Current Affairs [Monthly]

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The Government of India (GOI) infused a sum of INR 5,000 Cr in the “SWAMIH Investment Fund I” to help homebuyers. This capital infusion of INR 5,000 Cr by the GOI brought the ultimate value of the SWAMIH Investment Fund I to INR 15,530 Cr. It was established under the Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH). The primary objective of this initiative is to fund stressed and stuck projects and assist homebuyers across India.

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Air India to buy 220 Boeing planes for $34 billion.

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The Government has given in-principle approval to nine more ethanol projects under its ethanol interest subvention scheme.
The projects are expected to add to the additional capacity of about 35 crore litres. The government is extending financial assistance in the form of interest subvention at 6 per cent per annum or 50 per cent of the rate of interest charged by banks, whichever is lower, on the loans to be extended by banks for five years.

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The MSME Competitive (LEAN) Scheme was launched by Union Ministry of MSME to improve the global competitiveness of Indian MSMEs.
The scheme will encourage MSMEs to adopt LEAN manufacturing practices, such as 5S, Kaizen, KANBAN, and Visual workplace. The scheme aims to transform Indian MSMEs into world-class manufacturers through LEAN manufacturing practices.

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The Centre for Research on Start-ups and Risk Financing (CREST), an Institute of Eminence Research Centre at IIT Madras, announced the creation of India’s first information platform tailored for incubators and accelerators.
Developed in collaboration with YNOS, a start-up incubated at IIT Madras, the platform provides extensive information about incubators and accelerators. These entities play a crucial role in supporting startups as they navigate the uncertainties of the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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The Inland Waterways Authority of India, operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), made history by organizing the inaugural meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kolkata. Led by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the event convened representatives from waterway states, central government officials, and experts on the MV Ganga Queen. The gathering discussed crucial initiatives, including the “Harit Nauka – Guidelines for Green Transition of Inland Vessels” and the “River Cruise Tourism Roadmap 2047,” with a focus on advancing the development of inland waterways in India.

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The CBSE has issued guidelines for Residential Private Schools to join the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) Scheme, targeting meritorious students from Scheduled Caste communities for Classes 9-12. The scheme aims to offer scholarships, admitting around 3,000 students annually to private and NGO-run residential schools. It collaborates with voluntary organizations to uplift SC communities socio-economically. Implemented by the Department of Social Justice, the scheme operates through SHRESHTA schools (best private schools) and NGOs running schools and hostels up to Class 12.

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Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the AIIMS-SBI Smart payment card at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. The card aims to facilitate hassle-free payments for patients, eliminating the need for carrying cash. Provided free of cost with no service charges, the card is linked to the patient’s Unique Hospital Identification number and Ayushman Bharat Health Account ID. Termed ‘One AIIMS, One Card,’ the initiative plans to extend these services to all AIIMS institutions nationwide.

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Utkal Diwas, also known as Odisha Day, commemorates the formation of Odisha on April 1, 1936. It signifies the state’s cultural and historical significance, marking the end of a struggle for a separate identity from British colonial rule. Celebrated annually, it showcases Odisha’s rich heritage through festivities, including decorations and cultural displays. The state flag’s colors symbolize Odia pride and unity, highlighting the event’s importance in preserving the region’s traditions and identity.

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British physicist Peter Higgs, renowned for discovering the ‘Higgs-Boson Particle’ or ‘God Particle’, passed away at 94. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2013, his work elucidated the universe’s post-Big Bang creation. Higgs, a long-time professor at Edinburgh University, contributed significantly to understanding bosons’ role in universal cohesion. His death on April 8, 2024, marked the end of an era in physics. The confirmation of the God particle came in 2012, revolutionizing scientific understanding.