Bengaluru is all set to witness Zero Shadow Day today across the city

Why In News

·         On Tuesday, April 25, Bengaluru, India's technological hub, is poised to witness a unique celestial event known as "Zero Shadow Day," according to the Astronomical Society of India (ASI).

Key Points

·         On Tuesday, April 25, Bengaluru, India’s technological hub, is poised to witness a unique celestial event known as “Zero Shadow Day,” according to the Astronomical Society of India (ASI). During this event, any vertical objects in the city will not cast any shadows, due to the sun’s position directly overhead.

·         The phenomenon is expected to occur at around 12:17 PM and will last for a brief period. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in Koramangala, Bengaluru, has made arrangements to observe the event, while citizens across the city are also geared up to witness it.

What is Zero Shadow Day:

·         Zero Shadow Day is a rare and unique phenomenon that occurs at different times in different locations on Earth. During this brief period, the sun is precisely overhead at noon without any tilt. Normally, the sun’s position is slightly tilted to the north or south and not directly overhead.

·         The Astronomical Society of India (ASI) explains that on Zero Shadow Day, “the Sun’s declination will be equal to the latitude twice – once during Uttarayan and once during Dakshinayan. On these two days, the Sun will be exactly overhead at noon and will not cast a shadow of an object on the ground.”

·         Zero Shadow Day occurs twice a year in locations between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, such as Bengaluru. In Bengaluru, it will take place on April 25th and August 18th.

BRO puts up signboard describing Mana as ‘First Indian Village’

Why In News

·         Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has installed a signboard at the entrance of the Mana village in Uttarakhand to declare as the "first Indian village."

Key Points

·         Mana village in Uttarakhand, which was previously recognized as the last Indian village, will now be acknowledged as the “first Indian village.” The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has installed a signboard at the entrance of the border village to declare Mana’s updated status.

·         This decision comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi supported Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s assertion that Mana was the first village in the country, and all border villages should be recognized as such.

·         PM Modi, who visited Mana in October last year, stated that areas that were previously viewed as the end of the country’s borders should now be viewed as the beginning of the country’s prosperity.

Vibrant Villages Programme: Northern border of India

·         The Vibrant Villages Programme is designed to uplift the standard of living for residents in selected border communities.

·         The programme aims to develop a total of 2967 villages situated in 46 blocks of 19 districts located on the northern border of India.

·         The programme covers border communities in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh, as well as the Union Territory of Ladakh.

·         The goal is to develop infrastructure, provide basic amenities, and enhance the overall living conditions in these villages.

·         The programme will focus on providing better access to healthcare, education, and clean drinking water.

·         The Vibrant Villages Programme will also aim to promote rural tourism and generate employment opportunities in the border communities.

·         This programme aligns with the government’s vision of improving the standard of living in rural areas and promoting inclusive growth.

G20 Park: Delhi’s Waste-to-Wonder Concept Aligns with PM’s Vision for a Sustainable Future

Why In News

·         India has put forward a proposal to construct a G20 park in Delhi that will serve as a representation of global unity on the path of development.

Key Points

·         India has put forward a proposal to construct a G20 park in Delhi that will serve as a representation of global unity on the path of development. According to sources, PM Modi has been closely monitoring the park’s concept development.

·         The park, which will be located at the Shanti Path and Ring Road junction, will be based on the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” The sculptures in the park will depict the national animals and birds of the G20 countries and will be created using the “waste to wonder” concept.

·         Each sculpture will be made from scrap and other waste materials sourced from the New Delhi Municipal Council’s yards and other agencies. Lalit Kala Academy will be responsible for promoting and creating the artwork projects. The metal art pieces used in each sculpture will have dimensions of 5-7 feet by 4-5 feet.

·         According to officials, the idea of a G20 park enhances Delhi’s identity as a city that values art and culture. Artists from various Indian states, including Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, Haryana, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Chhattisgarh, are currently working on creating national birds and animals of different G20 countries.

·         These include the Indian peacock, Brazilian jaguar, American bison, Chinese red-crowned crane, Saudi Arabian camel, Korean magpie, Australian emu, Canadian gray jay, Russian brown bear, and Mexican golden eagle. The artwork projects are part of the Waste to Wonder Art Camp.

·         A team of well-known national-level artists with experience in waste-to-wonder projects has conceptualized, designed, and curated the art pieces for the G20 park. Each piece will be carefully crafted by hand and given a high-quality finish to demonstrate that waste can be transformed into something remarkable.

·         To prevent theft or damage, each piece will be securely installed on a base platform. An information plate will be placed next to each piece, detailing the animal, its appearance in real life, and its significance to the country it represents. The details of the artists involved in creating the piece will also be displayed.

About the G20:

·         The G20 comprises 19 countries—Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States—as well as the European Union. The G20 members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.

International Delegate’s Day 2023 celebrates on 25th April

Why In News

·         Every year on April 25th, International Delegate's Day is observed to pay tribute to the delegates who are an integral part of the United Nations (UN) and play a significant role in its functioning.

Key Points

·         Every year on April 25th, International Delegate’s Day is observed to pay tribute to the delegates who are an integral part of the United Nations (UN) and play a significant role in its functioning.

·         These delegates represent their respective governments and are dedicated to working together under the framework of the UN to address global challenges and achieve multilateral cooperation.

·         Without the efforts and contributions of these delegates, the UN would not be able to function effectively. They work towards the resolution of global issues and ensure that the voice of their governments is heard on an international level. The observance of this day is a recognition of their dedication and commitment to promoting peace, security, and prosperity worldwide.

International Delegate’s Day: History

·         International Delegate’s Day marks the anniversary of the first day of the San Francisco Conference, also known as the United Nations Conference on International Organization. On 25 April 1945, delegates from fifty countries came together for the first time in San Francisco. Coming together after the devastation of the second world war, their aim was to set up an organization that would restore world peace and impose rules on the post-war world order.

·         850 delegates took part in this conference, which lasted for two months. They represented over eighty per cent of the world’s population, people of every world religion and continent; all determined to set up an organization, which would preserve peace and help build a better world.

·         Two months after the first meeting, on 26 June 1945, the Charter of the United Nations was signed by representatives of the 50 countries that attended the conference.

·         The agreement resulted in the creation of the United Nations, an organization that now comprises 193 Member States and serves as the main international venue for collective dialogue between the delegates of its Member States. Poland, which did not have a government at the time of the conference, signed the charter later, hence bringing up the number of the Founding Member States to 51.

·         In its resolution 73/286 from 2 April 2019, the General Assembly recalls the achievement of the San Francisco Conference and proclaims 25 April as International Delegate’s Day.

India, Iran and Armenia forms new trilateral to deepen regional relations

Why In News

·         The first trilateral consultations between the Foreign Affairs Ministry of India, Armenia, and Iran took place in Yerevan.

Key Points

·         The first trilateral consultations between the Foreign Affairs Ministry of India, Armenia, and Iran took place in Yerevan. Mnatsakan Safaryan, the deputy foreign minister of Armenia, Seyed Rasoul Mousavi, the assistant of the foreign minister of Iran, and JP Singh, the joint secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, led their respective delegations at the meeting.

·         During the trilateral meeting between India, Armenia, and Iran, the participants also discussed the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).

·         This is a freight corridor that connects India, Iran, and Russia, with the goal of reducing the time and cost of transporting cargo from Mumbai to Moscow. The INSTC agreement was originally signed in 2002 by Russia, Iran, and India and has since been expanded.

·         Armenia and India marked the 30th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relations in 2022. The two countries have maintained active political ties and effective cooperation within international organizations.

·         The diplomatic relations between Armenia and India were established in 1992. In March 2022, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan visited India, while Defence Minister Suren Papikyan made a visit to the country in April of the same year.

·         India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, visited Armenia in October 2021. India and Iran have a long-standing relationship that dates back many centuries, with both countries sharing a common cultural heritage. The Chabahar port in Iran has been instrumental in enhancing connectivity between the two nations.