Current Affairs

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The Prime Minister dedicated important rail sector projects worth around ₹6,350 crore and laid the foundation stone of 50-bed each ‘critical care blocks’ to be built in nine districts of Chhattisgarh.
The nine critical care blocks will be built under the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) at a cost of more than ₹210 crore. Prime Minister also distributed one lakh sickle cell counselling cards to the screened population under the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission (NSAEM).

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Arunachal Pradesh has successfully implemented the indigenous road construction technology “REJUPAVE,” developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI), Ministry of Science and Technology. This technology has been specifically designed to construct high altitude bituminous roads in low and sub-zero temperature conditions, a scenario prevalent in the region, especially near the Indo-China border. The use of REJUPAVE is particularly significant for the Border Roads Organization (BRO) in their project VARTAK, as it addresses the challenges of building and maintaining durable roads in harsh and cold environments. The technology has proved its efficacy in constructing bituminous road sections at the World’s Highest Sela Road Tunnel and the LGG-Damteng-Yangste (LDY Road) road section, showcasing India’s innovative capabilities in road construction under extreme conditions.

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Chhattisgarh’s Ocher Studio is championing the preservation of India’s 4,000-year-old craft, Dhokra Shilpkala. Derived from the Dhokra Damar tribes, traditional metal smiths of Central India, this art form originated in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. Dhokra Shilpkala stands out for its unique metal casting technique, employing the lost wax casting method. Artisans draw inspiration from nature and mythology, creating intricate designs featuring animals, birds, deities, and tribal symbols. However, the craft faces threats from urbanization and mechanized production, endangering traditional livelihoods.

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The Haryana Government has launched “Samadhan Prakoshth” within the Chief Secretary’s Office to address public grievances efficiently. This initiative includes ‘Samadhan Shivir’ sessions at district and sub-divisional headquarters daily, aiming to resolve issues promptly. Public grievances are categorized into policy matters and implementation hurdles, handled respectively at the state headquarters and district levels. Key officials convene daily at the Deputy Commissioner’s and SDO (Civil) offices to address these concerns.

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Scientists have discovered a lost Mayan city in the dense Mexican jungle using LiDAR technology. LiDAR stands for Light Detection and Ranging and is a remote sensing method that uses pulsed lasers to measure distances to the Earth’s surface. It can create high-resolution 3-D models of ground elevation with vertical accuracy of up to 10 cm. The LiDAR system includes a laser, scanner, and GPS receiver. The laser fires rapidly, hitting surfaces like vegetation and buildings, with the reflected light recorded by the sensor.

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World Radiography Day was observed on November 8 to commemorate Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen’s 1895 discovery of x-rays. Roentgen accidentally discovered x-rays while experimenting with fluorescence in vacuum tubes. He captured an image of his wife’s hand bones as the first x-ray evidence, earning him the Nobel Prize in 1901. The 2024 theme, “Radiographers: Seeing the Unseen,” highlighted radiography’s role in revealing the body’s interior and the responsibility of healthcare professionals. This day honored radiographers’ contributions, raised awareness of radiographic therapy, and promoted radiography as a career in modern healthcare.

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National Education Day is celebrated on November 11 in honor of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister. It emphasizes the role of education in shaping India’s future, with 65% of the population under 35 needing quality education and skill development. The Indian government promotes education access through initiatives and laws, including the 86th Amendment, which guarantees free education for ages 6-14 as a Fundamental Right. The Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009, ensures quality elementary education. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, launched under PM Modi, aims to modernize India’s education system for the 21st century.

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The Rajasthan College Education Commissionerate directed 20 government colleges to paint their facades and entry halls orange under the Kayakalp Scheme. The Kayakalp Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2015 under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, aims to promote cleanliness and improve healthcare quality. It focuses on cleanliness, hygiene, infection control, and eco-friendly practices in Public Health Facilities (PHFs). The scheme rewards PHFs for outstanding cleanliness and hygiene and encourages regular assessment. Assessments occur at three levels: internal, peer, and external, with scores documented yearly to track improvements.

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Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation for north India’s first 1-MW green hydrogen plant in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. The plant, costing Rs 9.04 crore, will produce 423 kg of green hydrogen daily using renewable energy. It aligns with the state’s goal to become India’s first green energy state by March 2026. Developed by Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL) and Oil India Limited, the plant will be completed within a year. The plant will use electrolysis and renewable energy to produce hydrogen, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting cleaner energy.

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India ranked 22nd in International Shipments and 38th in the overall Logistics Performance Index (LPI) 2023. Indian Ports’ “Turn Around Time” is 0.9 days, better than countries like the USA, Australia, and Singapore. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 aligns with the blue economy and aims to transform India’s maritime sector. Key initiatives include expanding port capacity, enhancing operational efficiency, sustainability through green projects, and promoting coastal tourism. The vision also focuses on shipbuilding, workforce training, and enhancing India’s global maritime presence.