1. Banarasi paan among the 4 food items to get GI tag
Tags: National National News
Banarasi paan has been awarded the GI tag, which signifies its unique identity and origin. Three other foods from the Varanasi region, including Banarasi Langda Mango, Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal), and Adamchini rice, have also received the GI tag.
An Overview of the News
Banarasi paan is a popular mouth-freshener made from betel leaves, betel nut, slaked lime and many other ingredients.
Banarasi paan is an important part of the cultural heritage of the city of Varanasi, having its origins in the Mughal era.
The inclusion of these four products takes the total number of GI-tagged products from the Kashi region alone to 22, highlighting the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the region.
The GI tag provides an opportunity to the producers of Banarasi paan to market and promote it as a unique and authentic product from the Varanasi region while preserving the traditional skills and knowledge.
The GI tag can also boost the local economy by promoting tourism and increasing demand for Banarasi Paan and other GI-tagged products from the region.
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 have been made using traditional methods or have specific qualities due to their origin.
GI is used for food, handicrafts and industrial products.
GI tag ensures that only authorised users can use the name of the product.
Who grants and regulates Geographical Indications?
Geographical Indications (GI) 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) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) provides a framework for the protection of GIs at the international level.
In India, the registration and protection of GI is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect in September 2003.
The first product in India to receive the GI tag was Darjeeling tea, which was given GI tag in the year 2004-05.
2. Banarasi paan among the 4 food items to get GI tag
Tags: National National News
Banarasi paan has been awarded the GI tag, which signifies its unique identity and origin. Three other foods from the Varanasi region, including Banarasi Langda Mango, Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal), and Adamchini rice, have also received the GI tag.
An Overview of the News
Banarasi paan is a popular mouth-freshener made from betel leaves, betel nut, slaked lime and many other ingredients.
Banarasi paan is an important part of the cultural heritage of the city of Varanasi, having its origins in the Mughal era.
The inclusion of these four products takes the total number of GI-tagged products from the Kashi region alone to 22, highlighting the rich cultural and culinary heritage of the region.
The GI tag provides an opportunity to the producers of Banarasi paan to market and promote it as a unique and authentic product from the Varanasi region while preserving the traditional skills and knowledge.
The GI tag can also boost the local economy by promoting tourism and increasing demand for Banarasi Paan and other GI-tagged products from the region.
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 have been made using traditional methods or have specific qualities due to their origin.
GI is used for food, handicrafts and industrial products.
GI tag ensures that only authorised users can use the name of the product.
Who grants and regulates Geographical Indications?
Geographical Indications (GI) 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) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) provides a framework for the protection of GIs at the international level.
In India, the registration and protection of GI is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect in September 2003.
The first product in India to receive the GI tag was Darjeeling tea, which was given GI tag in the year 2004-05.
3. IIT Kanpur to host Y20 consultation under India's G20 chairmanship
Tags: National National News
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur will host the Youth20 Consultation under India's G20 chairmanship from 5 to 6 April 2023.
An Overview of the News
Y20 Consultancy is a platform that brings together youth to connect, share ideas and experiences, and brainstorm on finding innovative solutions to pressing global concerns.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, is the regulatory authority behind Y20 mentorship, and it is a pan-India activity until the final Youth-20 summit in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The consultation Y20 Summit 2023 focuses on two main themes: "The Future of Work: Industry 4.0, Innovation, and 21st Century Skills"; and "Health, Wellbeing and Sport: Agenda for Youth."
IIT Kanpur is one of the oldest IITs in India, established in 1959.
IIT Kanpur focuses on research and development in various fields including aerospace engineering, biotechnology and renewable energy.
About the G20
It is an international forum of the world's major economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
4. IIT Kanpur to host Y20 consultation under India's G20 chairmanship
Tags: National National News
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur will host the Youth20 Consultation under India's G20 chairmanship from 5 to 6 April 2023.
An Overview of the News
Y20 Consultancy is a platform that brings together youth to connect, share ideas and experiences, and brainstorm on finding innovative solutions to pressing global concerns.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, is the regulatory authority behind Y20 mentorship, and it is a pan-India activity until the final Youth-20 summit in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
The consultation Y20 Summit 2023 focuses on two main themes: "The Future of Work: Industry 4.0, Innovation, and 21st Century Skills"; and "Health, Wellbeing and Sport: Agenda for Youth."
IIT Kanpur is one of the oldest IITs in India, established in 1959.
IIT Kanpur focuses on research and development in various fields including aerospace engineering, biotechnology and renewable energy.
About the G20
It is an international forum of the world's major economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
5. India Justice Report 2022 : Karnataka tops states, UTs in providing access to justice
Tags: Reports National News
According to the India Justice Report 2022 released in New Delhi on April 4, Karnataka tops the list of states and Union Territories in providing access to justice.
Parameters - This study relies on overall statistics from four pillars of justice delivery:
Police
Judiciary
Prisons
Legal aid
Highlights of the report
Shortage of Judges
According to the report, as of December 2022, the high courts were functioning with only 778 judges as against the sanctioned strength of 1,108.
The subordinate courts were functioning with 19,288 judges as against the sanctioned strength of 24,631 judges.
Case Clearance Rate (CCR)
As per reports, the High Courts are settling more cases than the subordinate courts.
Between 2018-19 and 2022, the national average increased by six percentage points (88.5% to 94.6%) in high courts, but decreased by 3.6 points (93% to 89.4%) in subordinate courts.
The High Courts of Kerala and Odisha have the highest case disposal rates – 156% and 131%, respectively – while the High Courts of Rajasthan (65%) and Bombay (72%) have the lowest, respectively.
Increasing Pendency
The number of cases per judgment has been relatively stable over the past five years in most states.
At the High Court level, cases are pending for an average of 11.34 years in Uttar Pradesh, while West Bengal has a delay of 9.9 years. Tripura has the lowest average (1 year), Sikkim (1.9 years) and Meghalaya (2.1 years).
Performance of States
Karnataka ranks first among 18 large and medium-sized states with a population of over one crore in terms of delivery of justice, which includes police, judiciary, prisons and legal aid.
Tamil Nadu is second and Telangana is third. Uttar Pradesh is at the 18th position, which is at the bottom.
Among small states, Sikkim topped the list of seven small states with less than one crore population, followed by Arunachal Pradesh. Goa is at the bottom, at seventh position.
Court Hall
Nationwide, the number of courts appears to be sufficient to accommodate the actual number of judges.
But as per reports if all the sanctioned posts are filled, the court hall will become an issue.
About India Justice Report
Tata Trusts launched the India Justice Report (IJR) in 2019.
This is the third edition.
Center for Social Justice, Common Cause, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Daksh, TISS-Prayas, Vidhi Institute for Law Policy, and How India Lives, data partner of IJR, are among its partners.
6. Skyroot Aerospace test-fires advanced fully 3D-printed cryogenic engine
Tags: Science and Technology National News
In Nagpur, private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace test-fired its 3D-printed Dhawan II engine for a duration of 200 seconds on 4 April.
An overview of the news
This is the second cryogenic rocket that has been successfully test-fired by Skyroot, following the Dhawan-I engine that was tested in November 2021.
The achievement comes after the November 2022 launch of Vikram-S, making Skyroot the first Indian private company to send a rocket into space.
The engine has been developed by the company for its heavy vehicle Vikram II.
This cryogenic engine will be used as an advanced stage of the updated version of Vikram-II.
The cryogenic engine series is named after Dr. Satish Dhawan, a renowned Indian rocket scientist who played a key role in the development of the Indian space programme.
Utilisation of Skyroot’s cryogenic rocket engines
Skyroot's cryogenic rocket engines use two high-performance rocket propellants, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX), which require cryogenic temperatures (below -150 °C) for storage and operation .
Fully cryogenic engines are ideal for rocket upper stages due to their high specific impulse, which increases payload carrying capacity.
Skyroot Aerospace
Skyroot Aerospace is a spacetech start-up that aims to address growing concerns in the global space industry.
It provides low cost launch solutions to reach space in short time.
The startup's three launch vehicles - Vikram I, II and III - can carry payloads ranging from 200 kg to 700 kg to low Earth orbit.
Currently, the team is testing a 3D printed liquid propellant engine and a fully composite (carbon fiber) and high-performance solid rocket motor.
Headquarters - Hyderabad, Telangana
7. Bahrain Launches Golden License To Make Large-Scale Investments
Tags: International News
Bahrain launched the Golden License Initiative to encourage investment and job creation in the country and aims to provide streamlined services and benefits to local and foreign businesses with large-scale investment projects in Bahrain.
An Overview of the News
Companies with important strategic projects and investments of more than US$50 million or creating more than 500 jobs in Bahrain will be eligible for the licence.
The Golden License offers various benefits, including priority land allotment for investment, infrastructure services, utilities, and streamlined access to government services such as business licensing and building permit approval.
The licence will also provide support from Tamkin and the Bahrain Development Bank.
The initiative was launched by Bahrain's cabinet, chaired by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, to attract local and international investment to create job opportunities.
India has the largest expatriate population in Bahrain, with around 350,000 Indians living in the country.
About Bahrain
It is an island country located in western Asia on the Persian Gulf and consists of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, of which Bahrain Island is the largest.
The capital of Bahrain is Manama, which serves as the commercial and financial centre of the country.
The majority of the population is Muslim, with Sunni and Shia Muslims being the largest groups.
8. 2nd G20 Empower meeting of Ministry of Women and Child Development begins in Thiruvananthapuram
Tags: Summits National News
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the 2nd G20 Empower meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala under the theme “Women Empowerment: Win-win for Equality and Economy”.
An Overview of the News
The meeting includes various side events that address important issues related to women's safety, health, wages and insurance.
Issues such as women empowerment, women entrepreneurship, leadership development and economic prosperity through women's participation in non-traditional sectors will be discussed in the meeting.
G20 Empower 2023, under the chairmanship of India, aims to promote India's women-led development agenda.
About the G20
It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.
Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.
The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.
State Health Minister of Kerala - Veena George
Chairperson of G20 Empower - Dr. Sangita Reddy
Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development - Munjpara Mahendrabhai
9. MF Hydra: World's first liquid hydrogen ferry
Tags: International News
Norwegian company Norld launched the world's first ferry to run on MF Hydra liquid hydrogen.
An Overview of the News
The vessel, named MF Hydra, is a hybrid and uses both batteries and liquid hydrogen fuel cells for power.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) granted approval to operate the yacht.
An important step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the marine industry.
Hydrogen fuel cells produce only clean water as a byproduct, making them an environmentally friendly option for powering ferries and other marine vessels.
The MF Hydra was to be delivered in 2021 and measures 82.4 metres in length, with a passenger capacity of 300 and a capacity to carry 80 vehicles.
It uses two 200 kW fuel cells, two 440 kW generators and two Shottel thrusters to reach a speed of 9 knots.
The hydrogen system was provided by Linde Engineering, the fuel cell by Ballard and the battery by Corvus Energy. The ferry was completed by Westcon and systems integrator SEAM.
About Norway
Capital- Oslo
Currency- Norwegian Krone
King- Harald V of Norway
10. NASA announces four-member team of astronauts to travel to the Moon
Tags: Science and Technology International News
For the first time in five decades, NASA announced a team of four astronauts for its human spaceflight mission to the Moon.
An overview of the news
The team of four astronauts will fly around the moon for a 10-day mission next year.
NASA has announced the four astronauts who will go to lunar orbit and return with the Artemis 2 mission.
Who are these Artemis 2 astronauts?
These four Artemis 2 astronauts are - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch.
NASA’s Reid Wiseman will be the commander of the Artemis 2 mission.
Victor Glover will serve as the pilot for Artemis 2. Glover was previously the pilot of NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 mission.
Jeremy Hansen will represent the Canadian Space Agency during the mission.
NASA astronaut Christina Koch will be the mission specialist for Artemis 3.
Koch visited the space station in 2019, where she was part of the first all-woman spacewalk in history.
The Artemis II flight team will have three American and one Canadian astronauts, the first since the historic Apollo mission ended in 1972.
Artemis 2 mission
The Artemis 1 mission will allow NASA to test the foundation of its latest human space exploration capabilities.
This includes the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and all associated ground systems.
Artemis 2 will be the first crewed mission to test all of these.
About NASA
NASA was formed under the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 19, 1948, in place of its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).
NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Headquarters- Washington D.C.
Administrator - Bill Nelson
