GeM System ▪ Uttar Pradesh became the first in India to fully implement the central government’s e-marketplace (GeM) system, which aims to eliminate corruption and ensure fair competition among suppliers. ▪ The Uttar Pradesh government has entirely replaced its old tendering system. All suppliers must now adhere to GeM’s guidelines, which includes a wide range of products, from basic items to vehicles. ▪ Non-compliance may result in a ban from future contracts. Television channel in sign language, ▪ India has recently launched its first 24/7 television channel in sign language, part of the PM eVIDYA program, named Channel 31, which aims to support hearing-impaired students and educators. ▪ It is managed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The goal is to make education more inclusive. Purpose of Channel 31 ▪ Channel 31 provides educational resources in Indian Sign Language (ISL), designed for school children, teachers, and other stakeholders. ▪ The channel covers various topics, including career guidance, skill training, and mental health, which promotes ISL as a language subject alongside Hindi and English. Subramania Bharathi's works ▪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi will release a complete and annotated version of Subramania Bharathi's works ▪ The release coincides with Bharati's birth anniversary ▪ This is the first time Bharati's writings will be compiled in one place. ▪ The compilation was put together by Seeni Viswanathan, a nonagenarian scholar ▪ Bharati's writings were nationalised by the Tamil Nadu government in 1949.
