JEV is transmitted to humans through bites from infected mosquitoes of the Culex species (mainly Culex tritaeniorhynchus)
Hakim Ajmal Khan was eminent Indian Unani physician who was
versatile genius, freedom fighter, educationist and founder of
scientific research in Unani Medicine.
Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover of 77,414 sq km in the country in terms of area, followed by Arunachal Pradesh with 66,964 sq km and Chhattisgarh (55,547 sq km).
In terms of percentage of forest cover with respect to the total geographical area, Lakshadweep with (90.33 per cent) has the highest forest cover,
India improves ranking in US Chamber’s intellectual property index
In the latest 2018 edition of International Intellectual Property Index (IIPI) that evaluates the intellectual property (IP) environment in 50 countries, India figures in the 44th place.
Industry 4.0 means convergence of real and virtual worlds. It is the next phase in bringing together conventional and modern technologies in manufacturing. It will result in “Smart Factory”, which is characterized by versatility, ergonomic design, resource efficiency and direct integration with business partners
India gets access to strategic Oman port Duqm for military use
In a strategic move to expand its footprint in the Indian Ocean region, India has secured access to the key Port of Duqm in Oman for military use and logistical support.
It is India’s important trading partner. In 2010, bilateral trade between India and Oman was $4.5 billion. India.
Oman was second largest destination of India’s non-oil exports and its fourth largest source for imports.
Palestine is a de jure sovereign state in the Middle East claiming the West Bank (bordering Israel and Jordan) and Gaza Strip (bordering Israel and Egypt) with East Jerusalem as the designated capital although its administrative center is located in Ramallah.
On the eve of Mastakabhisheka at Shravanabelagola
Context:
It was here in this rocky town on the southern plains of Karnataka in the 10th century AD- 981 CE to be precise, a message of ahimsa (non-violence), peace and renunciation of worldly pleasure was delivered. It was in the form of a monolithic statue of Lord Bahubali that Chaundaraya, Commander-in-Chief of King Rachamalla of the Ganga dynasty established.
The legend:
The well-known legend has it that Chaundaraya’s mother Kalala Devi had a vision of the Lord Bahubali in her dream which her son realised through establishing the monolithic statue.
The Chief also saw the vision of himself shoot an arrow standing atop the Chandragiri hill towards the adjacent hill Vindyagiri (also called Indragiri) and on the place where his arrow landed, he had the first vision of Lord Bahubali’s statue.
About Lord Bahubali;
Bahubali was the son of Rishabhadeva and Sunanda Devi, Rishabhadeva being the first of the 24 Tirthankaras. Bahubali had brother Bharatesh and sister Sundari as siblings. According to the Sanskrit scripture, ‘Adi Purana,’ a Kavya (poem), written by Digambara monk Jinasena, Bahubali was born of the Ikshkvaku dynasty in Ayodhya.
He fought his brother for supremacy and won the battle. But the violence left him disgusted Bahubali’s life took a turn when he challenged the emperor and his elder brother Bharatesha for supremacy over the clan.
He defeated his brother in all three types of bout with him.
Bahubali meditated in the ‘kayotsarga’ posture to attain ‘Keval jnana’ and became the first human to achieve Siddha (salvation also known as Moksha).
“In this position, he meditated for one ‘Samvatsara’ (what is more or less equivalent of one year in modern calendar) Madhavi Latha (wild vines) grew around him an anthill materialised, inhabited by venomous snakes, but Bahubali never disturbed any of them; though he had no food and water he never wavered from his stance.
The teachings of the 24 Thirthankaras after the life of Bahubali till the last Thirthankara — Mahaveera — Jainism has given the message of peace and ahimsa, going by the timeline of Rishabanatha Thirthankara.
The inscription on the rocks of Chandragiri:
The inscription on the rocks of Chandragiri, dating back to the Ganga dynasty of Mysuru, mentions that Bhadrabahu, Jain ascetic, migrated to the South from Ujjain in the fifth century BC along with 12,000 followers and settled in Shravanabelagola, due to famine that was sweeping north India of that time. Among the disciples was the emperor Chandragupta Maurya. Bhadrabahu and 1,200 of his disciples died.
The statue of Gomateshwara:
The statue of Gomateshwara, about 18 metres high and sculpted in a living rock, is the biggest free-standing monolithic image in the world. Other figures, such as the Buddhas of Bamiyan, or the statues of Ramses II in Egypt are bigger in size, but have been carved in high relief.
First Siddha
Why is Bahubali, who is not a Tirthankara in the Jain lineage of mahamunis has been bestowed with such an important place in the Jain pantheon? The answer lies in the fact that for the Jains, Bahubali is the first siddha and Mokshagami, the soul that has attained nirvana.
It is small wonder then that this statue should have inspired more replicas. One of them was set up in Karkala in the present Dakshina Kannada in A.D. 1432.
In A.D. 1604, Timmaraja, the ruler of a descendant of the famous Chaundaraya, made a 12.6 metre-high image.
NABH Nirman
The Finance Minister is seeking to provide a big push to the country's civil aviation sector, aiming at five-fold growth in passenger traffic to a billion trips a year. The Minister said the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has 124 airports and it is proposed to expand by more than five times the airport capacity to handle a billion trips a year under a new initiative — NABH Nirman
Mahamastakabhisheka
Context:
President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurated the Mahamastakabhisheka by unveiling an idol of Lord Bahubali, placed in a silver frame, in the presence of several saints and dignitaries.
Mahamastakabhisheka, the anointment of the Bahubali (Gomateshwara) statue, is an important Jain festival attended by lakhs of devotees.
About Lord Bahubali:
Lord Bahubali renounced the kingdom and took to spreading the significance of non-violence and sacrifice. “The Bahubali statue installed here signifies his sacrifice. Because of the message the statue stands for, the place has been attracting large crowds from across the globe.”
King Bahubali is the son of First Jain Tirthankara Rishabhadeva.
History of Shravanabelgola:
Jain saint Bhadrabahu reached this place from Ujjain along with his disciples. Later Chandragupta Maurya, the ruler of Patna, also handed over his kingdom to his son Bindusara and chose to spend his days here.
The Gomateshwara statue:
The Gomateshwara statue also represents the rich heritage of the country with regard to art and sculpture. “The statue was installed in 981 and that was the time when the first anointing ceremony was held. Since then, the ceremony has been held once in 12 years.
EMALS
For some time, India was exploring possibility of installing US electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS). The US has offered India its latest EMALS technology, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. EMALS uses electric motor-driven catapult instead, which allows launch of much heavier aircraft and reduces stress on aircraft whereas older-generation CATOBAR is powered by steam catapult. It will allow Indian Navy to operate heavy surveillance aircraft, in addition to heavy fighters. However, the system is expensive, something that needs to be factored in.
Background
The IAC-II has been envisaged to be around 65,000 tonnes and capable of carrying over 50 aircraft. Indian Navy is keen on nuclear propulsion, which will give it unlimited range and endurance, its development in time seems doubtful. India’s first domestic carrier, Vikrant, weighing 40,000 tonnes, is in an advanced stage of construction in Kochi (Kerala). It is scheduled to be launched by 2018-end. It works on Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) mechanism similar to that in present carrier INS Vikramaditya, with an angular ski-jump.
Seven commodities granted Geographical Indication Tag
Seven commodities were granted Geographical Indication (GI) this year by the Indian patent office. It includes Banaganapalle mangoes (Andhra Pradesh), Tulaipanji rice (West Bengal), Pochampally Ikat (Telangana), Gobindobhog rice (West Bengal), Durgi stone carvings and Etikoppaka toys (Andhra Pradesh) and Chakshesang shawl (Nagaland). In 2016-17, as many as 33 items got GI registration.
ALMA Observatory
Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array (ALMA) Observatory is array of radio telescopes being deployed in Chile. It is composed of 66 high precision antennas that allow scientists to unravel important astronomical mysteries, in search of our Cosmic Origins. One of its goals is to image black hole.
It is an international partnership of European Southern Observatory (ESO), US National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Natural Sciences (NINS) of Japan, together with NRC (Canada), NSC and ASIAA (Taiwan), and KASI (Republic of Korea), in cooperation with Chile.
India-UN Development Partnership Fund
The fund was set up as partnership between India and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) on 9 June 2017 i.e. on occasion of the World Oceans Day. It is managed by UNOSSC. It aims to support Southern-owned and led, demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across developing world.
UN agencies will implement Fund’s projects in close collaboration with partnering governments. It prioritises projects reducing poverty and hunger, improving health, education and equality, and expanding access to clean water and energy and livelihoods.
It mainly focuses on transformational sustainable development projects in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States. The projects under the fund are implemented by UN agencies in close collaboration with partnering governments.
Malacidins: Scientists discover new class of antibiotics from soil
Scientists from The Rockefeller University in New York have reported discovery of a new class of antibiotics called malacidins. It has been produced by microorganisms living in soil and dirt and is capable of killing off several antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Discovery
The new family of antibiotics comes from molecules present in large variety of soils. Scientists had analysed more than 1000 unique soil samples across US to better understand how new class of antibiotics is produced and how it can be exploited for fighting bacteria. They had used DNA information that encodes production of antibiotic in daptomycin to study it. This discovery could be a useful weapon in field of medicines.
Significance
Malacidins are distinctive class of antibiotics that are commonly encoded in soil microbiomes. They have never been reported in culture-based NP (Natural Products) discovery efforts.
Malacidins are active against multidrug-resistant pathogens, sterilise methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infections in animal wound model and did not select for resistance in laboratory conditions.
The malacidins was tested on rats with MRSA skin infections. The condition was cured, and even after 20 days of continued contact with malacidins, the rodents did not experience any side effects.
Concern
Malacidins only target gram-positive bacteria with a very thick cell wall. It is ineffective against gram-negative bacteria which cause cholera, pneumonia, sexually transmitted diseases, and plague. Thus, it does not make it universal cure against all bacteria.
Chengalikodan Banana from Kerala accorded GI status
Chengalikodan banana variety from Thrissur district of Kerala has been accorded Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Chennai based Central GI registry.
This banana variant is uniquely grown in Chowannur, Pazhayannur, Wadakkanchery, Puzhakkal and Ollukkara block panchayats in Thrissur district of Kerala.
Chengalikodan banana is known for its unique shape, size, colour and taste. It was cultivated in erstwhile Chengazhikode from where it got its name as Chengazhikodan banana which was later changed as Chengalikodan banana.
Other GI status products from Kerala
Vazhakkulam pineapple, Central Travancore jaggery, Pokkali rice, Palakkadan matta rice, Wayanadan scented rice varieties Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala are other agricultural products from Kerala already having GI status.
Four Bengali sweets to get GI tag
West Bengal government is planning to get Geographical Indication (GI) tag for four traditional sweet delicacies of the state.
These four traditional sweet delicacies are Moa of Jainagar, Sarpuria of Krishnagar, and Mihidana and Sitabhog of Burdwan.
Key facts
* GI tag will help to protect these sweets from cheap imitations and also help preserve their quality. It will also help to boost their exports.
* Jainagar-er moa: It is made of puffed rice and date palm jiggery. It is famous in Jainagar in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
* Sarpuria: Made of milk cream and is famous in Krishnagar area of Nadia district.
* Sitabhog and Mihidana: They are rice-based sweets from Burdwan.
Geographical Indication (GI)
The Geographical Indication (GI) is name or sign used on certain products which correspond to specific geographical location or origin. It is used for agricultural, natural and manufactured goods having special quality and established reputation.
These goods and products having tag are recognised for their origin, quality and reputation and gives it required edge in the global market. It also ensures that none can use their name, giving them exclusivity. The registration of a GI is valid for 10 years after which it needs to be renewed.
What is Geographical Indication (GI)?
Geographical Indication is an insignia on products having a unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries with regards to its special quality or reputation attributes. The status to the products marks its authenticity and ensures that registered authorised users are allowed to use the popular product name.
What are benefits of Geographical Indication Status?
The GI registration confers: (i) Legal protection to the products (ii) Prevents unauthorised use of a GI tag products by others (iii) Helps consumers to get quality products of desired traits (iv) Promotes economic prosperity of producers of GI tag goods by enhancing their demand in national and international markets.
Which are legal Authorities associated with GI?
Geographical Indications are covered as an element of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
At international level, GI is governed by World Trade Organisation’s (WTO’s) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 (This Act is administered by Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, who is also Registrar of Geographical Indications.) which came into force in September 2003. It is granted by Chennai based GIR. Darjeeling tea was the first product to accorded with GI tag in India.
A geographical indication (GI) of India, from the moirang phee of Manipur to the blue pottery of Rajasthan, from Pochampalli ikat to the papier-mâché of Kashmir.
It is a tapestry of the country's diversity and a testament to the uniqueness of its regions. There are products which have two geographical indications, one for the name and another for the logo.
Geographical Indication tag for Basmati rice of 7 states approved
The Intellectual Property Appellate Board (IPAB) has ordered Chennai based Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) to issue ‘Geographical Indication’ tag for basmati rice.
This GI tag will be issued to basmati rice variety grown in 7 states in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) on the foothills of the Himalayas.
These states are Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. This tag will help to preserve the unique identity of India’s aromatic basmati rice in the international markets.
Basmati Rice
* Basmati is special long grain aromatic rice grown in a particular Indo-Gangetic Plains geographical region of the Indian sub-continent.
* Historically it is being produced in undivided India from long time and with a recorded history of over 200 years.
* Exports: India is largest producer and exporter on the Basmati rice in the world. Major chunk of India’s basmati rice is exported to Gulf countries viz. Saudi Arabia, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Kuwait.
Background
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) had initiated steps to protect and get GI recognition for Basmati cultivated in the IGP. It had applied for registration of GI basmati rice in its favour in May 2010.
Note: APEDA is statutory authority related to exports of agricultural products. It functions under the aegis of Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Kerala’s Nilambur teak to get GI tag
Kerala’s Nilambur teak known internationally for its superior timber quality and elegant appearance will be added to the list of Kerala produces with the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
In this regard, IPR Cell of the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) with the support of the Nilambur Teak Heritage Society, the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) and the Department of Forests have applied for GI tag.
Key Facts
* Britishers were first to identify the superior and unique quality of teak from Kerala’s Nilambur plantations and forests. Later, the region became the major supplier of quality teak in the world.
* Nilambur was christened the Mecca of Teak. Due to its superior mechanical and physical properties as well as aesthetic appearance, the teak was exported to England and other parts of the world.
* However, as the fame of Nilambur teak increased, fake products with false tags also started flooding the wood and furniture markets.
Produces from Kerala with GI tag: Pokkali rice, Vazhakulam Pineapple, Tirur Betel vine, Wayanadan rice varieties Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala, Central Travancore Jaggery and Chengalikodan Nendran, a banana variety.
West Bengal’s Gobindobhog rice gets geographical indication status
The Geographical Indications Registry (GIR) has granted geographical indication (GI) status to Gobindobhog rice, a speciality from Burdwan district of West Bengal. The state government had applied for GI status for Gobindobhog rice in August 2015.
Gobindobhog rice
Gobindobhog variety of rice is a short grain, white, aromatic, sticky rice having a sweet buttery flavor. It derives its name from principal ingredient usage in preparation of offerings to Govindajiu, the family deity of Setts of Kolkata.
It is primarily cultivated in east Burdwan district – in southern basin of Damodar River in Raina 1, Raina 2 and Khandaghosh blocks. Burdwan region (now divided into districts of east and west Burdwan) is known as the rice bowl of Bengal. The south Damodar belt is traditional area of Gobindobhog rice cultivation.
The rice variety has several advantages. It is cultivated late and therefore not much affected by rains. Its productivity per area is high and so farmers get better prices for Gobindobhog rice. It is less prone to pests as well.
Significance
As a result of getting the GI tag, rice produced from other regions or rice of other varieties cannot be branded as ‘Gobindobhog’. It will also strengthen marketability of this rice in the local, national and international markets.
Posts
No comments: