The Hindu-Review-January-March-2024-english National Current Affairs
- The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, organised a distinctive event aimed at showcasing the products and craftsmanship of Divyang entrepreneurs and artisans from across the nation. The event, titled ‘Divya Kala Mela,’ took place in Surat, Gujarat, spanning from December 29, 2023, to January 7, 2024.
- The 10th phase of Sagar Parikrama, a government initiative focused on the welfare of fishing communities and coastal development, took place from January 1st to 6th, 2024, traversing various locations in Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry. This event marks a significant step towards addressing the issues faced by fishermen and fish farmers and facilitating their economic upliftment.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a slew of development projects worth over Rs $\mathrm{2 0 , 0 0 0}$ crore in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The projects encompass various sectors, including rail connectivity, roads, oil and gas, and shipping, and are poised to contribute significantly to the state’s progress.
- India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has launched the ‘National Single Window System (NSWS),’ a unified portal designed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to streamline the import of medical devices. The initiative aims to create a centralized platform for investors, enhancing the ease of doing business. The NSWS, developed by TCS through Invest India, becomes operational from January 1.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked a historic moment as he dedicated the Rs $\mathrm{4 0 0}$ crore Demonstration Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, to the nation. This facility is a significant step towards advancing India’s nuclear capabilities, designed to reprocess fuel from Prototype Fast Breeder Reactors (PFBR).
- In a significant move towards agricultural reform, Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a tur dal procurement portal, enabling farmers to register and sell their produce to the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and the National Cooperative Consumers’ Federation of India Limited (NCCF). The portal guarantees a minimum support price (MSP) or market price for the farmers. Minister Shah, during the launch, also highlighted plans to extend this facility for urad, masoor, and maize farmers in the future.
- The Indian government plans to establish ‘Bharat Park,’ a dedicated trade zone in the UAE, featuring showrooms and warehouses to display and store Indian-made goods for a global audience. Union Minister Piyush Goyal emphasizes the zone’s role in facilitating international purchases of Indian products, with secure transactions in the UAE.
- Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced a significant government investment of Rs $\mathrm{60,000}$ crore by 2047 in the development of river cruise tourism and ecofriendly vessels. This initiative aims to boost tourism, enhance water transport, and create employment opportunities.
- The Inland Waterways Authority of India, operating under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), created history by hosting the inaugural meeting of the Inland Waterways Development Council (IWDC) in Kolkata. This significant event, spearheaded by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, brought together representatives from waterway states, central government officials, and experts aboard the MV Ganga Queen.
- Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya recently inaugurated ‘Prasadam,’ the nation’s first healthy and hygienic food street, in a grand ceremony at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh.
- Hyderabad’s Begumpet Airport is set to host the aviation extravaganza, Wings India 2024, from January 18 to 21, marking the country’s most significant civil aviation event. Jointly organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Indian Industry (FICCI), this four-day biennial spectacle promises to be a showcase of cutting-edge aviation technology and machinery.
- This December, India’s 43rd Antarctic expedition, led by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, welcomed scientists from Mauritius and Bangladesh onboard, marking a significant step in international polar research collaboration. This initiative stems from the maiden Colombo Security Conclave (CSC) Oceanographers and Hydrographers conference held in 2022, which laid the groundwork for scientific partnerships among member nations. This conference facilitated joint endeavors in oceanographic and hydrographic studies, paving the way for further cooperation.
- Nashik, Maharashtra, recently hosted the prestigious 27th National Youth Festival from January 12 to 16, 2024. This significant event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The festival, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, celebrated youthful talent and skills across the nation.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurates the new campus of the National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics (NACIN) at Palasamudram in Andhra Pradesh’s Sri Sathya Sai district. The event is scheduled for January 16, marking a significant development in the region’s educational infrastructure. NACIN, spread over 500 acres, is dedicated to capacity building in indirect taxation and narcotics control administration. This national-level, world-class training institute will train officials from the Indian Revenue Service (Custom & Indirect Taxes), central allied services, state governments, and partner nations.
- In a significant development, India is poised to secure exploration and development rights for five lithium blocks in Argentina, marking its second international foray into critical minerals after a partnership with Australia in 2022. India has taken a crucial step towards reducing its ₹24,000 crore lithium import dependency, primarily sourced from China. The deal finalized between Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) and Catamarca Minera Y Energética Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN), an Argentine state-owned mining and energy company.
- President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the 5th Edition of the Meghalaya Games in Tura, Meghalaya. In her address, the President highlighted the tremendous potential for the development of sports and sportspersons in the North East region, citing its rich tradition of a strong sports culture.
- India is set to launch a year-long festival, seeking global connections through the celebration of Ramayan and its cultural significance. Coinciding with the Ayodhya Ram Temple inauguration, it marks the commencement of a cultural extravaganza uniting the world through Ramayana.
- The Kashi Ropeway in Varanasi, inspired by the theme of Lord Shiva, is set to be a landmark project combining spirituality and modern transportation. This article provides an overview of this unique initiative, intended to enhance the travel experience in one of India’s most sacred cities.
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has recently unveiled a new clothing range called ‘Sanatan Khadi Vastra’ at its flagship store in Connaught Place, New Delhi. This launch aligns with the broader vision of promoting Khadi as a symbol of national pride and sustainable fashion.
- In a remarkable development for India’s wildlife conservation, the first-ever confirmed sighting of the rare Tibetan Brown Bear (scientific name: Ursus arctos pruinosus) was recorded in the high altitudes of North Sikkim. This discovery, made by the joint efforts of the Sikkim Forest Department and WWF-India, marks a significant addition to the country’s mammal diversity and highlights the ecological richness of the region.
- Union Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia inaugurated Wings India 2024, Asia’s largest aviation expo, at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad. This event marks a significant milestone in the Indian aviation sector, highlighting its growth and future potential.
- In a noteworthy development aimed at strengthening cultural ties, the Government of India, under the New Education Policy, has decided to include Farsi (Persian) as one of the nine classical languages of India. This announcement was made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during a two-day visit to Iran, highlighting the cultural, literary, and linguistic connections between Iran and India.
- In a significant move, the Ministry of Education in India has announced new guidelines for coaching centres. These guidelines come in response to growing concerns about student welfare, unregulated growth of private coaching, and rising cases of student suicides and other incidents linked to coaching centres. Students below 16 years old cannot be enrolled, and admission is allowed only for postsecondary school examinations.
- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, marked a historic day in Solapur, Maharashtra, by laying the foundation stone for 8 AMRUT projects and dedicating over $\mathrm{9 0 , 0 0 0}$ completed houses under PMAY-Urban. The event also witnessed the distribution of PM-SVANIDHI benefits to 10,000 beneficiaries, showcasing the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
- In a momentous occasion, the Union Minister of Ayush and Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, laid the foundation stone for ‘Ayush Diksha,’ a pioneering center dedicated to the development of future Ayush professionals. The ceremony took place at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute campus in Bhubaneswar.
- In a historic first, the 2024 Republic Day Parade in India will witness the participation of two all-women contingents from the defence forces, marking a significant milestone in the country’s journey towards gender equality and empowerment in the military. These contingents will include members from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, showcasing the seamless integration and valour of Indian armed forces.
- In a significant move towards promoting multilingualism in education, the central government has introduced the ‘Anuvadini’ app, an Artificial Intelligence-based platform. The initiative aims to make study materials for all school and higher education courses available in digital form, specifically in Indian languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- In a historic moment, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated Kaushal Bhawan, symbolizing India’s unwavering commitment to empowering its youth through skill development. Under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the Bhawan is set to catalyze the realization of aspirations and nurture the nation’s young talent, steering India toward a more skilled future.
- The 14th edition of the Annual All India Police Commando Competition (AIPCC) began on January 22, 2024 at the Greyhounds Training Centre in Kapuluppada, Visakhapatnam. Elite commando forces from 16 states are participating in this week-long competition.
- In a significant development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth over Rs $\mathrm{1 9 , 1 0 0}$ crores in Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh. The diverse projects spanned crucial sectors such as rail, road, oil and gas, and urban development.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Supreme Court of India and unveiled key technology initiatives during the event held at the Supreme Court auditorium in Delhi. The occasion marked the beginning of the Supreme Court’s 75th year, coinciding with the 75th year of the Indian Constitution.
- The Republic Day Parade 2024 witnessed a remarkable tableau that captured the essence of India as the ‘Mother of Democracy.’ This stunning representation not only enthralled the audience but also clinched the first spot in the parade, symbolizing India’s rich democratic heritage. The tableau of the Ministry of Culture has secured the first prize at the Republic Day Parade 2024.
- In a significant move, the President of India nominated Shri Satnam Singh Sandhu as a member of the Rajya Sabha. This decision recognizes Sandhu’s remarkable contributions to education, philanthropy, and community development.
