World Voice Day 2023 celebrates on 16 April

Why In  News

·         World Voice Day (WVD) is an international event celebrated annually on April 16th to recognize and appreciate the significance of the human voice in our everyday lives.

Key Points

·         World Voice Day (WVD) is an international event celebrated annually on April 16th to recognize and appreciate the significance of the human voice in our everyday lives. Effective communication is reliant on a healthy and well-functioning voice.

·         The purpose of WVD is to promote global awareness of the importance of preventing voice-related problems, training the artistic voice, rehabilitating damaged or abnormal voices, and researching the function and application of the voice.

Objective of World Voice Day

·         The objective of World Voice Day is to promote the proper care and training of the human voice, particularly among those who use their voice for professional or recreational purposes.

·         The event aims to increase awareness of voice-related issues and encourage individuals to seek assistance and training when needed. Additionally, World Voice Day supports research efforts related to the voice, which is studied and applied in various fields such as biology, art, phonetics, psychology, physics, music, speech-language pathology, and medicine.

History of World Voice Day

·         The concept of dedicating a special day to the voice was first introduced in 1999 by the Society of Laryngology & Voice in Brazil, which selected April 16 as the annual date.

·         In 2002, Professor Mario Andre, a Portuguese laryngologist and the European Laryngological Society President, proposed that World Voice Day should be celebrated globally.

·         This idea was developed and adopted in various countries. In 2012, voice researchers Dr. Filipa from Portugal, Prof.

·         Tecumseh Fitch from Austria, and Prof. Johan Sundberg from Sweden invited voice experts from multiple countries to form a global group dedicated to organizing World Voice Day events. Currently, the group consists of 66 members who work together to initiate and coordinate World Voice Day celebrations in their respective countries.

G20 MACS meeting in Varanasi to feature the MAHARISHI Initiative

Why In  News

·         G20 MACS meeting in Varanasi will feature the MAHARISHI Initiative, which stands for Millets And OtHer Ancient Grains International ReSearcH Initiative.

Key Points

·         A significant event, the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS), is scheduled to take place in Varanasi from 17 to 19 April. The meeting’s theme is Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Healthy People and Planet, which aligns with India’s G20 presidency theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

Significance of this event:

·         During the MACS, experts will discuss various topics such as food and nutrition security, resilience to climate change, One Health approaches, digital agriculture, and public-private partnerships for research, education, and extension.

About The MAHARISHI Initiative:

·         Additionally, the meeting will feature the MAHARISHI Initiative, which stands for Millets And OtHer Ancient Grains International ReSearcH Initiative. This initiative aims to promote research and awareness about agro-biodiversity, food security, and nutrition in line with the International Year of Millets 2023.

12th MACS meeting: the four priority areas:

·         The upcoming 12th MACS meeting will place particular emphasis on four priority areas. These areas are Food Security and Nutrition, which will explore the role of cutting-edge science and technology in addressing these issues. Another priority is Building Resilience and Sustainable Agriculture through Approaches such as climate resilient agriculture and One Health, which involves taking a holistic approach to human, animal, and environmental health.

·         Digitalization for Agricultural Transformation is another important area of focus, examining how technology can be leveraged to improve and streamline agricultural processes. Finally, Public-Private Partnerships for Research and Development will be discussed, as the meeting will explore how collaboration between different stakeholders can drive innovation and progress in the agricultural sector.

 G20 MACS meeting in Varanasi to feature the MAHARISHI Initiative

Why In  News

·         G20 MACS meeting in Varanasi will feature the MAHARISHI Initiative, which stands for Millets And OtHer Ancient Grains International ReSearcH Initiative.

Key Points

·         A significant event, the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS), is scheduled to take place in Varanasi from 17 to 19 April. The meeting’s theme is Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Healthy People and Planet, which aligns with India’s G20 presidency theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

Significance of this event:

·         During the MACS, experts will discuss various topics such as food and nutrition security, resilience to climate change, One Health approaches, digital agriculture, and public-private partnerships for research, education, and extension.

About The MAHARISHI Initiative:

·         Additionally, the meeting will feature the MAHARISHI Initiative, which stands for Millets And OtHer Ancient Grains International ReSearcH Initiative. This initiative aims to promote research and awareness about agro-biodiversity, food security, and nutrition in line with the International Year of Millets 2023.

12th MACS meeting: the four priority areas:

·         The upcoming 12th MACS meeting will place particular emphasis on four priority areas. These areas are Food Security and Nutrition, which will explore the role of cutting-edge science and technology in addressing these issues. Another priority is Building Resilience and Sustainable Agriculture through Approaches such as climate resilient agriculture and One Health, which involves taking a holistic approach to human, animal, and environmental health.

·         Digitalization for Agricultural Transformation is another important area of focus, examining how technology can be leveraged to improve and streamline agricultural processes. Finally, Public-Private Partnerships for Research and Development will be discussed, as the meeting will explore how collaboration between different stakeholders can drive innovation and progress in the agricultural sector.

India-EU trade pact to promote economic ties: CII

Why In  News

·         The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has emphasized the benefits of India-EU trade agreement, which could serve as a catalyst for enhancing the India-EU relationship.

Key Points

·         The potential signing of a free trade agreement between India and the European Union is seen as a positive step towards promoting economic ties between the two regions. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has emphasized the benefits of such an agreement, which could serve as a catalyst for enhancing the India-EU relationship.

Significance of the India-EU FTA:

·         If the free trade agreement is signed, it could lead to increased trade between India and the EU, as well as new investment opportunities. The CII’s Vice President and the Chairman and Managing Director of ITC Ltd, Sanjiv Puri, has stated that this agreement could further strengthen the India-Italy relationship.

India-EU FTA:

·         It is important to note that negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the EU have been ongoing for several years, with both sides seeking to address various issues related to market access and intellectual property rights. The potential benefits of such an agreement are significant, and it remains to be seen whether the negotiations will ultimately result in a mutually beneficial deal.

World Art Day 2023 observed on 15th April

Why In  News

·         UNESCO's General Conference declared April 15 as World Art Day to commemorate Leonardo da Vinci's birthday.

Key Points

·         UNESCO’s General Conference declared April 15 as World Art Day to commemorate Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday, recognizing the importance of art in promoting creativity, cultural diversity, and information exchange.

·         Art has always encouraged innovation and sparked discussion among individuals worldwide. However, to preserve artistic freedoms, it is crucial to safeguard the conditions that support and protect artists. This celebration is an opportunity to encourage the development, distribution, and enjoyment of art annually.

·         April 15 was selected as World Art Day because it coincides with Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday. As one of history’s most celebrated artists, da Vinci has come to represent ideals such as peace, freedom of expression, tolerance, and brotherhood.

·         Art is a multifaceted medium that fosters creativity in all forms and is valued globally. Many well-known works of art can be found in museums across the world, and art serves as an essential tool for documenting history and educating people about past cultures.

World Art Day 2023: History

·         World Art Day was officially established on April 15 during the General Assembly of the International Association of Art in 2012.

·         This was the first year of celebration, and the date was chosen in honor of the renowned artist, Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday. Da Vinci has become a symbol of tolerance, multiculturalism, freedom of expression, and world peace.

·         The inaugural World Art Day was supported by all national committees of the International Association of Art, and the event aimed to promote inclusivity by bringing together 150 artists from various countries worldwide.

·         The celebration included conferences and extended museum hours. Outdoor art exhibitions featured various art forms such as paintings, prints, sculptures, and videos.