National
37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024
⇒ The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024 at Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana on February 2, 2024.
» The Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024 was organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs from 2nd to 18th February, 2024.
- The Surajkund Mela is unique as it showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India, and is the largest crafts fair in the world.
- At least 20 countries and all the states of India participated in the Mela.
Host:
» The Mela was jointly hosted by the Surajkund Mela Authority in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, External Affairs, Department of Tourism, Government of Haryana and Haryana Tourism Corporation.
Theme State:
» Gujarat state has been selected as the theme state for the 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024.
Partner Nation:
» Tanzania was the Partner Nation for 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024.
- The Republic of Tanzania showcased its crafts, culture, art forms and cuisine at the mela.
- Tanzania’s participation as a partner nation in this Mela highlighted India’s engagement with the African Union.
Cultural Partner:
» North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC)
Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024
⇒ The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi addressed a program at India’s largest and first-of-its-kind mobility exhibition – Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 02 February 2024. He also took a walkthrough of the Expo.
Highlights:
- Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2024 showcased India’s capabilities across the entire mobility and automotive value chains.
- The Expo featured exhibitions, conferences, buyer-seller meets, state sessions, road safety pavilion and also public-centric attractions like go-karting.
- Alongside the exhibition and conferences, the event also featured State-for-State sessions showcasing regional contributions and initiatives, with the aim to enable collaboration at both national and regional levels and promote a holistic approach to mobility solutions.
Participation:
- With over 800 exhibitors from 50+ countries, the Expo highlighted cutting-edge technologies, sustainable solutions and breakthroughs in mobility.
- The Expo featured participation from over 28 vehicle manufacturers, in addition to the presence of more than 600 auto component manufacturers.
- Over 1000 brands from over 13 global markets showcased their complete range of products, technologies, and services at the event.
International
Unified Payments Interface (UPI) launched at the Eiffel Tower
⇒ The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is formally launched on 02 February 2024 at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
- The UPI was formally launched at the Republic Day reception held in France.
About UPI:
- The UPI is India’s mobile-based payment system and allows people to make round-the-clock payments through a virtual payment address created by the customer.
- UPI is a system that powers multiple bank accounts into a single mobile application (of any participating bank), merging several banking features, seamless fund routing and merchant payments into one hood.
Background:
- In 2023, India and France committed to nurturing a thriving ecosystem and building collaborations that empower their citizens and ensure their full participation in the digital century, according to the India-France joint statement.
- NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) and France’s Lyra Collect executed an agreement to implement the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) in France and Europe.