Classical language status for 5 languages including Marathi, Pali:
- In the year 2004 during the Congress rule, Tamil language was given classical status.
- After that, in 2014 Odisha language was given classical language status.
- Through this, 6 languages namely Tamil, Malayalam, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Odisha got classical language status.
- The Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi was held today in which the Union Cabinet gave its approval to grant classical language status to 5 languages namely Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese and Bengali.
- The central government has taken this step to preserve and promote special languages.
- With this, the number of languages receiving classical status has increased to 11.
Increasing Repression of Religious Minorities in India: USCIRF
- Repression against religious minorities is on the rise in India; “Religious freedom is in dire straits,” according to the annual report of the US Government’s Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF).
- The report also recommended that India be declared a country of concern based on violations of religious freedom.
- The Indian Ministry of External Affairs strongly criticized and rejected the report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
International Accreditation for Central Medicines Quality Control Center:
- Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that the Central Drug Quality Control Organization has become an affiliate member of the International Medical Devices Regulatory Forum.
- The International Medical Device Regulatory Commission(IMDRF) is a voluntary body of international medical device regulators.
- This task force has come together to build strong foundational work for global harmonization, regulation, and rapid regulation of medical devices.
- It was established in Canada in 2011 by medical device regulatory or control bodies in 11 countries, including the United States, Japan, Britain, and the European Union, with the support of the World Health Organization.
- Approved to join Central Pharmaceuticals Quality Control Organization of India as Associate Member.
- India has joined the International Medical Device Regulatory Forum (IMDRF) as an associate member.
National Mission on Edible Oils – Oilseeds:
- The Union Cabinet has approved the implementation of the National Edible Oil-Oilseeds Drive at a cost of Rs 10,103 crore over the next 7 years.
- The drive aims to save foreign exchange while increasing farmers’ income by increasing domestic oilseed production and achieving self-sufficiency in edible oil.
Approval for Rs 1 Lakh Crore Agriculture Scheme:
- 2 new schemes have been announced to merge all the centrally funded schemes under the Union Ministry of Agriculture.
- The Union Cabinet approved two new schemes namely the Prime Minister’s National Agricultural Development Scheme to promote sustainable agriculture and the Krishonnati Scheme to achieve self-sufficiency in food security.
- These schemes are to be implemented by the state governments. Also, states are empowered to utilize the funds as per their needs.
3 October: Navratri
- Navratri is an annual festival celebrated in honor of Goddess Durga.
- It is celebrated twice a year, known as Chaitra Navratri and Shrad Navratri.
- In the year 2024, Shrad Navratri starts on 3rd October.
Important Facts:
- In 2004, Tamil was first given the status of ‘Semmozhi’.
- Sanskrit (2005), Telugu (2008), Kannada (2008), Malayalam (2013) and Odia (2014) have been granted ‘classical’ status.
- Currently, the 5 languages to be included in the classical list are Maharashtra (Marathi), Bihar-Uttar Pradesh-Madhya Pradesh (Pali and Prakrit), West Bengal (Bengali) and Assam (Assamese).
- The Union Cabinet has approved an allocation of Rs 63,236 crore for the Chennai Metro Phase 2 project.
- After 50 years, Britain agreed to cede the Chacos Archipelago, which included the tropical coral reef island of Diego Garcia, to Mauritius.