The 4th edition of Bharat Parv took place between 26th and 31st of January, 2019. This vibrant event was organized by the Ministry of Tourism in partnership with other central Ministries and State Governments. Bharat Parv was conceived as a platform dedicated to stirring up patriotic sentiments, showcasing the rich cultural diversity of India, and promoting the concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ or ‘One Great India’.
The event featured a captivating tableau of the Republic Day Parade, exhilarating performances by the Armed Forces Bands, along with a multi-cuisine food court, a craft fair, and cultural performances from various regions of the country.
Bharat Ratna Award
In the same year, President Ramnath Kovind conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, on former President Pranab Mukherjee. Social activist Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumous) and Assamese musician Bhupen Hazarika (posthumous) were also honoured with this prestigious award. Instituted in 1954, the Bharat Ratna recognises exceptional service in any field of human endeavour.
The selection process involves recommendations from the Prime Minister to the President, with a maximum of three nominees being awarded per year. Recipients receive a certificate signed by the President and a peepal-leaf-shaped medallion.
DAMaN Initiative: Odisha’s Approach to Malaria Control
Odisha, home to more than 40% of the country’s malaria cases, launched an initiative called “Durgama Anchalare Malaria Nirakaran (DAMaN)” for malaria control. This comprehensive campaign includes mass malaria screening, treatment of infected patients, intensified surveillance, mosquito control measures, and regular health education activities.
The DAMaN initiative utilises the District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2), an open-source web-based surveillance system for tracking malaria in remote locations. This effort has resulted in an approximately 85% decline in average monthly malaria cases in the state.
National Chilika Bird Festival
Promoting eco-tourism and bird preservation, the second National Chilika Bird Festival was inaugurated at Mangalajodi in Chilika. Notably, the festival conferred the National Chilika Bird Festival Award on the Mangalajodi Eco-tourism Group, owing to their active involvement in bird protection.
Mangalajodi, located in the North Eastern Part of Chilika, has earned the title “Birds Paradise of Asia”. The area witnesses a congregation of more than one million species of birds, making it a hotspot for bird enthusiasts.
Key Facts about Chilika Lake
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Location | Chilika Lake, situated in coastal Odisha, is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. |
| 2. Bio-diversity | Chilika Lake is known for its rich bio-diversity and socio-economic significance. |
| 3. Ramsar Site | Designated as a Ramsar site since 1981, it is recognised as an internationally important wetland. |
| 4. Attractions | Irrawaddy dolphins are one of the major attractions in Chilika Lake. |
TRAIN 18: India’s Fastest Train
Indian Railways launched its fastest train, the Vande Bharat Express or ‘Train 18’, providing commuters with an unparalleled travel experience. This feat of engineering, built under the ‘Make in India’ initiative at half the import cost, was rolled out by the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. With top-class features including CCTV cameras, diffused lighting, automatic doors and steps, and a GPS-based passenger information system, Train 18 has set high standards for Indian railways. Looking forward, Indian Railways aims to replace the Rajdhani Express trains with aluminium-bodied sleeper class Train 20 by 2020.