India to be renamed Bharat? Here is a list of countries that changed their names

06 September 2023
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India to be renamed Bharat? Here is a list of countries that changed their names

The recent use of 'President of Bharat' in an official G20 summit dinner invitation has sparked speculations about a potential name change for India to 'Bharat.' While this development has drawn criticism from opposition parties, it's not uncommon for countries to undergo name changes. Let's explore some examples from around the world.

1. Turkiye - Formerly Turkey:

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared the official name change to Turkiye to better represent the nation's culture and civilization globally.

2. Czechia - Formerly Czech Republic:

In April 2016, the Czech Republic streamlined its name to Czechia for simplicity, facilitating recognition in sports and international marketing.

3. Eswatini - Formerly Swaziland:

Swaziland became Eswatini to eliminate confusion with Switzerland and embrace its indigenous heritage.

4. The Netherlands - Formerly Holland:

In January 2020, The Netherlands shifted focus from Holland for promotional purposes, projecting itself as open, inventive, and inclusive.

5. Republic of North Macedonia - Formerly Macedonia:

To join NATO and distinguish from Greece's region named Macedonia, it became the Republic of North Macedonia in February 2019.

6. Sri Lanka - Formerly Ceylon:

Sri Lanka discarded the colonial name Ceylon in 2011, asserting its independence from historical remnants of Portuguese and British rule.

7. Ireland - Formerly Irish Free State:

In 1937, Ireland adopted the name 'Ireland' and officially became a republic.

8. Republic of Cabo Verde - Formerly Cape Verde:

In 2013, Cape Verde adopted the full Portuguese spelling, 'Republic of Cabo Verde,' honoring its official language.

9. Thailand - Formerly Siam:

Siam transitioned to Thailand in 1939, briefly reverting to Siam between 1946 and 1948, and officially becoming the Kingdom of Thailand.

10. Myanmar - Formerly Burma:

In 1989, Myanmar replaced Burma as the official name, reflecting linguistic accuracy despite ongoing global usage of the older name.

11. Cambodia:

Cambodia underwent various name changes over the years, reflecting its complex history, including the Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, State of Cambodia, and Kingdom of Cambodia.

12. Democratic Republic of Congo:

The Democratic Republic of Congo experienced multiple name changes, evolving from Congo Free State to Belgian Congo, Congo-Leopoldville, Republic of Congo, Republic of Zaire, and finally, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1997.

13. Iran – Formerly Persia:

Iran transitioned from Persia to Iran in 1935, changing how the country and its citizens were identified, sparking debates among Iranians.

Amul is official sponsor of Indian contingent at Hangzhou Asian Games

06 September 2023
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Amul is official sponsor of Indian contingent at Hangzhou Asian Games

Amul is named as the official sponsor of the Indian Contingent for the 19th Asian Games 2022 to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8, 2023. As part of this association, Amul will use the integrated logo in its communication to celebrate the efforts of the sportsperson. Amul has partnered with Indian sportspersons through the Indian Olympic Association since the London 2012 Olympics for all Indian contingent to Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and we are pleased to further strengthen our decade long relationship.

Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games

The XIX Asian Games 2022 will feature 482 events across 40 sports. The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event held every fourth year among athletes from all over Asia. The upcoming event is officially called the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. It was originally slated to be held last year but was postponed due to Covid-19.

The India contingent will field 634 athletes at the Asian Games across 38 different sports with the largest contingent of 65 in athletics. At the last edition, Jakarta 2018, India sent a contingent of 570 to compete in 36 sports and won 70 medals.

About the Amul

Amul is a dairy cooperative in India, based in Anand, Gujarat. It is the largest dairy cooperative in the world, and the largest producer of milk and milk products in India. Amul was founded in 1946 by Tribhuvandas Patel and Verghese Kurien. The name "Amul" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Amulya", which means "priceless" or "precious".

One of the most famous Amul ads is the "Utterly Butterly Delicious" campaign, which features a picture of a cow with the tagline "Utterly Butterly Delicious". This campaign was launched in 1966 and has been running ever since. It has helped to make Amul butter one of the most popular brands in India.

Amul has also used its advertising campaigns to address social and political issues. For example, in the 1970s, Amul ran a campaign against the dowry system. This campaign helped to raise awareness of the issue and contributed to its decline.

Amul is a pioneer in the dairy industry and has played a major role in the development of the Indian economy. It is a symbol of self-reliance and cooperative empowerment, and its advertising campaigns are some of the most popular in India.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams: 

• Amul Founders: Verghese Kurien, Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel;
• Amul Headquarters: Anand, Gujarat;
• Amul Founded: 14 December 1946.

The 10th Meeting Of The Ministers Of Law And Justice Of SCO Countries Took Place

06 September 2023
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The 10th Meeting Of The Ministers Of Law And Justice Of SCO Countries Took Place

The 10th meeting of the Ministers of Law and Justice of SCO countries was convened via video conferencing, where several key initiatives and cooperative efforts were discussed. During this meeting, India reaffirmed its commitment to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) by extending support to member countries in enhancing their legal and judicial capabilities.

A Cordial Beginning

The meeting commenced in a cordial atmosphere with a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who emphasized the importance of cooperation and understanding among SCO members. President Xi called for the realization of SCO's objectives and visions, aiming to optimize the organization's contribution to the holistic development of the region.

India's Commitment to SCO Charter

Indian Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal reiterated India's commitment to the SCO charter, which is based on principles such as mutual trust, respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and mutual benefit. He cited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of India as a "universal friend" and highlighted the importance of trust in government policies and practices.

Legal Reforms in India

Minister Meghwal provided insights into India's ongoing legal reforms, with a primary focus on simplifying laws and reducing the burden of outdated legislation. India has already repealed 1,486 archaic laws, with more identified for removal. These reforms aim to improve citizens' lives and create a more favorable environment for businesses.

Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution

India is actively promoting "Alternative Dispute Resolution" methods and encouraging citizens to embrace mediation for conflict and dispute resolution. This approach seeks to expedite legal processes and reduce the backlog of cases.

Modernizing Legal and Judicial Systems

The Indian government acknowledges the need for legal and judicial systems to evolve in tandem with changing societal realities. Minister Meghwal highlighted recent initiatives aimed at replacing colonial-era laws, such as the Indian Penal Code (1860), Indian Evidence Act (1872), and Criminal Procedure Code (1898). These replacements draw inspiration from traditional legal knowledge while addressing modern India's needs.

Digital Data Protection

India expressed its deep commitment to digital data protection and urged SCO member countries to prioritize this issue. The ministers resolved to work together to protect digital data and develop a safe and secure global digital ecosystem.

SCO's Focus and Priorities

The SCO, founded in 2001, has traditionally focused on regional security issues, combating regional terrorism, ethnic separatism, and religious extremism. In recent years, its priorities have expanded to include regional development.

Joint Statement Emphasizes Cooperation

During the meeting, all ministers of justice from SCO member countries signed a joint statement emphasizing cooperation in the field of law and justice. The statement called for enhanced collaboration in legal and judicial spheres, including organizing conferences and legal cooperation fora to facilitate the exchange of experiences.

Continuation of Expert Working Groups

The joint statement highlighted the importance of continuing the work of Expert Working Groups on forensic expertise and legal services.

Future Meetings

The meeting concluded with the announcement that the next meeting of SCO Ministers for Law and Justice will be held in the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2024.