National
26th Bangalore Tech Summit 2023
⇒ Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar attended the 26th edition of the Bangalore Tech Summit at the Bangalore Palace on 30 November 2023.
During the event, Union Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar engaged in a fireside chat with Smt Jaya Jagadish, Country Head, Senior Vice President, Silicon Design Engineering, AMD India. The Minister shared his insights into India’s growing semiconductor industry, AI, and the vital role that startups have been playing in the nation’s overall economic growth.
Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2023:
» Bengaluru Tech Summit (BTS) 2023, Asia’s biggest IT event was held from November 29th to December 1st at Bangalore Palace.
- The first edition of Tech Summit, formerly called Bangalore IT.com was inaugurated in 1998 by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Organized by:
- The event was organized by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka.
- It was co-hosted by the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI).
Theme:
The theme of Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023 was “Breaking Boundaries”.
Participation:
- More than 30 countries participated in this three-day event, which included 400 domain experts.
- With over 3000 delegates, the event showcased 350 participating startups and 100 bio-posters were presented by young researchers.
STPI Karnataka IT Export Awards for the year 2022-23
» As part of the Bengaluru Tech Summit 2023, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) on November 30 conferred the STPI IT Export Awards 2023 to deserving IT companies.
5th Global Ayurveda Festival 2023
⇒ The Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed the inaugural session of the 5th Global Ayurveda Festival 2023 in Thiruvananthapuram on 01 December 2023.
GAF 2023:
» The 5th Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF 2023) was held from December 01-05, 2023 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Organized by:
The Consortium of Ayurveda fraternity with support from Government of India – Ministry of AYUSH, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Tourism and Government of Kerala organized GAF 2023 at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram.
Theme:
The theme of the 5th Global Ayurveda Festival 2023 was ‘Emerging Challenges in Healthcare and a Resurgent Ayurveda’.
GAF 2023 had three major components:
- International Seminar
- Global Ayurveda Exhibition
- International Cooperation Conclave
» Among them, the International Cooperation Conclave was a platform for global networking and collaboration between Ayurveda practitioners, researchers, and experts from around the world.
- It had three major sessions: Global Ayurveda Alliance; Global Ayurveda Status Meeting; Global Soft Power Summit (Traditional Medicine)
Key Points:
- The Global Ayurveda Festival (GAF 2023) provided a unique opportunity for visitors to explore and experience the world of Ayurveda, including Ayurvedic medicines, herbal products, wellness services, and Ayurvedic equipments.
- It also facilitated interactions between exhibitors and visitors, providing a space for networking, collaboration, and sharing of knowledge and expertise.
- During the expo, major Ayush institutions of the country set up their stalls, and 20 Ayurveda colleges also set up their pavilions.
- GAF 2023 also saw India’s first Business-to-Business (B2B) meeting on Ayurveda medical tourism. Its aim was to connect the healthcare pioneers with worldwide buyers and show the wealth that India has in the form of Ayurvedic healthcare resources.
About GAF:
» GAF, a biennial get-together of Ayurveda fraternity started in 2012, has proudly represented and showcased the rich Ayurveda heritage.
- GAF has played a considerable role in being a bridge between this great tradition of India and the global community, eagerly waiting for knowledge, care, products, and collaborations.
- In addition to helping create a stronger global footing, it has also helped to open new opportunities for global business, academic and research tie-ups and increase the flow of health, medical and general tourists.
International
India joins the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission
⇒ India has been unanimously elected as a member representing Asian region in the Executive Committee of Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) during its 46th meeting, held at FAO Headquarters at Rome.
- In this capacity, India would not only get an opportunity to contribute substantially in the International standard setting process for different food product categories but will also be involved in the decision-making process.
India proposes to set up group standards for millets:
» India’s proposal for setting up group standards for millets was also accepted by the Commission and India’s initiative for establishing global standards for millets was acknowledged by the Commission and supported by the member countries.
- India had proposed for setting up the global standards for millets under the Additional Agendas category on the first day of the CAC meeting on 27 November and the matter was deliberated at length on 30 November and was approved by the Commission for preparation of three Project document.
About the Executive Committee of CAC:
- Executive Committee is an important arm of the CAC and the member countries have a considerable interest in getting its membership.
- The Executive Committee supports in the management of the Commission’s programme of standards development by conducting a “critical review” of proposals to undertake work and monitors the progress of standards development.
- The Executive Committee comprises of the Chair, three vice Chairs, six regional coordinators and seven elected representatives from the various geographical regions of Codex.
FAO-WHO 46th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission:
» The 46th meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the United Nations food standards body, was held in Rome, Italy on 27 November to 2 December 2023.
- The meeting was held to adopt food safety and quality standards.
» Charged with protecting consumer health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade, the Codex Alimentarius Commission is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Important Day
Navy Day 2023 Celebration
⇒ Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi attended the program marking ‘Navy Day 2023’ celebrations at Sindhudurg, Maharashtra on December 04, 2023.
- This was the first time that the Indian Navy organised a mega event which was not taking place at any major naval station.
- The location of the Sindhudurg Fort is 550 km from Mumbai and about 135 km from naval station at Goa. Built in the year 1660 by the Maratha Ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Sindhudurg Fort boasts of India’s rich maritime history.
Theme:
The theme of Indian Navy Day 2023 was ‘Operational Efficiency, Readiness, and Mission Accomplishment in the Maritime Domain’.
About Navy Day:
» Navy day is celebrated on 4th December every year.
- Navy Day celebrations are aimed at fostering greater outreach, renewing maritime consciousness amongst the citizens and highlighting the Navy’s contributions towards national security and nation building.
‘Navy Day 2023’ celebrations at Sindhudurg paid homage to the rich maritime heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whose seal inspired the new Naval Ensign which was adopted last year when the Prime Minister commissioned the first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
Background:
» Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day on 04th December to commemorate “Operation Trident” the Navy’s audacious attack on Karachi harbour during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Operational Demonstrations:
» Every year, on the occasion of Navy Day, there is a tradition of organising ‘Operational Demonstrations’ by the Indian Navy’s ships, submarines, aircraft and special forces.
- These ‘Operational Demonstrations’ provide an opportunity to the people to witness various facets of multi-domain operations undertaken by the Indian Navy.
- It highlights the Navy’s contributions towards national security to the public, while also heralding maritime consciousness amongst citizens.
Operational Demonstrations 2023:
» The Prime Minister also witnessed the ‘Operational Demonstrations 2023’ by Indian Navy’s ships, submarines, aircraft and special forces from Tarkarli beach, Sindhudurg.
Hosted by:
The event was hosted by Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff and conducted by Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
Key Points:
- The Operational Demonstration showcased capabilities of Indian Naval ships, submarines, aircraft, helicopters and Special Forces.
- The event saw participation of more than 15 major and minor warships (mostly indigenous) along with over 40 aircraft comprising MIG 29 K, indigenous LCA Navy and Advanced Light Helicopter, as well as the newly inducted multi-mission helicopter MH 60 R.
- The operational demonstrations witnessed by the Prime Minister included Combat Free Fall, High Speed Runs, Slithering Ops on Gemini and Beach Assault, SAR Demo, VERTREP and SSM Launch Dill, Seaking Ops, Dunk Demo and Submarine Transit, Kamov Ops, Neutralising Enemy Post, Small Team Insertion – Extraction (STIE Ops), Fly Past, Naval Central Band Display, Continuity Drill, Hompipe Dance, Light Tattoo Drummers Call, and Ceremonial Sunset followed by National Anthem.
- The grand event culminated with the traditional illumination of ships at anchorage followed by laser show and illumination of Sindhudurg Fort.
Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:
» On the occasion of Navy Day 2023, the Prime Minister also unveiled the spectacular 43 feet high statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Rajkot Fort.
- The statue was conceived and conceptualised by the Indian Navy and funded by the government of Maharashtra.