Why in News?

=> On the occasion of Sant Ravidas Jayanti, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced to name the Global Skill Park in Bhopal after Sant Shiromani Ravidas Ji Maharaj.

Key Points:

=> Youth will be able to become self-dependent by getting training in various disciplines in the Global Skill Park to be set up in Bhopal.

=> Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the start of Sant Ravidas Self-Employment Scheme, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Economic Welfare Scheme and Chief Minister Scheduled Caste Special Project and Financing Scheme to provide employment to the youth.

=> Sant Ravidas Community Halls will be constructed in Scheduled Caste dominated areas of each district of Madhya Pradesh. With this, public programs will be organized.

=> It is noteworthy that Sant Ravidas Jayanti program has been organized at every Gram Panchayat, Janpad Panchayat and District Headquarters of Madhya Pradesh.

=> Sant Ravidas (Raidas) was born in Kashi on Magha Purnima. That is why the birth anniversary of Sant Ravidas is celebrated every year on the full moon date of Magha month.

=> His father's name was Raghu and mother's name was Ghurwiniya while his wife's name is said to be Lona.

=> His parents were cobblers. Despite adopting his ancestral work for livelihood, he was always absorbed in the devotion of God.

=> After Kabir, Ravidas became very famous among the disciples of Sant Ramanand.

=> His verses are collected in the holy book 'Guru Granth Sahib' also.

=> The speech (Vani) of Sant Ravidas was succinct, unique and influential. He inspired the people for the importance of labour, equality, and service to the helpless.

=> In Madhya Pradesh, a special initiative has been started for the employment of youths belonging to scheduled castes. Under the Sant Ravidas Self-Employment Scheme, a loan assistance of one lakh to 50 lakh will be provided to the scheduled caste youth for setting up a manufacturing unit. Interest subsidy at the rate of 5 percent will be given for the project.

=> Similarly, for service sector and retail trade, there will be a provision of loan from one lakh to 25 lakh rupees in the scheme. The scheme will be operated through Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation.

=> The Chief Minister said that under the Chief Minister's Scheduled Caste Special Project Financing Scheme, a grant of up to Rs.2 crore would be given to the youth of the Scheduled Castes for self-employment, skill up-gradation, promotion and innovation.

=> Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Economic Welfare Scheme is being started with the aim of providing loans up to one lakh rupees for low cost equipment or working capital to the micro, small and medium scale industries already established by the beneficiaries of the scheduled caste category.

=> The schemes will be operated through the Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation.

By: ASRAF UDDIN AHMED