Nilambur teak is internationally known for its superior quality and elegant appearance.
Nilambur in kerala is also known as "Mecca of Teak". Its teak will soon be added to the list of Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
Nilambur also has a Teak Museum.
The teak plantation in Nilambur, the world's first teak plantation was done around the year 1842 -1844.
Other kerala products in GI tag are Pokkali rice, Vazhakulam Pineapple, Wayanadan rice varieties (Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala), Tirur Betel vine, Central Travancore Jaggery and Chengalikodan Nendran - a banana variety.
India rejects report of U.S. faith panel
India rejected criticism from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report on challenges faced by religious minorities.
In its report titled “Constitutional and Legal Challenges Faced by Religious Minorities in India”, it says that religious minorities in the country continued to face vigilantism and constitutional challenges.
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion or belief abroad.
USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the Congressional leadership of both political parties.
Intellectual property index
The index is published by US Chamber of Commerce.
The index evaluates the intellectual property (IP) environment and grades countries on patents, trademarks, copyright, trade secrets, enforcement, and international treaties.
This year the index evaluates 45 countries and India with a score of 8.75 out of 35 occupies 43rd place followed by Pakistan (44th) and Venezuela (45th).
The US, UK , Germany, Japan and Sweden were ranked the top five countries in the IP Index.
Key concerns about India's IP environment (2017)
National Intellectual Property Rights policy does not address fundamental weaknesses in the country's IP framework
Limited framework for protection of life sciences IP
Patentability requirements outside international standards
Challenges with the scope of patentability for computer-implemented inventions
Delhi high court ruling in the case involving University of Delhi regarding photocopying of copyrighted content
