SWAMIH Fund
- Context: The Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing Investment Fund (SWAMIH) has become an important government initiative aimed at supporting India’s housing sector.
About SWAMIH
- Introduced in 2019, the SWAMIH Fund provides last-mile funding to housing projects that are stuck due to financial difficulties.
- The scheme is sponsored by the Ministry of Finance.
- It is administered by SBICAP Ventures Ltd., an investment management company belonging to the State Bank Group.
Impact and Outcomes
- The initiative has helped complete more than 58,596 housing units so far.
- Over 1 lakh homes are expected to be delivered, benefiting around 2.38 lakh individuals.
Purple Fest
- Context: Rashtrapati Bhavan organised the Purple Fest to honour the talents and accomplishments of Divyangjan (persons with disabilities) and to encourage a more inclusive society.
About Purple Fest
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- Purple Fest is an inclusive event conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to acknowledge and celebrate the abilities, achievements, and ambitions of persons with disabilities.
- The festival seeks to raise awareness, uphold dignity, and ensure equal opportunities and participation for persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.
- Participants displayed their artistic skills through various cultural performances held at the Open Air Theatre.
- The programme focused on spreading awareness about the rights, dignity, and abilities of persons with disabilities.
- The event promoted the involvement of civil society groups, institutions, and citizens in supporting and empowering Divyangjan.
Current Facts
- Both the Houses of Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. This is the first time that such a notice has been formally submitted in Parliament.
Great Indian Bustard (GIB)- Context: Project Great Indian Bustard has entered the fourth year of its captive breeding programme, with around 70 birds currently maintained in captivity to support the species’ conservation.
About Great Indian Bustard
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- The Great Indian Bustard is an agro-grassland bird native to the Indian subcontinent.
- Its main population is found in Rajasthan, with smaller populations present in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
- It is an omnivorous bird belonging to the Otididae family.
- The species shows sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females differ in appearance.
- In Rajasthan, the bird is popularly known as Godawan.
- The species faces threats such as illegal hunting and collisions with high-voltage power lines, which significantly affect its population.
- The species is also protected under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme through a dedicated species recovery programme.
Protection Status
- IUCN: Critically Endangered
- Wildlife (Protection)Act, 1972: Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix I
