PIB Summary- 24th January, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar

Why in News?
Recently, The President of India conferred the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, 2023 to 11 children at an Award ceremony in Delhi.

About Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar
Bal Shakti Puraskar

• It is an award given by the Government of India to recognize exceptional achievements of children in various fields such as innovation, scholastic achievements, social service, arts & culture, sports, and bravery.
• Eligibility criteria: Indian citizen between the ages of 5-18 who resides in India.
• Award includes: a medal, cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000, book vouchers worth Rs.10,000, a certificate and a citation.
• The award was started in 1996 as the National Child Award for Exceptional Achievement and renamed in 2018 as Bal Shakti Puraskar.

Bal Kalyan Puraskar

• This award is given to recognize Individuals and Institutions who have made outstanding contributions towards service for children in the field of child development, child protection, and child welfare.
• Eligibility criteria for individuals: Indian citizen who is 18 years or above, who has worked for the cause of children for at least 7 years.
• Eligibility criteria for institutions: Not entirely funded by the government, working in the field of child welfare for at least 10 years and performing consistently.
• Award includes: cash prize of Rs. 1,00, 000 for individuals and Rs. 5,00, 000 for institutions.
• The award was started in 1979 as the National Child Welfare Awards and renamed in 2018 as Bal Kalyan Puraskar.

State Formation Day

Why in News?
The Prime Minister has greeted the people of Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura on their Statehood Days.

About Meghalaya

• Capital: Shillong
• It is bounded on the north by Goalpara, Kamrup and Nowgong districts, on the east by Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts, all of Assam, and on the south and west by Bangladesh.
• It is predominantly inhabited by the Khasis, the Jaintias, and the Garo tribal communities. 
• The Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills, form the central and eastern part of Meghalaya.
• It is subject to the vagaries of the monsoon.

About Tripura

• Capital: Agartala
• It shares borders with Bangladesh, Mizoram and Assam. 
• The state is connected with the rest of India by NH-44 that runs through Assam, Meghalaya, North Bengal, Kolkata and other parts of India
• The social composition of the population of Tripura is diverse.
• Around one-third of the population belongs to the Scheduled Tribes.

About Manipur

• Capital:  Imphal
• It means “A jeweled land” nestled deep within a lush green corner of  Eastern India.
• The state shares borders with other northeast states like Nagaland, Mizoram and Assam as well as with the neighbouring country of Myanmar.
• The then Governor-General of India Lord Irwin on his visit, described ‘Manipur as the Switzerland of the East.
• Its rich culture excels in every aspect as in martial arts, dance, theatre and sculptor
• Manipur hills are inhabited mainly by the Nagas, Kukis (Chin-Mizos)and smaller tribal communities and the valley are mainly by the Meiteis (including Meitei Muslims known as Meitei Pangal or Pangal and “Bhamons” who are non-Meiteis). 
• Some Naga and Kuki settlements are also found in the valley region.