NATIONAL NEWS

Traditional Products of Assam Received Geographical Indication Tag

Nineteen traditional products and crafts from Assam have been granted the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, out of which thirteen are credited to the Bodo community.

These iconic items include Assam Bihu Dhol, Jaapi, Sarthebari Metal Craft, and more.

These products have a rich historical significance and provide direct support to nearly one lakh people.

Assamese Bihu Dhol: The two-faced drum is an iconic instrument in Assam's folk culture, played with both a stick and hand.

Assamese Jaapi: Tokou Pat and a traditional bamboo hat made of densely woven bamboo or cane are a symbol of pride in Assam and were historically used for protection from sun and rain.

Sarthebari Metal Craft: The handicraft industry from Barpeta, known for its bell-metal products, engages around 2000 artisans.

Panimeteka Craft (Water Hyacinth): This product, made from water hyacinth, has gained recognition.

Mising Taat (Handloom): Handwoven textiles made by the Mising community play a significant role in Assamese culture.

Asharikandi’s Exquisite Terracotta Works: The beautiful terracotta creations from Asharikandi are an essential part of Assamese cultural heritage.

Thirteen of the products that have been awarded Geographical Indication (GI) tags are associated with the Bodo community, which is the largest tribal group in the Indian state of Assam.

These products represent the cultural heritage of the Bodos and include a variety of items, such as Jotha, Gongona, Gamsa, Sifung, Serja, Khardwi, Kham, Gongar Dunjia, Thorka, Keradapini, Jwmgra, Dokhona, and Eri Silk.

These GI tags cover both agricultural products and musical instruments.

IOCL Joined with Panasonic for Manufacturing Lithium-ion cells

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) has partnered with Panasonic Energy to create a joint venture for producing lithium-ion cells in India.

This collaboration is in response to the expected increase in demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage solutions in the country.

The partnership was announced on Sunday following an initial understanding between the two companies in January about lithium-ion cell production.

The joint venture seeks to take advantage of India's ambitious net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2070.

Lithium-ion batteries are critical components in both EVs and renewable energy storage systems.

India aims to sell over 10 million EVs annually by 2030, according to the Indian government's Economic Survey, resulting in a significant increase in demand for these batteries.

CCPA Partners with ASCI

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) announced a tie-up with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to strengthen regulation around misleading ads.

This objective is central to the missions of both ASCI and the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) when it comes to the issue of misleading advertisements.

The CCPA has requested ASCI to forward any advertisement that is non-compliant with the ASCI Code and could potentially violate the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, along with its accompanying guidelines.

 

BANKING

Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) to be set up by RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is considering establishing the Digital India Trust Agency (DIGITA) as a new tool to combat cybercrime.

This proposed agency focuses on the approval of legal applications and the growth of publicly registered illegal loan applications.

RBI suggest that DIGITA would serve as a central hub for reviewing digital loan apps to ensure regulatory compliance and ethical operations.

DIGITA would verify digital lending apps to ensure that they comply with RBI regulations and guidelines. Apps without DIGITA's verification may be penalised.

Sources suggest that law enforcement may consider them unauthorized. This will be a major step towards tackling financial scams and protecting borrowers in the digital lending sector.

The agency would maintain a public list of verified digital lending apps, which would help consumers identify legitimate apps easily.

DIGITA world mark apps that lack verification as unauthorised, which can be used by law enforcement agencies to combat financial crimes in the digital domain.

This would serve as a crucial checkpoint in preventing financial crimes.ly verified apps would receive a "DIGITA - approved" seal, making them easily identifiable for borrowers.

SEBI Introduces SCORES 2.0 to Improve Investor Complaint Resolution System

The Capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the new version of the SEBI Complaint Redress System (SCORES 2.0).

The new version of SCORES strengthens the investor complaint redress mechanism in the securities market by making the process more efficient through auto-routing, auto-escalation, monitoring by the designated bodies and reduction of timelines.

SCORES is an online system where investors in the securities market can lodge their complaints through web URL and an app.

SCORES 2.0 will feature reduced and uniform timelines for redressal of investor complaints, which is 21 calendar days from the date of receipt of the complaint.

Currently, entities are required to submit the action taken report not later than 30 days.

An auto-routing of complaints to the concerned regulated entity will be facilitated to eliminate time lapses, if any, in the flow of complaints.

There will be two levels of review.

First review will be by the ‘designated body’ if the investor is dissatisfied with the resolution provided by the concerned regulated entity.

The second review will be by SEBI if the investor is still dissatisfied after the first review.

 

SPORTS

National Kho Kho Champion

The Maharashtra team won 56th National Kho Kho Championship 2023-24.

It won both the men's and women’s titles, held at Delhi’s Karnail Singh Stadium and the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

The winning team collected a cash prize of Rs 3 lakh and a trophy. The runner-up got a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and a Trophy.

In the final match played at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the Maharashtra men’s team defeated the Indian Railway team.

In the women’s category, the Maharashtra team, led by Sampada Maurya, defeated the Airport Authority of India team by 18-16 points.

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

SKOCH ESG Award 2024

REC Limited under the Ministry of Power won the SKOCH ESG Award 2024 in the 'Renewable Energy Financing' category.

This award recognizes REC's commitment to sustainable financing, which is paving the way for a greener future and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

REC has emerged as a key player in India's clean energy transition and is actively contributing to the country's sustainable future.

Through various initiatives and achievements, REC has committed to numerous sustainable projects and has signed various MOUs for green projects.

REC has also engaged in one-on-one discussions with various developers of green projects, spanning sectors such as solar, wind, Pumped Storage Projects, E-mobility, RE manufacturing, green ammonia and green hydrogen, and battery storage.

The SKOCH ESG Awards recognize organizations which demonstrate outstanding performance in the field of environment, social and governance (ESG).

The SKOCH ESG Awards and Assessment serves as an important benchmark for evaluating organizations' commitment to India 2047.

It focuses on the connection between sustainable investments and processes in shaping a sustainable and healthy growing business future.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

First Female PM of DR Congo

President Felix Tshisekedi of the African country of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the nation’s first female prime minister on 1 April 2024.

Judith Suminwa Tuluka's appointment as the Prime Minister came after President Tshisekedi was sworn in as the country's president for a second five-year term in January 2024.

After assuming the office Prime Minister Tuluka took a pledge to bring peace and development in the conflict-ridden eastern provinces.

She also expressed her deep concern for the people displaced by the ongoing violence and reaffirmed her commitment to finding sustainable solutions to the crisis.

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IIT Kharagpur Partners with Jindal Stainless

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has signed an MoU with stainless steel manufacturer Jindal Stainless to advance metallurgical research and development.

They will work together on metallurgical projects, such as process optimisation, materials characterisation, and primary alloy production.

Under the terms of the MoU, IIT Kharagpur will provide technical consultancy and engage in academic and industrial research to enhance productivity and process improvement at Jindal Stainless.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Autism Awareness Day

World Autism Awareness Day is observed on 2nd April every year around the world.

This Day underscores the need to help improve the quality of life of persons afflicted with autism.

It also promotes the full realisation of all human rights and fundamental rights for people afflicted with autism on an equal basis with other people.

World Autism Day seeks to raise awareness of society regarding children with autism.

The theme of World Autism Awareness Day 2024 is, Empowering Autistic Voices.

The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on 18 December 2007 to observe 2 April 2008 every year as World Autism Day to raise public awareness about Autism.

 

OBITUTARY

Asian Games Veteran Deanna Syme Tewari

Former Asian Games athlete and a torchbearer at the 1982 Delhi edition, Deanna Syme Tewari, passed away in Dubai at the age of 85.

Deanna Syme represented the State in the National Athletics Championship in erstwhile Bangalore in 1957, and won the long jump gold, leapfrogging Aunt Marjorie's record.

But her finest moment came in the 1958 National Games where she set a national mark by recording 17 feet and 8 inches for the gold.

She represented India at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta and was a torch bearer – alongside hockey icon (late) Balbir Singh Sr. – at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.