DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: April 8, 2024

Bindyarani Devi wins bronze medal at IWF World Cup 2024

Tags: Sports News

Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 silver medalist Bindyarani Devi won bronze at the IWF World Cup 2024.

An Overview of the News

• The IWF World Cup 2024 took place in Phuket, Thailand from March 31 to April 11, 2024.

• Both male and female weightlifters participated in the World Cup.

Exclusive Indian Representation:

• Bindyarani Devi and Mirabai Chanu were the only two Indian weightlifters to compete at the IWF World Cup 2024.

Bindyarani Devi's bronze medal performance:

• Category and Lift: Bindyarani Devi, 25, competed in the women's 55 kg category and achieved a lift of 196 kg.

• Lift Breakdown: Her lifts included 83 kg in the snatch and 113 kg in the clean and jerk.

• Comparison with previous achievements: While his lifts at the World Cup fell short of his performance at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022, where he lifted 203 kg to clinch the silver medal.

Mirabai Chanu's qualification for Paris Olympics 2024:

• Finished 12th in the 49kg category at the IWF World Cup 2024.

• Despite not winning a medal in the World Cup, she qualified for the Paris Olympics.

• The only Indian weightlifter to qualify for the Paris Olympics.

• Currently ranked second in the Olympic qualification rankings for the 49 kg category.

Paris Olympics 2024 Qualification Details:

• The IWF World Cup in Phuket served as the final qualifying event for weightlifting at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

• The top 10 ranked lifters in the Olympic qualification rankings for each weight category earn quota spots.

• Bindyarani Devi is currently ranked 29th in the Olympic qualification rankings for the women's 59 kg category.

Background of Mirabai Chanu:

• Silver medalist in 49 kg category at Tokyo Olympics 2020.

• Gold medalist at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, USA.

• Three-time gold medalist at the Commonwealth Games (2014, 2018 and 2022).

• Considered one of the great players of Indian weightlifting.

IWF World Cup 2024 Overview:

• Organized by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF).

• Held in Phuket, Thailand from March 31 to April 11, 2024.

• Both male and female weightlifters from different countries were showcased.

• North Korea's Kang Hyeon Gyeong won the gold medal in the women's 55 kg category.

• Mihaela Cambei of Romania won the silver medal in the same category.

International Weightlifting Federation (IWF):

• Established in 1905

• The governing body for men's and women's weightlifting worldwide.

• Recognized by the International Olympic Association.

• It includes 193 member countries.

• The headquarters is located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

• Chairman: Mohammed Hassan Jaloud.

Valerie Adams Named International Ambassador for TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2024

Tags: International News

Valerie Adams, the renowned shot putter and multiple-time World Champion, has been appointed as the International Event Ambassador for the 16th edition of the Tata Consultancy Services World 10K Bengaluru.

An Overview of the News

• Adams, a four-time World Champion and two-time Olympic medalist from New Zealand, is celebrated as one of the most successful female shot putters in history.

• With a remarkable Olympic record, Adams has secured two gold medals (2008, 2012), one silver (2016), and one bronze medal (2020) across five appearances.

The World 10K Bengaluru:

• The World 10K Bengaluru, also recognized as the TCS World 10K Bengaluru due to sponsorship from Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), is an annual road running event held in Bangalore, India.

• Established in 2008, this 10-kilometer competition typically occurs towards the end of May each year.

• Initially sponsored by Sunfeast, a brand under ITC Limited, the event has evolved over the years.

• Participants from various backgrounds come together to compete in this renowned race, showcasing their endurance and athleticism.

Peter Pellegrini wins in Slovakia's Presidential Election

Tags: International News

Peter Pellegrini, a candidate backed by Slovakia's nationalist-leftist government, won the presidential election, strengthening the influence of Prime Minister Robert Fico, who holds pro-Russian views.

An Overview of the News

• Fico, serving his fourth term as prime minister, has shifted Slovakia's foreign policy toward Russia and reformed criminal law and media regulations, raising concerns about the rule of law.

• Pellegrini received 53.26% of the vote, while his pro-West rival Ivan Korčić received 46.73%, with almost all voting districts reporting.

• Although the powers of the Slovak President are limited, he can veto laws and nominate judges to the Constitutional Court, which could potentially influence political conflicts over Fico's reforms, especially regarding corruption penalties.

• Fico's coalition, which also includes Pellegrini's party, halted official arms shipments to Ukraine, reflecting their stance against Western involvement in the conflict.

About Slovakia

• It is officially known as the Slovak Republic, located in Central Europe.

• It is bordered by Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east, Hungary to the south, Austria to the west and the Czech Republic to the northwest.

• Slovakia is a landlocked country, meaning it has no direct access to the sea.

• Its neighboring countries create a diverse geopolitical landscape within Central Europe.

• The borders with Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria and the Czech Republic define the territorial extent of Slovakia.

Capital - Bratislava

Official language - Slovak

Prime Minister - Robert Fico

Currency - Euro

Miraj's Sitar and Tanpura receive coveted GI Tags

Tags: State News

The Geographical Indications Registry awarded GI tags to Miraj town in Maharashtra for its sitars and tanpuras.

An Overview of the News

Craftsmanship and Tradition:

• Sitars and tanpuras made in Miraj are known for their craftsmanship and have a tradition dating back more than 300 years.

• Over seven generations of craftsmen have contributed to the production of these string instruments.

GI Tag Issuance:

• The Miraj Musical Instruments Cluster and Soultune Musical Instrument Producer firm received GI tags for sitars and tanpuras, respectively.

• More than 450 craftsmen are involved in manufacturing musical instruments under the Miraj Musical Instruments Cluster.

Raw Materials and Production:

• Wood for sitars and tanpuras is sourced from Karnataka forests, while pumpkin gourds are obtained from Maharashtra's Solapur district.

• The cluster manufactures around 60 to 70 sitars and 100 tanpuras per month.

Clientele and Recognition:

• Well-known classical singers and founders of the Kirana gharana, such as Ustad Abdul Karim Khan Saheb and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, have used Miraj-made instruments.

• Artists from the film industry, including Javed Ali, Hariharan, and A R Rahman, are also patrons.

Historical Origin:

• The art of making musical instruments in Miraj dates back to the Adilshahi period when skilled workers transitioned from weapon-making to instrument craftsmanship.

Economic Viability and Recognition:

• The GI tag is expected to enhance the global recognition of Miraj-made instruments and benefit craftsmen.

• Despite the viability of instrument making, skilled workers often face challenges in receiving adequate returns for their labor.