Gifts to G20 leaders

Different heads of states & leaders got a special gift hamper from the government of India.

• Pekoe Darjeeling Tea – It is a highly aromatic located on the misty hills of West Bengal at altitudes of 3000-5000 ft.
• It is 1st product in India to get GI tag in 2004-05.
• Nilgiri Tea – It is cultivated amidst the mountains’ lush terrain at an elevation of 1000-3000 ft in southern India.
• Araku Coffee – It is the world’s 1st terroir mapped coffee, grown on organic plantations in the Araku Valley of Andhra Pradesh.
• It is Arabica variety, known for its unique texture and a symphony of flavours.
• Sundarbans Honey – It is home to wild colonies of honeybees and is less viscous than other honey.
• Kashmiri Pashmina – It refers to the raw unspun wool of the Changthangi goat (the world’s most unique Cashmere goat) found only at a height of 14,000 feet above sea level.
• Zighrana Attar – A fragrance from Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.
• Khadi Scarf – An eco-friendly clothing material most beloved for its beautiful texture and versatility throughout the seasons.
• Banarasi silk stole - Handcrafted in Varanasi, luxurious silk threads are used to create intricate patterns.
• Assam stole – A piece of clothing crafted using Muga silk.
• Kadam – Burflower tree wood handcrafted by Karnataka artisans.
• Kanchivaram stole – It is crafted from pure mulberry silk threads in Tamil Nadu.
• Ikkat stole – It is crafted by artisans of Odisha using mulberry silk with the exquisite Ikkat technique (dyeing process).
• Sheeshamwood Sandook With Brass Patti – A strong box made of solid old wood or metal, with a lid on top and embellishments all over.
• The Sandook was handcrafted using Sheesham (Indian Rosewood).
• Kashmiri Saffron – Known for its unparalleled culinary and medicinal value due to the crisp air, abundant sunlight and well-drained soil of Kashmir.

Hoysalas

Recently, Hoysala-era temples were added as to UNESCO’s World Heritage List thus becoming the 42nd site from India.

• Origin – They were provincial governors under the Western Chalukyas (Chalukyas of Kalyani).
• They established themselves as rulers as the Western Chalukyas and Cholas crumbled.
• Geography – Karnataka
• Time period – 10th century to 14th century
• Capital – It was Belur earlier and moved to Halebidu or Dwarasamudra later.
• Hoysala Emblem - Figure representing Sala attacking the tiger.
• Vishnuvardhan, Veera Ballala and Ereyanga are important rulers of this dynasty.

Khalistan Movement

An unprecedented diplomatic crisis emerged, after Canadian Prime Minister accused agents of the Government of India for killing Canadian Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.

• It is a Sikh nationalist movement.
• Objective – To create an independent state for Sikh people inside the North-Western Republic of India.
• Evolution – 1947 Partition of India left Sikhs in a lot of discontentment as their traditional lands being lost to Pakistan.
• Punjabi Suba movement was initiated in 1955 under Akali Dal, for re-organisation of Punjab along linguist lines.
• It resulted in trifurcation of Punjab into Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.
• In sharing the waters of Ravi-Beas and Sutlej between the 2 states, Punjab and Haryana were the foundation on which the Khalistan dispute was created.
• Thus in early 1980s, it had emerged as a major separatist movement that was fed on arms under the patronage of Pakistan’s ISI.
• Emergence of Bhindranwale – He became the extremist voice of Sikhs and declared himself as the protector and arbiter of Sikh rights.
• Operation Blue Star – To capture Bhindrawale in Harmandir Sahib Complex, but it resulted in a strong anti-India sentiment.
• The consequence was killing of the then PM Indira Gandhi, by 2 Sikh guards in 1984.
• It was followed by wide-spread riots against the Sikhs across India fuelling more anti-India sentiment.
• Operation Metal – It was limited to Golden Temple
• Operation Shop – Capturing of suspects from outskirts of Punjab
• Operation Woodrose – Carried out by Indian Army throughout Punjab
• Operation Black Thunder – 2nd phase of Operation Blue Star that began in 1988 to remove Sikh militants from the Golden Temple.
• Operation Polo – India’s police action against the princely state of Hyderabad in 1948.

East Asia Summit

Recently, 18th East Asia Summit was held in Jakarta, Indonesia for making it a forum for all in order to strengthen cooperation.

• A leader-led regional forum, held annually to discuss political, security and economic challenges facing Indo-Pacific.
• Meetings – Held after the annual ASEAN leaders' meetings.
• 1st summit – Held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2005.

Membership – 18 countries, originally 16 countries based on the ASEAN plus 6 mechanism

• 10 ASEAN countries were Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• ASEAN plus 6 includes China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India.
• Russia and the US were added at the 6th EAS in 2011.
• Coverage – East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian and Oceanian regions.
• Cooperation – Convergence between ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative (IPOI).
• Significance – The members represent 54% of the world’s population and account for 62% of global GDP.
• 18th Summit 2023 – It adopted the EAS Leaders’ Statement on Maintaining and Promoting the Region as an Epicentrum of Growth.
• It reaffirmed Bali Principles, a shared commitment by the principles for friendly and mutually beneficial relations.
• It affirmed to work on Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and ASEAN’s development of the Blue Economy.
• It welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2021-2025 and its alignment with Manila Plan of Action for education.
• It supported the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).

Nuakhai Juhar Festival

Prime Minister greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai.

• Nuakhai – It is an agrarian festival originated during the Vedic period where the sages or Rishis used to talk about Panchyajna.
• Regions – Western Odisha and Southern Chhattisgarh.
• It is known as Navakhai Parv in Chhattisgarh.
• Observed on – The month of Bhadrapada or Bhadraba (August–September), the day after the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
• Soulung festival – It is a harvest festival observed annually by the Adi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh to commensurate the birth and arrival of Mithun (ruminant animal) on this earth.
• Mithun, which has got ‘food animal’ tag is a state animal of both Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
• Other harvest festivals in India - Onam, Makar Sankranti, Baisakhi, Lohri, Ladakh Harvest festival, Pongal, Ugadi, Bihu, Gudi Padwa.

Naganathaswamy Temple

The Tamil Nadu Department of Archaeology is set to take up restoration of the 1,000-year-old Chola-era Temple in Thanjavur district.

• Also known as – Kailasamudaiyar Temple.
• Built by – Rajendra Chola I (1012-1044CE).
• Dedicated to – Lord Shiva
• Features – Exquisite stone sculptures, distinctive makara thoranas (ceremonial arches), ekatala vimana and a mukha mandapa.
• Inscriptions of Rajendra Chola I – It refers to a grant of land free of taxes by the nagaratthar of Ilaichikkudi for raising a flower garden named after the king for the use of the temple.
• Inscriptions of Kulothunga I (1070-1120 CE) – It is called as Tamizh Koothu and refers to a grant of land called as “Koothu kaani”.
• Recognition – Declared as a protected monument in 2014 under the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966.
• Nataraja Sculpture – The world’s tallest 27-foot Nataraja sculpture has been installed at Bharat Mandapam, venue of the G20 Leaders' Summit.
• It is an ashtadhatu (8-metal alloy) piece of art.
• The design draws inspiration from 3 revered Nataraja idols of Cholas era temples
  • The Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram
  • The Uma Maheswarar Temple in Konerirajapuram
  • The Brihadeeswara (Big) Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Thanjavur.

Central Empowered Committee (CEC)

The Supreme Court recently hands over its green watchdog committee, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to the Environment Ministry.

• Setup in – 2002, by Supreme Court of India as per orders passed in Godavarman case.
• It was reconstituted in 2008.
• Role – It serves as a watchdog for issues pertaining to environmental conservation and compliance.
• Jurisdiction – It extends to the whole of India.
• Recent notification – Instead of an ad hoc body, it should be instituted as a permanent statutory body on environmental issues under the administrative control of the Environmental ministry.
• It completely removes non-governmental members from the committee.
• Composition – Chairperson, a member secretary and 3 expert members, all shall be civil servants appointed by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The chairperson – A minimum of 25 years of experience in environmental, forestry, or wildlife fields or substantial administrative expertise in government.
• Term – 3 years.
• The member secretary – He must hold a rank not lower than deputy inspector general or director in the government and
• Possess at least 12 years of experience in environmental, forestry, or wildlife matters.
• 3 expert members – One each from the environment, forest, and wildlife sectors, should have a minimum of 20 years of expertise.

Liptako-Gourma Charter

The military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has recently signed a mutual defence pact, Liptako-Gourma Charter in Mali's capital Bamako.

• The Charter established the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
• Aim - To establish an architecture of collective defence and mutual assistance.
• Signatories – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger
• The charter binds the signatories to assist one another  in the event of an attack on any one of them and to prevent or settle armed rebellions.

Liptako-Gourma Region – It is the meeting point of the borders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

• G5 SAHEL Alliance – Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger were the members of the G5 Sahel alliance, supported by France, with Chad and Mauritania.
• It was launched in 2017 to tackle armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL (ISIS) groups.
• MINUSMA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was instituted in 2013 by the UNSC Resolution 2100 to perform security-related tasks and support political processes in Mali.
• ECOWAS – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is a regional group of 15 countries founded in 1975 through Lagos Treaty.

Global Security Initiative (GSI)

Nepal rejected calls from China to join Global Security Initiative (GSI).

• GSI – It is a China-led framework to restore stability and security in Asia, to counter-narrative to U.S. leadership.
• Aim – To eliminate the root causes of international conflicts, improve global security governance, encourage joint international efforts and promote durable peace and development in the world. 
• To uphold the principle of "indivisible security”, means that no country can strengthen its own security at the expense of others.
• Major Pillars – Mutual respect, Openness and inclusion, Multilateralism, Mutual benefit, Holistic approach.
• Principles – Stay committed to the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.
• Abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
• Taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously.
• Peacefully resolving differences and disputes through dialogue and consultation.
• 3 key initiatives of China’s foreign policy – The Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
• Five Eyes Intelligence – An intelligence-sharing alliance of the US, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM)

• Japan’s space Agency Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has recently launched the SLIM moon lander.
• SLIM – It is a small-scale exploration lander designed for pinpoint landings on the Moon’s surface and investigate into the Moon’s origins.
• The mission was dubbed as the Moon Sniper.
• It will also test technology fundamental to exploration in low-gravity environments, an important requirement for future scientific investigation of the solar system.
• The Launch vehicle is H-IIA rocket.
• This is the 1st Moon-landing attempt being made by JAXA.
• It would be the smallest and lightest spacecraft to land on the Moon.
• The chosen landing site for SLIM is near a small crater named Shioli in the equatorial region of the Moon.
• SLIM is set to touch down on the near side of the moon close to Mare Nectaris, a lunar sea that, viewed from Earth, appears as a dark spot.
• After landing, the craft aims to analyse the composition of olivine rocks near the sites in search of clues about the origin of the moon.
• There is no lunar rover is loaded on SLIM.

Daivaradhane Tradition

• Daivaradhane or Bhootaradhana is an art form for worship in Tulu Nadu with kola and nema festivals being a part of it.
• The dialogue, costume, facial paint and performance by the ‘Daiva’ varies from each demi-god (Koragajja or Guliga Daiva).
• It is done periodically once a year or once in two years.
• It was in practice even before temples for gods came into being.

State of the Rhino Report, 2023

• The State of the Rhino Report, 2023 is released by the US-based International Rhino Foundation (IRF).
• The 2 most significant factors causing rhino populations to decline are poaching and habitat loss but climate change is also increasingly impacting many facets of their survival.
• Poaching still threatens all 5 rhino species, which are:
  1. Black Rhino
  2. White Rhino
  3. Greater one-horned Rhino
  4. Sumatran Rhino
  5. Javan Rhino
• India is home to 3,262 rhinos.
• The greater one-horned rhino population has steadily increased over the last century and grown about 20 % the past decade.
• The black rhino population is increasing despite constant poaching pressure.
• Namibia is home to the largest number of black rhinos in the world.
• South Africa continues to battle devastating poaching losses of its white rhinos due to increasing poachers.
• Indonesia's Ujung Kulon National Park is home to the world's only population of Javan rhinos.

International Organisation of Legal Metrology (OIML)

• The International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) is an intergovernmental organisation and not a specialised agency under the United Nations.
• It was established in 1955 to promote the global harmonisation of legal metrology procedures that underpin and facilitate international trade.
• The OIML is an international standard-setting body that develops model regulations, standards and related documents for use by legal metrology authorities and industry.
• It provides mutual recognition systems which reduce trade barriers and costs in a global market.
• OIML has 63 Member States.
• It plays a crucial role in harmonising national laws and regulations on the performance of measuring instruments such as:
  • Clinical thermometers
  • Alcohol breath analysers,
  • Radar speed measuring instruments,
  • Ship tanks found at ports and
  • Petrol dispensing unit.
• OIML is a single certificate accepted worldwide.
• India became a member of the OIML in 1956 and signed the metric convention in 1956.
• India has recently became OIML certificate issuing authority (only 13 countries are authorised for OIML certification).

ciTRAN

Recently the researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Bhopal have identified a Circular RNA, ciTRAN.

• ciTRAN is a circular RNA that modulates HIV-1 transcription.
• Circular RNA plays a pivotal role in regulating gene expression and is essential for various biological processes.
• The establishment of how the ciTRAN modulates the virus’s transcription process, could potentially lead to novel drugs and therapies to fight HIV-1.
• Bhashini – It is an open-source AI-powered translation tool that has been designed to overcome the language barrier in the country.

Nalanda University

The Backdrop of Nalanda, a UNESCO World Heritage site, welcomed delegates at the G20 Summit for the President’s dinner.

• Nalanda – It was an acclaimed Mahavihara, a large Buddhist monastery in the ancient kingdom of Magadha (modern-day Bihar).
• An ancient centre of higher learning, founded in the 5th century CE by Kumaragupta.
• Vikramshila - Situated in Bihar, the ancient Vikramshila University was famous as a Centre of learning during the Pala dynasty.
• The university was established by the King Dharmpala.
• Odantapuri – It is a celebrated Buddhist centre of learning (vihara) in India, identified with modern Bihar.
• It was founded in the 7th century CE by Gopala, the first ruler of the Pala dynasty.

Scarborough Shoal

Recently the Philippines have executed a special operation to remove a floating barrier installed by China at the disputed island of Scarborough Shoal.

• Scarborough Shoal is a rock located in the South China Sea.
• It is approximately 120 nautical miles west of the Philippine island of Luzon.
• There are no structures built on Scarborough Shoal, but the feature is effectively controlled by China.
• The strategic Scarborough Shoal, named after a British cargo vessel that ran aground on the atoll in the 18th century, was seized in 2012 by China.
• It is disputed area between China and Philippines.
• China claims by far the largest portion of territory in an area demarcated by its so-called "nine-dash line". 
• The 38th Parallel passes between North Korea and South Korea and do not pass through Scarborough Shoal.

Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII)

On the side lines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to create India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor which will be funded by PGII.

• PGII is an initiative of G7 to fund infrastructure projects across the world.
• It is a developmental initiative aimed at narrowing the infrastructure gap in developing countries as well as help towards accelerating progress on SDGs globally.
• Its recent project is India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
• The IMEC is being envisioned as a network of transport corridors, including railway lines and sea lanes through integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf and Europe.
• The IMEC comprises of an Eastern Corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and a Northern Corridor connecting the Gulf region to Europe.
• It is seen as a counter to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit, 2023

World Health Organization (WHO) has released the outcome document of 1st WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit 2023 in form of “Gujarat Declaration”.

• Organized by - World Health Organization (WHO).
• Co-hosted by - Ministry of AYUSH.
• Venue - Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• India is the host of WHO-GCTM (Global Centre for Traditional Medicine).
• Gujarat declaration - It reaffirms global commitment and harness the potential of traditional medicine to achieve health and well-being for all.
• It will serve as a catalyst to harness the potential of traditional medicine through the lens of science and integrate the traditional medicines in national health systems.

Perovskite

The National Centre for Photovoltaic Research and Education (NCPRE) at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has developed a perovskite solar cell.

• Perovskite is a naturally occurring mineral of calcium titanate with a chemical formula of CaTiO3.
• It offers excellent light absorption, charge-carrier mobilities, high device efficiency, colossal magnetoresistance (their electrical resistance changes when they are put in a magnetic field).
• It is an industry-scalable technology with potential applications in lasers, sensors, catalyst electrodes, solar and fuel cells, memory devices and spintronics (study of intrinsic spin of electrons).
• Obelisks - A new form of life lying between viruses and viroids.
• Zosurabalpin - A new class of antibiotics to tackle Acinetobacter baumannii.
• C-Bot - A coral monitoring and surveillance robot developed by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO).

20th ASEAN India Summit

Recently, the 20th ASEAN India summit was held to provide opportunities for the leaders to engage in dialogue and interactions.

• It is an annual summit held since its establishment in 2002.
• Aim – To elevate political, security, economic and socio-cultural ties.
• 20th Summit– It was held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• Timor Leste participated as observer country.
• Outcomes – Enhance information-sharing and capacity-building in the maritime domain.
• Promote cooperation in areas of blue economy.
• Ensure seamless connectivity in the Indo-Pacific.
• AITIGA – The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) entered into force in 2010.
• It sets 2025 as target for concluding the review aimed at addressing the asymmetry in bilateral trade.
• Both committed to ASEAN-India Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-India Partnership for Peace, Progress and Shared Prosperity (2021-2025).
• AOIP – ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific is ASEAN’s own initiative to enhance ASEAN Community building process, as well as strengthen and complement cooperation with all partners, as reflected in the East Asia Summit Plan of Action (2024-2028).
• It is adopted in Ha Noi Declaration 2020.
• ASEAN – It comprises of 10 Southeast Asian states which promotes intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic integration amongst its members.
• In 2006, ASEAN was given observer status at the United Nations General Assembly.
• ASEAN plus Three – It was created to improve existing ties with the People's Republic of China, Japan, and South Korea.
• ASEAN Plus Six – ASEAN plus three with additional countries Australia, New Zealand and India.