DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS
24.02.2025
- News 1: Bharat Tech Triumph Program
GS-2 Governance
About The News:
- Recently, to support India’s gaming industry growth the Bharat Tech Triumph Program (TTP) has been launched as part of the Create in India Challenge Season 1.
Key points for prelims
Bharat Tech Triumph Program:
- It aims to identify and showcase India’s gaming talent on the international stage.
- It is organized by the Interactive Entertainment and Innovation Council (IEIC) in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) the program
- A diverse range of participants from the interactive entertainment industry including developers, studios, startups, and tech companies can participate in this programme.
- This initiative is open to individuals and organizations involved in gaming development, esports and business solutions critical to the gaming ecosystem.
- Evaluation criteria: The evaluation criteria for the Bharat Tech Triumph Program focus on assessing key aspects of your product, pitch and team to determine its potential for success.
- Winners of this Program will have an incredible opportunity to showcase their products, intellectual property and technology on a global stage.
- They’ll be fully sponsored to present their innovations at the prestigious Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2025 in San Francisco and later at WAVES in India.
- NEWS 2: Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation
GS-2 International Organisation
About The News:
- Recently, India assumed Chairmanship of Bay of Bengal (BOB) Inter-Governmental Organisation from Bangladesh at the 13th Governing Council Meeting at Malé, Maldives.
Key points for prelims:
Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation:
- It was set up in 2003.
- It is a unique regional fisheries body, specifically mandated to assist the member countries in increasing the livelihood opportunities and improving the quality of life of the small-scale/ artisanal fisher folk in the Bay of Bengal region.
- The Organisation evolved from the erstwhile Bay of Bengal Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) founded in 1979.
- It has set international benchmarks in execution of programs and activities in the field of small-scale fisheries that has translated into measurable benefits for the member countries.
- Member Countries: The current members of the Organisation are Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka while Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand are cooperating non-contracting parties.
Objectives of Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation:
- To increase awareness and knowledge of the needs, benefits and practices of marine fisheries management;
- Enhance skills through training and education;
- Transfer appropriate technologies and techniques for development of small-scale fisheries;
- Establish regional information networking; and promote women’s participation in marine fisheries value chain.
GS-1 Geography
About the news:
- Recently, Vietnam’s foreign ministry published a map defining its baseline claim in the Gulf of Tonkin.
Key points for prelims:
Gulf Of Tonkin:
- It is referred to as “Beibu Gulf” in Chinese and “Bac Bo Gulf” in Vietnamese.
- It is a crescent-shaped, shallow, semi-enclosed water body situated off South China and Northern Vietnam coasts in the South China Sea’s northwestern portion.
- Bordering regions: It is bordered by the northern coastline of Vietnam in the west and northwest; by China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the north; and by the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island in the east.
- It is connected with the South China Sea via the gulf’s mouth in the south and the Hainan Strait in the northeast.
- Many rivers empty into the Gulf of Tonkin, with the Red River supplying the major riverine discharge along with some smaller rivers along the northern and western coastal areas.
- Major Ports: In Northern Vietnam, the gulf’s main ports include Haiphong and Ben Thuy, whereas, in China, its major port is Beihai (Pakhoi).
Mains Questions:
- Discuss the strategic importance of the Bay of Bengal Inter-Governmental Organisation in promoting regional cooperation and sustainable fisheries management. How can India leverage its chairmanship to strengthen maritime diplomacy in the region?
