The second edition of the All India Chess for Blind (AICFB) Championship concluded in Ahmedabad on Sunday, with Gujarat successfully defending its title. The event, hosted by the Blind People’s Association (BPA), saw 28 teams from across India compete, each consisting of five players. Maharashtra and West Bengal secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively. The championship provided a platform for visually impaired chess players to showcase their skills and compete at a national level, fostering inclusivity and promoting the sport among the visually challenged community.
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Gujarat Delegation to Lead Climate Change Discussions at COP29
Gujarat’s Finance and Energy Minister, Kanubhai Desai, will lead the state’s delegation to the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. The conference, taking place from November 11th to 22nd, will focus on operationalizing the loss and damage fund for vulnerable communities, finalizing elements of the Paris Agreement, and addressing enhanced Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and post-2025 climate finance goals. The event, organized under the UNFCCC and presided over by Azerbaijan’s Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, Mukhtar Babayev, will bring together nearly 200 countries and a diverse range of stakeholders to advance global climate commitments. Daily themes at COP29 will cover crucial aspects of climate action, including finance, energy transition, human capital, biodiversity, food security, and digitalization.
India: A Banana Powerhouse with Gujarat Leading the Pack
India reigns supreme as the world’s largest banana producer, contributing nearly 20% of global production. While Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra lead in overall production within India, Gujarat stands out for its exceptional productivity per hectare, exceeding both national and global averages. This high yield is attributed to the widespread adoption of tissue culture saplings and modern farming techniques, coupled with favorable soil and climate conditions. Bharuch district in Gujarat boasts the highest productivity, followed by Narmada, Chhota Udepur, Vadodara, and Anand, collectively accounting for over 80% of the state’s banana production. Despite ranking 18th globally in banana exports, India has witnessed a remarkable growth rate in recent years, with significant contributions from Gujarat’s Bharuch, Narmada, and Surat districts. The article highlights the potential for further growth in both traditional and new markets, particularly in developed countries like the USA and UK. With government support and initiatives like the APEDA clusters, Gujarat is poised to become a major player in the global banana export market.
SOLAS Open Science Conference: Fostering Global Collaboration in Ocean-Atmosphere Research
The ninth international Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) Open Science Conference is being held in Goa, India, from November 11th to 14th. This marks the first time the conference, which takes place every two years, is being hosted in India. The event brings together leading experts in the field of surface ocean and lower atmosphere research to discuss the latest scientific developments and foster collaborations. The conference features three discussion sessions aimed at facilitating informal roundtable discussions on SOLAS-related topics. SOLAS is also planning to launch a mentorship program in mid-2025 to connect early career scientists with established researchers across multiple disciplines. An open session at the OSC is designed to gather feedback to shape the program’s design and implementation.
Pilgrim Village Ready for St. Francis Xavier Exposition in Old Goa
To accommodate the expected influx of pilgrims for the upcoming Exposition of the relics of St. Francis Xavier in Old Goa, the state government has constructed a temporary Pilgrim Village. The village, located a short walk from the Bom Jesus Basilica, features 10 completed cottages with the capacity to house 10-12 people each, equipped with basic amenities like lights, fans, and charging points. The cottages are built with eco-friendly materials like bamboo and coconut palms. The village is intended to provide basic accommodation for pilgrims who arrive without prior bookings, aiming to decongest the area around the Se Cathedral and the Bom Jesus Basilica. The Church plans to expand the village to 17 cottages, accommodating over 200 devotees daily. The Exposition, which begins on November 21st and continues until January 5th, is expected to draw lakhs of pilgrims from across India, including those undertaking walking pilgrimages.
Chhattisgarh High Court Slams State Government Over Tiger Poaching
The Chhattisgarh High Court has reprimanded the state government for the alleged poisoning of a tiger in Guru Ghasidas National Park, highlighting the government’s failure to protect wildlife and forests. The court, acting on a suo motu PIL, expressed concern over the second tiger death in the area within two years and ordered the additional chief secretary to submit an affidavit detailing measures taken to preserve wildlife. The incident coincides with ongoing legal proceedings regarding the delayed notification of the park as a Tiger Reserve, raising further questions about the government’s commitment to conservation. The court’s action underscores the urgency of addressing wildlife protection and the need for effective measures to prevent future poaching incidents.
Dragon Fruit Takes Root in Bihar: Bhagalpur Farmers Embrace Exotic Crop
The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of the Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) in Bhagalpur has successfully cultivated the exotic dragon fruit, paving the way for commercial production in the region. The fruit, known for its vibrant pink color and sweet taste, is already popular in countries like Mexico, Australia, and China. BAU scientists have conducted successful experiments, and by next year, farmers will receive seedlings to begin commercial cultivation. The dragon fruit offers several advantages, including low water requirements, disease resistance, and high market value. The fruit fetches prices between Rs 150 to 200 per kg and has a long shelf life, making it ideal for transportation and storage. With its high nutritional value and potential for high yields, the dragon fruit is poised to become a significant agricultural commodity in Bhagalpur and the eastern region of Bihar.
Bihar Hosts Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024
Bihar, India, is hosting the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024, a prestigious international hockey tournament, for the first time. The event, which runs until November 20, features six teams: defending champion India, Olympic silver medalist China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inaugurated the tournament at the newly constructed Hockey Stadium in the Bihar Sports University-cum-state sports complex at Rajgir. The event also saw the inauguration of a newly developed athlete track and football ground in the same complex. The tournament is a significant milestone for Bihar, showcasing the state’s commitment to sports development and its ability to host international events. A robust security plan has been implemented to ensure the safety of players, spectators, and visitors, and arrangements have been made for the participating teams to explore the region’s tourist attractions.
Phualguri’s Raas Costume Artisans: A Legacy Under Threat
Despite facing financial hardships, skilled artisans in Phulaguri, Nagaon district, are meticulously crafting elaborate costumes for the upcoming Raas Mahotsav, a festival celebrating Lord Krishna’s divine love. For generations, Phulaguri has been renowned for its exquisite costumes, ornaments, and accessories, essential for Raas performances. However, rising material costs and low profitability have discouraged younger generations from continuing the tradition, leading to a dwindling number of artisans. Despite these challenges, dedicated artisans like Tankeswar Nath remain committed to preserving this cultural heritage, creating costumes for various characters and supporting performers by offering affordable prices. While facing financial constraints, they are determined to ensure the vibrant performances continue, showcasing their dedication to preserving centuries-old traditions.
Manas National Park: A Triumphant Comeback for Tigers in a Post-Conflict Landscape
A recent study published in the Journal of Biological Conservation reveals a remarkable three-fold increase in tiger population density in Manas National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Assam, India. This surge, observed between 2011 and 2019, is attributed to enhanced conservation efforts by the state forest department and local communities, coupled with increased funding and improved protection infrastructure. The study, conducted by a team led by Aaranyak, a leading biodiversity conservation organization, highlights the effectiveness of collaborative conservation strategies in post-conflict regions. The study found a 12% yearly growth rate in tiger population, with the number of adult tigers increasing from eight in 2011-2012 to 44 in 2018-2019. This success is attributed to the park’s location within the Transboundary Manas Conservation Area (TraMCA), a vast interconnected forest landscape spanning India and Bhutan, which provides crucial habitat for tigers. The study also emphasizes the importance of thriving tourism revenue, which has bolstered management budgets and contributed to the park’s conservation efforts. While the recovery of tiger populations in Manas is a significant achievement, the study also acknowledges ongoing challenges such as poaching and habitat loss, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and management to ensure the long-term sustainability of tiger populations in the region.