22/08/2015
Chengalikodan banana variety from Thrissur district of Kerala has been accorded Geographical Indication (GI) status by the Chennai based Central GI registry.
This banana variant is uniquely grown in Chowannur, Pazhayannur, Wadakkanchery, Puzhakkal and Ollukkara block panchayats in Thrissur district of Kerala.
Chengalikodan banana is known for its unique shape, size, colour and taste. It was cultivated in erstwhile Chengazhikode from where it got its name as Chengazhikodan banana which was later changed as Chengalikodan banana.
Other GI status products from Kerala
Vazhakkulam pineapple, Central Travancore jaggery, Pokkali rice, Palakkadan matta rice, Wayanadan scented rice varieties Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala are other agricultural products from Kerala already having GI status.
About Geographical Indication (GI) status
•Geographical Indication is an insignia on products having a unique geographical origin and evolution over centuries. These products have special quality or reputation attributable to its geographical origin.
•In India, GI registration is governed by the Geographical Indications of goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
•Advantages: GI status confers legal protection to these products and prevents unauthorised use it by others and promotes economic prosperity of producers of goods. In also helps consumers get quality products of desired traits.
•Darjeeling tea was the first agricultural product in India to be accorded with GI tag. Presently, there are nearly 200 unique products registered as GIs in India.
Tags: Agriculture • Chengalikodan Banana • Geographical Indication • Kerala
Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in PM of Sri Lanka
Ranil Wickremesinghe has sworn-in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka for fourth time.
He was administered the oath of office by President Maithripala Sirisena at the oath taking ceremony held at Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
Immediately after oath taking ceremony, two main parties in the country Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the United National Party (UNP) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form national unity government and work together in the parliament.
Ranil Wickremesighe has held the position of Prime Minister of the country on three earlier occasions i.e. in 1993-94, 2002-2004 and from January 2015 to August 2015.
He holds record of being Member of Parliament continuously without losing his seat for the last 38 years in Sri Lankan history.
Background
In recently concluded Sri Lankan parliamentary election 2015, UNP led by Mr. Wickremesinghe had emerged single largest party by winning 106 seats. They were short by seven members to become majority party in the 225-member parliament. SLFP which is loyal to President Maithripala Sirisena had won 95 seats.
In this election, Mr. Wickremesinghe had secured a record 5 lakh preferential votes from the Colombo constituency which is the highest number of votes polled by a candidate in Sri Lanka’s electoral history.
Comment
•Wickremesinghe has a high reputation of being an honest and progressive politician in Sri Lanka who has always tried to bring reconciliation between the various communities.
•During his earlier stints as Prime Minister, Mr. Wickremesinghe had marked friendly and close relations with India.
Greek PM Alexis Tsipras resigns
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August 21, 2015
Alexis Tsipras
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has announced his resignation in a televised address to the debt ridden nation which is centre of Eurozone crisis.
He has submitted his resignation to President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and called for snap elections as early as possible.
Mr. Tsipras resigned in order to defend the country’s massive new 86 billion euro bailout programme which had triggered a rebellion within his own left-wing Syriza party.
He was elected as Prime Minister after his left-wing party had emerged victorious in general election held in January 2015.
Mr. Tsipras’s this decision leaves Greece in the hands of a caretaker government until the election to elect new government takes place which is expected to be held on September
