Ponduru Khadi Received Geographical Indication (GI) Tag
Recognition for Ponduru Khadi
Ponduru Khadi, renowned for its quality and appreciated by Mahatma Gandhi 100 years ago, has received Geographical Indication (GI) status from the Government of India.
The recognition was issued by the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Location
Ponduru is located 20 km from Srikakulam, in Andhra Pradesh.
Significance
The GI tag acknowledges the unique identity, heritage, and quality of Ponduru Khadi products.
This helps in protecting the traditional craft and promoting it in domestic and international markets.
Political Support
Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu expressed happiness over the recognition for the people of Srikakulam district.
He had earlier appealed in Parliament to grant the GI tag to Ponduru Khadi, highlighting his role in facilitating this recognition.
Historical Context
Ponduru Khadi has a legacy of over a century, with historical endorsement by Mahatma Gandhi, adding cultural and historical value to the recognition.
Demow Model
Project Overview
The Demow Model from Sivasagar, Assam has been selected for scientific study as part of a national initiative on snakebite prevention and management.
The project is sanctioned by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and will run for four years with a budget of ₹13.5 crore.
Project Name and Objective
Named Zero Snakebite Death Initiative: Community Empowerment and Engagement for Mitigation of Snakebite Envenoming.
Aims to develop a unified, replicable, and highly effective national model for snakebite prevention and management.
Research Leadership and Scope
Jaideep Menon from Amrita Institute, Kerala will spearhead the research.
Study will cover seven states: Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, and West Bengal.
Regional Strategies
Demow Model (Assam): Focuses on community engagement, referral networks, awareness campaigns, and volunteer participation.
Other State Models:
Maharashtra: Distribution of protective equipment.
Himachal Pradesh: Anti-snake venom injection during patient transport.
Kerala: Use of digital tools for coordination and real-time surveillance.
Assam Specifics
Study in Assam will focus on Demow and Gelekey blocks of Sivasagar district.
Surajit Giri from Demow Hospital is appointed as the State investigator.
Integrated Approach
Conducted under SARPA (Snakebite Awareness, Response, Prevention, and Action) framework.
Seeks to bridge gaps between communities and formal health systems, ensuring timely treatment during the golden hour.
Implementation and Resources
Research scheduled to begin in January 2026.
ICMR has allocated resources including one research scientist and four technical staff per State to ensure rigorous implementation and data collection.
Significance
India has a high burden of snakebite envenoming, causing approximately 58,000 deaths annually.
The initiative aims to generate high-quality implementation evidence to significantly reduce snakebite mortality and morbidity nationwide.
Asia’s longest ski drag lift
Major Boost to Winter Tourism
Kashmir’s winter tourism sector received a significant push with the inauguration of new high-altitude tourism and sports infrastructure in Gulmarg.
The projects are aimed at aligning Gulmarg’s facilities with global winter sports destinations.
Key Inaugurations
Asia’s longest ski drag lift
Length: 726 metres
Location: Kongdoori
Cost: ₹3.65 crore
Purpose: Enhance professional skiing, training facilities, and winter sports infrastructure.
Rotating conference hall
Location: Apharwat, at an altitude of 4,390 metres
Cost: ₹86 lakh
Purpose: Improve visitor experience and diversify tourism offerings beyond sports.
Overall Investment
Tourism infrastructure projects inaugurated at Gulmarg and nearby areas are valued at over ₹17 crore.
The investments reflect sustained government focus on strengthening Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism economy.
Strategic Vision of the Government
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized transforming Gulmarg into a global hub for winter sports.
The initiatives aim to create year-round tourism, not just seasonal winter inflow.
Equal emphasis placed on ecological conservation and preservation of Gulmarg’s fragile mountain environment.
Tourism Performance and Events
Gulmarg hosted over 7.68 lakh tourists in 2024, underscoring its popularity.
It served as the main venue for the fourth edition of the Khelo India Winter Games, boosting its national and international profile.
Additional Infrastructure Development
Foundation stone laid for fencing of the Gulmarg golf course
Estimated cost: ₹4.77 crore
Objective: Protect and enhance one of the region’s iconic tourism assets.
Economic and Social Impact
Infrastructure upgrades are expected to:
Generate employment opportunities for local youth
Strengthen Gulmarg’s standing in international tourism markets
Encourage professional skiing and winter sports training
Broader Significance
The projects signal a shift toward high-quality, sustainable tourism development in Jammu and Kashmir.
They represent strategic investments designed to balance economic growth, global competitiveness, and environmental protection.
Bison Horn Maria Dance
Community Background
The Dandami Madia (Maria) are a prominent tribal group inhabiting southern Chhattisgarh, particularly in Darbha, Tokapal, Lohandiguda, and Dantewada.
Their lifestyle reflects a deep interdependence with forests, where livelihood, belief systems, and cultural practices remain closely linked to nature.
Historical and Ethnic Roots
The community identifies as part of the broader Gond tradition, carrying echoes of the ancient Gondwana region that once covered large parts of central India.
Their cultural expressions preserve ancient tribal memories and practices, transmitted orally and through ritual performance.
Bison Horn Maria Dance: Core Cultural Expression
The Bison Horn Maria dance is the most distinctive cultural art form of the Dandami Madias.
It is performed by both men and women, turning village spaces into communal cultural arenas.
Costume and Visual Elements
Men’s attire:
Bamboo headgear shaped like horns, decorated with bison horns, feathers, and colourful cloth strips.
Multiple bead necklaces and brass ankle bells that add rhythmic sound.
Women’s attire:
Bright, handwoven saris with heavy silver and brass ornaments.
Jewellery incorporates ₹1–₹10 coins and often includes a brass crown, enhancing ceremonial appeal.
Music and Movement
The dance is accompanied by drums and bamboo flutes.
Movements are rhythmic and flowing, with swaying shoulders and coordinated group formations.
Ritual and Social Significance
The dance celebrates:
Hunting traditions
Village rituals
The community’s spiritual and ecological bond with nature
It reaches its peak during the Madia festival, a major cultural gathering involving families from distant hamlets.
Religious and Spiritual Dimensions
Performances include chants and invocations of local deities such as Budhadev and Danteshwari Mai, reflecting indigenous belief systems.
Continuity Amid Change
Despite exposure to modern influences, the Bison Horn Maria dance continues to thrive.
It functions as a living cultural practice, not a static or museumised tradition.
Broader Significance
The dance serves as an affirmation of tribal identity, ancestral continuity, and collective memory.
It represents the living cultural soul of the Dandami Madia community, reinforcing social cohesion and cultural resilience.
Traits of Mangroves to Survive in Salt Water
Core Problem Addressed
Most terrestrial plants cannot survive in salty environments because salt disrupts water uptake and damages cells.
Mangroves are a rare exception, thriving in coastal, high-salinity conditions where few plants can live.
Research Context
An international team of scientists published their findings in Current Biology.
The study investigates cellular-level adaptations that enable mangroves to tolerate saltwater.
Lead insights were provided by Adam Roddy, Assistant Professor at New York University.
Evolutionary Significance
Mangroves have evolved independently around 30 times over the past 200 million years.
This repeated evolution suggests a consistent and effective biological solution to salt stress.
Study Scope and Methodology
Researchers analysed 34 mangrove species across 17 plant families.
Mangroves were compared with closely related inland (non-salt-tolerant) plant species.
Focus was placed on leaf cell structure and physiological traits rather than whole-plant features.
Key Cellular Discoveries
Mangroves do not rely on:
Smaller stomata
A higher number of stomata
Increased photosynthetic rates
Instead, mangroves possess:
Very small leaf epidermal pavement cells
Thicker, stronger cell walls
These traits provide:
Greater mechanical strength
Enhanced tolerance to low osmotic potential, allowing cells to function despite saline conditions
Salt Management Strategies in Mangroves
Mangroves employ a variety of mechanisms, depending on species:
Salt exclusion: Roots with a waxy internal layer filter out most salt, requiring strong water tension.
Salt secretion: Some species absorb salt but later concentrate and expel it through specialised leaf tissues.
Despite different strategies, all rely on robust cellular structures to survive salt stress.
Ecological Importance of Mangroves
Protect coastlines from erosion and storm damage.
Provide critical habitats for fish, birds, and other wildlife.
Support coastal ecosystems that millions of people depend on.
Implications for Climate Change
Rising sea levels and increasing soil salinity threaten global agriculture.
Mangroves offer a model for understanding how plants can adapt to saline environments.
Applications in Agriculture and Biotechnology
Findings suggest that engineering cell size and cell wall properties could improve salt tolerance in crops.
The research points toward prioritising economically important plants that are vulnerable to salinity increases.
Overall Significance
The study demonstrates that a small number of simple cell traits can underpin extreme environmental resilience.
Mangroves serve as a powerful natural blueprint for developing future salt-tolerant plant species.
H200 chips
Technical Details of the H200
The H200:
Belongs to Nvidia’s Hopper generation
Is the second-fastest AI chip Nvidia offers
Went into mass deployment last year
It is manufactured by TSMC using a 4-nanometre (4nm) process.
Indian Squash Team Won World Cup
Historic Achievement
The Indian Squash Team won its first-ever World Cup title at the SDAT Squash World Cup 2025.
This marks a milestone moment in the history of Indian squash and Indian sports overall.
Players Recognised
Joshna Chinnappa
Abhay Singh
Velavan Senthil Kumar
Anahat Singh
Significance for Indian Sports
The victory showcases the rising strength of Indian athletes on the global stage.
It reflects improved training, commitment, and international competitiveness in non-mainstream sports.
Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine
Event Overview
India will co-host the Second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine from 17–19 December 2025 in New Delhi.
Organized jointly by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India.
Theme: “Restoring balance: The science and practice of health and well-being.”
Builds on the inaugural Summit in 2023 (Gandhinagar, Gujarat), positioning Traditional Medicine in the global health agenda.
Objectives and Focus
Promote balanced, inclusive, and sustainable health systems globally.
Reaffirm the relevance of Traditional Medicine while grounding it in science, evidence, and responsible practice.
Support the goals of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034.
Focus on people-centred healthcare and planetary well-being.
Participants
Policymakers, scientists, practitioners, Indigenous knowledge holders, and civil society leaders.
Over 100 countries represented.
Includes government leaders, industry stakeholders, and experts from science, policy, practice, and community leadership.
Key Themes and Plenary Discussions
Restoring Balance
Address imbalances in knowledge, access, governance, and planetary health.
Explore integration of scientific rigour, equitable governance, biodiversitystewardship, Indigenous rights, and diverse knowledge systems.
Science and Innovation
Emphasis on rigorous research, financing, methodological harmonisation, and innovation ecosystems.
Highlight investment and collaboration to elevate Traditional Medicine as evidence-driven and sustainable.
Health Systems Integration
Re-imagining health systems for balance, safety, and resilience.
Showcase policy, legislative, and regulatory advances integrating Traditional Medicine into primary health care.
Accountability, Standards, and Data
Explore standardized data, transparent reporting, and responsible use of digital technologies including AI.
Emphasize cultural integrity, community trust, and ethical resource use.
Key Topics Addressed
Regulation and integration of Traditional Medicine into public health frameworks.
Respectful knowledge exchange with Indigenous Peoples.
Biodiversity protection and sustainable use of medicinal resources.
Intellectual property rights and responsible application of frontier technologies.
Presentation of 21 innovations showcasing global approaches, products, and solutions.
Format and Reach
Hybrid format enabling global participation both on-site in New Delhi and online.
Over 170 expert speakers across 25+ sessions.
Expected Outcomes
Launch of new initiatives, collaborations, pledges, and commitments.
Strengthening the evidence base, policy environment, and global cooperation in Traditional Medicine.
Promote holistic, resilient, and sustainable approaches to health, aligned with global health and development priorities.
Significance
Reinforces Traditional Medicine’s scientific and practical relevance.
Highlights integration of diverse knowledge systems and protection of natural resources.
Aims to restore balance for individuals, communities, and the planet amidst global health challenges.
