General Awareness

NATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2025

Mar 2025

May 22, 2026

Maharashtra Becomes No.1 State in Central Government Projects Across India

Maharashtra has emerged as the leading state for central government projects, with 215 projects worth about ₹5.5 trillion. Uttar Pradesh is second with 180 projects worth ₹4.3 trillion, while Gujarat follows with 127 projects worth ₹4.3 trillion. The projects span highways, railways, airports, industrial corridors, energy plants, ports, and urban development. Maharashtra’s strong industrial ecosystem, port connectivity, and urban infrastructure are cited as drivers for attracting central spending. Analysts note that project distribution influences regional growth, employment, and supply chains across the state. The data underscores India’s ongoing infra push and how allocations shape regional development.

Maharashtra leads with 215 central projects worth ₹5.5 trillion.
UP and Gujarat are next with 180 and 127 projects respectively.
Projects cover transport, energy, ports, and urban development.
State's industrial ecosystem and port connectivity attract central investment.

May 20, 2026

Former Uttarakhand CM Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri dies at 91

Former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri died on 20 May 2026 at a private hospital after a prolonged illness. He was 91. A career Army officer, Khanduri served as a Major General before entering politics. He led Uttarakhand as Chief Minister twice, from 2007 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2012, as a senior BJP leader. Khanduri also served as Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways in the government of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. His passing drew tributes from party colleagues and the state government, with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami calling it an irreparable loss to public life. He played a key role in shaping early Uttarakhand politics after the state's formation in 2000.

Death date: 20 May 2026; age 91.
Two-time Uttarakhand Chief Minister (2007–2009, 2011–2012).
Former Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways under Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Former Army Major General.
Tributes from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami; described as irreparable loss.
Played a key role in early Uttarakhand politics after state formation in 2000.

May 19, 2026

Nimapara Patha Utsav 2026 Inaugurated in Puri by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida

Nimapara Patha Utsav 2026 was inaugurated in the Puri district of Odisha on 17 May 2026. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida led the opening ceremony in the Nimapara area. The festival showcases Odia folk arts, youth-led awareness campaigns, and development initiatives under the Utkarsha Nimapara 2.0 program. Organisers describe Patha Utsav as a community festival that blends culture with public welfare, wellness and social interaction. The event brings together residents, students, artists and youth groups to celebrate local heritage, while promoting voluntary service and local development projects in the region. The festival aims to reclaim public spaces for cultural activity and social cohesion.

Date of inauguration: 17 May 2026
Location: Nimapara area, Puri district, Odisha
Inaugurated by: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida
Focus areas: Odia folk arts, youth campaigns, Utkarsha Nimapara 2.0
Audience: residents, students, artists, youth groups

Amit Shah Inaugurates Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera Jan Suvidha Kendra in Bastar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Shaheed Veer Gundadhur Seva Dera Jan Suvidha Kendra in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, on 18 May 2026. He described the centre as a milestone in the region’s transformation after the decline of Naxalism. The site at Netanar village is named after tribal freedom fighter Veer Gundadhur and will provide welfare and public services to tribal communities. The minister recalled past violence, including the killing of six policemen at the location in earlier years, and framed the centre as a shift from conflict to development and public welfare, reflecting the government’s stated commitment to security and governance in the region.

Inauguration date: 18 May 2026
Location: Netanar village, Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Purpose: public welfare and tribal services
Namesake: Shaheed Veer Gundadhur
Context: shift from security camps to development post-Naxalism

May 17, 2026

Vinai Kumar Saxena Inaugurates High-Altitude Mahey Tokpo-Raldho Canal

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the Mahey Tokpo-Raldho irrigation canal at an elevation exceeding 14,000 feet in the Changthang region. The 2.10-kilometre canal channels water from Yaya Lake to agricultural fields in Mahey, benefiting about 100 acres. The project aims to improve water availability amid climate uncertainty and glacier melt, addressing a long-standing irrigation challenge in this remote area. Construction faced challenging Himalayan terrain and weather. Officials expect increased productivity and better livelihoods for local farming communities, aligning with broader efforts to strengthen rural infrastructure in border regions.

Inauguration by Lt. Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in Changthang, Ladakh, at >14,000 feet elevation.
2.10-kilometre canal carries water from Yaya Lake to Mahey fields for 100 acres.
Aims to counter climate-related water shortages facing high-altitude agriculture.
Construction overcome challenging Himalayan terrain and weather conditions.
Part of broader rural infrastructure strengthening along border regions.

May 16, 2026

Mahey Tokpo-Raldho canal inaugurated at 14,000 feet in Ladakh

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the Mahey Tokpo-Raldho irrigation canal in Ladakh’s Changthang region on 14 May 2026. The 2.10-kilometre canal lies above 14,000 feet and will bring water from Yaya Lake to agricultural fields in Mahey, benefiting around 100 acres. The project, started in 2022–23, faced delays due to administrative issues but is now complete. Officials expect improved water availability and agricultural resilience in this high-altitude area facing climate variability. The canal underscores continued infrastructure development in Ladakh’s remote districts.

Inauguration date: 14 May 2026.
Canal length: 2.10 km; altitude: >14,000 feet.
Source: Yaya Lake to Mahey area for irrigation.
Impact: About 100 acres of agricultural land to benefit.
Background: Project began in 2022–23; earlier delays due to admin issues.

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