05-04-23 Daily -Goa- GPSC Current Affairs

A provision of Rs 1,000 crore has been made in the state budget to take up improvement of riding quality surface in all assembly constituencies. A total of 1,700km of road length will be resurfaced during 2023-24. Chief ministerPramod Sawantsaid on Wednesday that the target is to complete 500km at a cost of Rs 280 crore before the onset of the monsoon.

He said that the has already prepared an annual plan for 2023-24 for Rs 3,630.8 crore worth of highway projects, which will be soon submitted to the Union Government and we are confident of receiving the sanctions at an early date.

The projects will include four-laning of Ponda to Bhoma section (Rs 750 crore), four-laning of existing road fromSanjeevanisugar factory toKhandepar(Rs 600 crore), four-laning of Anmod to Mollem section (Rs 1,500 crore) and construction of foot overbridge at Fulancho Khuris, Bambolim (Rs 7 crore).

Additionally, four-laning from Cortalim, Nagoa to Verna section (Rs 550 crore) and four-laning of Karmal Ghat section (Rs 200 crore) will also be taken up, Sawant said.

Also, during 2023-24, Rs 2.5 crore has been allotted per assembly constituency under MLA-Local Area Development Scheme, Goa Scheme with a total outlay of Rs 100 crore, he said.

The Benarasi Paan, known for its distinct taste and unique blend of ingredients, has been awarded the GI tag along with three other Varanasi-based products: Banarasi Langda Mango, Ramnagar Bhanta (Brinjal), and Adamchini Rice. The expert Rajinikant, who is a Padma Awardee in GI, has confirmed the designation of these products

GI status helps in promoting and protecting the unique identity and quality of traditional products from a specific region, and can also help in boosting the local economy by increasing the demand for these products. Its good to see that the government and organizations like are working towards promoting and protecting traditional products from different parts of India.

Geographical Indication (GI) tag is a form of intellectual property protection that is used to recognize products originating from a particular geographical area, and which possess qualities or a reputation that are unique to that area.

TheMetropolitan Museumof Art inNew Yorkhas announced that it will return 15 antiquities to India, following the revelation that the artefacts were illegally taken from the country.

The works range in date from the 1st century BCE to the 11th century CE and include terracotta, copper, and stone. Among the artefacts are a ceramic pot from Chandraketugarh, a terracotta Yakshi holding a crowned child with visiting parrot from Chandraketugarh, Rattle in form of Crouching Yaksha from Chandraketugarh, and a stone bust of Kamadeva.

In India, the National Maritime Week begins on March 30 and culminates in the celebration of National Maritime Day on April 5. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the event, which aims to recognize Indias significant contribution to the maritime and its HISTORY as a seafaring nation.

National Maritime Day plays a crucial role in promoting awareness about Indias maritime heritage and current role in supporting the countrys economy. The day is an opportunity to express gratitude to the sailors who work tirelessly at sea, often spending months away from their families, to ensure the smooth functioning of the industry.

The 10th edition of IN-SLN bilateral maritime exercise SLINEX-23 is scheduled at Colombo from 03 – 08 April 2023. The exercise is being conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase from 03-05 April 2023, followed by a Sea Phase from 06-08 April 2023. INDIAN NAVY is being represented by INS Kiltan, an indigenous Kamorta class ASW corvette and INS Savitri, an Offshore Patrol Vessel.

SLINEX aims at enhancing interoperability, improving mutual understanding and exchanging best practices while jointly undertaking multi-faceted maritime operations. Professional, cultural and sporting events, as also social exchanges are planned during the harbour phase to further bolster the of friendship and camaraderie between both the navies.

Israel successfully launched a new spy satellite, named Ofek-13, into orbit. The satellite, Ofek-13, launched from the Palmachim Airbase in central Israel, is intended to provide advanced intelligence capabilities to the Israeli military and intelligence agencies

The Ofek-13 satellite is the latest addition to Israels Ofek series of spy satellites, which have been in operation since 1988. The satellite is said to have advanced capabilities, including high-resolution imaging and the ability to transmit real-time intelligence to ground stations