State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 09 May 2025

Veer Rath Park

Why in News?  

Veer Rath Park, along with a museum and open-air theatre, will be developed in Noida, Uttar Pradesh to honour the heroes of the freedom struggle. 

 Key Points 

• About the park:  
  • This park is being established in Nalgarh village near Noida-Greater Noida Expressway with the aim of preserving and showcasing the legacy of 32 freedom fighters.
    • Historically, Nalgarh village has been the refuge of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Subhash Chandra Bose and Colonel Karnail Singh of the Azad Hind Fauj. 
    • It is believed that these fighters stayed here and prepared strategies to attack the British army. 
  • This park will be established on approximately 22 acres of land, with an estimated cost of Rs 42 crore . 
  • The park will also have a museum that will house stone statues of freedom fighters along with informational exhibits. 
    • Stories of freedom fighters and army personnel will also be inscribed on the walls of the museum . 
  • Wartime tanks and fighter jets will symbolically showcase India’s military heritage, while a laser show will inspire patriotism. An open-air theatre will host cultural programmes themed on India’s independence. 

 Azad Hind Fauj (INA) 

• Introduction: It was a military force formed with the aim of countering British rule in India during the Second World War and played an important role in India's freedom struggle. 
• Formation: 
  • Mohan Singh: He proposed raising an army from Indian prisoners of war (POWs) and received Japanese support. He initially led the INA, recruiting  about 40,000 soldiers. 
    • However, conflict with the Japanese over the number of troops led to their removal.  
  • Rashbehari Bose: He was an experienced revolutionary and played an important role in garnering support for the INA and formed the Indian Independence League in Tokyo (1942). 
  • Subhas Chandra Bose: On 25 August 1943, Bose was appointed Supreme Commander of the INA and later on 21 October 1943 , he established the Provisional Government of Free India or Azad Hind in Singapore. 
    • It was ratified by nine countries, including Japan, Germany, Italy , and China (led by Wang Jingwei). 

Mission Shakti

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government's Mission Shakti campaign has set a new benchmark in women empowerment by reaching over 9 crore women across the state. 

Key Points 

• About Mission Shakti Campaign : 
  • 'Mission Shakti' is an ambitious multi-dimensional scheme of the Uttar Pradesh Government aimed at ensuring safety, dignity and self-reliance of women and girls 
  • It was launched on 17 October 2020 and till now this campaign has been completed in five phases. 
• Achievements and Statistics : 
  • 1,707 potential child marriages were prevented, ensuring the protection of the rights of girls. 
  • Women Helpline 1090 has successfully resolved 7.78 lakh cases so far . 
  • One Stop Centres provided relief in more than 2.10 lakh cases of violence and abuse . 
  • Through the Chief Minister Kanya Sumangala Yojana, benefits were provided to 23.40 lakh girls . 
  • More than 2 lakh girls were identified in the aspiring districts and were given assistance for their overall development. 
• Investing in security infrastructure: 
  • 100 pink police booths have been set up in the state . 
  • The 1090 call centre has been expanded with 80 additional terminals . 
  • More than 1,100 pink toilets have been constructed in 189 urban bodies . 
  • Outreach has been done to villages, schools, colleges and urban wards through special events, training sessions and campaigns . 
  • Workshops have been organised on cyber crime, domestic violence, mental health, legal rights, financial literacy . 

Chief Minister Kanya Sumangala Scheme 

• Introduction: 
  • It was launched in April 2019 by the Women Welfare Department in Uttar Pradesh. 
  • Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 15,000 is given to the family when a girl child is born in the family. 
  • This amount is given as an incentive in six phases, from the birth of the daughter till she graduates . 
  • Maximum two daughters from a family can get benefit of this scheme. 
• Objective: 
  • The main objectives of the scheme are elimination of female foeticide , prevention of child marriage, increase in health and education and promotion of self-reliance .