Current Affairs - State

Sikkim has urged the Union Government to limit mountaineering activities on Mt. Khangchendzonga because the peak holds deep religious importance for the indigenous communities, especially the Lepcha people. Mt. Khangchendzonga, India’s highest peak and the world’s third-highest, is considered sacred as the abode of the guardian deity Dzoe-Nga, revered by local faiths. While climbing is prohibited on the Sikkim side to respect these beliefs, it remains allowed from the Nepal side. This move highlights the intersection of cultural preservation and environmental management in the region.

Goa was declared fully literate under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme) on its 39th Statehood Day, celebrated on May 30, 2025. This achievement made Goa the second Indian state to surpass the nationally prescribed 95% literacy benchmark. The success was driven by a Whole-of-Government approach, involving various state departments working collaboratively to identify and educate non-literate individuals. The official declaration was made by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant in the presence of top officials and citizens at a grand event in Panaji, marking a significant milestone in India’s literacy movement.

The ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ was launched from Sakhigopal in the Puri district of Odisha by the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between agricultural research and practical farming through active collaboration between scientists and farmers. Experts from institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Krishi Vigyan Kendras will participate to ensure that innovations reach the grassroots. By starting the campaign in Odisha, the government highlights the state's role in pioneering efforts to promote sustainable and informed agricultural practices.

Goa celebrates its Statehood Day on May 30 every year to mark the occasion when it became the 25th state of India in 1987. After over 450 years of Portuguese rule and subsequent liberation in 1961, Goa was initially a Union Territory along with Daman and Diu. Its elevation to statehood on May 30, 1987, was a recognition of its distinct cultural, historical, and linguistic identity. The 2025 celebrations highlight 39 years of statehood, with cultural events, exhibitions, and commemorations that emphasize Goa’s progress, heritage, and its significant place within the Indian Union.

Karnataka has been selected as the site for India’s first private helicopter assembly line, a collaboration between Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus. The facility, located in the Vemgal Industrial Area of Kolar district, will assemble the Airbus H125 helicopters, making India only the fourth country in the world to house such a facility. Karnataka was chosen due to its established aerospace ecosystem, proximity to Bengaluru, policy incentives, and skilled workforce. This project marks a major milestone for the ‘Make in India’ initiative and signifies the growing role of the private sector in India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing sectors.