Current Affairs - State

Andhra Pradesh (AP) has entered into an agreement with Karnataka for the deployment of trained elephants, known as Kumki, to mitigate human-elephant conflicts. This collaboration includes knowledge transfer, training programs, and expertise sharing for elephant capture, handling, and conservation. Karnataka has previously transferred Kumki elephants to other states, showcasing its expertise in elephant management. This initiative aims to address the growing concern of elephant-related incidents in Andhra Pradesh while promoting conservation efforts for the endangered Asian elephant population in India.

The Meghalaya Government has collaborated with The/Nudge Institute to support 50,000 vulnerable households, prioritizing single mothers and social inclusion. This initiative provides livelihood coaching and social protection frameworks, utilizing technology-based monitoring tools. The partnership aims to promote resilient livelihoods and was announced at the North-East Conclave in Shillong on September 27, 2024. The/Nudge Institute works towards a poverty-free India by partnering with governments, markets, and civil society to build sustainable livelihoods.

Maharashtra has granted the title of Rajyamata (Mother) to desi cows, a unique recognition given to any animal for the first time. This honour applies to native breeds like Devani, Lal Kandhari, Khillar, Dangi, and Gavlau, acknowledging their importance in terms of scientific, religious, and economic factors. Additionally, the state has introduced a welfare scheme where owners of desi cows will receive a daily grant of ₹50 per cow, enhancing the care and protection of these native breeds.

Uttar Pradesh is set to establish three new medical colleges in Baghpat, Hathras, and Kasganj, adding 300 MBBS seats through a public-private partnership (PPP) model and the Central government's Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme. This expansion is part of a larger plan to increase the state's medical infrastructure, with the total number of medical colleges rising from 39 in 2017 to 78. Since 2017, the state has seen a significant increase of 108% in MBBS seats and 181% in postgraduate medical seats.

Telangana has launched the ‘Darshini’ scheme, an initiative by the state's Tourism and Culture Department. The scheme is designed to provide educational tours for students, exposing them to the region’s rich cultural heritage, historical sites, and scientific institutions. It caters to students from Class 2 through university, with tailored trips based on age group. The government has allocated ₹12.10 crore for the program, which includes one-day tours for younger students and longer four-day trips for university-level participants. This initiative promotes experiential learning through travel.