Gadhimai Mahotsav

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Gadhimai Mahotsav the world's largest festival takes place every five years in Gadhimai Temple in the Bara district of Nepal. 

About the Festival:

The Gadhimai festival is a nine-day Hindu celebration dedicated to Gadhimai, the goddess of power (Shakti). 

The festival witnesses the world’s largest animal sacrifice that takes place on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami of the Lunar Calendar. 

Devotees sacrifice Water buffalo, goats, cocks and ducks and fly off doves in the Gadhimai premise when their wishes are accomplished by divine intervention.

• Though these animals are mostly procured locally, a substantial number comes from Bihar and UP despite the Supreme Court of India directing the govt in 2014 to stop the illegal transportation of animals to Nepal for sacrifice in the festival.

Locals claim that this ritual has been in practice for more than 600 years and is an untouchable cornerstone of faith.

Increasing Indian Navy’s Logistics Capabilities

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Recently, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (Vadodara) has signed an MoU with the Indian Navy to enhance logistics-related education, research, and training for the Indian Navy.

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• The collaboration aims to strengthen the Indian Navy's logistical framework by focusing on supply chain management, multimodal transportation, and sustainability in logistics. 
• The MoU will enable the exchange of expertise and case studies in areas such as AI applications, predictive analytics, and blockchain technology to elevate logistics practices.
• It also aligns with national development initiatives such as the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and the National Logistics Policy 2022.

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV)

• GSV (erstwhile National Rail & Transportation Institute) is India's first and only university that focuses on transportation and logistics. 
• Situated in Vadodara, it is a “first of its kind” university aiming to fulfil the mandate of the National Developmental Plans (PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and National Logistics Policy 2022) across railways, shipping, ports, highways, roads, waterways, and aviation etc. 
• The University was established in the year 2018 as a Deemed-to-be University under De Novo Category. 
• It was converted into a Central University and rechristened as Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya 2022 through the Central Universities (Amendment) Act 2022. 

Kisan Kavach

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Recently, the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology launched India’s first anti-pesticide bodysuit “Kisan Kavach” to protect farmers against the harmful effects of pesticide exposure.

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Developed by: BRIC-inStem, Bangalore, in collaboration with Sepio Health Private Limited.

The kit consists of a trouser, a pullover, and a face cover made of ‘oxime fabric’ that can chemically break down any of the common pesticides that get sprayed onto cloth or body during spraying operations. 

• Oximes are integrated into the cellulose of cotton fabric making it into an ‘activated fabric,’ resulting in the kavach kit.

The Kit is instrumental in preventing chemicals or pesticides from leaching into the skin as pesticides are neurotoxins and don’t discriminate between pests and humans. 

This Kisan Kavach fabric can deactivate pesticides upon contact through nucleophilic-mediated hydrolysis, thereby preventing pesticide-induced toxicity and lethality.

Moldova Joins International Solar Alliance

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Recently, Moldova joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) after signing the ISA Framework Agreement. 

International Solar Alliance

• The ISA is a collaborative initiative between India and France formed on the sidelines of COP21 in Paris in 2015 to unite efforts to combat climate change by implementing solar energy solutions. 
• ISA Framework came into existence in 2017.
• Its mission is to unlock $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030 while reducing technology and financing costs.
• All member states of the United Nations are now eligible to join ISA. 
• The ISA aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the areas of affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) and climate action (SDG 13).
• Presently, the ISA represents 120 signatories, including 102 fully ratified member countries.
• ISA is the first international intergovernmental treaty-based organization headquartered in India (At Gurugram).
• India hosted the 7th Session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi in November 2024.

Moldova

• Moldova (Its old name is Bessarabia) is a landlocked country located in the northeastern corner of the Balkan region of Europe.
• Its capital city is Chișinău.
• Most of Moldova lies between the Prut and Dniester rivers.

India becomes 3^rd largest smartphone exporter globally

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Recently, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has lauded that India has become the 3rd largest exporter of smartphones in the world.

Smartphone Industry in India

• India’s smartphone exports have also breached the 20 thousand crore rupees mark in November 2024 which is a 92 per cent increase over November 2023.
• The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has reported significant growth in mobile phone production, achieving a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 40.76% from 2015 to 2024.
• India is the second-largest producer of mobile phones after China.

India’s Initiative to Boost Smartphone Industry

• The production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme commitment to export 70-75% of production value in the financial year 2024-25.
• Recently in the Union Budget 2024-25, the Finance Minister announced a cut on basic customs duty (BCD) from 20% to 15% on mobile phones, mobile printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and mobile chargers. Currently, the BCD on them is 20%.