Weekly Current Affairs EP2
Weekly Current Affairs for UPSC and Competitive Exam: Jobs Informations presents Weekly Current Affairs for all dedicated students and readers preparing for various competitive exams. In today’s session, get briefings about the important topics given in Current Affairs.
NATIONAL
Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra: 15 Crore Participants Benefttted in 2 Months
Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra has been extended beyond 26th January and into February 2024. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi made this announcement while interacting with beneficiaries via video conferencing on 18th January. The PM noted that the Vikas Rath has turned into Vishwas Rath and there is trust that no one will be left behind. The initiative saw massive participation with 15 crore people availing benefits related to health, water, energy etc., in two months. Launched on 15th November 2023, the Yatra aims for 100% saturation of Government Schemes. As of Jan 17, 2024, 4 crore people were screened in health camps, 38 lakh registrations made on MyBharat portal and 2 crore Ayushman Bharat health cards were issued. ‘Har Ghar Jal ‘ scheme reached 79,000 Gram Panchayats, 1.38 lakh Gram Panchayats achieved 100% land records digitisation and 17,000 villages achieved ODF Plus compliance. Over 12 crore individuals took the ‘Viksit Bharat’ pledge in two months.
Over 24 Crore Indians Break Free from Multidimensional Poverty in 9 Years
A recent Discussion Paper by NITI Aayog reveals a significant drop in multidimensional poverty in India, decreasing from 29.17% in 2013-14 to 11.28% in 2022-23. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh recorded the largest decline in the number of people facing multidimensional poverty. The study also indicates a faster decline in the poverty headcount ratio between 2015-16 to 2019-21 compared to the preceding years . All 12 indicators of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) have shown improvement , affirming India’s progress in addressing various dimensions of poverty. Government initiatives including healthcare programmes, food security measures and transformative campaigns, have contributed to lifting 24.82 crore individuals out of multidimensional poverty in the past nine years, according to the Paper. With this, India is poised to achieve its Susta inable Development Goal (SDG) of halving multidimensional poverty well before 2030.
India International Science Festival Showcases India’s Scientific Milestones
The India International Science Festival 2023, held from 17th to 2oth January 2024 in Faridabad, highlighted three pivotal achievements of the Indian Scientific Community during the year 2023 – the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s South Pole, the development of the second COVID vaccine and the Aroma Mission. The festival was themed “Science and Technology Public Outreach in Amrit Kaaf’ . Dignitaries underscored the festival’s role in knowledge sharing and commended two crucial initiatives: the release of llSF News Bulletin in seven Indian languages and the Science Media Communication Cell’s efforts to disseminate R&D breakthroughs and scientific achievements. The festival’s events, including Space Hackathon 2023 and National Science Teachers Workshop, showcased a diverse array of activities and sessions, connecting science with society.
Bangalore, Delhi Airports Bag Wings India Airport Award
Bangalore and Delhi Airports have jointly bagged the ‘Best Airport’ award for the year 2023 in the civil aviation sector. Civil Aviation Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia presented the ‘Wings India Awards 2024’ at an event held in Hyderabad on 18th January. Vistara bagged the ‘Best Airline of the Yea award. Meanwhile, Air India has been recognised for international connectivity while Alliance Air got recognition for regional connectivity. Air India Express was declared ‘Sustainability Champion’.
INTERNATIONAL
World Economic Forum 2024 : India Emphasises Global Economic Resilience India took center stage at the 54th
World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, emphasising its unique perspective on resilience in global economic dynamics . Led by Smt Smriti Irani, Minister of Women & Child Development , India actively contributed to discussions on education , biofuels, gender equality, renewables, semiconductors and manufacturing. Through dedicated spaces like the India Engagement Centre and We Lead Lounge, India impressed upon the global community that economies should not only focus on growth but also adopt distinctive approaches to navigating challenges with resilience. State Lounges from Karnataka, Maharashtra , Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh further promoted key economic aspects of India’s global identity. With over 80 Indian business representatives actively participating, India asserted its resilience-driven narrative and commitment to fostering global economic fortitude.
India Inks Lithium Exploration Deal with Argentina
India’s Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) and Argentina’s Catamarca Minera Y Energetica Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN Se) have sealed an agreement for lithium exploration and mining project, covering five lithium brine blocks in Argentina. KABIL’s Exploration and Exclusivity Right for these blocks aim to evaluate, prospect and explore , contributing to India’s lithium sourcing efforts and bri ging technical expertise to lithium exploration and extraction. Argentina, a key player in the “Lithium Tria ngle,” boasts substantial lithium resources, making this strategic move pivotal for both nations and ensuring a resilient supply chain for critical minerals essential to various industries.
Kuwait Forms Government under New Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah
Kuwait has formed a new government, the first under the country’s new Emir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. The newly formed cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, has 13 members and includes new appointments to the ministries of Oil, Finance and Foreign Affairs. A notable departure from tradition is seen in the appointment of Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali al-Yahya, marking the first time a non-royal member of the family has held the position since Kuwait’s independence in 1961.
ECONOMY
11 Technical Textiles Projects worth Rs. 103 Cr. Approved
Ministry of Textiles has approved 11 project proposals, including nine Research and Development projects, valuing Rs. 103 Crore across different areas of Technical Textiles. One of the projects is focused on development of high-strength carbon fibre for strategic applications to make India self-reliant in the field of Technical Textiles. Textiles Minister Shri Piyush Goyal has emphasised the need for enhancement of collaborative efforts among the Government and industry to enhance indigenous development of technical textiles products.
Centre Approves Equity Investments for Two New Thermal Power Plants
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has granted approval for equity investments to establish two thermal power plants in the country. These plants, initiated by subsidiaries of Coal India Limi ed, aim to provide cost-effective and accessible power to the public. A 1×660 megawatt supercritical coal-based thermal power plant is slated for establishment at Amarkantak Thermal Power Station in Madhya Pradesh. This will be achieved through a joint venture between South Eastern Coalfields Limited and Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited. Additionally, a 2x8QO megawatt supercritical thermal power plant is set to be constructed in Sundergarh District of Odisha through Mahanadi Basin Power Limited.
SPORTS
Madhya Pradesh Clinches Top Spot at Beach Games 2024
Madhya Pradesh emerged as the overall champion at the inaugural Beach Games 2024 held at Diu’s Ghoghla Beach. With an impressive tally of 18 medals, including 7 gold, Madhya Pradesh showcased exceptional sporting prowess, underscoring the depth of tale nt within the state. Maharashtra secured 3 golds among its 14 medals, while Lakshadweep stunned with a gold in Beach Soccer, defeating Maharashtra 5-4 in a thrilling final.
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa Becomes India’s #1 Chess Player
Chess Wizard Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa defeated World Chess Champion Ding Uren in the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee, in the Netherlands on 16th January. With this victory, Praggnanandhaa became the second Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to defeat a reigning champion . He also overtook Anand to become India’s new number one Chess player in terms of live ratings.
Sudarshan Sinha
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