1. 8 Indian products receive a Geographical Indication tag
Tags: National News
The Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has recently granted GI tags to 8 specific products. Of these, 3 are from Arunachal Pradesh, 1 from Tamil Nadu, 2 from Jammu and Kashmir, 1 from Odisha and 1 from Goa.
An Overview of the News
Arunachal Pradesh has secured Geographical Indication (GI) tags for three different products: Khamti rice, Yak Churpi from Tawang and Tangsa cloth.
Yak Churpi: It is a dairy product derived from the indigenous Arunachali yak breed, which was applied for GI registration by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Center on Yak (ICAR-NRC on Yak) in December 2021.
Khamti Rice: It is a glutinous rice variety, cultivated in the Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Tangsa Textiles: Tangsa textile products of the Tangsa tribe in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh are known for their unique designs and vibrant colors.
Support from NABARD and Vocal for Local campaign:
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) actively supported the registration of indigenous products of the region for Geographical Indication (GI) as part of the “Vocal for Local” campaign of the State Government.
Tamil Nadu to Udangudi Panangkarupatti:
Udanagudi Panangkarupatti is a specific type of palm jaggery that originates from the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, which is known for its traditional production method.
This palm jaggery has received international recognition and is exported to countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore.
Basohli Pashmina of Jammu and Kashmir and Kaladi of Udhampur:
Basohli Pashmina: A traditional hand-made pashmina craft from the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, Basohli Pashmina received the GI tag for its exceptional softness and feather-like weight.
Kaladi: This is a popular Dogra dish, which originated in Ramnagar in the Udhampur district.
Sweet dish 'Rasabali' of Kendrapara, Odisha:
Rasabali: It is a delicious dish that originates from the 262-year-old Baladevyu temple at Ichchapur on the outskirts of Kendrapada town.
It consists of deep-fried flat red-brown paneer patties soaked in thick and sweetened milk.
Rasabali has historical significance and is part of the 56 offerings made to Lord Jagannath and his divine siblings at the Puri Srimandir.
Goa Cashew:
Goa Cashew with its unique taste and identity has received the GI tag in sync with the Swayampurna Goa Mission for self-reliance.
It is the 10th product from Goa to be awarded the coveted GI tag, which includes Harmal Chilli, Khola Chilli, Mindoli Banana, Agasam Brinjal, Sat Shiro Bhendo, Kaju Feni, Goa Khaje, Mancurad Mango and Goa Bebinka.
2. North America's first Gandhi Museum opens in Houston, Texas
Tags: International News
North America's first Gandhi museum, the Eternal Gandhi Museum Houston (EGMH) was inaugurated in Houston, Texas, USA.
An Overview of the News
The inauguration ceremony took place on 2 October 2023, coinciding with Gandhi's 154th birth anniversary.
The museum officially opened to the public on August 15, 2023.
Special guest at the inauguration ceremony:
The event was attended by prominent personalities, including Dr. Rajmohan Gandhi (grandson of Mahatma Gandhi), Isaac Newton Farris Jr. (nephew of Martin Luther King), and Consul General of India (CGI) in Houston D. Manjunath.
Architectural Features and Design:
The architecture of the museum is inspired by Gandhi's iconic twenty-four-spoke Chakra Charkha.
A prominent statue of Gandhiji is prominently displayed in front of the museum.
The museum's semicircular exterior walls depict notable peace activists including Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., and Betty Williams.
Interactive Display:
Inside the museum, visitors can see interactive exhibits that narrate Gandhi's life story in three different parts: "His Journey," "Our Journey," and "My Journey."
3. India Reclaims AIBD Presidency for Third Straight Term
Tags: National News
India was re-elected as the President of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) General Conference (GC) for the third consecutive time.
An Overview of the News
This re-election is a testament to India's leadership and influence in this prestigious international organization.
India has already served as the Chair of the AIBD GC from 2018-2021 and 2021-2023.
This reflects India's commitment and contribution to the organization over an extended period.
General Conference (GC) 2023:
The 21st General Conference of AIBD and Associated Meetings 2023 was successfully held in Port Louis, Mauritius.
AIBD Chairman Gaurav Dwivedi, who is also the CEO of Prasar Bharati, presided over the conference.
Objectives of the conference:
The two-day conference aims to promote a dynamic and cohesive electronic media environment in the Asia-Pacific region.
This objective was pursued through policy development and resource allocation discussions.
About AIBD:
AIBD is a specialized regional inter-governmental organization established in 1977 in collaboration with UNESCO.
The organization currently consists of 92 member organizations from 44 countries, including 26 government members and 44 associates.
These members represent diverse regions including Asia, the Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Arab States, and North America.
Founding Membership of India:
India is one of the founding members of AIBD, highlighting its historical partnership and commitment.
Prasar Bharati, India's public service broadcaster, represents the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India within the AIBD.
Importance of India's role:
India's prominent position within the AIBD underlines the international media's confidence in India and Prasar Bharati.
This role provides a strong foundation for India to strategically pursue further achievements in the broadcasting sector on the global stage.
4. Bangladesh receives the first batch of Russian Uranium for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
Tags: International News
The Russian Embassy in Bangladesh officially delivered the first batch of uranium from Russia to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).
An Overview of the News
After the commissioning of the Rooppur plant, Bangladesh is on its way to becoming the 33rd country globally to produce nuclear power.
A formal "graduation ceremony" marked the handover of radioactive fuel from the Russian contractor, Rosatom, to RNPP officials.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Russian President Vladimir Putin virtually attended the ceremony held at the Gana Bhavan and the Kremlin respectively.
Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev presented the fuel, and the ceremony was presided over by Minister of Science and Technology Architect Yefesh Osman.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi also participated via video conference.
Uranium Shipment and Transportation:
The second batch of uranium-making nuclear fuel for the first unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant arrived in Dhaka via a special plane at Dhaka Shahjalal International Airport on October 5.
The initial batch of uranium reached Bangladesh on 28 September and was safely transported by road to the nuclear power plant site the next day.
Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Overview and Expenses Fuel Management:
Rosatom, the Russian contractor, is responsible for the construction of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, which has a total capacity of 2400 MW and consists of two units, each capable of producing 1200 MW of electricity.
After nuclear fuel is loaded into the plant's reactors, it can generate electricity for up to a year before needing to reload the fuel.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that Russia is committed to reclaiming the spent fuel from the Rooppur plant and an agreement has been signed with the Russian Federation for the management of the spent fuel.
5. Union Cabinet approves Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana
Tags: State News National News
The Union Cabinet on October 4, 2023 approved the establishment of Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Mulugu district of Telangana.
An Overview of the News
Amendments to the Central Universities Act 2009 were approved to facilitate the establishment of the university.
The Central Universities (Amendment) Bill-2023 will be introduced in Parliament for legislative action.
Legal Mandate and Delayed Establishment:
The University has been established under the provisions of the 13th Schedule of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act-2014.
This Act mandated the establishment of a tribal university in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
A tribal university was established in Andhra Pradesh in 2019, after delays in land allocation had prevented the establishment of the university in Telangana.
Financial Provisions and Educational Objectives:
Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University will receive funding provision of Rs 889.07 crore.
The university aims to increase access to higher education in Telangana and improve the overall quality of education in the state.
It will also focus on promoting tribal art, culture and traditional knowledge systems through instructional and research facilities.
The establishment of the university seeks to address regional educational imbalances and create additional educational capacity.
Central Tribal Universities in India:
Earlier, the Central Government had established two Central Tribal Universities in India:
Indira Gandhi National Tribal University is located in Amarkantak.
Andhra Pradesh Central Tribal University is located in Vizianagaram.
Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University in Telangana will be the third such university established with the aim of providing higher education and research facilities to the tribal population of the country.
At present there are a total of 45 central universities in India.
6. India-Bangladesh SAMPRITI-XI: Joint Military Exercise Begins
Tags: Defence International News
India and Bangladesh began the 11th edition of their annual joint military exercise, SAMPRITI, in Umroi, Meghalaya on October 3, 2023.
An Overview of the News
SAMPRITI is organized by both countries on a rotation basis and is a symbol of their strong bilateral defense cooperation.
Around 350 troops from India and Bangladesh will participate in SAMPRITI-XI and the exercise is scheduled to last for 14 days.
SAMPRITI-XI consists of a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX).
The CPX consists of 20 officials from each team and focuses on making decisions after thorough deliberations.
FTX validates ground-level operations and includes joint tactical exercises for counter-terrorism operations, such as hostage rescue and crowd control measures.
Verification Exercises and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' Tools:
A validation exercise will be conducted at Darrang Field Firing Range in Assam on October 14 and 15, 2023.
During this exercise, participants will see the capabilities of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' equipment highlighting indigenous manufacturing.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations:
SAMPRITI-XI aims to enhance defense cooperation between India and Bangladesh.
It promotes deeper bilateral relations, cultural understanding and mutual benefit through shared experiences in sub-traditional operations.
The exercise emphasizes on improving interoperability, sharing tactical expertise and promoting best practices between the two armies.
About Bangladesh
It is located in South Asia and is bordered by India to the north, east and west and Myanmar to the southeast.
The country is home to several major rivers, including the Padma (Ganga), Meghna and Jamuna, which flow through the country and create fertile plains important for agriculture.
Capital - Dhaka
Currency - Bangladeshi Taka
Official Languages - Bengali, English
Prime Minister - Sheikh Hasina
7. India to unveil largest BR Ambedkar statue in Maryland, USA
Tags: International News
India will unveil the largest statue of BR Ambedkar outside India in Maryland, North America on October 14.
An Overview of the News
This project is organized by the Ambedkar International Center (AIC).
The 19-foot statue, known as the "Statue of Equality", was created by renowned artist and sculptor Ram Sutar, who also created the statue of Sardar Patel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The statue of B.R. Ambedkar, an important figure in the Constitution of India, is located on 13 acres of land in the city of Accokeek, Maryland.
About Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
The 132nd birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti in India on April 14, 2023.
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer.
He was the first Minister of Law and Justice of independent India and Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
He was born in 1891 in a Dalit family.
Ambedkar played an important role in drafting the Indian Constitution and was a strong advocate of social justice, equality and democracy.
Dr. Ambedkar died in 1956.
Some of his notable books: Annihilation of Caste, Buddha and His Dhamma, Who Were the Shudras?, Thoughts on Linguistic States, Pakistan or Partition of India, Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Origin and Development, Development of Provincial Finance in British India, Hindu Riddles in religion, and the untouchables: who were they and why did they become untouchables?
8. Union Minister Hardeep S Puri inaugurates India Pavilion at ADIPEC 2023
Tags: International News
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the Indian Pavilion at the International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2023).
An Overview of the News
The Indian pavilion is one of the 30 country pavilions at the event.
Minister Puri also participated in bilateral discussions with industry leaders, including the interim CEO of British Petroleum and other key personalities.
ADIPEC 2023
The Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC 2023) opened on October 2, 2023 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
ADIPEC will involve more than 160,000 people from 164 countries.
The event will run until October 5 and focuses on the theme "Decarbonizing. Fast. Together".
ADIPEC's goal is to bring together the global energy industry to advance decarbonization efforts in today's energy systems and collaborate on the energy future.
Highlights of the Event
ADIPEC 2023 features more than 2,200 global companies across 16 exhibition halls.
The event covers four specialized areas: Decarbonization Accelerator, Maritime and Logistics Sector, Digitalization in the Energy Sector, and Manufacturing and Industrialization Exhibition and Conference.
Organized by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), ADIPEC facilitates networking, business development and the exploration of new products, solutions and technologies.
Global Importance and Timeliness
ADIPEC 2023 is strategically timed as it takes place ahead of the hosting of COP28 in the UAE, emphasizing the program's role in aligning the energy industry with low-carbon, high-growth energy solutions.
Experts from diverse sectors within the energy ecosystem have gathered to address critical energy and climate challenges, making ADIPEC 2023 an important event for a more sustainable energy future.
9. Military Nursing Service celebrated 98th Foundation Day
Tags: National News
The Military Nursing Service (MNS) celebrated its 98th Raising Day on October 1, 2023.
An Overview of the News
MNS is recognized as one of the oldest and most prestigious women's services within the armed forces.
Serving and retired MNS officers paid homage at the National War Memorial on September 30, 2023.
Social gathering and distinguished presence
Additional DGMNS organized a social gathering at MNS Officers Mess, AH(R&R), New Delhi.
The event was attended by over 300 guests including senior dignitaries from the three Services and experienced MNS officers.
Historical importance of MNS
The origins of the MNS date back to the colonial era when British and Indian soldiers served in the British Army.
In 1888, the Indian Army Nursing Service (IANS) was established, marking the formal beginning of military nursing in India.
IANS officers played a vital role in providing medical care during the First and Second World Wars.
On October 1, 1926, the Permanent Nursing Service was established and designated as the Indian Military Nursing Service.
After Independence, the MNS became part of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and has since earned a reputation for dedication and exemplary service in both war and peace, making it one of the world's top nursing services known for its resilience and courage.
10. Dr. Mohammed Muizzu wins the Maldives presidential election
Tags: Person in news International News
Dr. Mohammed Muizzu of the opposition PPM PNC alliance won the presidential election in Maldives with more than 53% of the votes.
An Overview of the News
Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the ruling MDP received 46% of the vote in the runoff, up from 39% in the first round, but he fell short of the 50% needed to win.
The elections saw an improved turnout of 86% in the second round compared to 78% in the first.
About Maldives
It is officially called the Republic of Maldives.
It is located in the Indian Ocean.
It is classified as an archipelagic state.
This country is located in South Asia.
Geographically, it is located south-west of Sri Lanka and India.
Maldives is located about 750 kilometers from the mainland of the Asian continent.
Capital - Male
Currency - Maldivian Rufiyaa
Official language - Dhivehi
