Current Context : Recently, Himachal government decided to become a strategic partner in establishing a bulk drug park.

• It is a 570-hectare bulk drug park setup in Una district.
• The project, worth Rs 1,923 crore.
• Objective : to boost drug manufacturing, generate revenue, and create job opportunities for the local youth.
• The park will feature an array of modern facilities including a 5 MLD effluent treatment plant, solid waste management, solvent storage, advanced labs and emergency response centers.

Current Context : An exhibition of registered and potential Geographical Indication (GI) products of Himachal Pradesh was inaugurated at Indira Gandhi State Sports Complex, Shimla.

• Organised by the Patent Information Centre of the State Council for Science, Technology.
• The exhibition showcases about 15 registered and potential GI products from the state.

GI products of Himachal

1. Kullu shawl (Logo) – Textile
2. Kangra Tea – Agricultural
3. Chamba Rumal – Handicraft
4. Kinnauri Shawl – Handicraft
5. Kullu Shawl – Handicraft
6. Kangra Paintings – Handicraft
7. Lahauli Socks and Gloves
8. Himachali Kaala Zeera – Agricultural
9. Himachali Chulli Oil – Manufactured
10. Chamba Chappal

ABOUT GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATION (GI)

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.

Current Context : A new tiger reserve will soon be established in Uttar Pradesh by following the evidence of tiger population in the Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary (SWS).

• Process of declaration for Tiger Reserve : A new tiger reserve can be declared by the state only after receiving approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

ABOUT SUHELWA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (SWS):

• Location: Shravasti, Balrampur and Gonda districts of Uttar Pradesh.
• It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1988.
• Area – Total 452sqkm,
  • 232sqkm as the core area
  • 220sqkm as the buffer zone.
• Tharu tribe, having mongoloid features, have been residents of this area.
• Vegetation: A mixture of deciduous and semi-evergreen woodlands.

Flora: Bahera, Phaldu, Sal, Teak, Dhamina, Jamun, Shisham, Jigna, Haldu, Asna and Khair.

Current Context : India has emerged as the world’s second-largest source of nitrous oxide (N2O).

• In 2020, the country was responsible for almost 11% of the world’s human-made N2O pollution.
• China is the largest emitter and was responsible for 16% of the world N2O.

ABOUT NITROUS OXIDE

• It is a potent greenhouse gas.
• The use of nitrogen fertilizers in farming is the main cause of N2O pollution.
• Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural, land use and industrial activities; combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste; as well as during treatment of wastewater.

Current Context : Recently, Global Gender Gap Index is released.

• Released by – World Economic Forum
• India Ranked 129th Out Of 146
• Iceland secured rank 1^st.
• Sudan ranked last (146) followed by Pakistan second last (145).

ABOUT WEF

• World Economic Forum (WEF) is an international advocacy non-governmental organization that carried an index, Gender Gap Index, that ranked countries on basis of economic disparity between the genders.

Current Context : Recently, Sarod maestro Pandit Rajeev Taranath, who was undergoing treatment passed away in Mysuru.

• He was born on October 17, 1932.
• He completed his BA Honours from Bangalore Central College by securing the first rank.
• He secured first rank with a gold medal in MA in English from the University of Mysore in 1962.
• Pandit Rajeev Taranath then gave up his career at REC-T and went to Kolkata (then Calcutta) where he started his musical training under maestro Ali Akbar Khan.

ABOUT SAROD

• Sarod is a stringed instrument made of coconut shell, tun wood, drone, shikri, and ivory.
• This is a traditional instrument that is found in various parts of North India.
• It is used in North Indian classical music for solo concerts and in Hindustani music on the Indian subcontinent.
• Along with the sitar, it is among the most popular and prominent instruments.

Current Context : Recently, BJP leader Pema Khandu was sworn in as Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister for the third consecutive term.

• Chowna Mein took oath as the deputy Chief minister.

ABOUT ARUNACHAL PRADESH

• Arunachal Pradesh is a northeastern state of India.
• It was formed from the North-East Frontier Agency region and declared as a state of India on 20 February 1987.
• It borders with Assam and Nagaland to the south.
• Capital – Itanagar
• Area: 83,743 km².

Celebrated on 15 June.

• Aim : to raise awareness about the importance of wind energy and its power to alter the globe.
• It is an effort to promote the use of wind energy as a sustainable and renewable source of energy.
• First Wind Day was celebrated in 2007 by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).
• In 2009 the EWEA joined forces with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and made it a worldwide event.

Current context : Recently, 14 orphans have got admission to reputed private schools under the Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashrya Scheme.

ABOUT SCHEME

• Aim : to provide comprehensive aid to orphans, disabled children, destitute women, and elderly individuals in the State.
• Fund of Rs. 101.00 Crores has been established by Government of Himachal Pradesh to facilitate higher education and skill development trainings of children and the destitute women to ensure their settlement in life.
• Launched on 16 February 2023

Current context :  Recently, Malawi’s Vice President Saulos Chilima was killed in a plane crash.

ABOUT MALAWI

• Malawi is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa.
• Republic of Malawi is formerly known as
• It is bordered by Zambia to the west, Tanzania to the north and northeast, and Mozambique to the east, south and southwest.
• Capital: Lilongwe