3rd, August, 2022
Topic: Sports
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims
What is the news?
- Weightlifter Vikas Thakur, who hails from Patnaun in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh, won India a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Under which category?
- Vikas lifted a total of 346 kg in the 96 kg weight class to clinch the medal. He lifted 155 kg in the snatch, while 191 kg in clean and jerk.
Earlier achievements:
- Vikas had earlier won a bronze medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, while he has already given India a silver medal at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Thus, for the third time in a row, he won a medal at the Commonwealth Games.
(Source: Amar Ujala)
Topic: HP State Olympic Games
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- The HP State Olympic Games will be hosted jointly by Una and Kangra districts in the last week of August. More than 2,000 sportspersons are expected to compete in 14 disciplines.
- This was stated by Rural Development Minister Virender Kanwar, who is also the Chairman of the State Olympic Association, after presiding over a meeting of the association here today.
Where the competition will be held?
- Competition of 11 disciplines will be held at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Una, while athletics and weightlifting will be held at Dharamsala and basketball will be held at Kangra.
Game included:
- The games that will be held at Una are handball, hockey, taekwondo, judo, wrestling, kho kho, Kabaddi, football, volleyball, boxing and shooting.
- Satpal Singh Satti has been nominated as the organizing chairman for the games, while TP Chopra from Hamirpur will be the organizing secretary.
(Source: The Tribune)
Topic: Reports on water harvesting due to snow and rain
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- Reports on water harvesting due to snow and rain have been sought from all hilly states of the country including Himachal Pradesh.
Initiative by Union Ministry:
- The Union Ministry has directed to form a joint committee of officers of the Central and State Governments.
- This committee will prepare a detailed report and send it. While water harvesting will provide adequate water, it will also help in preventing floods from glaciers and river-rivulets. They can be channelized properly.
- Important decisions in this regard have been taken at a meeting chaired by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh in New Delhi.
About Meeting:
- The meeting was attended by jal shakti ministers and secretaries of departments of hill states of the country.
- The meeting lasted about three hours. Representatives of hilly states also gave suggestions to meet the needs of drinking water and irrigation by conserving snow and rainwater.
- Himachal Pradesh Jal Shakti Minister Mahendra Singh Thakur said after returning from Delhi that state officials are also being included in the central committee to be formed for water conservation. Water conservation of snow and rain will meet the water needs.
- The danger of flooding in the rivers can also be reduced. Drinking water and irrigation needs of the people can also be met by cleaning snow and rainwater.
(Source: Amar Ujala)
Topic: Tourism
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- Chief Minister dedicated 18 taxis worth Rs 2.91 crore for Ride with Pride service under Smart City.
- Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today dedicated 18 new Enova taxis provided by Smart City Shimla under Ride with Pride scheme from Oak Over Shimla to Himachal Road Transport Corporation for the people of Shimla city. These 18 vehicles worth about Rs 2.91 crore will start providing their services to the people of the city from today itself.
- Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Shimla is not only the capital of the state but also a famous international tourist destination.
- Shimla Smart City has changed the look of the city and under this scheme many steps have been taken for the convenience of the tourists as well as the local people.
- He said that through Ride with Pride taxi service, better transport facilities would be available to the local residents, including elderly, women, physically challenged people and tourists visiting here.
Who is operating these taxis?
- Ride with Pride taxis are already being operated by Himachal Road Transport Corporation and this service is proving to be very useful for women, senior citizens and patients.
- More than three thousand passengers are using Ride with Pride taxi service in the Shimla city every day for their daily work.
(Source: HP Government)
Topic: Festival
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- Tribal Development Minister Ram Lal Markanda inaugurated the two-day Lahaul Tourism Festival being organized.
Who has organized this festival?
- Lahaul Eco-Tourism Society at Jispa .
What Minister shared:
- The minister, while addressing a gathering, said that such events played a crucial role in promoting the tradition and culture of the district.
- Tourists could have a glimpse of the Lahaul folk culture, dance and cuisine during the fair.
- He announced Rs 1.50 lakh for the organizers and appreciated their decision to organise the festival at Jispa in the Lahaul valley to attract tourists.
(Source: The Tribune)