National Productivity Week
- National Productivity Council was established as autonomous, multipartite, non-profit organization by the Ministry of Industry, Government of India.
- National Productivity Council observed February 12, its foundation day as Productivity Day.
- It also celebrates National Productivity Week from February 12-18.
- This year’s theme is “Circular Economy for Productivity & Sustainability” which represents a unique opportunity for circular business models for Make - Use - Return.
- It presents an opportunity for long term economic prospects and regeneration of materials.
- Transitioning to an efficient circular economy will benefit industry and all stakeholders now and in future.
- The circular economy follows the principle of preservation and enhancement of natural capital by controlling finite stocks and balancing renewable resource flows.
- Circular economy has the potential to increase productivity and create jobs, whilst reducing carbon emissions and preserving valuable raw materials.
1st Aqua Mega Food Park in Andhra Pradesh
- Union Minister for Food Processing commissioned Godavari Mega Aqua Food Park at Tundurru Village in West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh.
- This is the 1st Mega Aqua Food Park operationalised exclusively established for fish and marine products processing in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
- The modern infrastructure for food processing created at Park will benefit the farmers, growers, processors and consumers of Andhra Pradesh.
- It will be a big boost to the growth of the food processing sector in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
‘Crying’ Snake
- A new species of ‘crying’ snake has been discovered in Lepa-Rada district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- It is a non-venomous crying keelback, whose zoological name is Hebius lacrima.
- ‘Lacrima’ means tear in Latin.
- The name for this keelback was suggested because of a dark spot under its eyes looking like black tear.
- The snake prefers to live near streams along paddy fields.
- It was found to feed on small fish, tadpole, frogs and geckos.
- The northeast is home to some 110 global snake species.
Pope Francis’ historic UAE visit
- Pope Francis undertook his first-ever visit to UAE following an invitation by the Abu Dhabi crown prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
- The visit coincided with UAE’s celebration of the Year of Tolerance.
- Pope’s visit was compared to the St Francis of Assisi’s meeting with Sultan Al-Kamil of Egypt in the early 13th century.
- St.Francis’ meeting with the Sultan took place under completely different circumstances.
- St Francis was no Pope and was an Italian Catholic Friar and preacher, canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1228.
- In the 13th century, Christianity and Islam were fighting against each other in the fifth crusade in an attempt by the former to reacquire Jerusalem.
Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation (ALIMCO)
- Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO) is a Miniratna Central Public Sector Enterprise.
- It is functioning under the Administrative Control of Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.
- It is 100% owned Govt. of India Central Public Sector Enterprises.
- Its objective is to benefit the persons with disability to the maximum extent.
- The company makes it possible by manufacturing Rehabilitation Aids for persons with disabilities and by promoting, encouraging and developing the availability, use, supply and distribution of Artificial Limbs and other Rehabilitation Aids to the disabled persons of the country.
- The Corporation is the only manufacturing company producing various types of assistive devices under one roof to serve all types of disabilities across the country.
Luira Phanit
- Luira Phanit is one of the most important festivals of the Tangkhuls Naga.
- Tangkhuls are a major Naga ethnic group living in the Indo-Burma border area occupying the Ukhrul district in Manipur.
- It is a traditional seed sowing festival which is famous for song ,dance and food.
- It also remains the greatest agriculture festival celebrated by the Tangkhuls.
- It is also called as ‘pork eating festival’ as a pig or cattle is killed during the festival.
Source: PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express
