By: D.K Choudhary
Ministry of Urban Development Approves Development of 6 km long Bet Dwarka Darshan Circuit in Gujarat at a cost of Rs.16.27 cr under HRIDAY
i. As a part of the Central Scheme ‘Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY)’, the Ministry of Urban Development has approved development of 6 km long Bet Dwarka Darshan Circuit in Gujarat at a cost of Rs.16.27 crore.
ii. The circuit was approved by the HRIDAY National Empowered Committee chaired by Rajiv Gauba, Secretary (UD) Government of India.
iii. The Circuit will connect the famous Dwarkadish Haveli and Hanuman Dandi, the only temple housing Hanumanji and his son Makardhwaj, in Dwarka district of Gujarat.
iv. There are two important water bodies along the circuit including Ranchod Talav and Shankhudhar Lake.
v. The important work under the Darshan Circuit would include development of streets and pedestrian pathways, laying of cycle tracks along beach side, plantation, provision of benches, resting spaces, changing rooms, drinking water and toilet facilities, craft and food bazar, signages, LED lighting, plazas for vending spaces etc.
National Folk Festival of Kerala 2017 Begins in Thiruvananthapuram
i. The first of its type festival, the National Folk Festival of Kerala (NFFK 2017) has been organized in Kerala starting from February 24, 2017 to be held for three days in three different locations in the capital city Thiruvananthapuram.
ii .The NFFK 2017 has been organised by the state Youth Welfare Board, in association with Bharat Bhavan and the Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan.
iii .The event will see over 500 artists showcasing the centuries old folklore culture and tradition of the country through different art forms.
iv. Some of the major performances may feature artists from Kashmir to showcase dance and music programmes, performance by noted Bengal folk music band ‘Sahajiya.National Folk Festival of Kerala 2017
v. Performance from Punjab to show dances like Bhangra, Giddha and Jago while those from Rajasthan would showcase ‘Kalbelia’.
vi. The performances of artists from Jaisalmer as well as artists of Kerala would showcase the state’s traditional art forms including ‘Theyyam’.
Kerala
♦ Governor: P. Sathasivam
♦ Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks in Kerala
♦ Periyar Tiger Reserve, Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Eravikulam National Park, and Silent Valley National Park
Gujarat Assembly Passes COTP Amendment Bill to Ban Hookah Bars
i. The Gujarat Assembly passed the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution)(Gujarat Amendment), Bill, 2017 on February 23, 2017 to put a total ban on all the hookah bars in the state.
ii. The bill seeks to amend the present ‘Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act-2003’ (COTP) and has replaced the Ordinance passed by Gujarat Government in December 2016 for the same.
iii .All the hookah bars in the state have been asked to shut their shops with immediate effect.
iv. Despite restriction, if any hookah bar is found to be operational would be considered as an offence and subjected to punishment ranging from maximum of Rs. 50,000 fine to jail term of up to three years.
AYUSH Minister Inaugurates the World Integrated Medicine Forum on Regulation of Homeopathic Medicine in New Delhi
i. The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Shripad Yesso Naik inaugurated the World Integrated Medicine Forum on Regulation of Homeopathic Medicinal Products: National and Global strategies in New Delhi on February 23, 2017.
ii. The two day event that concluded on February 24, 2017 was organized by Ministry of AYUSH and Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) and supported by Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homeopathy (PCIMH) & Central Drugs AYUSH Minister Inaugurates the World Integrated Medicine Forum on Regulation of Homeopathic Medicine in New DelhiStandard Control Organization (CDSCO).
iii. The first-of-its-kind forum is expected to increase the perception of the international world towards India as a key player in the progress of the homeopathy drug industry.
iv .Drug lawmakers, regulators, manufacturers and pharmacopeial experts from various regulatory authorities, eminent scientific organisations and pharmaceutical industries from 25 countries participated in the event.
v. Besides, an MoU was also signed between Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia Convention of the United States (HPCUS) and Indian bodies including Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy (PCIM&H) and Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH) on cooperation in the field of Homeopathic Medicine.
vi. During the event the major points of discussion included issues like current regulatory status in different countries, practices and possible trade opportunities in key countries worldwide, possible solutions to regulatory challenges among others.
