Geographical Indications

Tamil Nadu         –       Chedibutta saree, Jaderi namakatti and Kanniyakumari Matti banana.

Rajasthan            –       Nathdwara Pichhwai Painting.

Kashmir’s            –       Mushqbudji rice.

Bihar                    –       Marcha Rice.

Jammu Kashmir –       Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft.

Goa                      –       Agsechi Vayingim (Agassaim Brinjal) and Sat Shiro Bheno (Sat Shirancho Bhendo) also known as Okra which is vegetable crop.

• Jaderi namakatti – Are clay sticks that are white in colour, usually available in finger-like shape with a smooth texture.
  • Jaderi is a small village in Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu.
  • It is made up of the rich deposit of hydrous silicate minerals that form fine grain particles of clay, which is processed and shaped in a finger like structure.
• Kanniyakumari Matti banana – It is a traditional table banana cultivar of medicinal value and the fruit is highly fragrant, sweet with sub-acid flavour, firm texture and powdery nature.
  • Matti banana is mostly grow in the Agatheeswaram, Thovalai, Thiruvattar taluks of Kanniyakumari district of Tamil Nadu.
  • The Matti banana fruit‘s apex is 2.5 – 3 cm long and looks like mouth of a crocodile. It is also called as ‘Crocodile Finger Banana’.
• Chedibutta saree - Is a handloom saree which depicts the Chedibutta design in art silk and cotton mix fabric.
  • The Chedibutta saree has the iconic “plant and flower” motif woven on the border and pallu (edge of the saree).
  • The saree is woven using art silk thread while the Chedibutta designs are made using brightly coloured cotton threads.
  • These sarees are woven by skilled weavers of the Veeravanallur town in the Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu.
• Agra leather footwear – This traditional art of handmade shoe making has been passed on to artisans from generations after generations.
  • The production meets both domestic requirements as well as exports. Agra meets 65% of domestic requirement and has 28% share in the total footwear exports from the country.

Kuril Islands

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine might give Japan a chance to recover the territories in Kuril Islands that they lost during World War II

• Kuril Islands are located in the far east of Russia.
• They were seized by Soviet (Russian) forces in the closing days of World War II.
• Japanese call Kuril Islands as the Northern Territories.
• Modern Japan has no plans of using military force to resolve the dispute.
• Beijing would also have strategic incentives to assume control of the territory.

Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects

Recently ISRO rocket debris was found on Australian shore

• Article 7 of the Outer Space Treaty states that the damages caused by a State Party that 'launches or procures the launching of an object into outer space is internationally liable for damage to another State Party to the Treaty.
• Liability Convention was signed on 1972.
• The Liability Convention expands the rules mentioned in the article 7 of the Outer Space Treaty.
• The amount of compensation is to be decided “in accordance with international law and the principles of justice and equity.
• It applies to damages caused by falling Space objects on earth.

Ocean Colour

According to a recent study the change in Ocean Colour impact the marine life indirectly

• In most regions across the world, the oceans appear blue or navy blue due the absorption and scattering of light.
• Colours with longer wavelengths, such as red, yellow and green, are absorbed by the water molecules but blue and violet, which have a much shorter wavelength, are reflected back.
• When the water isn’t deep or clean, an ocean can appear to be of a different colour.
• The oceans also appear green, which happens due to the existence of phytoplankton on the upper surface of the water.
• Human-induced climate change have altered the colour of the Earth’s oceans significantly for the past two decades.
• According to the recent study most affected areas is the Tropical Ocean regions, near the equator, where the water is turning from blue to green.
• A shift in Ocean colour is due to increased rate of Ocean stratification.
• Ocean stratification is the natural separation of an ocean’s water into horizontal layers by density, with warmer, lighter, less salty, and nutrient-poor water layering on top of heavier, colder, saltier, nutrient-rich water.
• The increased Ocean stratification threatens the survival of marine life.
• The increased Ocean stratification affects the composition of the plankton.
• Changes in the composition of the plankton population have larger effects on the marine ecosystem.

Trilateral Highway project

• It is also referred as “The Road to East” which connects India, Myanmar and Thailand.
• The project spans 1,400 kilometres and will connect Moreh in Manipur with Mae Sot in Thailand, while passing through Myanmar.
• It will be a gateway to ASEAN countries.
• The first 160 km stretch is called the India-Myanmar Friendship Highway (IMFH).
• The project has the power to revolutionise tourism, cultural interchange and improve regional trade among India, Myanmar and Thailand.
• The project was first proposed by former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and was approved at ministerial-level meeting between India, Myanmar and Thailand in 2002.