World Food Day 2024

Context: 

World Food Day is observed annually on October 16 to highlight global food security issues.

More on the News

• The day was founded in 1979 during the FAO's 20th General Conference, consequently the first celebration occurred in 1981. The United Nations General Assembly endorsed it in 1984. 
• This day commemorates the founding of FAO in 1945.
• World Food Day 2024 theme: “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future”.
• After World War II, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognised the “Right to food” in 1948.

International Abhidhamma Divas

Context: 

Abhidhamma Divas was celebrated on 17th October.

More on the News

• The Ministry of Culture in association with the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) observed the International Abhidhamma (Higher teaching) Divas.

IBC formed in 2013 is a Buddhist umbrella body based in New Delhi that serves as a common platform for Buddhists worldwide.

• Abhidhamma Divas commemorates the descent of Lord Buddha from the celestial realm of the thirty-three divine beings (Tāvatiṃsa-devaloka) to Sankassiya (modern-day Sankisa in the Farrukhabad district of Uttar Pradesh). The significance of this location is underscored by the presence of the Asokan Elephant Pillar. 
• The Divas serves as a reminder of India's unique role in preserving and promoting the legacy of Buddhism to the world, a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary spiritual practices.
• The recent recognition of Pali as a classical language enhances the significance of this year's Abhidhamma Divas celebrations as Buddha’s teachings on Abhidhamma are originally available in the Pali language.

Teachings of Abhidhamma

• The three main divisions of Tripitaka include:

Vinaya Pitaka: It outlines ethical monastic rules.

Sutta Pitaka: It is a rich compilation of the Buddha's discourses.

Abhidhamma Pitaka: It delves into ethics, psychology, and the intricate analysis of mind and reality.

• The Abhidhamma, or "Higher Teaching" of the Buddha, provides a profound and systematic analysis of mind and matter.
• According to the Pali texts, it is believed that Buddha first taught the Abhidhamma to the gods in the Tavatimsa heaven (world of the devas in Buddhist cosmology), who were headed by his mother. After having returned to the earth again, he conveyed these teachings to his disciple Sariputta, who expanded upon them in the six core books of the Abhidhamma Piñaka.

AROHA-2024

Context: 

The first-ever International Conference of All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA)- Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda (AROHA) 2024 was inaugurated by the Chief Justice of India.

More on the News

• It was a three-day International conference held from 17th October to 19th October 2024.
• The day (17th October) also marks the 8th foundation day of the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA).
• AIIA is an Apex Institute for Ayurveda, with a vision to be an outstanding centre of excellence for Ayurveda tertiary health care, setting the highest standards in education, research, and patient care. 
• The conference features three-day workshops and 15 scientific sessions, with over 400 research papers presented.
• The conference provides insights into herbal products, wellness solutions, Ayurvedic treatments, research innovations, and educational opportunities.

International Methanol Seminar and Expo 2024 

Context: 

NITI Aayog organised the 2nd International Methanol Seminar and Expo 2024, a two-day event on the 17th – 18th of October 2024, in New Delhi.

More on the news

• This event highlighted the progress of projects, products, and Research and Development initiatives related to Methanol production, application, and allied technological developments in the world.
• The key focus of the seminar was to highlight the role of Methanol in the world energy transition and the rise of Methanol as a low-carbon fuel in green shipping.
• Host: NITI Aayog and Methanol Institute, USA.
• The first such seminar was organized by NITI Aayog in 2016.
• Methanol (CH3OH) also known as ‘wood alcohol’ is a clear and colourless flammable liquid used in manufacturing a wide variety of chemical products, as a hydrogen carrier for fuel cell applications, and as an alternative fuel.