The World Crafts Council International (WCCI) has picked Srinagar to map its craft clusters before its final nomination as the WCC.

• Local crafts include Pashmina shawls, walnut wood carving, hand-knotted carpet, Kani shawl, Khatamband (ceiling design), Sozni craft (needle embroidery), Jalakdozi (chain stich rugs), Namdha (handmade rug), Basholi Painting (depicting Vaishnavism), papier mâché etc.

About WCC

• Launched in 2014 by the WCCI.
• It recognizes role of local authorities, craftspeople, and communities in cultural, economic, and social development worldwide.
• It establishes a dynamic network of craft cities across the globe, aligning with the principles of the creative economy. 

• WCCI  works on the recognition and preservation of traditional crafts across the globe.
• The current headquarters for the term (2021-2024) of WCCI is located in Kuwait. However, the Headquarters of WCCI changes according to different terms.

Archaeological excavation reveals 5,200-year-old Harappan settlement at Padta Bet in Kachchh, Gujarat.

• It is near Juna Khatiya, an Early Harappan necropolis (mass burial site). 

Evidence of occupation from Early Harappan to Late Harappan periods:

• Pottery include Ceramic artefacts of novel kinds involving large storage jars, small bowls and dishes.
• Artefacts including semi-precious stone beads made of carnelian and agate, terracotta spindle whorls, copper, lithic tools etc. 
• Remains of animal bones representing cattle, sheep or goat and edible shell fragments, thereby indicating animal domestication

• Archaeologists have discovered 3 new archaeological sites in Telangana.
• New Archaelogical sites include:
  • Ooragutta: An Iron Age megalithic site.
  • Two new rock art sites at Damaratogu in Gundala mandal of Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
• Devarlabanda Mula: Has only depictions of animals and no humans or weapons.
• Usually in this region, a type of megalithic monument known as ‘Dolmenoid Cists’ are found.
  • Dolmenoid cists are chamber tombs which are semi-subterrenean.
• The three basic types of megaliths are the chamber tombs, unchambered tombs, and megaliths not connected with burials.

Kesariya stupa is the tallest and largest Buddhist stupa in the world.

About Kesariya Stupa

• Located in East Champaran, Bihar.
• Built in circular shape and structure is made of bricks, mud, and lime mortar.
• Height of 104 feet, taller than Borobodur Stupa in Java, a world heritage monument.
• Chinese travellers Fa-Hien (5th century CE) and Hiuen Tsang (7th century CE), who travelled to India, also mention this stupa.
• Built in 3rd Century BC by Mauryan emperor Ashoka, who was instrumental in spreading Buddhism across Indian subcontinent.
• It is believed that stupa was built to commemorate the spot where Lord Buddha gave his 22nd sermon and to mark the place where he announced his impending death.
• Buddha announced his previous existence as a ‘Chakravarti Raja’ at this stupa.
• Buddha also asked Licchivis to return to Vaishali after giving them “BEGGING BOWL.”

• Soligas Tribe are an isolated tribal community restricted to only Karnataka & Tamil Nadu (especially in Biligiri Rangana Hills and Male Mahadeshwara Hills). 
  • They are popularly known as Soliga/Sholiga/Soligaru.
  • They are also called the children of bamboo because the word is believed to mean that they originated from bamboo.
  • Their settlements are known as ‘haaDi’ and ‘pooDu’.
  • They speak “Soliga” which is one of the Dravidian Language.
• Rituals and Festivals: They Perform rituals to invoke rain gods during drought, using freshly squeezed honey as offerings.
  • There traditional festivals are Rotti habba, Hosa Ragi habba, Mari habba, Gowri habba, etc.
  • They follow Hinduism, with a deep reverence for nature.

Occupation and Lifestyle:

• They practice shifting cultivation and hunting in tune with the seasonal cycle of the forest.
• The main occupation of Soligas is to collect minor forest products like gum, honey, soap nuts, root and tubers, tamarind etc. 
• Soligas use more than 300 herbs for the treatment of various ailments. 

Other details:

• To recognise the efforts of the Soliga Community in biodiversity and conservation, a new genus of wasp, 'Soliga Ecarinata,' has been after them.
• Soligas became the first tribal community living inside a tiger reserve to get legal rights to the forest in 2011.

• Shompen cast their vote for the first time in Lok Sabha Election.

About Shompen Tribe

• One of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
• Reside in dense tropical rain forests of Great Nicobar island.
• Belong to the Mongoloid group.
• According to Census (2011), estimated population of Shompen is 229.
• They are hunters and gatherers. They used to hunt wild pig, python, monitor Lizard, crocodile, etc.
• Live a semi-nomadic life and have not been colonised at one place in a defined reserve forest