GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GI) TAG | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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    • January 2024

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    Posted 15 Feb 2024

    Updated 22 Mar 2024

    16 min read

    GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GI) TAG
    • 17 products from different states bagged the Geographical Indications (GI) tag

    States/UTs

    GI tagged Products

    Odisha

    Lanjia Saura paintings, Dongaria Kondh shawl, Khajuri Guda, Dhenkanal Magji, Similipal Kai Chutney, Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal, Koraput Kalajeera Rice

    Arunachal Pradesh

    Handmade Carpets, Wancho Wooden Craft, Adi Kekir (Ginger)

    West Bengal

    Tangail Saree, Garad Saree, Korial Saree, Kalonunia Rice, Sundarban Honey

    Jammu and Kashmir

    Ramban Anardana

    Gujarat

    Kachchhi Kharek

    • Tags :
    • GI Tag

    SRI VEERABHADRA TEMPLE (OR LEPAKSHI TEMPLE)
    • About Lepakshi temple 
      • Located in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh and built-in 16th century during Vijayanagar empire.
      • Built in trikutastyle with three shrines - Veerabhadra (Lord Shiva Presiding deity), Papanaseswara and Raghunatha.
      • Noted for largest monolithic Nandi (bull) statue and Naga-siva-linga with seven-hooded snake.
      • Fresco paintings (painting in lime on plaster) on walls and ceilings of mandapas and pradakshinapada depict illustrations from Ramayana and Mahabharata, gods and legendary stories like Parvathi's marriage, etc.
      • Placed in UNESCO’s tentative World Heritage Sites list. 
    • Tags :
    • Temple

    GURUVAYUR TEMPLE
    • Guruvayur Temple also known as the Dwarka of the South, and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. 
      • The presiding deity is depicted in a standing posture with four hands holding Shankh, Sudarshana Chakra, Lotus and Mace.  It is carved out of stone named Patala Anjana. 
      • Temple is erected in such a way that first rays of Sun descend directly at the feet of Vishnu.
      • In 1931-32, Sathyagraha was launched under Kelappan (Kerala Gandhi) to secure entry of untouchables into the temple. 
        • It led to Travancore Temple Entry proclamation in 1936.
      • Temple is also known for Elephant festival.
    • Tags :
    • Temple

    SHREE KALARAM MANDIR
    • Prime Minister visited the Kalaram Mandir on the banks of the Godavari, Nashik (Maharashtra).
    • About the Temple: 
      • It was built in 1782 by Sardar Rangrao Odhekar on the site of an old wooden temple.
        • It is supposed to stand on the spot where Lord Ram lived during his exile. 
      • It derives its name from a black statue of the Lord Ram. 
    • The temple is also the site of a landmark agitation led by Babasaheb Ambedkar demanding temple entry rights for Dalits more than 90 years ago. 

     

    • Tags :
    • Temple

    SRI RANGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE
    • About Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
      • Also known as Thiruvaranga Tirupati, is dedicated to Ranganatha (reclining form of Lord Vishnu).
      • It is constructed in Dravidian style and temple Complex has 21 sculpted Gopurams, 50 sub-shrines, and 9 sacred pools (tanks).
      • It is not just a temple but a temple-town, unique in its Sapta-Prakaram formation and one of 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
      • Situated on island of Srirangam bounded by Cauvery and Kollidam (tributary of Cauvery) Rivers.
    • Tags :
    • Temple

    VADNAGAR
    • A joint study by Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) discovered evidence of human settlement in Vadnagar (Gujarat) dating back to 800 BCE.
      • This aligns with late-Vedic/pre-Buddhist Mahajanapadas or oligarchic republics era, shedding light on the town's ancient origins.
    • About Vadnagar
      • Included in the tentative list of UNCESO World Heritage Sites.
      • It was a multicultural and multi religious (Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Islamic) settlement.
      • It is in proximity to Modhera, which is famous for Sun Temple.
      • Historical sites
        • Hatkeshwar Temple
        • Sharmishtha Lake
    • Tags :
    • UNESCO

    PUNGANUR COWS
    • Punganur Cows are a rare breed of cattle native to Punganur village in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. 
    • Due to their declining numbers, in 2020, Andhra Pradesh government launched ‘Mission Punganur’.
      • Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR,National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources has cryo-preserved their semen doses in the gene bank.
    • Key characteristics
      • One of the world’s smallest humped cattle breeds: Mere 70-90 cm tall and weigh around 115-200 kg.
      • Ideal for small-scale dairy farming and organic farming.
      • Known for high-quality milk which is rich in fat: Their milk may contain up to 8% fat content (Normal cow milk has a fat content of 3%-3.5%).
      • Adaptable and Drought-resistant: Can survive on dry fodder such as grass, straw, etc.
      • Cultural significance: Many temples of Andhra Pradesh, including the Tirupati Thirumala Temple, use its milk for Ksheeraabhishekam (milk offering to the deity). 

    • Tags :
    • Mission Punganur

    WARLI TRIBE
    • Warli Tribe has set up an example of peaceful coexistence with leopards near Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Maharashtra.
      • They worship the leopard (or Waghoba) as a deity. 
    • About Warli Tribes
      • The Warli tribe is among the largest tribes of Maharashtra region.
        • They live on the outskirts of Mumbai, in the North Sahyadri region.
      • They are renowned for Warli wall paintings. 
        • This art form can be traced back to 10th century AD. 
        • Generally takes inspiration from normal life routine and surroundings.
        • Natural materials and colors are used in paintings with bamboo brushes
    • Tags :
    • Tribes

    BRU TRIBE
    • Last batch of Mizoram Bru refugees permanently settled in Tripura as per an agreement signed between Ministry of Home Affairs, Tripura, and Mizoram in 2020.
    • About Bru Tribe (also known as Reang)
      • Indigenous to Northeast India, living mostly in Tripura (recognized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group), Mizoram, and Assam. 
      • Belongs to Tibeto-Burman family and speak Kaubru language.
      • Practice Jhum cultivation and engage in food-gathering activities.
      • Perform Hozagiri dance. 
    • Tags :
    • Tribes

    MADHIKA LANGUAGE
    • Currently, it has only 2 speakers and is on the brink of extinction.
    • About Madhika 
      • Spoken by Chakaliya Community and has no script.
      • It is largely influenced by Havyaka Kannada (old form of Kannada).
      • It is a blend of Telugu, Tulu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
    • Tags :
    • Language

    WEST BENGAL NOTIFIED STATE DAY & STATE SONG
    • West Bengal government notified Poila Boisakh as State Day and Banglar Mati Banglar Jal as State Song. 
    • Poila Boisakh is the first day of the month of Boisakh of the Bengali calendar year and is named as Bangala Divas. 
      • Poila Boisakh is an important festival celebrated by Bengali communities across West Bengal, Tripura, Jharkhand, and Assam.
      • In 2023 it was celebrated on April 15th.
    • Banglar Mati Banglar Jal song is written by Rabindranath Tagore. 
    • Tags :
    • State Day
    • State Song

    STATUE OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
    • Statue of Social justice was unveiled in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
      • It is a 206 foot Bronze Statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and is currently the world’s tallest Ambedkar statue.
    • Other important Statues
      • Statue of Unity (Kevadia, Gujarat): Sardar Patel. 
      • Statue of Equality (Hyderabad's Shamshabad, Telangana): Ramanuja. 
      • Statue of belief (Nathdwara, Rajasthan): Lord Shiva.
    • Tags :
    • Statue
    • Social Justice

    'RASHTRIYA VIGYAN PURASKAR (RVP)
    • Ministry of Science and Technology called for nominations of the first-ever National Science Award, known as "Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar”.
      • It will replace over 300 previously existing awards.
    • It recognizes outstanding and inspiring scientific, technological and innovation contributions of researchers, technologist and innovators.
    • Awards will be given across four categories:
      • These awards include Vigyan Ratna, Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar and Vigyan Team.
      • Posthumous awards will be given only in exceptional cases.
    • Award will be conferred on August 23rd (National Space Day- Chandrayaan-3 mission's soft landing).
    • Tags :
    • Awards
    • Ministry of Science and Technology

    NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS (NSA) 2023
    • President of India conferred NSA 2023.
    • Administered by: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
    • It includes following six core awards:
      • Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna (Highest sporting honour).
      • Arjuna Award (For consistent performance over 4 years).
      • Dronacharya Award (Highest sports honour for coaches).
      • Major Dhyan Chand Award (For lifetime achievement).
      • Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (Top performance in inter-university tournaments).
      • Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar (sports promotion by organisations or corporates).
    • Tags :
    • Awards
    • Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

    PRADHAN MANTRI RASHTRIYA BAL PURASKAR (PMRBP)
    • The President conferred PMRBP to 19 children.
    • The PMRBP awarded annually by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. 
      • It honors children aged 5–18 for excellence in Bravery, Art & Culture, Environment, Innovation, Science & Technology, Social Service, and Sports that deserve national recognition.
      • Awards include a medal, certificate, and citation booklet, presented  the week before Republic Day.
      • Awardees must receive the accolades personally, with posthumous exceptions for bravery in Bal Shakti Puraskar. 
      • Eligibility: Limited to Indian citizens residing in India. 
    • Tags :
    • Awards
    • Ministry of Women and Child Development

    SUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE AAPDA PRABANDHAN PURASKAR (SCBAPP)-2024
    • 60 Parachute Field Hospital in Uttar Pradesh has been selected for SCBAPP - 2024.
    • About Award: 
      • Announced every year on 23rd January (Parakram Diwas) - birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
      • Recognises and honors invaluable contributions and selfless services rendered by individuals and organizations in Disaster Management.
      • Only Indian nationals and Indian institutions are eligible to apply for the award.
      • Any individual/institution can nominate an individual or institution for the award.
    • Tags :
    • Subhash Chandra Bose
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