Current Affairs - State

The 16th-century Vrindavani Vastra, a silk tapestry crafted under the guidance of Srimanta Sankardeva, will be loaned to Assam by the British Museum in 2027. This masterpiece, originally commissioned by Koch king Nara Narayan, portrays episodes from the life of Lord Krishna and reflects the rich Vaishnavite heritage of Assam. The textile represents a unique blend of spirituality and artistic excellence, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the region. Acquired by the British in 1904, its return, even as a loan, underscores growing global discussions on the repatriation of cultural artefacts to their places of origin.

India’s first Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system will be implemented at the Choryasi Fee Plaza on NH-48 in Gujarat. This advanced tolling technology eliminates physical barriers, using FASTag, RFID readers, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras for seamless, electronic toll collection. The system reduces congestion, saves travel time, lowers fuel consumption, and cuts vehicle emissions while ensuring transparent toll revenue collection. The initiative was formalised through an agreement between Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), promoted by NHAI, and ICICI Bank. Gujarat thus becomes the first state to pioneer this barrier-free tolling system in India.

Odisha has secured the fifth position in India for electric bus adoption, currently operating 450 e-buses as part of its clean transport initiative. The state has ambitious plans to expand its fleet to more than 1,000 buses, strengthening its role as a green mobility leader in Eastern India. With urban operations already running in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri, Odisha plans to extend services to cities such as Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Berhampur, and Angul. The initiative is supported by modern infrastructure, including charging stations and smart ticketing systems, aligning with India’s broader push toward sustainable urban transportation.

The Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana was recently approved by the Bihar government under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The scheme is designed to empower women by providing an initial financial grant of ₹10,000 directly into their bank accounts, ensuring transparency through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). After six months, successful beneficiaries may receive further assistance of up to ₹2 lakh to expand their ventures. It encourages women to engage in small-scale businesses such as dairy, handicrafts, and retail, while also creating local market spaces for them. The initiative aims to enhance livelihoods, reduce migration, and boost rural entrepreneurship in Bihar.

India inaugurated its first full-scale Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat, marking a pivotal milestone in the country’s semiconductor roadmap. The facility, developed by CG Semi, was inaugurated by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. With investments exceeding ₹7,600 crore, Gujarat is positioning itself as the "Silicon State of India," driving semiconductor manufacturing, job creation, and talent development. This OSAT plant will handle chip assembly, packaging, and testing, playing a critical role in India’s self-reliance strategy under the India Semiconductor Mission. The project also reflects strong global industry collaboration and academic partnerships.