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By admin: April 1, 2024

Utkal Diwas: Celebrating Odisha's Cultural Kaleidoscope and Rich Heritage

Tags: State News

In the Indian state of Odisha, Utkal Diwas, also known as Odisha Day or Utkala Dibasa, is a significant yearly event. This day, which falls on April 1st every year, marks the anniversary of the state of Odisha's formation on that date in 1936.

An Overview of the News:

• For the people of Odisha, the day represents the turning point in a protracted struggle to be recognized as a separate state from the former British provinces of Orissa and Bihar.

The significance of Utkal Diwas:

• For Odisha, Utkal Diwas is more than just a commemoration of statehood; it's also a tribute to the state's vibrant culture and rich history that have endured over time. 

• The occasion offers a chance to showcase Odisha's unique identity and its people, showcasing their traditions, creative expressions, delectable cuisine, and way of life.

Historical Significance:

• The inception of Utkal Diwas dates back to the early 1900s, during which the movement for the creation of an independent state for the Odia-speaking people gained impetus. 

• Odisha was finally formally created on April 1, 1936, which was a major step toward maintaining Odia culture and customs.

• Odisha became the first state to be established on linguistic grounds, having previously been a part of Bihar.

• Odisha is a state in eastern India that borders the Bay of Bengal.

• Cuttack was the capital city at first, but Bhubaneswar was named the new capital in 1948.

Honoring the Culinary Traditions of Odisha:

• On Utkal Diwas, Odisha's abundant culinary legacy is showcased. 

• The traditional food of the state is well celebrated, having its roots in regional customs and farming methods.

• During the celebrations, many people eat popular foods including Pakhala Bhata, Dahi Baigana, Macha Ghanta, Rasabali,Chingudi Jhola,Dalma, Chhencheda, Khira Gaintha, and Badi Chura.

Brilliant Dance Forms:

• During Utkal Diwas, Odisha's rich legacy of classical and folk dances is clearly displayed. These dances are a form of cultural preservation as well as entertainment. Important dancing styles include of:

• Odissi: A classical dance style that has its roots in the temples of Odisha, it's renowned for its elegant gestures and portrayal of Hindu mythology.

• Gotipua: A traditional dance with elements of Odissi that is performed by young boys dressed as women.

• Chhau: A type of martial arts dance that combines acrobatics, traditional dance, and martial arts. It frequently represents themes from Hindu epics.

• Sambalpuri Folk Dance: Vibrant clothes and rhythmic footwork characterize these colorful folk dances from western Odisha.

• Ghumura Dance: A traditional dance from the Kalahandi district, it moves that are synchronised to the beat of portable drums.

Rajasthan celebrated its 75th anniversary on 30 March 2024

Tags: State News

On March 30, Rajasthan celebrated the 75th anniversary of its formation in 1949 by merging 19 princely states and 3 states. This momentous occasion marked the end of an eight-and-a-half-year process.

An Overview of the News:

• Before 1949, the region was known as 'Rajputana'.

• After the princely states were merged, the territory was renamed "Rajasthan," which is currently acknowledged as the largest state in terms of area in India and is well-known for its rich historical background.

The day's historical context:

• On January 14, 1949, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel declared the union of princely states, which included Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaisalmer. 

• On March 30, 1949, Rajasthan Day was established and Greater Rajasthan was formally inaugurated in Jaipur.

• Historians believe Colonel James Tod was the one who first named the region "Rajasthan," but George Thomas claimed the name Rajputana in 1800 AD. 

• The province where kings lived was referred to in the local literary language as "Rajasthan."

• Princely States and Mergers: When Rajasthan gained its independence, it was divided into 22 princely states, 19 of which were headed by monarchs and 3 by chiefs. 

• In addition, British rule extended to the province of Ajmer-Merwara. From March 18, 1948, until November 1, 1956, there were seven phases to the merger process.

Government Intervention:

• On November 1, 1956, the States Reorganization Commission, led by Afzal Ali, recommended that the provinces of Ajmer and Merwara be merged with Rajasthan.

• Capital Designation: On September 7, 1949, the Government of India named Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan, on the recommendation of the Satyanarayana Rao Committee.

• Territorial Changes: As a result of the merger, Sironj village in the Jhalawar district was absorbed into Madhya Pradesh, and Suneltappa village in the Mandsaur tehsil of Madhya Pradesh became a part of Rajasthan.

Hardik Singh and Salima Tete win top honors at Hockey India Awards 2023

Tags: Sports Awards

Hardik Singh and Salima Tete were named male and female players of the year respectively at the Hockey India Awards 2023 in New Delhi.

An Overview of the News

• Indian men's team vice-captain Hardik Singh was part of the hockey team that won the bronze medal at the Tokyo 2023 Olympics and the gold medal at the Asian Games 2023.

• Salima Tete, an Olympian, was in the women's team that won a bronze medal at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

• Hardik Singh also won the Midfielder of the Year award.

• Salima Tete was selected as the winner of the Asian Hockey Federation's Emerging Player of the Year Award in 2023.

• Munich 1972 Olympic bronze medalist Ashok Kumar was honored with the Hockey India Lifetime Achievement Award, named after his father Dhyan Chand, for his contribution to the sport.

• Ashok Kumar scored the winning goal in the 1975 World Cup final in Kuala Lumpur.

Personal Honors:

• PR Sreejesh received the Hockey India Baljeet Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year.

• Manpreet Singh was celebrated for completing 350 international caps for the Indian men's hockey team.

• Savita Punia and Harmanpreet Singh were celebrated for achieving the milestone of 250 and 200 international caps respectively for India.

• Harmanpreet Singh also won the Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year.

• Abhishek won the Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year.

• The Hangzhou Asian Games gold medal-winning Indian men's team and the bronze medal-winning Indian women's hockey team were felicitated.

Hockey India Awards 2023 winners

• Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Ashok Kumar

• Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of The Year (Men): Hardik Singh

• Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr Award for Player of The Year (Women): Salima Tete

• Hockey India Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year recipient: PR Sreejesh

• Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Defender of the Year recipient: Harmanpreet Singh

• Hockey India Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year recipient: Hardik Singh

• Hockey India Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year recipient: Abhishek

• Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Women – Under 21): Deepika Soreng

• Hockey India Jugraj Singh Award for Upcoming Player of the Year (Men – Under 21): Araijeet Singh Hundal

Romania and Bulgaria's Schengen Accession

Tags: International News

On March 31, Romania and Bulgaria formally joined, at least partially, Europe's visa-free Schengen travel area.

An Overview of the News

Statements from political leaders:

• Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov called the event a "big victory" for Bulgaria, emphasizing its historical significance.

• Despite his resignation, Denkov remains in office, highlighting the achievement as Bulgaria's "greatest success" since joining the EU.

• Deputy Prime Minister Maria Gabriel echoed this sentiment, calling it a "historic moment" with benefits for various sectors.

• Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu qualified the achievement with plans for full Schengen accession by the end of the year.

European Commission Perspective

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the development as a "great success" for both countries and a historic moment for the Schengen area.

• They emphasized the shared goal of building a stronger, more united Europe.

Implications and Challenges

• Free movement for flights and boats is allowed, land routes are restricted due to Austrian objections.

• Both countries aim to open land borders by the end of 2024, awaiting the opportune political moment for full integration.

• The Schengen area, established in 1985, covers 29 European countries and allows more than 400 million people to travel freely without internal border controls.

Reactions and Concerns

• While welcome, ongoing border checks on the roads have caused frustration among truck drivers, leading to calls for urgent measures for full Schengen integration.

• Long wait times at the border have caused significant financial losses to Romanian carriers, leading to calls for faster progress.

• Bulgarian businesses also express disappointment at the slow progress, especially concerning land transport.

Romania:

• Southeastern European country.

• Known for the forests of Transylvania and the Carpathian Mountains.

• It includes well-preserved medieval cities such as Sighisoara.

• Famous for fortified churches and castles, including Bran Castle associated with Dracula.

• Capital: Bucharest, home of the communist-era Palatul Parlamentului government building.

Bulgaria:

• The Balkan nation with diverse geography.

• It includes the Black Sea coast, the mountainous interior and rivers such as the Danube.

• Cultural diversity with influences from Greek, Slavic, Ottoman and Persian civilizations.

• Capital city: Sofia, located at the base of Mount Vitosha, dates back to the 5th century BC.

IIT alumnus Pawan Davuluri appointed to head Microsoft's Windows and Surface team

Tags: Person in news

Pavan Davuluri, a 23-year veteran at Microsoft, has been appointed as the new head of the combined Windows and Surface teams following the departure of Panos Panay.

An Overview of the News

• Davuluri, a graduate of IIT Madras and the University of Maryland, has extensive experience across PC, Xbox, Surface and Windows leadership roles.

• In his former role, as corporate vice president of Windows and Silicon and System Integration, he oversaw initiatives focused on optimizing Windows for Arm-based processors.

• It aims to consolidate operating system and device efforts under one leader, emphasizing a holistic approach for the AI age.

• The move enables closer collaboration between the Windows group and Microsoft's AI team, which is now led by Mustafa Suleiman.

• Microsoft's intense focus on AI is evident in its recent acquisitions and key talent hires, which is in line with CEO Satya Nadella's strategic vision.

About Microsoft

• Microsoft Corporation, based in Redmond, Washington, is a leading American multinational technology company.

• Its major software products include the Windows operating system, Microsoft 365 suite, and Edge web browser.

• Globally renowned, Microsoft is recognized for its innovation and diverse software offerings.

Founders - Bill Gates, Paul Allen

CEO - Satya Nadella 

Headquarters - Redmond, Washington, United States

CFO - Amy Hood

Star Estate's Vijay Jain receives Times Power Icon 2024 award

Tags: Awards

Vijay Jain, Managing Director, of Star Estate, was honored with the Times Power Icon 2024 Award.

An Overview of the News

• Times Group organized a prestigious event in Noida where notable attendees included industry leaders and celebrities like Adah Sharma, who presented the awards.

• Under Jain's leadership, Star Estate has become renowned for reliability and trustworthiness in real estate consultancy.

• The company has expanded its operations to various cities including Noida, Gurugram, Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru.

Commitment to Sustainable Development:

• Jain's leadership has focused on promoting sustainable real estate growth.

• Despite his achievements, Jain is focused on the future, aiming to make Star Estate a leader in sustainability.

Star Estate:

• Established in 2012, Star Estate provides consultancy services in residential, commercial and retail real estate.

• The company emphasizes sustainable development and community benefit in its operations.

Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid becomes first Bangladeshi umpire in ICC elite panel

Tags: Person in news

Bangladesh's Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid became the first umpire from his country to be appointed to the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Umpires.

An Overview of the News

• This was confirmed following the International Cricket Council's (ICC) annual review and selection process.

Selection Process:

• Sharfuddoula's elevation from the Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires was decided by a selection panel comprising ICC General Manager – Cricket, Wasim Khan (Chair), former player and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, retired New Zealand umpire Tony Hill, and consultant officiating expert Mike Riley.

Leading career of Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid:

• He has been a part of the International Panel since 2006, making his first international appearance in 2010 when he umpired an ODI between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

• Sharfuddoula was the first Bangladeshi umpire to officiate in an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

• He officiated five matches in the previous Cricket World Cup in India and stood as a neutral umpire in the Brisbane Test between Australia and West Indies, making him the second Bangladeshi umpire to achieve this feat.

Experience and Achievements:

• Sharfuddoula has officiated in various international formats, including Men’s Test Matches, ODIs, and T20Is, as well as Women’s matches.

• His experience includes standing in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Changes in the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees:

Reduction in Panel Size:

• The Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees has been reduced to six members from seven, with Chris Broad not included in the panel.

Chris Broad's Career Highlights:

• Chris Broad, who had been on the panel since 2003, has officiated in numerous Test Matches, ODIs, T20Is, and Women’s T20Is.

• He has contributed to multiple ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups and ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, along with ICC Women’s T20 World Cups.

Current Members of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees:

• The panel consists of David Boon (Australia), Jeff Crowe (New Zealand), Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka), Andrew Pycroft (Zimbabwe), Richie Richardson (West Indies), and Javagal Srinath (India).

Adani begins Operation of the Copper Unit at Mundra

Tags: Science and Technology

The first phase of the world's largest copper manufacturing plant in Mundra, Gujarat was launched by the Adani-led group. The company plans to invest $1.2 billion in this phase.

An Overview of the News

Kutch Copper Operations:

• Kutch Copper, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Limited, commenced operations of its greenfield copper refinery, marking the shipment of the inaugural batch of cathode.

• Production Capacity and Expansion Plans:

• The plant is estimated to produce 0.5 million tonnes of refined copper annually in its initial phase, with plans to expand to a capacity of 1 million tonnes by March 2029.

• Upon completion of its second phase, Kutch Copper aims to become the world's largest single-location custom smelter with an annual production target of 1 million tonnes.

ESG Commitment:

• The company pledges to maintain high ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) performance standards by leveraging advanced technology and digitalization.

Role in India's clean energy transition:

• Increased copper production supports India's transition to clean energy, facilitating the development of technologies for electric vehicles, solar power, wind power and batteries.

Job Creation and Domestic Demand:

• The expansion of copper production is expected to create 2,000 direct and 5,000 indirect employment opportunities and meet India's target of doubling copper demand by 2030.

Diversification and Industry Demand:

• Catering to the growing demand for copper in various industries, Kutch Copper has expanded its offering to include copper tubes for air conditioning and refrigeration.

Reduction in Import Dependence:

• Domestic copper production aims to reduce India's dependence on imported copper, which has increased steadily in recent years.

Stability Practice:

• Kutch Copper prioritizes sustainability by using technology with minimal carbon footprint, allocating green space within the plant area and implementing eco-friendly water management practices.

Industry Scenario:

• Vedanta Ltd is looking to reopen a plant in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, while Hindalco Industries Ltd currently operates the largest copper smelter in India with a capacity of 0.5 million tonnes.

Global Production Dynamics:

• Globally, copper production is concentrated, with Chile and Peru being the top producers, collectively accounting for 38% of global production.