Current Affairs Dec 2017 - Places in NEWS

1 - 8^th GALF 2017 inaugurated in Panaji

The 8^th Goa Arts and Literature Festival (GALF) 2017 was inaugurated in Panaji. GALF 2017 was conceptualised, organised and hosted by The International Centre Goa in association and Goa Writers, an association of Goa-based authors. The festival involved book releases, reading sessions, debates, talks, panel discussions, interactive sessions and cultural performances in Marathi, English, Hindi and Konkani. Prominent attendees were Sahitya Akademi Award winners Ganesh Devy, Ramachandra Guha, Jerry Pinto and Ranjit Hoskote.

2 - Delhi hosted ASEAN India connectivity Summit

ASEAN-India Connectivity Summit was hosted by New Delhi. The theme of the summit was ‘Powering Digital and Physical Linkages for Asia in the 21^st Century’. Various senior government officials, investors, industry leaders, representatives of trade associations and entrepreneurs witnessed summit. They discussed on offering strategies to enhance economic, industrial and trade relations between ASEAN and India and enhancing policy recommendations on existing connectivity prospects. Some other issues such as infrastructure, roadways, shipping, digital, finance, energy and aviation were also discussed.

3 - Kumbh Mela inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO

UNESCO has recognised India's Kumbh Mela as an "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" and held up as the world's largest peaceful gathering of pilgrims. The recognition was accorded by the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Kumbh Mela is held in Haridwar, Allahabad, Ujjain and Nashik. The Representative List includes forms of expression that testify to the diversity of the intangible heritage and raise awareness of its importance.

4 - 2^nd UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture Held in Muscat

The Second UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture was held in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman from 11 – 12 December 2017. The United Nations has declared 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development (IY2017), a unique opportunity to explore and highlight tourism’s potential to help transform our world into a place of prosperity and wellbeing for all. The First UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia in February 2015.

5 - Delhi hosted 7^th International Ground Water Conference

New Delhi hosted 7^th International Ground Water Conference (IGWC-2017). The theme of IGWC-2017 was “Ground water Vision 2030- Water Security, Challenges and Climate Change Adaptation”. The aim of IGWC 2017 was to provide a common platform to discuss and present their vision for groundwater management in the face of growing challenges of the needs of rising earth population and anticipated impacts of climate change. India is at present the largest and fastest consumer of groundwater in the world.

6 - 3^rd World Telugu Conference held in Hyderabad

The third World Telugu Conference was held in Hyderabad. The aim of the Conference was to promote Telugu and its literature besides helping the present generation learn more about Telugu language and its rich culture and heritage. The 5-day event was inaugurated by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu while 50 thousand participants witnessed the literary-cultural event. The venues and dais were named after eminent Telugu legends and linguistic personalities.

7 - 7^th international coffee fest to be held in Bengaluru

The seventh edition of the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) will be organized in Bengaluru. The four day event from January 16-19, will help promote the Indian coffees globally. The theme of the event is "Express yourself with Coffee".The festival is being organised by the India Coffee Trust and State-run Coffee Board. Over 100 companies, 600 delegates and some 10,000 visitors are expected to participate. Bengaluru will also host the World Coffee Conference in 2020.

8 - Bengaluru became first Indian city to have its Own Logo

Bengaluru became first Indian city to launch its own logo. The logo was launched at the global tourism fest 'Namma Bengaluru Habba'. It is designed by Nammur, a design start-up. Nammur was selected through a contest for designing logo. Nammur received cash prize of Rs. 5 lakhs. The logo is created in such a way that it depicts the name ‘Bengaluru’ in both the languages English and Kannada.The logo is launched with an aim to represent new identity of Bengaluru city through the logo.