Rayagada Shawls 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-1-Geography 

 Why in News? 

 Recent reports suggests that Rayagada Shawls and Koraput’s Kala Jeera Rice will get G.I. Tag. 

 Rayagada Shawls:

 · It is from Rayagada district in Odisha.

 · It is also known with the name Kapdaganda

· These shawls are handwoven.

 · They are weaved by the Dongria Kondhs of Odisha. 

 · These shawls are embroidered with their tribal motifs.

 · It is an important source of income for about 1800 tribal women in this district.

 Koraput’s kala jeera rice:

 · It is also from Koraput district in Odisha. 

 · It is also known as Prince of Rice. 

 · The farmers from Koraput have domesticated kalajeera rice from many generations.

 · It has high aroma.

 · It is famous for its black colour, good aroma, taste and texture. 

 · The ancient text mentions that Kalajeera rice improves memory and also controls diabetes.

 · It even increases the haemoglobin level and also body’s metabolism. 

 · It is antibacterial and also increases appetite.

Adopt a Heritage 2.0 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-1-Art & Culture 

 Why in News? 

The ASI has launched Adopt a Heritage 2.0 along with an Indian Heritage App and an e-permission portal. 

 About: 

 · It is a revamped version of Adopt a Heritage which was introduced in the year 2017. 

 · It is introduced with aim of preserving and enhancing India’s rich cultural heritage.

 · It clearly mentioned the specific amenities required for the different monuments, in accordance with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act of 1958. 

 · This scheme is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and also the Archaeological Survey of India. 

 Objective: 

 · Its main aim is to encourage the corporate stakeholders to collaborate with the ASI in preserving the historical monuments and heritage sites across India.

 · It aims to enhance the amenities at these historical sites by using the funds allocated through the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. 

 Archaeological Survey of India: 

 · It was founded in the year 1861 by Alexander Cunningham. 

 · He was the first Director-General of ASI. 

 · He was also known as the Father of Indian Archaeology. 

 · ASI works under the Ministry of Culture.

 · It is the premier organization for the archaeological researches in the country.

 · It is responsible for the protection of the cultural heritage of the country. 

 · Its main aim is to maintain the archaeological sites, ancient monuments and also the remains of the national importance.

 · Its headquarters is located in New Delhi.

 · It is responsible to regulate all the archaeological activities as per the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains act, 1958.

It even regulates the Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.

National Commission for Scheduled Tribes 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-2-Polity 

 Why in News? 

The Kalhandi Grama Sabha Mahasangh has written to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes against the Divisional Forest Officer, Jharkhand. 

 National Commission for Scheduled Tribes: 

 · National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes was divided into two separate Commissions. They are: 

 a. National Commission for Scheduled Castes and 

 b. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes. 

 · NCST is a constitutional body which was formed in the 2004.

· It was formed by amending the Article 338 and by inserting a new Article 338A in the constitution through the 89^th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003. 

 Functions: 

 · It investigates and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and other legal safeguards for STs. 

 · It participates and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the STs and to evaluate the progress of their development under the union or state.

 · It provides reports to the President annually and at such other times, as it may deem fit

 Composition: 

 · The commission consists of: a. Chairperson b. Vice-Chairperson and c. 3 other members 

 · They all are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.

 · One member should be women among the members of the commission.

 Tenure: · They hold office for a term of 3 years.

International Monetary Fund 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-2-Important Organisations

 Why in News? 

According to International Monetary Fund, more than half the fragile and conflict-affected states that are disproportionately affected by climate change are in Africa.

  International Monetary Fund: 

 · It was formed at the Bretton Woods conference in the year 1944. 

 · It came into effect on 27^th December 1945. 

 · Currently 190 countries are members of IMF.

 · Its headquarters are located in Washington.

 · The IMF's resources mainly come from the money that countries pay as their capital subscription (quotas) when they become members.

 · Each member of the IMF is assigned a quota, based broadly on its relative position in the world economy.

 · Countries can then borrow from this pool when they fall into financial difficulty.

 Composition:

 · At the top of its organisational structure is the Board of Governors. 

 · The day-to-day work of the IMF is overseen by its 24-member Executive Board, which represents the entire membership and supported by IMF staff. 

 · The Managing Director is the head of the IMF Staff and Chair of the Executive Board.

 · S/he is assisted by four Deputy Managing Directors. 

 Objectives:

 · Its main objective is to foster global monetary cooperation 

 · It secures financial stability 

 · It aims to reduce poverty 

 · It promotes high employment and sustainable economic growth. 

 · It promotes exchange rate stability and an international payment system. 

 Functions: 

 · It provides financial assistance to the member countries 

 · It monitors the economic and financial policies of its 190 members. 

 · It provides technical assistance and training to the central banks, finance ministers and tax authorities.

Tax Haven 

 Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Economy 

 Why in News? 

Finance Minister on Tuesday said cryptocurrencies, drug mafias, tax havens, tax evasion and cyber intrusion posed major threats to the global financial ecosystem. 

 Tax Haven: 

 · A tax haven is a country or location with extremely low effective tax rates for the foreign investors. 

 · Tax havens do not require residency or business presence for individuals and businesses to benefit from their tax policies. 

 · Some of the popular tax haven countries are: · Bahamas, Bermuda, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Panama, Nevis etc.

 Characteristics:

 · Tax havens share a limited amount of financial data with foreign tax authorities. 

 · They encourage foreign depositors by offering tax advantages to corporations. 

 · Tax havens may be used illegally to hide money from tax authorities.

 · Many corporations form shell companies through these tax haven countries. 

 · Tax haven countries generally include no or low-income taxes, minimal reporting of information, lack of transparency and lack of local presence requirements. 

 Regulation: 

 · Tax havens is regulated worldwide through some programs. 

 · Organization for Economic Development has introduced the Automatic Exchange of Financial Information.

INS Delhi

Syllabus: GS Paper-3-Defence 

 Why in News? 

· INS Delhi departed Colombo, Sri Lanka on 3^rd September 2023, after a two-day visit to the port city.

 · During the ships stay in harbour, several interactions including cross training of personnel in various topics of mutual interest were held between the ship’s crew and personnel from the Sri Lankan Navy.

· The Commanding officer of the INS Delhi interacted with Commander Western Naval Area and paid homage at the IPKF memorial by laying a wreath in honour of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives in Sri Lanka during IPKF operations form 1987-91. 

 INS Delhi:

 · It is the India’s first indigenously built guided missile Destroyer. 

 · It is the lead ship of her class of guided missile destroyers of the Indian Navy. 

 · It was constructed by the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. 

 · It was commissioned on 15^th November, 1997 

 · Its maximum speed is 28 knots · Range: 5,000 mi(8,000 km)

 · Aircraft carries: 2XSea King Helicopters