1. Andhra Pradesh's 'Atreyapuram Putharekula' receives coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag for traditional sweet
Tags: place in news State News
Geographical Indication Registry (GIR) has awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag to 'Atreyapuram Putharekula', a sweet made from rice and jaggery originating from Atreyapuram village in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh.
An Overview of the News
'Atreyapuram Putharekula' sweets GI registration comes under the 'Food Ingredients' category.
The official GI certificate handover ceremony took place at Damodaram Sanjeevayya National Law University (DSNLU) in Visakhapatnam.
The event coincides with the National Workshop on “Geographical Indications and GI Certificate Handover Ceremony for Atreyapuram Putharekula”.
The event was organized by the Center for Intellectual Property Rights and Technology Group and brought together experts and dignitaries from the field.
The GI tag was awarded to Sir Arthur Cotton Atreyapuram Putharekula Manufacturers Welfare Association, and it is valid from June 14, 2023, to December 12, 2031.
GIR, headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, functions under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), part of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI).
About Putharekula:
Putharekula is a sweet dish made of a paper-thin layer of paper-like rice starch and filled with a mixture of sugar, dried fruits, and nuts.
The name "Putharekula" is derived from Telugu, where "putha" means "coating" and "reku" (plural "rekulu") means "sheet".
Local sweet makers usually use the MTU-3626 paddy variety, locally known as "Bondalu", which is extensively cultivated in the Konaseema region, to prepare this sweet.
About GI Tag:
The Geographical Indication (GI) mark is a certification that ensures the quality and uniqueness of products primarily linked to their place of origin.
As a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act in 1999, which came into effect on September 15, 2003.
2. Madhya Pradesh government unveils 108-feet statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Omkareshwar
Tags: State News
On September 18, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled a massive 108-feet-tall statue of eighth-century philosopher Adi Shankaracharya in Mandhata town (also known as Omkareshwar) in Khandwa district, about 80 km from Indore.
An Overview of the News
This event has been named 'Ekatmata Ki Pratima' or 'Statue of Oneness'.
This statue is located on Mandhata mountain near the holy Omkareshwar temple, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.
Tribute to Adi Shankaracharya:
The statue is a tribute to Adi Shankaracharya, an eminent philosopher who visited Omkareshwar at the age of 12 to attain enlightenment on Advaita Vedanta philosophy.
Adi Shankaracharya spent four years in Omkareshwar studying this philosophy before embarking on a journey to preach Advaita Vedanta across the country.
Chief Minister's Vision:
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan mooted the idea of this statue during his visit to Omkareshwar in January 2017.
Sculpture:
The statue depicts Adi Shankaracharya at the age of 12, the age at which he visited Omkareshwar.
No photographs or paintings of him existed at the time, so a painter was chosen to create an image based on various ancient literary sources.
Then the statue was conceptualized and constructed on the basis of this painting.
Development Plans:
The state government has ambitious plans to develop Omkareshwar as a cultural and spiritual heritage site.
They are planning to establish 'Advaita Lok', a museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the philosophical traditions of Advaita Vedanta.
Additionally, an 'Advaita Van' spread over 36 hectares is being created at Omkareshwar to preserve the natural beauty and sustainability of the area.
3. Assam Governor unveils 'Sarpanch Samvad' mobile app
Tags: State News
Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria unveiled the 'Sarpanch Samvad' mobile application developed by the Quality Council of India (QCI) at Raj Bhavan.
An Overview of the News
QCI launched 'Sarpanch Samvad' as an initiative with the goal of connecting approximately 2.5 lakh Sarpanches (village heads) from across India.
It serves as a comprehensive platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and promoting collaboration among Sarpanches.
This initiative enables Sarpanches to showcase the developmental activities taking place in their respective villages, gain knowledge of best practices, and network with fellow Sarpanches across the country.
About Assam:
Location: It is a state located in the north-eastern region of India. It is bounded by Bhutan in the north, Arunachal Pradesh in the east, Nagaland in the northeast, Manipur in the southeast, Mizoram in the south, and West Bengal in the west.
Wildlife: Includes Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, and Nameri National Park.
Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950
Capital - Dispur
Official Language - Assamese
Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria
Rajya Sabha - 7 seats
Lok Sabha - 14 seats
Official Dance - Bihu Dance
4. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' in the state
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik unveiled the 'Mukhyamantri Sampoorna Pushti Yojana' to promote nutrition.
An Overview of the News
The primary objective of the program is to meet the nutritional needs of mothers, adolescent girls, and children in Odisha.
Specific provisions of the scheme include supplementary nutrition for adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years, additional dry food for pregnant women, and complete meals for severely malnourished children. Moderately malnourished children will get vitamin-rich Chhatua (roasted gram flour) and eggs.
Odisha is the first state in India to make a dedicated nutrition budget for the financial year 2020-21.
'Pada Pushti Yojana':-
Apart from the 'Chief Minister Sampoorna Pushti Yojana', Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also launched the 'Pada Pushti Yojana' especially targeting children.
The initiative aims to provide high-quality cooked food to children, especially those living in remote and tribal areas of Odisha.
The Government of Odisha has launched various programs including 'Mamta Yojana' to ensure the health and well-being of pregnant women and newborn babies in the state.
About Odisha
Formation - 1 April 1936
Capital - Bhubaneswar
Governor - Ganeshi Lal
Chief Minister - Naveen Patnaik
Rajya Sabha - 10 seats
Lok Sabha - 21 seats
5. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of Saragarhi Memorial in Firozpur, Punjab
Tags: State News
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone of Saragarhi Memorial at a formal ceremony in Firozpur, Punjab.
An Overview of the News
The Saragarhi Memorial is dedicated in honor of the brave Sikh warriors who sacrificed their lives during the Battle of Saragarhi.
The memorial is planned to be a state-of-the-art memorial and is expected to be completed within six months.
Historical Battle of Saragarhi:
The Battle of Saragarhi took place on September 12, 1897, near Samana Ridge (Pakistan), in which 21 soldiers of the 36 Sikh Regiment bravely defended their post against about 10,000 Afghan attackers.
He chose to fight to the death rather than surrender, making this an important chapter in military history.
Firozpur as a tourist centre:
Chief Minister Mann's vision includes transforming Ferozepur district into a major tourist destination in the state.
The district hosts not only the Saragarhi Memorial but also the Hussainiwala Memorial, where famous freedom fighters Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev and Shaheed Rajguru were martyred.
It aims to showcase these historically important sites to attract tourists from across the world, highlighting the rich heritage and sacrifices made by Indian heroes.
6. Social welfare scheme “Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam” to be launched by Tamil Nadu Government
Tags: Government Schemes State News
Tamil Nadu government will provide monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 to more than 1 crore female family heads through Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam.
An Overview of the News
Chief Minister MK Stalin officially announced the scheme, with the launch date set for September 15.
The scheme aims to provide Rs 1,000 per month to 1.06 crore eligible women who are heads of families.
Beneficiaries will receive financial assistance through direct bank transfers and will be provided with ATM cards for easy access.
The government emphasizes on effective implementation and will use SMS notifications to communicate with beneficiaries.
Out of 1.63 crore applications received, 1.06 crore have been accepted, highlighting the substantial impact of the scheme.
About Tamil Nadu
The state was formed on 26 January 1950 but its boundaries were redrawn on 14 January 1969.
It is located at the mouth of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean.
Governor - Ravindra Narayan Ravi
Chief Minister - M.K.Stalin
Assembly seats - 235 seats
Rajya Sabha seats - 18
Lok Sabha seats - 39
7. Goa Governor launches the Mashaal (torch) for the 37th National Games
Tags: State News Sports News
Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai launches the Mashaal for the 37th National Games.
An Overview of the News
The launch took place at the Durbar Hall, Raj Bhavan, Donapaula, in collaboration with the Sports Authority of Goa and the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Torch relay to ignite enthusiasm and unity
Dr. Pramod Sawant announced Goa's readiness to host the National Games.
The 'Mashal' will travel through Goa and other states for four days, especially in rural areas to encourage enthusiasm and participation.
Sports Minister Govind Goude encouraged all Goans to participate and support the success of the Games.
National sports anthem with Amitabh Bachchan
Governor Pillai presented the National Games anthem, sung by legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.
The anthem featured the traditional Goan instrument, the Ghumat, and featured a collaboration between Goan singers and other talented artists.
Important Points
Joint CEO of National Sports Organizing Committee - Dr. Geeta S. Nagvenkar
Sports Minister - Govind Gaude
Minister of State for Tourism - Shripad Naik
Chief Minister of Goa - Dr. Pramod Sawant
8. Odisha's Koraput Kalajeera rice gets GI tag status
Tags: State News
Koraput district of Odisha has successfully achieved the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) status for its famous rice variety 'Koraput Kalajeera Rice', often called the 'Prince of Rice'.
An Overview of the News
This aromatic rice variety has been cultivated by tribal farmers of Koraput district for generations and is prized for its nutritional value.
Koraput Kalajeera rice is distinguished by its black colour, exceptional aroma, pleasing taste and pleasing texture. Its appearance is often compared to coriander seeds.
Apart from its culinary appeal, this rice is associated with various health benefits, including memory enhancement, diabetes control, increasing hemoglobin levels, and improved metabolism, as suggested in ancient texts.
This fragrant rice is known for its medicinal properties, which include antispasmodic, carminative, carminative, antibacterial, astringent, and sedative.
What is GI tag?
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign given to products coming from a specific geographical location.
GIs certify that products are made using traditional methods or have specific qualities due to their origin.
It is used for food, handicrafts, and industrial products.
The GI tag ensures that only authorized users can use the product name.
9. Tamil Nadu's Salem Sago gets GI tag
Tags: State News
Salem Starch and Sago Manufacturers Service Industrial Co-operative Society Limited, also known as SagoServe, recently received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Salem Sago.
An Overview of the News
District Collector S Karmegam presented the GI certificate to Sagoserv Administrator Lalithaditya Neelam at an official program.
Salem district of Tamil Nadu has previously received the GI tag for raw silk and Malgoa mango, thereby contributing to the recognition of the region.
Other notable products from different regions, such as Tirupati Laddu and Palani Panchamirtham have also received the GI tag.
This recognition of Salem sago with a GI tag is expected to boost business opportunities for sago farmers and traders in the region.
Tamil Nadu contributes significantly to the national sago production, accounting for 40% of the total production.
Salem holds the leading position in sago production in Tamil Nadu.
Sagosarva, established in 1981, is a cooperative society with 374 members from various districts including Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Erode, Perambalur, Trichy, Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram.
What is a GI tag?
A geographical indication (GI) is a name or sign given to products coming from a specific geographical location.
GIs certify that products are made using traditional methods or have specific qualities due to their origin.
It is used for food, handicrafts and industrial products.
The GI tag ensures that only authorized users can use the product name.
Who awards and regulates geographical indications?
These are a type of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) recognized and protected under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
The World Trade Organization (WTO)'s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) provides a framework for the protection of GIs at the international level.
In India, registration and protection of GIs is governed by theGeographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect in September 2003.
10. India's first solar city inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh's Sanchi
Tags: Science and Technology State News
Madhya Pradesh (MP) Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated Sanchi in Raisen district as India's first solar city.
An Overview of the News
The initiative is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of developing a solar city in every state by 2070.
About Sanchi Solar City:
Sanchi Solar City has two solar plants - a 3 MW solar plant at Nagauri and a5 MW solar plant at Gulgaon, which cater to the city's power and agricultural needs.
Currently, an 8 MW grid-connected solar plant is under construction within Sanchi city.
Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) acted as the nodal agency for this solar city project.
MPUVNL launched an 'Energy Literacy Campaign' to educate the people of Sanchi about energy-saving practices.
Sanchi Solar City is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 13,747 tonnes, which is equivalent to the effect of planting more than 2 lakh adult trees.
The project is expected to save over Rs 7 crore annually in energy-related expenses for both the government and citizens.
Initiatives under the Sanchi Solar City Project:
Electric vehicle charging stations have been set up across the city to promote the adoption of electric vehicles.
Public establishments have been fitted with rooftop solar systems to harness solar energy.
Individual rooftop owners have also installed solar systems on their premises, thereby reducing their dependence on grid electricity.
National Renewable Energy Target:
India has set a target of generating 40% of its total installed electricity generation capacity from renewable sources by 2030.
About Sanchi:
Sanchi is famous for its Buddhist Stupa, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Great Stupa of Sanchi was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC.
Important Point:- In October 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared Modhera village in Gujarat as India's first 24x7 solar-powered village.
About Madhya Pradesh
It is the second largest state of India by area after Rajasthan.
Forests occupy 25.14 percent of its area.
Governor - Mangubhai Patel
Chief Minister - Shivraj Singh Chauhan
Capital - Bhopal
