16th & 17th May Current Affairs

1. 51st STATEHOOD DAY CELEBRATIONS Of SIKKIM

Government of Sikkim under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang, the Vice President said that the State has emerged as a global model of sustainable development.

He recalled that Sikkim became the world’s first 100 per cent organic State in 2016 and termed the transformation of over 76,000 hectares of agricultural land into a chemical-free ecosystem as not merely an agricultural reform but a “cultural revolution”.

Prime Minister’s vision of “Act East, Act Fast” and described Sikkim as an integral part of the “Ashtalakshmi” of the North-East

The Vice President praised initiatives such as “Mero Rukh Mero Santati”, under which 108 trees are planted for every child born, and the “Sishu Samriddhi Yojana”, which provides financial security to children. He said such initiatives reflect the State’s commitment to linking spirituality with sustainability and environmental leadership with social security.

In order to enable constitutional rule under the Namgyal rule, a state council was established in 1953. After around two decades a people’s agitation against the monarchy in 1973 was led by former Sikkim Council member Kazi Lhendup Dorji.

first Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Kazi Lhendup Dorjee

After riots broke out in front of the Chogyal’s palace in 1973, the Chogyal formally requested security from India and this led to the kingdom signing a contract with India.

In 1974 a new constitution was adopted in the state, which restricted Chogyal to a titular post.

In 1974, The Indian government changed Sikkim’s status to “associated state” and gave it one seat each in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

In 1975, The Sikkim Prime Minister requested that Sikkim become a state of India in a petition to the Indian Parliament thus Sikkim became a state in India, and the monarchy was abolished on May 16

2. The Superfood Sweetener

Jaggery, commonly known as gur, is a traditional, unrefined, natural sweetener. It is produced by concentrating sugarcane juice without the use of chemicals. Often called “medicinal sugar”

India accounts for over 70% of global jaggery production, firmly establishing itself as the world leader in natural sweeteners.

Nearly 20–30% of the country’s sugarcane output is diverted towards jaggery production, supporting around 2.5 million rural livelihoods.

The sector has also witnessed significant export growth. Jaggery exports have increased by 106.5% in value between 2015–16 and 2024–25, indicating rising international demand.

Nutritionally rich in iron, minerals, and essential micronutrients, jaggery serves as a healthier alternative to refined sugar.

Complementing this growth, government initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana, PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme, and One District One Product, along with GI tagging, are playing a crucial role in promoting value addition, strengthening rural enterprises, and enhancing export potential.

India accounts for over 70 percent of global jaggery production. This makes it the world’s largest jaggery produce

India’s jaggery sector is supported by substantial sugarcane production. In 2024-25, total sugarcane output was estimated at 444.9 million tonnes (MT). Uttar Pradesh contributed 48.5 percent of total production, followed by Maharashtra (24.1 percent) and Karnataka (10.5 percent). Other producing states include Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana.

GI-tagged jaggery varieties, each known for distinct regional qualities and traditional processing methods.

Kolhapur jaggery (Maharashtra) is valued for its golden colour and high sucrose content.

Muzaffarnagar gur (Uttar Pradesh) is export-oriented and made from high-quality cane.

In Keralam, Marayoor and Central Travancore jaggery

3. Restitution of Chola Copper Plates

In the presence of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Rob Jetten, the Leiden University Library today restituted the 11th century Chola Copper Plates to the Government of India.

Famous Sets of Chola Copper Plates

1. The Leiden Plates (Anaimangalam Plates)

Historical Event: In a major cultural milestone in May 2026, the Netherlands officially restituted the Leiden Plates back to India from Leiden University.

Significance: Comprising 21 large and 3 small copper sheets weighing nearly 30 kilograms, they are bound by the seal of Rajendra Chola I. The text records an oral commitment made by his father, Rajaraja Chola I, granting the permanent revenues of Anaimangalam village to support the Buddhist Chulamanivarma Vihara monastery in Nagapattinam. It stands as an enduring record of religious harmony and maritime diplomacy with Southeast Asian kingdoms.

2. The Tiruvalangadu Plates

Significance: Discovered in the early 20th century, this massive set consists of 31 individual plates. The Sanskrit section provides the most expansive look at early Chola genealogy, while the Tamil sections layout meticulous details regarding local land measurement and tax exemptions.

3. The Karanthai Plates

Significance: Found near Thanjavur, this enormous collection consists of 57 copper plates weighing over 111 kilograms. It lists a major land gift establishing an extensive settlement for scholars called Thiribhuvana Mahadevi Chaturvedi Mangalam, named in honor of Rajendra Chola's mother.

4. International Day of Living Together in Peace is observed annually on May 16.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): It directly supports SDG 16

2026 Theme: "Building Trust through Dialogue, Inclusion and Reconciliation".

International Day of Peace (World Peace Day): Observed on September 21. Established in 1981, it focuses on global ceasefires and non-violence.

International Day of Non-Violence: Observed on October 2 (the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi).

1. PANCHSHEEL:

The Five Principles of Peaceful CoexistenceThe Panchsheel agreement was signed on April 29, 1954, between India and China (represented by Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Zhou Enlai) as part of the Sino-Indian Agreement on Tibet. It was later incorporated into the declaration at the historic Bandung Conference in 1955.

The five core principles include:

Mutual respect for each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Mutual non-aggression against one another.

Mutual non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

Equality and mutual benefit in bilateral relations.

Peaceful coexistence as a global alternative to military blocs.

2. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

Established in 1961 at the Belgrade Summit, NAM was created under the leadership of India (Jawaharlal Nehru), Egypt (Gamal Abdel Nasser), Yugoslavia (Josip Broz Tito), Indonesia (Sukarno), and Ghana (Kwame Nkrumah).

5. International Day of light- MAY 16

2026 Global Theme: "Light for a Sustainable Future".

Inception: Officially approved during the UNESCO General Conference in November 2017.

The first global celebration took place on May 16, 2018.

Historical Significance: Marks the anniversary of the first successful operation of a laser in 1960 by American physicist and engineer Theodore Maiman

6. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated globally every year on May 17

The 2026 Theme: “Digital lifelines: Strengthening resilience in a connected world

Historical Milestone: It commemorates the anniversary of the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in Paris on May 17, 1865.

Evolution of the Day: Originally instituted as World Telecommunication Day in 1969, it was updated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 to incorporate the Information Society following the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).