Visakhapatnam Railway Station awarded ‘Green Railway Station Certificate’

• Visakhapatnam secured 82 out of 100 points in six environmental categories.
• Visakhapatnam railway station falls under the Waltair division of the East Coast Railway. The railway station has performed well in various categories such as – sustainable facilities, health, hygiene, energy and water efficiency, smart green initiatives, innovation, and development.
• Visakhapatnam railway station performed well in categories such as sustainable facilities, health, hygiene, energy and water efficiency, smart green initiatives, innovation and development.

Ministry of Tourism Organized 6-day Mega event "Bharat Parv" at Red Fort Lawns

The Government of India will host the six-day "Bharat Parv" Event at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of the Red Fort in Delhi from January 26 to January 31 as part of the Republic Day Celebrations. The Ministry of Tourism has been named the event`s nodal Ministry and is responsible for "Bharat Parv."

Key Points

• The highlights of which will include showcasing of the best Republic Day Parade tableaux at the venue, cultural performances by the Zonal Cultural Centres as well as cultural troupes from States/ UTs, a pan – India Food Court, and a pan – India Crafts Bazaar with 65 handicraft stalls.
• The event was inaugurated on 26th January 2023 at 5:30 p.m. and it was opened to the general public from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on 26th January 2023 and from 12: noon to 10:00 p.m. from 27th onwards to 31st January 2023.
• The event is expected to attract a large number of visitors on all days.
• Bharat Parv was previously held in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 (virtually in year 2021) at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of Red Fort.
• The physical event is being organized after a gap of 2 years at the Lawns and Gyan Path in front of Red Fort.
• The event would have a Food Festival, Handicraft mela, folk and tribal dance performances, Performances by cultural troupes, a Display of Republic Day Tableaux, an illumination of the Red Fort, etc.
• Branding and promotion of Dekho Apna Desh, Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, G20, and Mission LIFE would be undertaken during the event.

Ministry of Culture to Hand Over 1,000 Sites to Private Sector Under Monument Scheme

In accordance with the Monument Mitra Scheme, the government will turn over around 1,000 monuments under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India to the private sector for maintenance. This was stated by Govind Mohan, secretary of the ministry of culture. As part of their corporate social responsibility, corporate companies will take control of the monuments. The private sector will renovate monument amenities as part of the plan.

Key Points

• The government has set the target to hand over 500 sites under the revamped Monument Mitra Scheme by the end of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav on 15 August 2023.
• The Monument Mitra Scheme had been started a few years back under the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry of Tourism has transferred the scheme to the Ministry of Culture in respect of the monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India.
• He also stated that the government will offer around 1,000 monuments across the country to the private sector for their upkeep and maintenance.
• These companies will revamp these monuments in terms of amenities, experience, tourism, etc.
• The objective of the decision is that by August 15, 2023, by the time the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ comes to a close, the ministry should sign about 500 MOU with the private sector for the upkeep of these monuments.

National Current Affairs January 4th Week 2023