• 21 Jun 2025

Abujhmad Region

Why in News? 

Amid efforts to eliminate Maoist influence by 2026, the development of Abujhmad in Chhattisgarh raises concerns on sustainable growth, tribal rights, and Maoist influence in the region. 

Key Points 

• About the Abujhmad Region:   
  • The name Abujhmad means ‘incomprehensible plateau’ in Hindi and is understood as ‘sal forest’ in the Gondi language. 
  • Abujhmadiya tribes: As per the 2011 Census, Abujhmad is inhabited by about 40,000 Abujhmadiya tribals, who are a subgroup of the Gond tribe. 
    • They are recognised as one of the seven Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Chhattisgarh. 
• Historical Context: 
  • Under British rule, it was categorised as an ‘excluded area’ under the Government of India Act, 1935. 
  • After independence, its remoteness and lack of development allowed Maoists to use it as an unofficial headquarters, calling it a ‘liberated zone’. 
• Government’s Plan to Reclaim Abujhmad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced Maoist elimination by March 2026, with plans to boost connectivity through new roads, facilities, and expanded iron ore mining into core forest areas. 
• Concerns Over Rights and Law: 
  • Forest and Habitat Rights: 
    • The Forest Rights Act, 2006, grants special rights to forest-dwelling communities, including habitat rights. 
    • In 2019, when Abujhmadiyas attempted to claim these rights, they faced Maoist threats and lack of state support. 
  • Cultural and Religious Importance: 
    • Verwakot hill inside Abujhmad holds great significance in Gondi religious beliefs as the starting point of human life. 

Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) 

• About the PVTGs: They are the most vulnerable among India’s tribal communities. 
  • Because more developed tribes often secure a larger share of development resources, PVTGs require special attention and targeted support. 
  • In 1973, the Dhebar Commission identified Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as the least developed tribes; this category was renamed PVTGs in 2006. 
  • The Government of India identified 52 such groups in 1975 and added 23 more in 1993, totaling 75 PVTGs out of 705 Scheduled Tribes. 
  • PVTGs are typically small, homogenous, geographically isolated, with simple technology, unwritten languages, and slow socio-economic progress. 
  • Odisha has the highest number of PVTGs in the country. 
• Government Support: 
  • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs runs the Development of PVTGs scheme, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with 100% central funding for 18 states and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.  
    • The scheme aims for the holistic socio-economic development of PVTGs while preserving their unique culture and traditions.  
    • It supports projects in education, health, and livelihoods, tailored to their specific needs.

Bihar First State to Introduce e-Voting

Why in News? 

Bihar has become the first state in India to introduce an e-voting system for urban local body elections. 

• The Bihar State Election Commission (SEC) will implement this digital voting method through two mobile applications “e-Voting SECBHR” developed by C-DAC and another app developed by the Bihar State Election Commission. 

Key Points 

• E-Voting System: Electronic voting systems can involve using e-voting machines or kiosks at polling stations, which record votes instantly and provide receipts without internet connectivity.  
• First-of-its-Kind in India: Bihar is the country’s first state to adopt an e-voting system for municipal and urban body elections. 
  • Estonia was the first country in the world to use online voting in 2005. 
• Technological Features: 
  • The system ensures tamper-proof voting through blockchain security and biometric authentication like liveness detection and face matching. 
  • Bihar’s SEC has also introduced digital innovations like the Face Recognition System for voter verification, OCR for vote counting and results, and digital locks for  Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) strong rooms. 
• Significane: 
  • Inclusive Voting: E-voting enables migrants, remote voters, disabled, pregnant women, seniors, and the seriously ill to vote from anywhere. 
  • Increased Turnout: The initiative will raise voter participation by making voting more accessible and convenient.

History of Electronic Voting Machines in India: 

• 1977: Chief Election Commissioner S.L. Shakdhar proposes the idea of EVMs. 
• 1980–81: EVMs are developed and demonstrated by Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL). 
• 1982–83: EVMs are used for the first time in 50 polling stations in Parur constituency, Kerala, and later in 11 Assembly constituencies across 8 states and 1 Union Territory. 
• 1984: The Supreme Court halts EVM usage, citing the need for amendments to the Representation of the People (RP) Act 1951. 
• 1988: The RP Act is amended, legally enabling EVM use from 15th March 1989. 
• 2018: The Supreme Court rejects a petition demanding a return to ballot papers. 
• 2013: Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 amended to introduce Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) for greater transparency. 
  • VVPATs were first deployed in the by-election for 51-Noksen Assembly Constituency in Nagaland.

Sahitya Akademi Yuva and Bal Puraskar 2025

Why in News? 

The Sahitya Akademi, India’s National Academy of Letters, has announced the winners of its prestigious Yuva Puraskar and Bal Sahitya Puraskar for 2025.  

• For Maithili, Neha Jha Mani has won the Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 2025 for her poetry collection “Banaras Aa Hum”. 

Key Points: 

• Notable Awardees: 
  • Sahitya Akadem Yuva Puraskar 2025: 
    • English: Advait Kottary for Siddhartha: The Boy Who Became the Buddha (Novel) 
    • Hindi: Parvati Tirkey for Phir Ugna (Poetry) 
    • Urdu: Neha Rubab for Mazharul Haque: Thareek-e-Azadi-e-Hind : Hind Ka Faramosh Kardah Qaaed (Novel) 
  • Bal Sahitya Puraskar: 
    • English: Nitin Kushalappa MP for Dakshin South Indian Myths and Fables Retold 
    • Hindi: Sushil Shukla for the  Ek Batey Bara 
    • Maithili:  Munni Kamat for collection of short stories for children- Chukka. 
    • Urdu: Ghazanfar Iqbal for Quami Sitare (Articles) 

About Sahitya Akademi:  

• Established: Formally inaugurated on 12 March 1954 by the Government of India as the National Academy of Letters. 
• Purpose: Promotes Indian literature, sets high literary standards, encourages dialogue across languages, and fosters cultural unity. 
• Languages: Works in 24 Indian languages, including all 22 constitutional languages plus English and Rajasthani. 
• Activities: 
  • Publishes books, journals, dictionaries, and encyclopedias — over 6000 books so far; about one new book every 19 hours. 
  • Organises seminars, workshops, literary meets — nearly 300 events per year across India and abroad. 
  • Runs translation centres and archives; promotes tribal and oral literature. 
  • Awards 24 annual literary awards, 24 translation awards, Bhasha Samman, fellowships, and cultural exchange programs. 

Sahitya Akademi Bal Sahitya Puraskar 

• Established: 2010 to honor outstanding children's literature for readers aged 9-16. 
• Languages: Awarded in 24 Indian languages recognized by Sahitya Akademi. 
• Award Components: ₹50,000 cash prize, an engraved plaque, a shawl, and a citation. 
• Eligibility: 
  • Original, creative work published within the last five years. 
  • At least three eligible books in the language that year. 
  • Myth adaptations and posthumous works (within five years) allowed. 
• Ineligible: Translations, anthologies, abridgements, theses, and works by Board members, Fellows, or Bhasha Samman awardees. 

Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar 

• It was started in 2011 to honour young Indian writers (aged 35 or below) for original literary works in recognised languages. 
• Only Akademi awards are open for self-nomination and publisher nomination. 
• Includes a ₹50,000 cash prize, a plaque, shawl, and citation. 
• Eligibility: 
  • The author must be an Indian national, aged 35 or less on 1st January of the award year. 
  • Work must be original, not a translation, abridgement, thesis, or prior awarded work. 
  • Posthumous works are not allowed. 
  • Minimum three eligible books must be available in the language.