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.

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 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 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 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.