world-class tourism experience, further strengthening its identity as the "Heart of India" and positioning itself as a global hub for responsible tourism.
• India Travel Awards: The India Travel Awards is a nationwide platform designed to recognize and celebrate achievements in the travel and hospitality industry.
  • It stands out by being internet voting-based, ensuring fairness and transparency, and is supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

List of Awards Won by Madhya Pradesh Tourism in 2025
Award Event / Organization	Category / Recognition
Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Awards 2025	Best State Promoting Fairs & Festivals
Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Awards 2025	Best State for Publicity & Promotion
VETA (Versatile Excellence Travel Awards 2025)	Leading Heritage Tourist Destination
SATTE 2025, IICC, New Delhi	Best State Tourism Award
The Guinness World Record	For the Longest Classical Dance Marathon at the 51st edition of the Khajuraho Dance Festival.

Chhattisgarh's Tiger Population Doubles in 3 Years

Why in News?

Chhattisgarh's tiger population has significantly increased, doubling from 17 in 2022 to 35 by April 2025, highlighting the state's successful wildlife conservation efforts.

• This growth was highlighted at the 15th meeting of the Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Welfare Board, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.

Key Points

• About: Achanakmar Tiger Reserve hosts the highest tiger population at 18, followed by Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla (GGTP) Tiger Reserve with 7, Indravati Tiger Reserve with 6, Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary with 3, and Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve with 1. 
  • The GGTP, declared India's 56th tiger reserve in 2024, is now the third-largest in the country, after Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh and Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.
• Translocation Plan: Chhattisgarh has received approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to translocate tigers from Madhya Pradesh to the Udanti-Sitanadi and Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserves. 
  • A total of five tigers, including two females and one male tiger for Udanti-Sitanadi and three males for Guru Ghasidas, will be relocated.
• Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP): The state has nearly finalized a comprehensive Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP) aimed at addressing challenges related to habitat management and boosting tourism in the tiger reserves. 
  • This plan also focuses on enhancing facilities in the Kanger Valley National Park to increase tourist footfall and provide livelihood opportunities for local communities.

TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan

Why in News?

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Srinagar chaired a review meeting to assess the progress of the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in the district. 

• The meeting focused on key areas, including TB notification rates, early detection, treatment adherence, and the Ni-Kshay Mitra initiative aimed at enhancing patient support.
• The focus was on intensified screening in high-risk areas and community engagement through ASHA workers, conducting home visits to provide crucial at-home care for better TB recovery outcomes.

Ni-Kshay Mitra Scheme

• About: The "Ni-kshay Mitra" scheme, launched under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (PMTBMBA) in 2018 by the Prime Minister, aims to offer comprehensive support to TB patients throughout their treatment journey.
  • Launched in 2022 as part of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), PMTBMBA focuses on providing nutritional, diagnostic, and vocational support to improve treatment outcomes and accelerate India's TB elimination goal. 
  • PMTBMBA is the world’s largest crowd-sourcing initiative for TB patient nutrition. 
• Implementation: Support for TB patients is extended by various stakeholders, including elected representatives, corporates, organizations, NGOs, and individuals, helping them achieve a successful recovery.
• Portal: The Ni-Kshay Portal helps health workers manage TB cases, track treatment, and report real-time data for India's TB surveillance.

National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) 

• In 2020, the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program (RNTCP) was renamed the NTEP, with the aim of eliminating tuberculosis in India by 2025, five years ahead of the global target set for 2030.
  • The Sustainable Development Goal targets for TB include an 80% reduction in incidence, a 90% reduction in mortality, and zero TB patients facing catastrophic costs. 
  • The program is guided by the National Strategic Plan (2017-2025) under the strategic pillars: Detect – Treat – Prevent – Build (DTPB). 
  • The NTEP focuses on early diagnosis, quality-assured treatment, engaging private providers, contact tracing in high-risk areas, and addressing social determinants through a multi-sectoral approach. 
  • The programme recorded its highest-ever case notifications, reporting 25.5 lakh TB cases in 2023 and 26.07 lakh cases in 2024. 
  • Under NTEP, India introduced improved drug-resistant TB treatments, including a safer, shorter all-oral Bedaquiline regimen, increasing success rates from 68% in 2020 to 75% in 2022.  
    • The mBPaL regimen (Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid) offers 80% success for MDR-TB, reducing treatment duration to six months.