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19th, April, 2022

Project to conserve ancient submerged temples on Gobind Sagar Lake.
Out of 28 temples, only eight are visible when the water level decreases.
The entire town of old Bilaspur was submerged in the lake in 1964 to pave the way for the Bhakra dam.

In the first phase, three temples will be conserved.
In the second phase, a recreational area is proposed to be made on the Sandu submerged land, where the former town of Bilaspur existed.
The proposal calls for the establishment of an amphitheatre, walking trails and an auditorium.
The third phase includes the creation of an artificial lake where water sports activities will be undertaken.

The Gobind Sagar on river Sutlej, has been created by the huge hydel dam at Bhakra and is named in honor of Gobind Singh the Tenth Sikh guru.
One of the world’s highest gravity dams, the Bhakra rises 225.5 m above its lowest foundations.

(Source: the Tribune)

On the initiative of the district administration, the Himachal Pradesh Patent Information Centre, Shimla, has completed the process for the inclusion of traditional valuable potential product of Chamba metal crafts in the list of GI tag (Geographical Indications tag).

That after completing all departmental formalities to include metal crafts of Chamba on the list of GI tag under the GI Act, 1999, the matter had been referred to the Registrar of GI tag, Chennai, by HIMCOSTE in collaboration with the Chamba Metal Craft Society.
The district administration has started a project called “Chambyal”. Various art and craft societies have been registered by the administration to give practical shape to the project.
‘Chamba Thal’ has got a special recognition internationally among the metal craft products of the district. This unique metal craft work of the district has been presented as a memento to the VIPs.

After getting the GI tag for metal crafts, the aspirational Chamba district will get another valuable achievement strengthening the socio economic condition of the craftspersons who earn their livelihood in this avocation

1) Metal type- Thaal(Plat),Brass Metal Nandi Bail, Poohl-Traditional-Instrument.

One of the most interesting crafts of Chamba district is the art of metal crafts. The tradition of bronze casting was initiated by Kashmiri craftsmen. Kashmir’s influence on these Chamba bronzes is clearly discernible.
Lakshmi, Ganesh and Narsimha bronze statues in Bharmaur and Harirai and Gauri Shankar at Chamba are the marvels of the Bronze Sculptures. The method of casting of images in Chamba is Cire Perdu.
The image is initially made of wax, then a thin layer of clay is given to the wax model, keeping a hole to pour the metal. After burning the mould covered with clay, the molten metal is poured into the pit of the mould and so the images are taken. Some crafts persons still, are practicing the art of metal craft in Chamba. Metal works are secular crafts that are still popular in the Himachal Pradesh with the name Mohra. The metal work called mohras represents deities like—Lord Shiva and others which are most commonly found in Kullu and Chamba.

It gives legal protection to GIs in India.
Prevents unauthorized use of a Registered Geographical Indication by others.
It offers legal protection to Indian geographical indications, which stimulates exports.

(Source: The Tribune)

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur thanked the Union Government for selecting Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) Node in Himachal Pradesh under Amritsar Kolkata, Industrial Corridor (AKIC) project amongst 32 nodes that have been identified for development in 11 industrial corridors in the Bharatmala Project.

The Chief Minister appreciated National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) for fast paced activities in development of BBN ‘Node’.
He further added that this project would go a long way in providing better ease of logistics industry, futuristic industrial city and further impetus to industrial growth in the State.
It will also create employment opportunities and economic growth leading to overall socio-economic development.

Project will be implemented in close cooperation with the Himachal Government that will provide land as their share of equity in the project and the rest of the cost for development of the node will be borne by the Government of India (GoI), which will be equivalent to the value of State’s equity in shape of land.
A joint SPV (State and GoI) will be formed for the development of the Node. The maximum total project cost would be Rs. 3000 crore and for the Viable Gap Funding (VGF), there is provision of interest free loan to the State for 10 years, he said.

The Chief Minister said:

He has been actively pursuing this project with Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and apprised Union Minister on the direct dividends from linking AKIC not only to manufacturing but also for agriculture sector.
He said that a delegation of Industries Department representing state government also participated in the first Stakeholders Consultation Meeting held at National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) office in Delhi, today. The interaction with selected consortium was on project development activities for BBN Node in Himachal Pradesh under AKIC project.

(Source: HP Government)

1) Himachal’s Preeti Vardhan was crowned Miss India Beauty Contest 2022.