Why is it in the News

The industry, which till now produced utensils and home decorative items with intricate designs, is now flooded with orders for idols of Ram, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman

Brassware Industry Moradabad:

• Moradabad was founded in 1600 by Murad, the son of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, and hence became known as Moradabad.
• It is well-known for its brass work and has made a name for itself in the global handicraft market.
• Moradabad, often referred to as the "Brass City" or Peetal Nagri, exports brassware to countries like the US, Britain, Canada, Germany, the Middle East, and Asia.
  • Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, holds historical significance due to its exceptional hardness and workability.
• In the 1980s, the industry witnessed diversification with the introduction of various metal wares such as brass, iron, and aluminum.
• This expansion brought new technologies like electroplating, lacquering, and powder coating to Moradabad's art industry.
• Notably, Moradabad Metal Craft (Word Mark) has received a geographical indication (GI) tag, emphasizing its unique identity and craftsmanship.
• In the 18th century, Moradabad’s brass industry was boosted when the British East India Company began ordering large quantities of brass products for export.
  • The demand for Moradabad’s brassware continued to grow throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, making it one of the most critical industries in the city.

What Categories of Brass are made in Moradabad?

Moradabad’s manufacturers produce a wide range of brass products, including:

• Brass utensils: It includes a variety of brass utensils, such as pans, kettles, and jugs.
• Brass lamps: Moradabad is also known for its brass lamps, which are used for decoration and lighting homes and businesses.
• Brass statues: Brass spiritual suppliers also produce a wide range of brass God idols, Goddess statues, and Home decor statues.
• Other brass products: In addition to the items mentioned above, Moradabad’s manufacturers also produce various other brass products, such as vases, ashtrays, candlesticks, and door knockers.

Why is it in the News

Given the escalating cases of cancer, the shortage of specialists poses a significant challenge in curbing fatalities. To address this gap, Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), the biggest cancer hospital in India, is turning to artificial intelligence (AI).

Context:

• With the rising cancer cases, a notable challenge is the shortage of specialists, impacting efforts to reduce fatalities.
• To tackle this issue, Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in Mumbai, India, the country's largest cancer hospital, is embracing artificial intelligence.
• The hospital is leveraging deep learning to establish a Bio-Imaging Bank for cancer, employing AI to develop a tailored algorithm specific to cancer diagnosis.

What is the Role of AI in Cancer Detection and Treatment?

• Early Detection through Identification of Tissue Changes and Potential Malignancies: AI analyzes radiological and pathological images, learning from extensive datasets to recognize unique features associated with various cancers.
  • This technology facilitates early detection by identifying tissue changes and potential malignancies.
• Predictive Models for Tumor Survival and Treatment Guidance: Comprehensive imaging generates longitudinal patient data, aiding in understanding behavior, treatment response, disease recurrence, and overall survival.
  • AI and machine learning protocols utilize this data to develop predictive models for tumor survival and guide treatment aggressiveness.
• Avoiding Unnecessary Chemotherapy: The creation of a tumor image bank allows for the development of algorithms for different tumors, assessing treatment responses directly from images and avoiding unnecessary chemotherapy for predicted non-responders.
• Maintaining Diagnostic Quality while Decreasing Radiation Exposure: Tata Memorial Hospital has added data from 60,000 patients to the biobank over the past year.
  • Using this data, AI successfully reduces radiation by enhancing images with AI algorithms, ensuring a significant decrease in radiation exposure to children without compromising diagnostic quality.
• Potential to Reduce Cancer Fatalities in the Future:
  • AI is poised to play a transformative role in cancer treatment, particularly in mitigating fatalities in rural India.
  • Its potential lies in tailoring treatment approaches based on diverse patient profiles, optimizing therapy outcomes.
  • AI swiftly detects cancer, eliminating the need for extensive tests and enabling even general practitioners to diagnose complex cancers.
  • This technology is set to significantly enhance precision in cancer solutions.

What is Bio-Imaging Bank?

• The overarching objective is to establish a robust repository incorporating radiology and pathology images intricately linked with clinical information, outcome data, treatment specifics, and additional metadata.
• This strategic design aims at facilitating the training, validation, and rigorous testing of AI algorithms.
• Functioning: In conjunction with creating the database, the project involves training and testing multiple AI algorithms using the accumulated data.
  • It is tailored to address medically relevant tasks, including screening for lymph node metastases, nucleus segmentation and classification, biomarker prediction, and therapy response prediction.
• Institutions Involved: The multi-institutional project receives funding from the Department of Biotechnology and collaborates with IIT-Bombay, RGCIRC-New Delhi, AIIMS-New Delhi, and PGIMER-Chandigarh.

Why is it in the News

The Inland Waterways Authority of India, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), is set to host the inaugural 'Inland Waterways Development Council' meeting on January 8, 2023, in Kolkata.

Key Initiatives to be Unveiled during the Meeting:

• Marking the first session of the Inland Waterways Development Council.
• The Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) meeting will address vital issues related to the advancement of inland waterways in India through a comprehensive agenda.
• Initiatives such as the “Harit Nauka – Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels” and the “River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047” will be launched as integral components of the agenda.
• The meeting will center on critical aspects like fairway development, private sector engagement, and enhancing cargo transport efficiency in Inland Water Transport (IWT).
• The agenda will also focus on promoting eco-friendly vessels for passenger transportation, exploring economic benefits in river cruise tourism, and advocating for sustainable practices in the development of inland waterways.

What is the Inland Waterways Development Council?

• The Government of India established the Inland Waterways Development Council in 2023 with the active aim of comprehensively developing inland waterways and the associated Inland Water Transport (IWT) ecosystem.
• The focus is on improving cargo efficiency, facilitating passenger movement, and promoting river cruise tourism, with the active engagement of States and Union Territories.

About Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI):

• The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) came into existence on 27th October 1986 for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation.
• The Authority primarily undertakes projects for development and maintenance of IWT infrastructure on national waterways through grants received from the Ministry of Shipping.
• The head office of the Authority is at Noida.
• The Authority also has its regional offices at Patna, Kolkata, Guwahati and Kochi and sub-offices at Allahabad, Varanasi, Farakka, Sahibganj, Haldia, Swroopganj, Hemnagar, Dibrugarh, Dhubri, Silchar, Kollam, Bhubaneswar  and Vijayawada.

Why is it in the News

Seven products from Odisha, ranging from the Similipal Kai chutney made with red weaver ants to the embroidered Kapdaganda shawl, have bagged the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) tag in recognition of their exclusivity to the state.

What is Geographical Indication (GI) Tag?

• Geographical Indications of goods refer to the place of origin of a product.
• Such tags are accorded as they convey an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, attributable to the fact of its origin in a specific geographical locality, region or country.
• In India, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, awards GIs.
• A GI registration is given to an area, not a trader, but once a product gets the registration, traders dealing in the product can apply to sell it with the GI logo.
• Authorised traders are each assigned a unique GI number.
• If any unauthorised trader tries selling the product under that name, they can be prosecuted under The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
• A marker of authentic products, the GI tags also help protect the interests of the local growers and artisans by preventing duplicity of the products and sale from unauthorised traders.
• Consumers, through the tags, can know which goods are certified.

The Seven Products and Their Distinctiveness:

• Kapdaganda shawl: Woven and embroidered by the women of the Dongria Kondh tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in the Niyamgiri hills in Odisha’s Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, the shawl reflects the rich tribal heritage of the Dongria Kondhs.
  • It is embroidered on an off-white coarse cloth with red, yellow and green coloured threads, with each colour holding significance.
    • Green symbolises the mountains and hills, and yellow stands for peace and happiness.
    • Red stands as the symbol of blood.
  • The motifs in the shawls are mostly lines and triangles, believed to be a reflection of the importance of mountains for the community.
  • The shawl is worn by both men and women and the Dongrias gift it to their family members as a token of love and affection.
• Lanjia Saura Painting: The painting is also known as Idital. The artworks are famous for their beauty, aesthetics, ritualistic association and iconography.
  • The art form belongs to the Lanjia Saura community, a PVTG largely residing in the Rayagada district.
  • These paintings are in the form of exterior murals painted on the mud walls of homes.
  • White paintings figure over a crimson-maroon background.
  • It is believed that the Lanjia Sauras paint their walls with Idital artworks to show gratitude to their deities and forefathers, and also for the well-being of their community.
  • Reflecting the love and affection of the primitive tribes for nature, they feature subjects like tribal humans, trees, animals, birds, the Sun and the Moon.
• Koraput Kala Jeera Rice: The black-coloured rice variety, also known as the ‘Prince of Rice’, is famous for its aroma, taste, texture and nutritional value.
  • Tribal farmers of the Koraput region have preserved the rice variety for around 1,000 years.
  • As the rice grains resemble cumin seeds, it is also called Kala Jeera. Consumption of the rice variety helps in increasing haemoglobin levels and improves metabolism in the body.
  • The farmers and producers of Koraput Kala Jeera rice have followed the traditional knowledge and practices in cultivation.
• Similipal Kai chutney: The chutney made with red weaver ants is a traditional delicacy of the tribals in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
  • The ants are found in the forests of Mayurbhanj, including in the Similipal forests – Asia’s second-largest biosphere.
  • Rich in medicinal and nutritional value, the chutney is believed to be a good source of nutrients like protein, calcium, zinc, vitamin B-12, iron, magnesium, potassium, etc.
  • The tribals prepare the Kai chutney by grinding the ants manually on a Sil Batta or the grinding stone.
  • Mayurbhanj’s tribals also earn their livelihood by selling the red ants and the chutney made from the ants.
  • They believe that its consumption helps boost immunity and prevents diseases.
• Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal: Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal is known for its prickly thorns on the stems and the whole plant.
  • The green and round fruits contain more seeds as compared to other genotypes.
  • It is famous for its unique taste and relatively short quick cooking time. The plants are resistant to major insects and can be grown with minimal pesticide.
  • It is being widely cultivated in Nayagarh district of the state.
• Odisha Khajuri Guda: Odisha’s “Khajuri Guda” or jaggery is a natural sweetener extracted from date palm trees and has its origin in the Gajapati district.
  • Traditionally, the jaggery is prepared in a trapezoidal form called ‘Patali Gur’ and is organic by nature.
  • It is dark brown and has a unique taste.
• Dhenkanal Magji: Dhenkanal Magji is a type of sweet made from cheese from buffalo milk, with distinct characteristics in terms of appearance, taste, flavour, shape, and size.
  • It also has unique nutritional values that distinguish it from other cheese-based sweets.
• The sweet is prepared by draining moisture from the cheese and then frying it, finally forming balls from the mixture.

Why is it in the News

The Ministry of Defence on Sunday said that Innovations for Defence Excellence-Defence Innovation Organization (iDEX-DIO) will participate in the 10th edition of the Vibrant Gujarat Summit from January 10 to 12 in Gandhinagar.

About iDEX:

• iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence), the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2018.
• The objective of the scheme is to cultivate an innovation ecosystem in the Defence and Aerospace sector by collaborating with startups, innovators, MSMEs, incubators, and academia.
• iDEX offers grants and support for R&D with significant potential for future adoption in Indian defense and aerospace.
• It is currently engaged with around 400+ Startups and MSMEs, till now procurement of 31 items worth over Rs 2000 Cr. has been cleared.
• Recognized as a game-changer in the defense ecosystem, iDEX has received the PM Award for Innovation in the defense sector.

What is the Vibrant Gujarat Summit?

• The Government of Gujarat organizes the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, also known as Vibrant Gujarat, a biennial global business event held in the state of Gujarat, India.
• It attracts business leaders, investors, corporations, thought leaders, and policymakers, serving as a platform to understand and explore business opportunities in Gujarat.
• Launched in 2003 and now held every two years, the summit aims to promote Gujarat as an attractive investment destination, fostering partnerships and collaborations across various sectors.
• Industry associations, both nationally and internationally, support the summit, making it one of Gujarat's crucial economic forums.
• The event creates a platform for business leaders, policymakers, and investors to explore opportunities for investment, collaboration, and partnership in sectors such as energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, information technology, agriculture, healthcare, and more.
• It facilitates discussions, negotiations, and agreements in these key sectors.
• The Tenth edition of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit is being held from 10 to 12 January 2024 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• Its theme is 'Gateway to the Future'.
• This Tenth Edition of the Summit will celebrate “20 Years of Vibrant Gujarat as the Summit of Success”.
• There are 34 Partner countries and 16 Partner organizations for this year’s Summit.
• Further, the Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region will utilize the Vibrant Gujarat platform to showcase investment opportunities in the North-Eastern regions.