NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Gujarat’s ‘Gharchola’ Receives Geographical Indication Tag: Gujarat’s Gharchola has recently been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, which was conferred by the Union government, and took place during the event “GI and Beyond, Virasat Se Vikas Tak” in New Delhi. With this recognition, Gujarat now boasts 27 GI-certified items, 23 of which belong to the handicraft sector. The GI tag protects products that have a specific geographical origin and confirms the unique craftsmanship and quality of Gharchola. This tag enhances its market value and global reputation. It also helps prevent misuse of the name by non-authentic producers.The GI recognition supports local artisans, which raises awareness about their skills and crafts.
2. Karnataka’s Health Minister Orders Study on Handigodu Disease: Karnataka’s Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has initiated a comprehensive approach to address Handigodu disease. This rare genetic disorder impacts the nervous system, leading to health challenges. The minister’s directives aim to enhance healthcare in affected regions. Handigodu disease is a genetic condition first identified in 1978, which causes muscle weakness, joint deformities, and skeletal issues. The disease has resulted in approximately 205 reported cases and nearly 100 fatalities between 1978 and 1985.
3. Cabinet Approves Tato-I Hydro Electric Project: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned Rs 1,750 crore for the Tato-I Hydro Electric Project in Arunachal Pradesh, which aims to enhance power supply in the region. The Tato-I Hydro Electric Project will feature a total capacity of 186 MW, which will consist of three units, each with a capacity of 62 MW. The project is expected to generate approximately 802 million units of electricity each year.The expected completion time for the Tato-I HEP is 50 months, which includes all phases of construction and operational setup.
4. BIPEX-2024: The national postal exhibition BIPEX-2024 commenced in Patna at the Gyan Bhawan Auditorium and will run for three days. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar inaugurated the exhibition, marking Bihar’s rich postal history. One key attraction is the world’s first postal stamp. This stamp, known as Azimabad Ekanni and Doanni, was released 250 years ago, which is originated in Patna and was crafted from a copper coin. This historical piece showcases the evolution of postal services.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. CBIC Host Global India Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) recently hosted a global India Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, which took place on November 28-29, 2024, in New Delhi, and involved collaboration with the World Bank. Key figures included CBIC Chairman Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal and Secretary of the Department of Revenue, Shri Sanjay Malhotra. Representatives from 18 trade partner countries attended. India launched the AEO programme in 2011 and was strengthened in 2016 to better support trade facilitation. The Directorate of International Customs manages the programme under CBIC.On October 31, 2024, India has 5,947 AEO-certified entities. The certification operates under a three-tier system. An additional tier exists for logistics operators, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. AUKUS Pact’s Impact on New Zealand-China Relations: China’s ambassador Wang Xiaolong cautioned that New Zealand’s involvement in the AUKUS security pact could jeopardize its relationship with China, which comes as New Zealand evaluates its options regarding AUKUS. AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership formed in 2021, which includes Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The pact aims to counter China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region, which initially focused on providing Australia with nuclear-powered submarines. The agreement has since expanded to include advanced technology sharing.
3. Masato Kanda Elected as ADB President: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Masato Kanda as its 11th President. His term begins on February 24, 2025, and succeeds Masatsugu Asakawa, who will leave office the day before. Kanda will complete Asakawa’s term, which ends on November 23, 2026. Masato Kanda is 59 years old and currently serves as a Special Advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Kanda has nearly 40 years of experience in finance. He held roles at Japan’s Ministry of Finance. His positions included Vice-Minister of Finance for International Affairs.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Army Launches ‘Eklavya’ Online Learning Platform: The Indian Army has introduced an online learning platform named Eklavya, which coincides with the “Decade of Transformation” and the Year of Technology Absorption in 2024. General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff, inaugurated the platform. Eklavya was developed by the Headquarters Army Training Command. The Army War College provided essential support. The Bhaskaracharya National Institute of Space Applications and Geoinformatics (BISAG-N) in Gandhinagar created the platform at no cost. It is hosted on the Army Data Network. The platform is designed to be scalable, which allows the Army to add various training establishments easily. Officers can register for multiple courses simultaneously. Currently, 96 courses are available from 17 key training establishments.
2. India Tests K-4 Missile from INS Arighaat: The Indian Navy conducted a successful test of the K-4 ballistic missile, which took place in the Bay of Bengal and involved the new nuclear-powered submarine, INS Arighaat. The missile has a range of 3,500 km, which enhances India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh brought into light the significance of INS Arighaat. He described it as a testament to India’s technological prowess. The submarine’s construction reflects the government’s “Aatmanirbharta” initiative, promoting self-reliance. Indian scientists, industries, and naval personnel collaborated on its development.
3. 59th All India Conference of Directors General/Inspector Generals of Police: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the 59th All India Conference of Directors General/Inspector Generals of Police in Bhubaneswar, which took place on November 30 and December 1, 2024. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for a modernized and strategic police force. Modi urged police to adopt SMART principles – Strategic, Meticulous, Reliable, Transparent, and Flexible. He brought into light the importance of adapting to changing circumstances and challenges in law enforcement.The Prime Minister stressed using technology to ease officers’ workloads. He pointed out the necessity of addressing digital fraud, cyber crimes, and AI-related threats. He encouraged leveraging Artificial Intelligence to transform challenges into opportunities.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. India International Science Festival (IISF) 2024: The India International Science Festival (IISF) 2024 will take place from November 30 to December 3, 2024, at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati. This year, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) leads the event, which is supported by the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST). IISF 2024 will feature numerous events and activities for the public and scientific communities. One major attraction is “Chandrayaan: The Museum of the Moon,” showcasing an artistic model of the moon. The Mega Science and Technology Exhibition will highlight India’s achievements in STEM.
2. ISRO’s PSLV Launches Proba-3 Mission: ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) will take off from Sriharikota on December 4, 2024, at 4:08 pm. The launch involves collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and New Space India Limited (NSIL). The PSLV is ISRO’s trusted launch vehicle, which has a proven track record for reliability and versatility. The rocket is capable of launching satellites into various orbits. It has successfully completed numerous missions since its first flight in 1993. The Proba-3 mission is a groundbreaking initiative, which is the first precision formation flying mission in the world. The mission aims to deploy two satellites into a special elliptical orbit. These satellites will weigh a combined total of 550 kg.
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