CONTENTS
- National Maritime Day
- Babu Jagjivan Ram
- GI Tag
National Maritime Day
Focus: Facts for prelims
Why in News?
The Prime Minister, has recalled India’s glorious maritime history on National Maritime Day. Stating importance of maritime sector towards India’s economic growth, he said that in the last 8 years Government of India has focussed on port-led development which is essential for economic growth and building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
About National Maritime Day:
- Every year on April 5th, National Maritime Day commemorates the first journey of the first Indian flag merchant vessel, the ‘S.S LOYALTY,’ from Mumbai to London on April 5th, 1919.
Theme of National Maritime Day 2023:
- The theme for National Maritime Day 2023 is “Sustainable Shipping for a Sustainable Planet.”
- The theme highlights the importance of sustainable shipping practices in the modern era and encourages the adoption of eco-friendly and sustainable shipping practices to ensure a healthier planet for future generations.
Significance:
- It is commemorated in order to promote India’s merchant shipping industry.
- The shipping industry makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy.
- Currently, maritime transport accounts for 90 percent of India’s international commerce volume and 77 percent of its value.
Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanti
Focus: GS I- Modern History
Why in News?
The Prime Minister has paid tributes to Babu Jagjivan Ram on his Jayanti.
About Jagjivan Ram:
Early Life and Education
- Born on April 5, 1908, in Chandwa, Bihar to a Dalit family
- His father served in the British army before acquiring farming land in their hometown
- Attended school in Arrah where he first encountered discrimination
Activism and Political Career
- Met scholar Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in 1925 and joined Banaras Hindu University
- Assisted with the formation of the All-India Depressed Classes League in 1935
- Joined the Congress Party and became a spokesperson for the Depressed Classes
- Proposed in 1935 that drinking water wells and temples be open to untouchables
- Imprisoned during the Quit India Movement
- Became the youngest minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s provisional government
- Appointed as the country’s first labour minister after independence
- A member of Parliament from 1936 to 1986, setting a world record
- Also holds the record for being the longest-serving cabinet minister in India, serving for 30 years
Legacy and Recognition
- Champion of social equality and equal rights for the Depressed Classes
- Passed away on July 6, 1986
- Memorial at his cremation place named ‘Samata Sthal’
Geographical Indication Tag
Focus: GS III – Intellectual property rights
Why in News?
The Prime Minister expressed happiness about GI Tag for Ladakh’s Wood Carving, a first of its kind.
About GI Tag
- Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refer to the geographical indication referring to a country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product.
- Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality, region or country.
- Geographical Indications are covered as a component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
- GI is also governed by the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
- In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 2003, this tag is issued by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.
- The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years.
- It can be renewed from time to time for further period of 10 years each.
- The Geographical Indications Registry would be located at Chennai.
- Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can be a registered proprietor.
- Their name should be entered in the Register of Geographical Indication as registered proprietor for the Geographical Indication applied for.
- Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags i.e. 47 products followed by Tamil Nadu (39).
