Rat hole mining

Rat hole mining It is a primitive and hazardous method of mining for coal, with tunnels that are only 3-4 feet in diameter (hence, rat-hole), leading to pits ranging from 5-100 sq. mt deep.  There are two types of rat-holes: when dug into the ground these are vertical shafts leading to the mines where horizontal tunnels are dug; the second type is where horizontal holes are dug directly in the hillsides to reach coal seams (bed of coal).  The coal is taken out manually, loaded into a bucket or a wheelbarrow and dumped on a nearby un-mined area. From here, it is carried to larger coal dumps near highways for trade and transportation. Rat hole mining cheaper than other conventional mining methods and also hilly geography necessitate such mining method. Coal reserves: Coal reserves are primarily found in the Eastern India in states of Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and predominantly in North-East regions like Assam and Meghalaya. Despite the presence of coal reserves, commercial mining is not practiced in the North-Eastern regions because of terrain’s unsuitability as well as nature of coal deposits.  Open mining cannot be practiced due to the added difficulties. Further, the coal found in North-East contains lots of sulfur.  This overall reduces the energy efficiency and therefore this type of coal is categorized as bad quality of coal. Impact of Rat Hole Mining : 15 workers were trapped in a 320-350 feet-deep coal mine in the East Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya after it was flooded by waters of the nearby Lytein river.  Rescue operations led by the National Disaster Response Force and the Indian Navy are on to locate the trapped workers. The recent mishap is one of several such accidents that have taken place over the past few years, leading to the death of workers. Water from rivers and streams in the mining area has become unfit for drinking and irrigation, and is toxic to plants and animals.  A study by the North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, says the Kopili river has turned acidic due to the discharge of acidic water from mines and the leaching of heavy metals. Layers of rock above the coal removed during mining contain traces of iron, manganese and aluminium that get dissolved from mining sites through the acid run-off or are washed into streams as sediment. due to small size of tunnel, there is incidences of employing children as worker; no social security for migrants workers from nearby states. Cultural concern: rampant illegal mining destroying natural caves in jaintia hills. Rat-hole mining is illegal: The National Green Tribunal banned rat-hole mining in Meghalaya in 2014 on a petition that said acidic discharge from the mines was polluting the Kopili river.  But the practice continues unabated.  Meghalaya Mines and Mineral Policy, 2012 does not address rat hole mining issue The government of Meghalaya controls only 5% land rest either community or privately owned which undermines effective regulations Misuse of 6th Schedule of Constitution which provides tribal communities right over -land and use of its resources- by illegal miners and local councils Way forward: Mining has provided jobs to local people. Following the ban, there are demands for rehabilitation or alternative employment.  Effective implementation of 6th schedule Diversifying livelihood opportunities Stringent implementation of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act which prohibits operation of illegal mining under state accountability Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW

HelpAge India

HelpAge India NGO HelpAge India received the “2020 UN Population Award” in the institutional Category for its contribution towards serving disadvantaged elderly people and raising awareness on their cause. HelpAge India is a leading charity in India working with and for disadvantaged elderly for nearly 4 decades. It was set up in 1978 and is registered under the Societies’ Registration Act of 1860. There are an estimated 106 million elderly in India.  HelpAge advocates for their needs such as for Universal Pension, quality healthcare, action against Elder Abuse and many more at a national, state and societal level with Central and State governments. It advocates for elder friendly policies and their implementation thereof. It works hand-in-hand with Senior Citizens Associations understanding elder needs working with and for them. The aim is to serve elder needs in a holistic manner, enabling them to live active, dignified and healthier lives. HelpAge’s focus over the years has moved from Welfare to Development. It provides elderly relief through various agecare interventions such as – it runs one of the largest mobile healthcare programs through its Mobile Healthcare Units spanning the country providing free healthcare services to destitute elders. It helps elders earn their livelihood through the formation of Elder-Self-Help Groups making self-reliant. It conducts cataract surgeries to restore their sight, looks after their basic needs though its Support-a-Gran program, runs Elder Helplines across the country, provides relief & rehabilitation for elders post disasters and provides active-ageing opportunities. UN Population Award: The UN Population Award, established by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1981, recognises contributions in the fields of population and reproductive health. The award ceremony was held virtually in the UN”s New York office. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW

Malabar Gliding Frog

Malabar Gliding Frog Malabar Gliding Frog- A green frog with a slender body, webbed feet, unusual body positions, very well camouaged and gliding in the air. This was how a juvenile Malabar gliding frog (Rhacophorus malabaricus), a rare amphibian that can glide in the air up to 10-12 m, was spotted in the orchard of a house at Pullad, near Kozhencherry in Kerala.  The frog endemic to the rain forests of the Western Ghats in his orchard, it was the second time he spotted this rare species in the orchard in the past two years. Their gliding abilities help these frogs cover 10-12 ft in one leap. The frog has got a body length of 10 cm, making it one of the largest mossy frogs. The ngers and toes are like sticks to attach to and walk through tree branches. Males are smaller than females. In the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List , it is placed in the Least Concern category. The Malabar gliding frog population is declining due to deforestation, climate change, developmental activities, and toxic chemicals. They built foam nests above small pools of water, into which the tadpoles drop after hatching. These frogs have the skin which is green in colour and resembles moss growing on the rock. The breeding period is during the monsoon and usually, the females choose to spawn on the lush green leaves overhanging a waterbody. Western ghats: Older than the Himalaya mountains, the mountain chain of the Western Ghats represents geomorphic features of immense importance with unique biophysical and ecological processes.  The site’s high montane forest ecosystems influence the Indian monsoon weather pattern. Moderating the tropical climate of the region, the site presents one of the best examples of the monsoon system on the planet.  It also has an exceptionally high level of biological diversity and endemism and is recognized as one of the world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity.  The forests of the site include some of the best representatives of non-equatorial tropical evergreen forests anywhere and are home to at least 325 globally threatened flora, fauna, bird, amphibian, reptile and fish species. At least 325 globally threatened (IUCN Red Data List) species occur in the Western Ghats. The globally threatened flora and fauna in the Western Ghats are represented by 229 plant species, 31 mammal species, 15 bird species, 43 amphibian species, 5 reptile species, and 1 fish species.  Of the total 325 globally threatened species in the Western Ghats, 129 are classified as Vulnerable, 145 as Endangered and 51 as Critically Endangered. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are the six Indian states covered by the Western Ghats.   Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW

INS Himgiri Project 17 A Stealth Frigate

INS Himgiri Project 17 A Stealth Frigate Himgiri, the first of the three Project 17A ships being built at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata was launched on 14 December 2020. She made her first contact with the waters of Hoogly River at 1335 Hrs at the launch ceremony, General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was the Chief Guest.  In keeping with Naval traditions Smt Madhulika Rawat, spouse of CDS launched the ship to the chanting of invocations from the Atharva Veda.  The ship has taken its name and crest of the second Frigate of the Leander Class of ships, which incidentally was launched 50 years ago in 1970. Under the Project 17A program, a total of seven ships, four at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three ships at GRSE are being built with enhanced stealth features, advanced indigenous weapon and sensor fit along with several other improvements.  The launch of ‘Himgiri’ has showcased GRSE’s commitment towards the building of three state-of-the-art warships of P17A for Indian Navy.  Over the years, GRSE has emerged as a leading shipyard having built over 100 ships. The yard has scaled up its infrastructure and skill sets to meet new challenges in building of P17A ships.  P17A ships are the first gas turbine propulsion and largest combat platforms ever built at GRSE. Since its inception, Project 17A has upheld India’s vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat. P17A ships have been indigenously designed by Directorate of Naval Design (Surface Ship Design Group) – DND(SSG), and are being built at indigenous yards namely MDL and GRSE. Naval shipbuilding provides a great opportunity to energise our economy post COVID-19. Project 17A ships are sourcing 80% of the material/ equipment required for the project from indigenous vendors and with employment generation for over 2000 Indian firms and MSMEs within the country.  Modular construction of the ship through outsourcing, and integrated construction methodology are being used to enhance GRSE’s productivity for delivery of ship targeted in August 2023. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now

Global Energy Transition Index

Global Energy Transition Index World Economic Forum (WEF) announced that India has moved up two positions and has ranked 74th on a global energy transition index.  With a better ranking, India has shown improvement in key parameters of economic security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. WEF is a Geneva-based international organisation that is for public and private cooperation. Releasing the ranking it further stated that the ongoing COVID-19 crisis will compromise the transition to clean energy by both the developed and developing countries. Key Highlights: World Economic Forum in its report stated that as per its study for measuring the readiness for the transition to clean energy, out of 115 economies 94 have shown progress since 2015. But even with the progress, environmental sustainability is still behind. Sweden has acquired a top position on the Energy Transition Index (ETI) for the third consecutive year and has been followed by Finland and Switzerland in the top three. Out of G20 countries, only France at 8th rank and UK at 7th rank have been in the top 10. The theme of WEF 2020 is Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World. It is basically a networking event where countries project themselves to garner investment. The Energy Transition Index, a composite score of 40 indicators, benchmarks 115 countries on the current performance of their energy system, and their readiness for transition to a secure, sustainable, affordable, and inclusive future energy system. The global energy transition has been moving at a slow, but steady pace. Of the 115 countries benchmarked on the ETI, 94 corresponding to more than 70% of global CO2 emission have improved their scores since 2015. The gap between countries in the top quartile, and the rest of the countries seems to be narrowing – which highlights the emerging global consensus on the necessary priorities for energy transition, and increased sharing of best practices among countries. COVID-19 has stress tested the energy system The economic development and growth dimension of energy transition is currently being challenged by the cascading effects of COVID-19. There has nonetheless been unprecedented collaboration among leading Oil & Gas producing countries to provide stability to markets, but the recent price volatilities will be a stress test for the energy system Over the past five years, most countries have reduced the level of energy subsidies, reflecting the movement towards cost-reflective pricing. Cost of utility bills, already a sensitive issue in many countries, will exacerbate the affordability challenge as unemployment rises due to economic consequences. The progress on environmental sustainability remains slow, but 2019 was a landmark year. Central banks recognized the systemic risks from uncoordinated and abrupt transition, world’s largest asset managers cited the importance of ESG considerations in investment, and many countries and companies announced net zero goals. COVID-19 might result in a shift in stakeholder priorities in the near term. Goals and Challenges: Distinct fall in investment flows and trade flows Protectionism  Many economists are projecting that by the end of 2020 there might be a mild global recession. All the major, fastest-growing economies including India and China have slowed down presently. Most of the European economies are showing a growth of less than 1%. Systems approach: building the fundamentals for energy transition Energy transition readiness is captured by the stability of the policy environment and the level of political commitment, the investment climate and access to capital, the level of consumer engagement, the development and adoption of new technologies, etc.  Some of these factors are beyond the scope of the energy system but nevertheless determine the effectiveness and future trajectory of energy transition in a country.  Those countries that are most energy-ready have adopted diverse pathways to improve their readiness.  They have simultaneously improved on multiple enablers, underscoring the importance of a systemic approach to energy transition. The cascading effects of COVID-19 The transformation of the energy system over the past decade, although slower than required to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change, has been unprecedented. But this hardearned momentum now risks being lost, as the ongoing COVID19 pandemic continues to cause economic and social damage. Beyond the uncertainty over its longterm consequences, COVID-19 has unleashed cascading effects in real time: The erosion of almost a third of global energy demand Unprecedented oil price volatilities and subsequent geopolitical implications Delayed or stalled investments and projects Uncertainties over the employment prospects of millions of energysector workers The crisis has forced the unthinkable. Society has had to relinquish valuable commodities and freedoms to collectively address the global outbreak. An effort of similar proportions is required for a successful energy transition. Effective energy transition is timely, inclusive, sustainable, affordable and secure. It provides solutions to global energy-related challenges, while creating value for business and society, without compromising the balance of the energy triangle. While a long-term vision and objectives are necessary, remaining flexible in a dynamic environment is also critical. Given the complexity and scale of the energy system, which includes different fuel sources, technologies for extraction and conversion, and end-use sectors, an effective energy transition needs to balance the priorities of diverse stakeholder groups. The World Economic Forum’s initiative on “Fostering Effective Energy Transition” offers a platform to foster common understanding among all stakeholder groups on the destination of energy transition, necessary imperatives, market and policy enablers, and the resulting human impact Importers vs exporters: Since 2015, fuel-importing countries have improved as a faster rate than fuel-exporting countries. Key points of differentiation are on environmental sustainability, capital and investment in new energy infrastructure, and the inertia from legacy energy system structure. Sweden leads the overall rankings for the third consecutive year, followed by Switzerland and Finland. The performance of G20 countries is mixed. France and United Kingdom are the only G20 countries in the top 10. China, India, and Italy made consistent improvements on overall ETI score since 2015, while Russia, Japan, South Korea and Germany made moderate gains. Scores for United States, Canada, Brazil and Iran were either stagnant, or declining. It’s a generational

Climate Ambition Summit 2020

Climate Ambition Summit 2020 The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), with its partner Italy.  The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.  The COP26 Presidency will demonstrate the urgency and the opportunities of the journey towards a zero carbon economy and the power of international cooperation to address the gravest challenges the world faces. The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, business and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action as we head towards this vital moment. We will champion inclusivity throughout our COP Presidency and use our position to empower and amplify the voices of those whose views are often most marginalised, addressing their needs and priorities in the run up, and at the COP itself. This Summit marks the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement – the most ambitious step in our fight against Climate Change.  Climate Ambition Summit- India: India is not only on track to achieve its Paris Agreement targets, but to exceed them beyond expectations.  India have reduced emission intensity by 21% over 2005 levels. India solar capacity has grown from 2.63 GigaWatts in 2014 to 36 GigaWatts in 2020.  Our renewable energy capacity is the fourth largest in the world. It will reach 175 GigaWatts before 2022. And, India have an even more ambitious target now – 450 GigaWatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030.  India have also succeeded in expanding our forest cover and safeguarding our biodiversity. And, on the world stage,  India has pioneered two major initiatives: The International Solar Alliance, and Coalition  for Disaster Resilient  Infrastructure. In 2047, India will celebrate 100 years as a modern, independent nation. Centennial India will not only meet its own targets, but will also exceed our expectations. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) The Alliance maintains a global network of partners including states, international and regional organizations, civil society groups, foundations, and the private sector to improve cross-cultural relations between diverse nations and communities. The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations High Representative and Secretariat are based and operating from New York. It was established in 2005, as the political initiative of Mr. Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary-General and co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Turkey. India said the UNGA statement welcomed the Kartarpur Gurdwara corridor agreement between India and Pakistan, but failed to note that Pakistan’s government has taken over the management of the Sikh shrine, which it called a contravention of the agreement and a violation of Sikh beliefs.  India asked the United Nations to recognise violence being meted out against religious minorities such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, and not just those pertaining to the three large Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. India –UNAOC: India pointed out that previous resolutions of the UNAOC dating back to 2006 had repeatedly decried the hatred against those religions “Islamophobia, Christianophobia and anti-Semitism” However, the body didn’t condemn attacks on other religious groups including Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists, who have suffered terror strikes and seen their shrines destroyed in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The UNGA statement welcomed the Kartarpur Gurdwara corridor agreement between India and Pakistan. The world body failed to note that Pakistan’s government has taken over the management of the Sikh shrine, which it called a contravention of the agreement and a violation of Sikh beliefs. India’s delegate also accused Pakistan of a “culture of hatred” against “religions in India” and fostering cross-border terrorism. UNAOC only serves to further the theory of an inevitable “clash of civilisations”. UNAOC portrays only three religions as victims of religious hatred. It is important that they are broadened to include every community that faces religion-based violence. It is also important that the government thwarts Pakistan’s particularly insidious attempts to create a controversy against India at this time, by pushing these resolutions as India steps to take its two-year seat at the UN Security Council. India has been concerned by an increase in intrusive language from the UN bodies concerned as well, given that UNAOC issued a statement of “grave concern” over the Delhi riots this year that it said resulted in casualties of “mostly Muslims”. India is keen to push back on the UNAOC and other UN arms, like the UN Human Rights Council, that have criticised the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Way forward: The Indian government must be careful about ensuring that in exposing the UN’s “selectivity” it doesn’t leave scope for a counter-charge against India. For example, the Citizenship (Amendment) Act has been criticised for offering fast-track citizenship to only a select group of religions, leaving out Muslims. India cannot call for a culture of peace while Indian States bring laws that seek to make difficult inter-faith marriages. In all, India’s stance against the UN bodies gains force from its own secular credentials enshrined in the Constitution. It is high time that India preserves its own secular ideals and pluralistic ethos. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey.  Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now

Changing Paradigms of Human Rights

Changing Paradigms of Human Rights Human rights are the rights a person has simply because he or she is a human being. and are held by all persons equally, universally, and forever. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Different counties ensure these rights in different way. In India they are contained in the Constitution as fundamental rights, i.e. they are guaranteed statutorily. In the UK they are available through precedence, various elements having been laid down by the courts through case law. In addition, international law and conventions also provide certain safeguard Basic Requirements for Human Rights – Any society that is to protect human rights must have the following characteristics-1. A de jure or free state in which the right to self-determination and rule of law exist.2. A legal system for the protection of human rights.3. Effective organized (existing within the framework of the state) or unorganized guarantees. Classification – Human rights have been divided into three categories: First generation rights which include civil and political rights. Second generation rights such as economic, social and cultural rights. Third generation rights such as the right of self-determination and the right to participate in the benefits from mankind’s common heritage. Approaches To Human Rights: The Historical Approach The Positivist Approach The Marxist Approach The Social Science Approach Universal Declaration : The Universal Declaration of Human Rights articulates fundamental rights and freedoms for all. The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Declaration on 10 December 1948. The Universal Declaration includes civil and political rights, like the right to life, liberty, free speech and privacy. It also includes economic, social and cultural rights, like the right to social security, health and education. The Universal Declaration is not a treaty, so it does not directly create legal obligations for countries. However, it is an expression of the fundamental values which are shared by all members of the international community. And it has had a profound influence on the development of international human rights law. Some argue that because countries have consistently invoked the Declaration for more than sixty years, it has become binding as a part of customary international law. Further, the Universal Declaration has given rise to a range of other international agreements which are legally binding on the countries that ratify them. These include: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Issues: It is not the state but the international community that is meant to safeguard third generation rights, accountability is impossible to guarantee. It is not the state but the international community that is meant to safeguard third generation rights, accountability is impossible to guarantee. Conclusion: The efficacy of the mechanisms in place today has been questioned in the light of blatant human rights violations and disregard for basic human dignity in nearly all countries in one or more forms. In many cases, those who are to blame cannot be brought to book because of political considerations, power equations etc. When such violations are allowed to go unchecked, they often increase in frequency and intensity usually because perpetrators feel that they enjoy immunity from punishment. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now

Bharathi Festival

Bharathi Festival Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed International Bharathi Festival 2020 through video conferencing and paid tributes to the Bharathiyar on his Jayanti. The festival is being organised by Vanavil Cultural Centre to celebrate the 138th birth anniversary of Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathi.  The Prime Minister Congratulated the Scholar Shri  Seeni Viswanathan, for receiving the  Bharathi  Award for this year who was presented the award during the event. Subramanya Bharati Subramanya Bharati was a poet, journalist, editor, writer, freedom fighter, social reformer, humanist and much more and one can only marvel at his poems, works, philosophy and his life. While highlighting the works of Subramanya Bharati, Prime Minister Modi noted that in his definition of progression, women had a central role and one of the most important vision was that of empowered and independent women. Bharati’s remarkable works include the fiery songs filled with patriotism during India’s Independence Movement. His influence specifically on Tamil literature is phenomenal even though he was fluent in 14, including 3 non-Indian foreign languages. Subramanya’s Bharati’s favourite language was Tamil and his work included social, political, and spiritual themes. His songs and poems are often used in Tamil Cinema and his work also paved the way for modern blank verse. Subramanya Bharati is also known for his work against the caste system in Hindu society. Even though he was born in an orthodox Brahmin family, Bharati always considered all living beings equal. He also performed Upanayanam for a young man from the Dalit community and made him a Brahmin.

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat

Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme aims to enhance interaction & promote mutual understanding between people of different states/UTs through the concept of state/UT pairing. The states carry out activities to promote a sustained and structured cultural connect in the areas of language learning, culture, traditions & music, tourism & cuisine, sports and sharing of best practices, etc. Significance: All States and UTs will be covered under the programme.  There will be pairing of States/UTs at national level and these pairings will be in effect for one year, or till the next round of pairings.  The State/UT level pairings would be utilized for state level activities. District level pairings would be independent of the State level pairings. The activity will be very useful to link various States and Districts in annual programmes that will connect people through exchanges in areas of culture, tourism, language, education trade etc. Citizens will be able to experience the cultural diversity of a much larger number of States/UTs while realising that India is one.  Objectives: To CELEBRATE the Unity in Diversity of our Nation and to maintain and strengthen the fabric of traditionally existing emotional bonds between the people of our Country; PROMOTE the spirit of national integration through a deep and structured engagement between all Indian States and Union Territories through a year-long planned engagement between States; To SHOWCASE the rich heritage and culture, customs and traditions of either State for enabling people to understand and appreciate the diversity that is India, thus fostering a sense of common identity; TO ESTABLISH long-term engagements and TO CREATE an environment which promotes learning between States by sharing best practices and experiences. Themes: To celebrate the idea of India as a nation wherein different cultural units across varied geographies coalesce and interact with each other, this glorious manifestation of diverse cuisine, music, dance, theatre, movies & films, handicrafts, sports, literature, festivals, painting, sculpture etc. will enable people to imbibe the innate chord of binding and brotherhood. To make our people aware about the seamless integral hull of the Modern Indian State spread across a landmass of 32 lakh sq. km, on whose firm foundations, the geo-political strength of the country is ensured benefitting one and all. To impress upon people at large about the increasing inter-connectedness between the constituents of various cultural & economic zones which is so vital for the spirit of nation building. To induce a sense of responsibility & ownership for the nation as a whole through these close cross-cultural interactions as it intends to build up the inter-dependence matrix unequivocally. To further promote inter-state travel for boosting business activities of various hues. To create a learning ecosystem between the various stakeholders of the partnering states so that they benefit from the best practices of one another by establishing a State to State Connect. Free General Studies Notes Visit Engagement matrix between states and UTs Jammu & Kashmir Tamil Nadu & Andhra Pradesh Himachal Pradesh & Kerala Uttarakhand & Karnataka Haryana  & Telangana Rajasthan  & West Bengal Gujarat & Chhaftisgarh Maharashtra & Odisha Goa & Jharkhand Delhi  & Sikkim & Assam Madhya Pradesh & Manipur & Nagaland Uttar Pradesh & Arunachal Pradesh & Meghalaya Bihar & Tripura & Mizoram Chandigarh & Dadra & Nagar Haveli Puducherry & Daman & Diu Lakshadweep & Andaman & Nicobar Illustrative List of Activities under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Cultural Exchange Programmes between partnering States with the help of troupes identified in the home State through Cultural Competitions. Translation of at least 5 Award Winning Books and Poetry, popular folk songs of One State in the Language of the partner State. Identification, translation and dissemination of proverbs having similar meaning in the languages of the two States. Exchange programme for Writers and poets. Organize Culinary festivals with opportunity to learn culinary practices. Organize Educational Tours for schools/Universities Students reciprocally. Promotion of Home Stay for visitors. Promotion of Rajya Darshan for tourists. Organising Familiarisation Tours for the Tour Operators of one State. Exposure of students of one State to alphabets, songs, proverbs and 100 sentences in the languages of the partner State. Prepare and share with the partner States a book containing information on their culture, customs, traditions, flora & fauna etc. for dissemination to schools and colleges. Encouraging the administration of oaths / Pledges in the languages of the pairing states. Organising Essay Competition among students in the language of the partner State. Organising Optional Classes in schools / colleges, where feasible, for learning the language of the partner State. Organising Drama(s) of partner State in the educational institutions. Exchange of information on traditional agricultural practices and forecasting among farmers in partner States. Organising combined Tableau and participation of Parade Contingents of Partner States on ceremonial occasions. Telecasting / Broadcasting of programmes of one State on the Regional Radio channels of Partner States. Organising Film Festivals in the partner State with sub-titles. Showcase wearing of traditional attire of the partner State. Organising National/ State Specific Quiz Competitions in various languages on TV / Radio / Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat website. Organising Photography competitions highlighting culture and heritage of the partner State Encourage learning and exposure to traditional sports of the partner States. Time and technology have narrowed down distances in terms of connect and communication. In an era that facilitates mobility and outreach, it is important to establish cultural exchanges between people of different regions, as a means to further human bonding and a common approach to nation-building.  Mutual understanding and trust are the foundations of India’s strength and all citizens should feel culturally integrated in all corners of India. Students from the north-east, for example, should not feel like ‘strangers in a strange land’ when they arrive in Delhi, or a person from Uttarakhand should not feel like an outsider in Kerala. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. 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