Published on: October 29, 2024
Snippets : 29 OCTOBER 2024
Snippets : 29 OCTOBER 2024
- On the 200th anniversary of Kittur Vijayotsava, a commemorative postage stamp was released at the historic Kittur Rani Chennamma Stage in Kittur Fort premises. Rani Chennamma, born on October 23, 1778, in Kagati (present-day Belagavi district, Karnataka), married Raja Mallasarja of Kittur at the age of 15. After Mallasarja’s death in 1816, their son Shivalingarudra Sarja ascended the throne but soon fell ill and had no natural heir. Rani Chennamma lost her own son, and upon Shivalingarudra’s death in 1824, he adopted a child named Shivalingappa as his successor. However, the British East India Company refused to recognize Shivalingappa under the “doctrine of lapse,” which led to the annexation of princely states without natural heirs. In October 1824, British official John Thackery launched an attack on Kittur, but Rani Chennamma led her forces and initially defeated him, resulting in Thackery’s death. Unfortunately, this victory was short-lived, as the British army attacked the Kittur Fort on December 3, 1824, capturing it and imprisoning Rani Chennamma and her family. She died in prison on February 21, 1829.
- The Karnataka cabinet recently approved the New Tourism Policy for 2024-29, aiming to create a high-quality, tourist-centric ecosystem. The policy sets ambitious investment goals of ₹1,500 crore, expected to generate 47,000 direct jobs and over 1 lakh indirect jobs. Key focus areas include promoting 24 tourism themes such as cuisines, golf, and weddings, with special emphasis on cuisine tourism through gastronomy trails. The state aims to attract 20 lakh foreign tourists annually and increase domestic footfalls from 23 crore to 48 crore. Collaborations with the Karnataka Wine Board and the Coffee Board of India will enhance wine and coffee tourism. An advisory group will guide and monitor these initiatives. Marketing strategies include launching campaigns like ‘Ullasa Pravasa’ to encourage short trips, and developing facilities to enhance visitor experiences, such as night markets and cultural performances. Infrastructure plans involve developing 30 tourist destinations under the one district-one project scheme and creating 50 adventure tourism destinations by 2029. The policy also includes land monetization initiatives to attract projects worth ₹7,800 crore under public-private partnerships over the next five years. Furthermore, the Global Tourism Investors’ Meet will showcase Karnataka’s tourism potential, and a Tourism Development Fund will support hospitality infrastructure. Financial incentives include capital investment subsidies, exemptions on stamp duty and registration charges for new projects, and support for tourism service providers through tax reimbursements and utility subsidies.
- The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), a Ugandan rebel group founded by Joseph Kony in 1988, was established under the pretense of restoring honor to the Acholi people and installing a government based on Kony’s interpretation of the Ten Commandments. Notorious for extreme violence, the LRA has operated for over 30 years across central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Central African Republic (CAR), and South Sudan. The group has abducted more than 67,000 people, including 30,000 children, using them as child soldiers, sex slaves, and porters. Designated a terrorist organization by the United States, the LRA also prompted the first International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrants against Kony and top commanders. Funded through illicit activities like ivory, gold, and diamond smuggling, the LRA has received backing from the Sudanese government since 1994. Recently, a Ugandan court sentenced LRA commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison, marking a historic moment in accountability for the group’s war crimes.
- Justice K.S. Puttaswamy, a pioneering figure in Indian law, passed away at 98. He famously petitioned against the Aadhaar scheme, leading to a landmark 2017 Supreme Court judgment recognizing the right to privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21. A distinguished jurist, Puttaswamy served as Karnataka High Court judge, chairman of the AP Administrative Tribunal and AP Commission for Backward Classes. His commitment to upholding constitutional rights and civil liberties has left a lasting impact on Indian law and citizens’ lives.
- India’s demand for critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and graphite, is expected to more than double by 2030, but domestic production lags behind, with 100% import reliance on some minerals. A report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) highlights India’s import dependence and vulnerability to global price fluctuations. To mitigate risks, the report suggests expediting domestic production, diversifying international sources, and exploring cooperation with countries like Mozambique, Madagascar, Brazil, and Tanzania. Critical minerals are essential for clean energy technologies, defense, and electronics, and the Indian government is taking steps to boost domestic production through auctions and the planned Critical Minerals Mission.
- Carlos Sainz secured an emotional victory for Ferrari at the Mexico City Grand Prix, with Lando Norris finishing second for McLaren. Max Verstappen, the series leader, finished sixth after receiving two 10-second penalties for aggressive driving, twice forcing Norris off the track.
- Salima Tete was named captain of the 18-member Indian women’s hockey team announced for the Asian Champions Trophy scheduled to be held from November 11 to 20 at the newly-developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar.
