Current affairs 18 May 2023

UGC launches two websites to enhance quality education in India.

• The University Grants Commission has launched a newly redesigned website and portals named UTSAH and Professor of Practice.
• UTSAH refers to Undertaking Transformative Strategies and Actions in Higher Education.
• This portal will serve as a platform providing detailed information about UGC's initiatives for qualitative reforms in higher education.
• The Professors of Practice portal facilitate institutions to get experienced professional experts in the required area.

"Gauri" bags "Best Long Documentary Award" at SAFF, Montreal.

• A documentary, titled Gauri (directed by Kavitha Lankesh) has been awarded the Best Long Documentary Award at the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal 2023.
• It is based on journalist and activist Gauri Lankesh, who was assassinated in 2017.
• This film was commissioned by Free Press Unlimited, Amsterdam.
• The Free Press Unlimited mission stems from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.

PM to inaugurate International Museum Expo 2023.

• PM Modi will inaugurate the International Museum Expo 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on 18 May 2023.
• He will also unveil several key initiatives, including the Mascot, a Graphic Novel titled A Day at the Museum, the Pocket Map of Kartavya Path, and Museum Cards.
• The Mascot is an artistic representation inspired by the iconic Dancing Girl sculpture in the Chennapatnam art style.
• Indian Museums Directory serves as a comprehensive survey of museums in India.

Uttar Pradesh ranked second in country with 48 GI-tags.

• Uttar Pradesh has received the Geographical Indications (GI) tags for three more ODOP crafts - Mainpuri tarkashi, Mahoba Gaura stone craft, and Sambhal horn craft.
• Uttar Pradesh has now 48 GI tags.
• Among the 48 GI goods of UP, 36 products belong to the handicraft category.
• Tamil Nadu has a maximum of 55 GI-tagged goods while UP and Karnataka have 48 and 46 GI products respectively.
• Tarkashi is a technique of inlaying brass, copper, or silver wires in wood.

Kerala launched Welfare Fund for Workers Under Employment Guarantee Scheme.

• Kerala becomes the first state in India to launch a welfare fund for Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers.
• The workers who have completed the age of 60 will be entitled to a pension under this fund and it will also provide financial assistance for medical treatment, and other benefits.
• The workers need to pay a nominal monthly amount of Rs 50 as a contribution to the fund and the government will also contribute an equal amount.