1. Srinagar's Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden enters the record books with 1.5 million flowers
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The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, located at the foothills of the beautiful Zabarwan Range, earned recognition in the World Book of Records as the largest and most stunning park of its kind in Asia.
An Overview of the News
The garden features an impressive array of 1.5 million flowers in bloom, a remarkable testament to the beauty and diversity of the natural world.
Recognition by World Book: Santosh Shukla, President & CEO, of World Book officially certified the achievement and presented the recognition to Fayaz Shaikh, Secretary, of Floriculture, Gardens, and Parks.
Diverse Tulip Collection: With a collection of 68 distinct varieties of tulips, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is a spectacle of colors and shapes. Each tulip variety brings its own unique character, with shades ranging from delicate pastels to vibrant, eye-catching colors.
Efforts of the Gardeners and Botanists: The careful selection of flowers in the garden highlights the dedicated work of the gardeners and botanists who have worked tirelessly to develop this breathtaking display of nature's wonders.
Inspired by Ghulam Nabi Azad: The origin of the garden is linked to the visionary thoughts of Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir. He conceived the idea of a natural haven that would showcase the region's diverse flora. The garden was carefully developed in less than two years, involving many laborers and gardeners.
A Spectrum of Colours: A walk across the vast landscape of the garden offers visitors a stunning display of colors that engages the senses and evokes emotion. The color of the garden ranges from serene white and soft pink to fiery red and passionate purple, providing an intense experience beyond the ordinary.
2. Parliament passed the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023
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The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill, 2023 was recently passed by the Parliament after approval from the Lok Sabha. It is a historic moment as the Cinematograph Act is being amended after a gap of 40 years, with the last significant changes being made in 1984.
An Overview of the News
The primary objective of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill is to combat film piracy in a big way, as it is causing an estimated loss of Rs 20,000 crore to the film industry.
The government wants to protect and promote the growth of the film industry, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who sees India as a global content hub.
Measures to Curb Piracy
The bill introduces strict penalties for piracy-related offences to deter unauthorized recording, exhibition, and transmission of films, including online piracy.
Offenders will face a minimum imprisonment of 3 months and a fine of Rs. 3 lakhs, with the possibility of extended imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine of up to 5% of the audited gross production cost.
Empowerment of Film Industry
The bill eliminates the need to renew a film's licence every 10 years, making the licence valid for a lifetime.
This move streamlines the licensing process and reduces bureaucratic hurdles for filmmakers.
Improved Film Certification Process
Age-Based Certification: The bill introduces age-based categories for film certification, dividing the existing UA category into three age groups: seven years (UA 7+), thirteen years (UA 13+), and sixteen years (UA 16+).
These age markers are meant for parental guidance to help determine suitable content for children.
Alignment with Supreme Court Judgements
The bill aligns the law with relevant Supreme Court judgments and other legislations, providing a consistent legal framework for the film industry.
Perpetual Validity of Certificates
Certificates issued by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) will now be valid perpetually, removing the previous 10-year restriction.
TV Broadcast and Recertification
Only films under the Unrestricted Public Exhibition category can be shown on television.
Films intended for television broadcast will require recertification of edited versions.
3. UNESCO urges global ban on smartphones in schools to promote human-centred education approach
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) published its 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report titled "Technology in Education: A Tool on Whose Terms", which supports a worldwide ban on smartphones in schools where technology integration Does not improve learning outcomes.
An Overview of the News
UNESCO advocates a more "human-centred approach" to education and highlights the need to reduce reliance on digital technology.
Excessive use of smartphones has negative effects on children's academic performance and emotional competence.
UNESCO's Manos Antoninis raised concerns about data leaks in educational technology, revealing that only 16 percent of countries have laws guaranteeing data privacy in the classroom.
The shift to online-only learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of approximately 500 million students worldwide.
The report emphasises that the right to education is increasingly linked to meaningful connectivity. One in four primary schools do not have access to electricity, making it important to set standards for connecting schools to the Internet.
The survey conducted by UNESCO reveals that only 11 out of 51 governments have implemented a curriculum for artificial intelligence (AI) in schools.
About UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN)
It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UN SDG), a coalition of United Nations agencies and organisations that aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Headquarters:- Paris, France
Director General: -Audrey Azoulay
Founded:- 16 November 1945 in London, United Kingdom
The organisation has -193 members and 11 associate members
4. Kerala to set up India's first fisheries Atal Incubation Centre
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After receiving a grant of ₹10 crore from NITI Aayog, the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) will set up India's first Atal Incubation Center (AIC) in fisheries.
An Overview of the News
NITI Aayog, as the premier policy think tank of the Government of India, provided a grant to KUFOS to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the fisheries sector.
The AIC initiative is part of the Atal Innovation Mission, which aims to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across various industries in the country.
Fisheries Atal Incubation Centre:
Fisheries Atal Incubation Centre will act as a focal point to foster innovation and inspire young individuals to create advanced technologies and solutions that will address challenges faced by our marine ecosystem and fishing communities .
Its primary objective is to promote progress in the fisheries industry by providing a supportive and encouraging environment for startups and innovative initiatives within the sector.
The centre will play a key role in creating employment opportunities, creating a conducive environment for startups and entrepreneurs to flourish and succeed.
Vice Chancellor of KUFOS - T. Pradeepkumar
About Kerala
Capital - Thiruvananthapuram
Official Bird - Great Hornbill
Governor - Arif Mohammad Khan
Chief Minister - Pinarayi Vijayan
Origin of rivers in Kerala
Periyar River
Bharathapuzha River
Pamba River
Chaliyar River
Chalakudy River
India's longest lake - Vembanad, Kerala
5. Naveen Patnaik holds the record for being India's second longest serving chief minister
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Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik holds the distinction of being the second longest serving Chief Minister in India.
An Overview of the News
Patnaik held the office of Chief Minister for an impressive period of 23 years and 138 days, assuming office on 5 March 2000.
In achieving this feat, he surpassed the previous record holder, former Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu, who served for 23 years and 137 days from June 21, 1977 to November 5, 2000.
The title of longest-serving Chief Minister is held by former Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling, who held the post for an even longer period of 24 years and 166 days.
Patnaik's journey in politics has been remarkable, and his turning point came when he was called on to lead the newly formed Biju Janata Dal on 17 April 1997, following the death of his father, former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik.
He began his political journey by winning the election from the Aska Lok Sabha constituency in his home district of Ganjam, marking the beginning of his successful leadership tenure.
Naveen Patnaik:
In 1998, Naveen Patnaik joined the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Center as the Minister of Steel and Mines. However, he later decided to return to the state and contest the assembly elections in 2000.
Under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has achieved an impressive record of being undefeated in all elections including Lok Sabha, Assembly and Panchayat elections.
In 2000, Naveen Patnaik successfully formed a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha and became the 14th Chief Minister of the state on 5 March.
One of the most significant challenges Naveen Patnaik faced was in 2009 when communal violence in Kandhamal ended his alliance with the BJP.
In 2012, Naveen Patnaik faced an alleged political coup attempt organised by his advisor Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, which he successfully foiled.
6. India's first online gaming academy launched in Madhya Pradesh
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Madhya Pradesh is launching its first online gaming industry "MP State Esports Academy".
An Overview of the News
The Academy aims to provide a platform for aspiring gaming and esports professionals to advance their skills and reach a professional level.
MP Junior Esports Championship
"MP Junior Esports Championship" is a 10-day talent hunt tournament from 27th July to 7th August.
It is exclusively for e-sports enthusiasts in the age group of 12 to 17 years.
The tournament provides a platform for young participants to engage, compete and showcase their gaming skills.
Inclusive Selection Procedure
80% seats in the academy are reserved for gamers from Madhya Pradesh.
The remaining 20% seats are open to enthusiastic gamers from across India.
The selection process is open to all, giving a fair chance to the participants to compete for admission.
Combination of tradition and innovation
MP State Esports Academy aims to promote the sport represented in the Asian Games and Olympics.
It seeks to integrate traditional and modern sports while providing opportunities in both emerging esports and traditional sports.
Government Sponsored Excellence
Selected eSports athletes will receive 12 months of intensive coaching and high-quality eSports education.
The coaching and education is fully funded by the government, with an aim to nurture and groom talented sportspersons.
Exports in India: Growing Recognition and Growth Projections
With its inclusion as a medal sport in the Asian Games 2022 and a pilot program in the Commonwealth Games 2022, eSports is gaining recognition in India.
The gaming industry in India is expected to grow four-fold to reach Rs 1,100 crore by 2025.
India's potential as a lucrative market for eSports has attracted major gaming companies from around the world.
Due to its increasing popularity, global players are looking for opportunities and investing in Indian e-sports.
Sports minister of Madhya Pradesh: Yashodhara Raje Scindia
7. Rajasthan issues first transgender birth certificate to Noor Shekhawat
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Noor Shekhawat, a transgender person, received thefirst transgender birth certificate in Rajasthan. His previous birth certificate listed his gender as male.
An Overview of the News
The birth certificate was presented to Noor Shekhawat by the municipal and state government officials. The certificate reflects her gender identity as transgender, which is an important milestone.
Director of the Economics and Statistics Department and Chief Registrar (Birth and Death) Bhanwarlal Bairwa released the historic transgender birth certificate in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Going forward, the records of males and females as well as birth records of transgender persons will be included in the corporation's portal. An awareness program will also be launched to encourage other transgender persons to apply for their birth certificates.
Noor Shekhawat, who completed her education till class 12 in an English medium school, is actively involved in running an NGO that supports the transgender community.
About Rajasthan
It is a state in northern India and is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population.
It is bordered by five other Indian states: Punjab to the north; Haryana and Uttar Pradesh in the northeast; Madhya Pradesh in the southeast; and Gujarat in the southwest.
Rajasthan is also home to three national tiger reserves, Ranthambore National Park in Sawai Madhopur, Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve in Kota.
Formation - 30 March 1949
Capital- Jaipur
District -33 (7 Circle)
Governor -Kalraj Mishra
Chief Minister - Ashok Gehlot (INC)
Legislative Assembly -Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (200 seats)
Rajya Sabha - 10 seats
Lok Sabha - 25 seats
8. Cinematograph Amendment Bill 2023 introduced in Rajya Sabha
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur introduced the Cinematograph Amendment Bill 2023 in the Rajya Sabha to deal with film piracy.
An Overview of the News
The primary objective of the Cinematograph Amendment Bill is to tackle film piracy, which has been a significant concern for the Indian film industry.
A report by Ernst & Young states that the Indian film industry suffered a huge loss of around Rs 18,000 crore in 2019 due to piracy.
In response to alarming piracy rates, the Indian government took action by proposing amendments to the existing Cinematograph Bill 1952.
The Cinematograph Bill 1952 is responsible for overseeing the certification and exhibition of films in India.
The proposed amendments are aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework and enhancing measures against film piracy.
About Piracy
It is the unauthorized copying, distribution or exhibition of films without the consent of the rights holders, which poses a significant challenge by affecting the revenue and overall quality of the Indian film industry.
Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023:
The Cinematograph (Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced to effectively deal with the issue of piracy.
One of the key provisions of the Bill is to reclassify films on the basis of age groups instead of the existing system of 'U', 'A' or 'UA'. The proposed classification includes "UA-7+", "UA-13+" and "UA-16+", replacing the existing "UA-12" category.
The main objective behind the recategorization is to establish consistency in categorizing movies and content across different platforms.
The Bill, once enacted, would recognize theft as a legal offence, leading to stricter punishment for those responsible. Punishment for piracy will now include three years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 lakh.
Indian Cinematograph Bill 1952:
The Indian Cinematograph Bill of 1952 established censor boards in various cities, which were later reorganized as the Central Board of Film Censors and renamed the Central Board of Film Certification in 1983.
The primary objective of the Cinematograph Bill 1952 is to provide for a certification procedure for cinematograph films intended for public exhibition and to regulate such exhibitions.
The Cinematograph Bill 1952 also included the screening of film titles. Titles depicting excessive violence, obscene language, obscenity, contempt of court, insult to national symbols, or misrepresentation of personality or religion are prohibited.
9. Ministry of Culture and Indian Navy Collaborate to Revive “Ancient Stitched Shipbuilding Method (Tankai Method)”
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The Ministry of Culture and the Indian Navy collaborated to revive the 2000-year-old 'Stitched Shipbuilding Method'.
An Overview of the News
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on July 18, 2023 for 'Stitched Shipbuilding Method'.
'Stitched Shipbuilding Method':
In traditional shipbuilding techniques, wooden planks are stitched together without the use of nails.
Provides flexibility and stability, making vessels resilient to shallows and sandbars.
This declined with the arrival of European ships but small fishing boats survived in some Indian coastal areas.
Indian Navy Participation
The Indian Navy oversees the project because of its expertise in maritime security and shipbuilding.
Its objective is to ensure the successful implementation of the ancient sewing method.
Cultural Values and Heritage
For India, the revival of a vanishing art has significant cultural value.
It is part of India's rich maritime heritage.
It aims to create a sea-going wooden stitched sailing ship showcasing traditional craftsmanship.
Exploration of Historic Sea Routes
The ship will ply on ancient sea routes using traditional navigational techniques.
The project seeks to gain insight into the historical interactions, exchange of culture, knowledge, traditions and technologies in the Indian Ocean.
Preservation of Maritime Memory
Its importance lies in preserving maritime memory and fostering a sense of pride in India's heritage.
Its objective is to promote cultural relations among the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean.
Documentation and Cataloging
Detailed documentation and cataloguing of the project to preserve valuable information for future generations.
10. Skill India project successfully revives the dying Namda art of Jammu and Kashmir
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The Namda craft of Jammu and Kashmir was facing extinction, but has been successfully revived through the Skill India pilot project under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).
An Overview of the News
Around 2,200 candidates from six districts of Jammu and Kashmir received training in Namda art, thereby preserving this traditional craft and empowering local weavers and artisans.
The project demonstrates a successful Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model in skill development in collaboration with local industry partners.
The initiative was implemented in collaboration with Meer Handicrafts and the Srinagar Carpet Training and Market Centre, demonstrating the power of public-private partnerships in promoting skill development and attracting investments for economic development.
The project was launched following Union Minister Rajiv Chandrashekhar's visit to Jammu and Kashmir in 2021, where the need to preserve and revive the vanishing traditional crafts of the region was recognised.
The Namda craft involves making rugs from sheep's wool through felting techniques instead of traditional weaving.
About Namda Crafts
The credit for introducing Namda to the Kashmiri people is given to a Sufi saint named Shah-i-Hamdan.
Namda is a traditional Kashmiri craft that involves making felted carpets using sheep's wool and incorporating colourful hand embroidery.
Unlike traditional woven carpets, Namda is made through a felting process, where the wool fibres are tangled together instead of being woven.
The uniqueness of Namda lies in its intricate themes and floral patterns, which are inspired by nature.
The designs often feature flowers, leaves, buds and fruits, making for a visually appealing motif.
Namda art is not limited to Kashmir only but is also practised in many other Asian countries including Iran, Afghanistan and India.
