4th, August, 2022
Topic: 116th birth anniversary of Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, while presiding over the State level function held at Peterhof Shimla today on the occasion of 116th birth anniversary of founder and first Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, said that Dr Parmar was not only a founder of Himachal Pradesh, but he also laid a sound foundation for further development of the State.
- Chief Minister honored son of Dr Y.S. Parmar and former MLA Kush Parmar on the occasion.
- Chief Minister also released a book ‘Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Mass Leader –An Apostle of Honesty and Integrity’ written by Dr Rajender Attri.
- A documentary on the life of Dr. Parmar produced by the Information and Public Relations Department was also screened on the occasion.
- Earlier, the Chief Minister paid tributes to Dr. Parmar by garlanding his portrait at Peterhof and inaugurated a photo exhibition on the life and works of Dr. Parmar.
About Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar:
- After a brilliant academic and a brief but distinguished judicial career, which he gave up for the cause of the people of the State in 1941, Dr. Parmar led the Hill State Peoples’ Conference and organized a Satyagraha Movement in Suket State which ultimately led for the formation of Himachal Pradesh in 1948.
- The consolidation of all the Himachalis and the attainment of Statehood for Himachal Pradesh involved a long and arduous process but due to the wise leadership of Dr. Parmar the goal was attained in a peaceful and constitutional way.
- Dr Parmar who was Chief Minister at that time said, “No sacrifice is too great to save Himachal Pradesh.” He stepped down and Lieutenant Governor took over as an Administrator of the State. Himachal from a part ‘C’ State was made a Union Territory.
- Democracy was restored to Himachal Pradesh on July 11, 1963 again and Territorial Council was converted into a Legislative Assembly. Dr. Parmar was not a member of the Territorial Council but notwithstanding that, he was elected as the leader of the Congress Legislative Party unanimously and became Chief Minister again.
- Dr Parmar was the first person who took pride in calling himself a ‘Pahari’ and it is only after him that the Himachalis shook off all inhibitions and held their heads high with a sense of belonging to the soil.
- In his name, DrY.S.Parmar Peeth was created in 2011 and activated in 2016 at Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. Peeth under Parmar Studies has initiated to start Diploma and Ph.D. Courses. Even Dr.Parmar in one of his public speech in 1975, advocated to start such Courses to enhance History, culture, Pahari Language, Phari sub-dialects, Pahari s and Loksahitya.
- Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, established in 1985 in Solan is named after him. A statue of Parmar was established in Simla Mall commemorating his contributions to Himachal Pradesh.
(Source: HP Government)
Topic: Entrepreneurship Award
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- Entrepreneurship Award to Sunil, a young entrepreneur from Hamirpur district.
Why important?
- The young entrepreneur of Hamirpur district hamirpur, who set up the first major industry of Aloe Vera in Himachal, Sunil Kumar Kaushal, has been conferred with the Himachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Award in Shimla.
- Sunil kumar kaushal, son of young entrepreneur sunil kumar kaushal of village bhadri (lahara) tehsil galod of hamirpur district.
(Source: Divya Himachal)
Topic: Health Infrastructure
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Rajiv Saizal flagged off the Jeevandhara-Shravan vehicle from the HP Secretariat complex today.
Purpose:
- This vehicle will ensure early detection and screening of hearing problems of people across the State.
(Source: HP Government)
Topic: Agriculture
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University (CSKHPAU), Palampur, has identified 368 landraces of rajmash (kidney beans) that are grown in the state.
- VC of the university HK Chaudhary, in an exclusive interview with The Tribune, said the institute had decided to get the GI tag for all varieties of Himachali rajmash.
VC said:
- He had collected 368 rajmash landraces from the tribal belt and other areas of the state, including Kukumseri (Lahaul & Spiti), Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi and Chamba districts. These were called the hotspot regions for the landraces of rajmash cultivation.
- We evaluated, purified, characterised and developed a popular rajmash variety ‘triloki rajmash’ following the pure line selection method of breeding. The university has initiated a process to get Geographic Indicators for the rajmash landraces in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Council for Science Technology and Environment (HIMCOSTE), Shimla.
- This will get it national and international recognition benefiting local farmers.
About triloki rajmash:
- Rajmash variety “triloki” had been released for the cultivation in dry temperate zone hilly region. It had bold and creamish yellow seeds with good cooking quality and excellent organo-leptic taste, resistant to diseases like bacterial blight, angular leaf spot and anthracnose and provides 20-22 quintal per hectare average seed yield.
- It was ready for harvesting 10-20 days earlier than other varieties of rajmash.
Other Varieties:
- Creamish yellow rajmash, grown by the farming community in the hilly regions, possesses many health-related nutrients. Such light-coloured rajmash contains a good amount of carbohydrates, fibers and anti-oxidants which has the ability to fight against diseases. Apart from this, vitamin B6 and vitamin C, mineral elements as potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium and iron are also found to increase the immune system and control blood pressure.
- Phytohaemoglutin, a harmful toxic element, is found in lesser amounts in creamish yellow rajmash than in red rajmash, which prevents many stomach-related problems like diarrhoea, colic and indigestion. Creamish yellow colour-seeded rajmash has a thin seed coat and takes less time for cooking.
(Source: The Tribune)
Topic: Temple
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
What is the news?
- The Shaktipeeth Mata Sri Bajreshwari Devi temple witnessed a huge rush on the fifth day of shravan melas .
- While the crowd of devotees had started to gather in the temple premises since morning, the markets of Kangra were also very pleasant.
About Mata Sri Bajreshwari Devi temple:
Where it is located?
- Kangra
History of the Mata Shri Bajreshwari Devi Temple:
The Pandavas and Maa Durga:
- History suggests that the temple was built by the Pandavas at the time of the Mahabharata. Yes, as the legends go, one day, Goddess Durga appeared in their dream and told them she was in the Nagarkot village and if the Pandavas wanted to receive her grace and protection, then, they should make a temple for her.
- It is believed that the same night, the Pandavas had erected an enchanting temple. However, in 1905, an earthquake had destroyed the temple. But it was rebuilt soon by the government.
According to the legend, when Goddess Sati sacrificed herself for Lord Shiva during her father’s yajna. Lord Shiva took Maa Sati on his shoulders and started doing Tandav; expressing his anger.
Thus, in order to stop him from destructing the world, Lord Vishnu had to intervene and divided her body into 51 parts. It is believed that her left chest fell at the spot where the temple stands today, and from then on, the place is known as the Shakti Peetha.
Major Attractions In And Around Mata Shri Bajreshwari Devi Temple:
1. Temple of Bhairava
In the temple premise, you get the fortune to visit the shrine of Lord Bhairva; who played a prominent part in various mythological stories of Hinduism.
2. Nagara/Pagoda Style Architecture
There are several Indian-style architectures you will find across India but the Nagara or Pagoda style architecture holds a special landmark. Here in Kangra, you will see most of the temple is designed in Nagara-style architecture.
3. Ancient Sculpture of Maa Durga
The magnificent ancient sculpture of Maa Durga is also situated within the temple premises. It is believed that the sculpture dates back to the 6th century.
4. Aarti
The morning and evening aarti is one of the significant activities to participate in. If you are visiting the temple, make sure you are not missing the Aarti as it is a very significant ritual. Many believe that attending this Aarti can be a healing process.
5. Devi-Charnamrit
When you are into the beautiful temple, you can take the Charnamrit to sip. It is believed to be one of the important rituals and many believe that following it reverently comes with great fortune.
Kangra was founded by a king of the Katoch dynasty. Chand dynasty again is a popular dynasty that ruled in this area during the Vedic times. This is a town which has preserved its cultural heritage. Once known as the Kingdom of Trigata, it became a princely state and was annexed by the British later. It has a lot of temples like the popular Bajreshwari Temple. The Kangra Fort – a part of which collapsed after the earthquake of 1905 – is a popular hub for tourists. Kaleshwar Mahadev temple of this area is also very popular. Some of the temples were reconstructed after the earthquake of 1905. It is the rich cultural heritage of Kangra, which makes it such a perfect place for a history buff. It is a place that has its name engraved in the pages of history as it is also linked to Mahabharata, the popular epic in India.
(Source: The Tribune)