Current Affairs - State

The Pink E-Rickshaw Initiative was launched in Maharashtra with the aim of empowering women by providing them with sustainable and affordable livelihood opportunities. Spearheaded by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the initiative began in Pune and is now expanding to eight districts across the state. It targets women from vulnerable groups, such as widows, divorcees, and those from low-income households, by offering them electric rickshaws along with financial assistance. The program includes subsidies from both central and state governments, loan support, and training—making it a comprehensive effort to combine women’s empowerment with green transportation.

The 2025 Yashraj Bharti Samman Awards were presented in Maharashtra by Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, recognizing outstanding grassroots contributions in healthcare, education, and governance. The event took place in Mumbai and honoured organizations such as Jan Swasthya Sahayog, Pratham Education Foundation, and the Services Plus platform by NIC. The ceremony celebrated efforts that have created a sustainable impact at the community level, particularly in underserved areas. With dignitaries like former Assembly Speaker Dilip Walse Patil and G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant in attendance, the event underscored Maharashtra's role in promoting initiatives that foster inclusive development and acknowledge social change agents.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off two new train services—Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Amrit Bharat 2.0—from locations in Bihar. The Namo Bharat Rapid Rail will run from Jaynagar to Patna, while the Amrit Bharat 2.0 train will start from Saharsa Junction and travel to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus in Maharashtra. Both events will be conducted via video conferencing from Madhubani, Bihar, emphasizing the state's central role in this major railway initiative. This highlights Bihar's growing significance in national infrastructure development under Indian Railways.

The Maharashtra State Wildlife Board officially declared DPS Flamingo Lake as a conservation reserve, marking a significant step in wildlife protection in urban India. This is the first time a wetland connected to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary has received formal protection. The lake plays a vital role in supporting flamingo populations by providing a crucial feeding and resting ground, especially during high tide periods when the main sanctuary becomes less suitable. By protecting this wetland, Maharashtra ensures the preservation of the region's broader ecological network, which is essential for sustaining the flamingo population and other species.

The new frog species Leptobrachium aryatium was discovered in the Garbhanga Reserve Forest near Guwahati in Assam. Named after Arya Vidyapeeth College, this species stands out for its vivid orange-and-black eyes, unique throat pattern, and rhythmic dusk calls. Although initially mistaken for Leptobrachium smithi, molecular and morphological studies confirmed it as a distinct species. The Garbhanga Reserve Forest, located on the Assam-Meghalaya border, plays a vital role in regulating local climate and water systems while supporting rich biodiversity. However, increasing urbanization poses significant threats to its fragile ecosystem and the newly identified species.