Uttar Pradesh State PCS

• 18 Apr 2024

Uttar Pradesh Leads India in GI Tags

Why in News?

With six new additions, Uttar Pradesh retains its position as the state with the most GI-tagged products in India, reaching a total of 75.

Key Points

• This comprises the renowned 'Tirangi Barfi' from Kashi, a tri coloured sweet that was traded to make a statement by freedom fighters in the Quit India Movement.
• The other products that received the certification in Uttar Pradesh include Banaras Metal Casting Craft, Lakhimpur Kheri Tharu Embroidery, Bareilly Cane and Bamboo Craft, Bareilly Zardozi Craft, and Pilkhuwa Hand Block Print Textile.
  • With the inclusion of these six new items, Uttar Pradesh remains the leading state in India with the highest number of GI-tagged products.
  • Tamil Nadu comes next with 58 GI products.

Geographical Indication (GI) tag

• About:
  • A GI tag is a name or sign used on certain products that correspond to a specific geographical location or origin.
  • The GI tag ensures that only the authorised users or those residing in the geographical territory are allowed to use the popular product name.
  • It also protects the product from being copied or imitated by others.
  • A registered GI is valid for 10 years.
  • GI registration is overseen by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Legal Framework and Obligations:
  • The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
  • It is governed and directed by the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
  • Furthermore, the significance of protecting industrial property and geographical indications as integral components of intellectual property is acknowledged and emphasised in Articles 1(2) and 10 of the Paris Convention.

Surya Tilak Project at Ayodhya

Why in News?

Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), an Autonomous body under the Department of science and Technology played a crucial role in the Surya Tilak Project at Ayodhya.

Key Points

• Under the Surya Tilak project, sunlight was brought on the forehead of Sri Ram Lalla at 12 noon on the occasion of Sri Ram Navami in the Chaitra month.
• IIA team carried out the calculation of the sun position, design and optimisation of the optical system, and performed the integration & alignment at the site.
  • The IIA team led the calculation for identification of the calendar days of Sri Ram Navami for one cycle of 19 years followed by its repetition, estimation of the position in the sky on the calendar dates of the Ram Navami.
  • They also led the design of an opto-mechanical system to bring the sunlight from the top of the temple to the forehead of the idol, estimation of the size, shape and location of mirrors and lenses in the system for sufficient light to fall on the idol for about 6 minutes.
• The device has been manufactured by Optica, Bangalore & implementation of the opto-mechanical system at the site is being done by CSIR-CBRI (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Building Research Institute).

Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)

• The IIA is a premier research institute in India dedicated to the study of astronomy, astrophysics, and related fields. Wholly financed by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• It has several observational facilities, including the Vainu Bappu Observatory in Kavalur, Tamil Nadu, the Gauribidanur Radio Observatory in Karnataka, and the Hanle Observatory in Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir.