* The Rani of Jhansi, Rani Laxmibai, died on 18th June 1858 while fighting the British at Gwalior.

* Rani Laxmibai was born Manikarnika Tambe in a Marathi family in Varanasi.

* She was a relative of Nana Sahib, the adopted son of the exiled Peshwa Baji Rao II.

* When she turned 7, Manikarnika Tambe was married to Gangadhar Rao, who was the King of Jhansi. She was renamed Laxmibai after marriage.

* The auspicious festival of Durga Puja is an annual five-day celebration originating in the Indian subcontinent which pays homage to the goddess Durga.

* It celebrates the victory of good over evil as goddess Durga killed demon king Mahishasur.

* Durga Puja holds great significance for the Bengali community.

* However, it is also celebrated, with much pomp, in other states like Odisha, Assam, Tripura, Bihar and Jharkhand.

* Former world number one, Lleyton Hewitt was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, as part of the 2021 class.

* He is the 34th player from Australia to be inducted.

* He has won the 2001 US Open and 2002 Wimbledon titles among 30 career ATP triumphs and was a part of two Davis Cup championship teams in 1999 and 2003.

* Hewitt won his last ATP title at Newport in 2014.

Ramsar Convention is associated with the conservation of Wetlands across the globe.

• It was adopted in 1971 and came into force in 1975.

• World Wetlands Day is celebrated on 2^nd February.

• Wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are protected under the strict guidelines of the convention.

● Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate level in the Panchayati Raj Institutions.

● It works for the villages of the tehsil that together are called a development block.

● It is the link between the gram panchayat and the Zila Parishad.

● It is elected for five years and is headed by a chairman & deputy chairman.

● Gram Panchayat is a basic village-governing institute in Indian villages and It is a democratic structure at the grass-roots level in India.

● Zila Panchayat is the third tier of the Panchayati Raj system and functions at the district levels in all states.

* Andher Nagri is a play written by Indian Hindi writer Bhartendu Harishchandra in 1881.

* Bharatendu Harishchandra:

* He was born in Banaras (Varanasi).

* He is known as the father of modern Hindi literature.

* He was known by the pen name "Rasa".

* His father Gopal Chandra was also a poet.

* Other notable works: Andher Nagri, Durlabh-Bandhu, Teen Prahsan, Bhartendu sanchayan, Bharatendu racana sancayana

* The TIME magazine has listed Kerala and Ahmedabad among the 50 extraordinary destinations to explore in its list of the World’s Greatest Places of 2022.

* Kerala: It is one of India’s most beautiful states. With spectacular beaches and lush backwaters, it’s known as “God’s own country” for good reason.

* Ahmedabad: India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad, boasts both ancient landmarks and contemporary innovations.

* Bhushi Lake is a placid water body

* It is formed by the watercourse of Bhushi Dam.

* It is located in Lonavala, Maharashtra.

* The Bengaluru Electricity Company (BESCOM) has developed 'EV Mitra' mobile app with the aim to provide information about EV charging stations in Bengaluru.

* Earlier, the BESCOM had introduced the EV Jagruthi Web portal, in a joint initiative of NITI Ayog and the United Kingdom.

* This web portal gives state-specific information on the availability of electric vehicles, incentives, support mechanisms and initiatives of the state government regarding electric mobility.

Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra is not only a master in the domain of Odissi dance, but also a legend in his respective field.

With passing decades, the name of this undisputable dancer have become synonymous with the Odissi dance style throughout the world.

Guru Kelucharan Mahapatra was born into a family of chitrakaras or painters. He was born in Raghurajpur on August 1, 1925.