Today in History (August 18th, 1700)
On this day, in 1700, Baji Rao I, commonly known as Bajirao Ballal, the seventh Peshwa of the Maratha Empire, was born. During his twenty-year reign as Peshwa, he conquered the Mughals and their vassal Nizam-ul-Mulk in wars such as the Battle of Delhi and the Battle of Bhopal.
Summary of Today’s News
Warship Vindhyagiri
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Vindhyagiri, the final vessel in the Project 17A (Alpha) frigate series, built by the Indian Navy at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. The Vindhyagiri frigate is named after a mountain range in Karnataka. It is the sixth vessel in the Project 17A frigate series. These frigates advance the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), featuring enhanced stealth attributes, advanced weaponry, sensors, and platform management systems. The Project 17A initiative involves the construction of four ships by Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE). MDL and GRSE launched the first five ships of the project between 2019 and 2022. The design of these ships was created internally by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. Notably, around 75% of the orders for equipment and systems for the Project 17A frigates come from domestic firms, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit & G20 health ministerial meeting
The inaugural WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit on August 17-18, 2023, in Gujarat, India, converges with the G20 health ministerial meeting. Co-hosted by WHO and the Government of India, it gathers stakeholders to spotlight traditional medicine’s role in health and development. The WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine, launched in 2022, aligns ancient wisdom and modern science to enhance global well-being, honoring local heritage and resources.
Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes
The “Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes” addresses and replaces gender-biased terms used in Indian courts, focusing on respectful language and fair treatment. Eliminating stereotypes promotes equal justice and challenges assumptions about gender and rationality. The handbook emphasizes respect, clear communication, and alignment with constitutional values, empowering legal professionals to uphold justice, equality, and dignity in proceedings.
