Defence ‘Ekuverin’ military exercise ▪ The 13th edition of the joint India-Maldives military exercise ‘Ekuverin’ is being hosted by the Maldives from 2-15 February 2025. This biennial exercise, which alternates between India and the Maldives, is a cornerstone of the defence cooperation between the two nations. ▪ The inaugural ceremony of the 13th Ekuverin exercise was held on 2 February 2025 at the Official Composite Training Center of the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) in Maafilaafushi, Maldives. Porpanaikottai excavation ▪ Archaeologists have reported discovering a bone point tool and a piece of gold during ongoing excavations at Porpanaikottai near Pudukkottai. ▪ Tamil Nadu Open University conducted excavations here in 2021. ▪ The first phase of excavations was carried out in 2023. This yielded 533 artifacts including a sixpetaled gold nose ring, bone point tool, and carnelian paste bead. ▪ Additionally, a circular brick structure with an 8-foot circumference was uncovered. ▪ So far, 1,743 artifacts have been discovered, including circular stones, glass beads, glass bangles, steatite beads, crystal beads, iron nails, terracotta wheel, kohl stick, copper coin, grinding stone, agate bead, spindle whorl, bone point tool, copper nails, coral beads, jasper stone, terracotta earring, and items made of iron and copper.
