Indian States and Union Territories

Kerala is famously called 'God's Own Country' due to its stunning natural beauty including backwaters, beaches, hill stations, and lush greenery. The tagline was coined for tourism promotion.

Maharashtra became the first Indian state to establish the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) in May 2016, following the central RERA Act. Other states followed later, but Maharashtra was the pioneer in implementing this regulatory framework for real estate.

Bihar launched the JP Senani Samman pension scheme to honor participants in the JP Movement (led by Jayaprakash Narayan). This welfare initiative provides financial assistance to those who were incarcerated during the 1970s emergency period.

Sukna scam involved irregular land allocation in West Bengal related to the Indian Army. It was a major corruption scandal that came to light in early 2010, implicating high-ranking military officials.

Uttar Pradesh established a university for persons with disabilities during 2009-2010. This was a pioneering initiative in India to provide higher education opportunities specifically designed for disabled students. The university was established to create an inclusive educational environment and ensure accessibility for students with various disabilities, offering specialized programs and facilities.

The 96th session of the Indian Science Congress was indeed inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Guwahati, Assam. This annual scientific gathering brings together scientists, researchers, and policymakers to discuss advancements in science and technology. The 2009 session focused on various scientific disciplines and provided a platform for showcasing India's scientific progress and future research directions.

Karnataka has been recognized for its business-friendly environment and investment climate, ranking first in various assessments. Bangalore's presence as a tech hub contributes significantly to this. World Bank assessments of investment climates do place states like Karnataka highly.

Kerala does not have a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) and has a unicameral legislature. Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttar Pradesh all have bicameral legislatures with both Legislative Assembly and Council.

Gautam Gambhir was born in New Delhi and has represented Delhi in domestic cricket. He played for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy and is strongly associated with the city. His entire cricket upbringing and early career were based in Delhi.

Haryana was the first Indian state to implement electoral identity cards in 1979, pioneering the use of photo ID cards in elections. This system helped reduce voter fraud and became a model for other states. The initiative was part of electoral reforms to ensure free and fair elections.

Sikkim became the first Indian state to ban plastic bags in 1998, setting a precedent for environmental conservation. This forward-thinking policy was implemented nearly two decades before many other states considered similar bans. The ban covered all plastic bags below a certain thickness and helped establish Sikkim as an environmental leader.

Nati is a traditional folk dance from Himachal Pradesh, performed during festivals and celebrations. It involves synchronized movements in groups, often accompanied by traditional songs and instruments like narsinga and karnal. Different variations of Nati exist across different regions of Himachal.

Yakshagana is a traditional theater form from Karnataka that combines dance, music, dialogue, and elaborate costumes. It typically presents stories from Hindu epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana. While it includes elements of dance and drama, it is primarily a theatrical performance art native to coastal Karnataka.

Kathakali is a classical dance-drama from Kerala, known for its elaborate costumes, colorful makeup, and exaggerated facial expressions. It originated in the 17th century and presents stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Performers undergo extensive training in the Navarasas (nine emotions) and use detailed hand gestures (mudras).

Bharatanatyam is one of the oldest classical dance forms from India, originating in Tamil Nadu. It is characterized by fixed upper torso, bent legs, complex footwork, and expressive hand gestures (mudras). The dance has its roots in the ancient text Natya Shastra and was traditionally performed in temples.