Current Affairs - August 21, 2024 Current Affairs

Servotech Power Systems Ltd., a leading EV charger manufacturer in India, secured a contract from Kerala's Department of Power to establish 12 EV charging stations with 30KW chargers across 14 locations. This project, initiated in two phases, aims to enhance Kerala's EV charging infrastructure and support sustainable transportation efforts within the state. The initiative underscores Kerala's commitment to promoting EV usage and supporting the growing EV market's needs, contributing to the overall goal of achieving a greener and more sustainable future.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, originally scheduled to be held in Bangladesh, has been relocated to the UAE due to ongoing unrest in Bangladesh and subsequent travel advisories from several countries. Despite the move, the Bangladesh Cricket Board will retain hosting rights, and the ICC acknowledged the efforts of both Bangladesh and the support from the UAE, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe. The matches will now take place in Dubai and Sharjah in the UAE.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi will lay the foundation stone for a new electric vehicle (EV) testing facility at RRSL Camp in Bengaluru. This facility is designed to support the rapidly expanding EV industry in southern India, providing essential testing and quality assurance services. The National Test House, a leading scientific organization under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, will oversee the facility, ensuring it meets high standards in testing and quality assurance across various fields.

Sembcorp Industries, along with Japanese firms, has signed an agreement marking India's first export of green ammonia to Japan. Green ammonia will be produced in India using renewable energy, and Japan's Kyushu Electric will incorporate it into its energy mix. This pact reflects India's growing ambition to become a global leader in green ammonia and hydrogen production, supported by ongoing initiatives and tenders in this field. The partnership between India and Japan underscores the significance of renewable energy collaborations in achieving sustainable energy goals.

The Assam government will propose a bill for compulsory government registration of Muslim marriages and divorces, aiming to end underage marriages and protect tribal areas and cultural sites. The bill, to be tabled in the Autumn Session, seeks to end the Kazi's authority to register Muslim marriages and divorces and ensure government oversight of such registrations. It also includes provisions to protect religious, cultural, and historical structures, as well as expand the 'Orunodoi' poverty alleviation scheme, aiming to cover an additional 12.6 lakh households.

Gujarat-based semicon company Suchi Semicon is poised to inaugurate India's first OSAT (Outsourced Assembly and Testing) plant in Surat. This significant development aims to bolster the country’s semiconductor sector. Expected to generate around 1,200 jobs in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, the facility underscores efforts to fill gaps in India's supply chain for semiconductor components, which have become increasingly crucial for electronic devices. With significant state support, including incentives and the potential for ISM (Investment Substitution Model) subsidies, Suchi Semicon's strategic focus on recruiting talent and technological innovation, particularly in legacy products and power devices, signals a pivotal move toward self-reliance in semiconductor production.

India’s Petronet LNG and a Sri Lankan firm have signed an MoU to develop LNG infrastructure and supply in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This agreement aligns with Sri Lanka's sustainable energy objectives, including the construction of over 1000 MW LNG power plants near Colombo. Additionally, the MoU facilitates the use of LNG in Sri Lankan households. The agreement was formalized in the presence of Sri Lanka’s Power Minister and India’s Deputy High Commissioner, highlighting the collaborative efforts between the two nations to enhance energy security and sustainable development in the region.

A Kannada Medium school in Sullia, Karnataka, is pioneering a unique educational approach by integrating a paddy field into its campus. This innovative project is designed to provide students with an immersive learning experience in the practical aspects of food cultivation. The school, which has been operating since 1973 and has over 500 students, has prepared a 3,500 square-meter field for this purpose.

India's wrestling team achieved success at the U17 World Championship, with three female wrestlers advancing to the semifinals and Greco-Roman wrestler Ronak Dahiya earning a bronze medal. Aditi Kumari reached the 43kg semifinal in Greco-Roman, Neha made it to the 57kg semifinal in freestyle, and Pulkit advanced to the 65kg semifinal in Greco-Roman. Ronak Dahiya ranked No. 2 in the world, won the bronze in Greco-Roman, defeating Turkey's Emrullah Capkan.

China is expanding its investments in Afghanistan amidst global concern over its growing influence in the war-torn nation. With the Taliban's rise to power and Afghanistan's economic struggles, China has stepped in, investing in infrastructure and security, while also seeking to maintain its business interests and regional connectivity. The move is seen as a strategic manoeuvre to strengthen its position in the region.

The Maharashtra Government is planning a new 376 km long 6-lane expressway, the Konkan Expressway, to connect Mumbai to Goa, cutting down travel time from 12 hours to just six hours. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will oversee its construction along the scenic Konkan coast, reducing travel time from 12 hours to six hours. This new corridor will feature 14 interchanges and require a total investment of Rs 68,000 crore, including 146 hectares of land. While the Maharashtra Government has completed the Mumbai-Goa Expressway, the Konkan Expressway promises a smoother, pothole-free journey and enhanced connectivity.

Solu, who was formerly known as Solairaj in Sattur, Tamil Nadu, has made history by becoming the first transwoman to open an aesthetic clinic in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. This clinic, named Ralax after her mother, provides affordable aesthetic services, including laser treatments and hair removal, with a 50% discount for transgender clients and people with disabilities. Solu's journey from a challenging background to a successful entrepreneur symbolizes her fight against societal norms and the marginalization of transgender identities in India. Her clinic not only offers medical treatments but also serves as a safe space for the transgender community to access aesthetic care without discrimination and financial burden.