Current Affairs - December 6, 2024 Current Affairs

Uttarakhand is actively working to provide affordable housing for low-income families under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The project, managed by the Uttarakhand Housing Development Council (UHDC) and MDDA, will construct 16,000 homes. This initiative supports PM Modi's vision of 'Antyodaya,' focusing on ensuring pucca houses for homeless families. The effort highlights the state’s commitment to urban development and improving living standards for economically weaker sections.

The government has set a target of establishing post offices within a 3-km radius to enhance accessibility, especially in rural and left-wing extremist-affected areas. Over the past decade, 10,500 new post offices have been set up, with the majority in underserved regions. This initiative is part of broader efforts to improve service delivery and connectivity for rural populations, while the postal workforce remains a robust network of 450,000 employees across 165,000+ post offices.

The World Bank has approved a $188.28 million loan to Maharashtra, aiming to promote economic growth in the state's underdeveloped districts. The loan is intended to enhance district-level governance, improve e-governance services, and foster private-sector engagement. With the creation of a Maha Databank and an incentive framework for districts meeting performance targets, the project seeks to address challenges like gender disparities, fragmented governance, and poor data availability, thus driving inclusive growth in these backward districts.

Jasleen Kaur, a Glasgow-born Scottish Sikh artist, has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 Turner Prize for her solo exhibition Alter Altar. Her work combines sculpture, sound, and music to delve into themes of community, cultural inheritance, and anti-colonial struggles. Kaur’s innovative storytelling transforms everyday objects into powerful symbols of resilience and identity, exploring the Sikh philosophy of Miri Piri and the migrant experience. The exhibition received acclaim for its profound reflections on memory, history, and personal and political narratives.

Veronica Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile, has been honoured with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development 2024. Her work in advancing human rights, promoting peace, and advocating for gender equality has earned her this prestigious recognition. The selection was made by a distinguished jury led by Shivshankar Menon, reflecting her global impact in fostering equitable and peaceful development.

The PM e-VIDYA DTH Channel No. 31, launched by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, is dedicated to Indian Sign Language (ISL). This initiative aims to bridge communication gaps for the hearing-impaired community and promote ISL as a recognized language. The launch event included participation from hearing-impaired children, special educators, and ISL interpreters, underscoring the importance of inclusive education and communication.

The OECD has raised India's GDP growth forecast for FY25 to 6.8%, up from the previous estimate of 6.7%. This revision is driven by factors such as robust public infrastructure spending, strong private investment, and a recovery in agricultural output. The growth is expected to be sustained through FY25 and FY26, supported by investment and rural income growth. Despite global economic uncertainties, India's economy is expected to remain resilient with nearly 7% growth, reflecting its strong internal economic drivers.

Google has signed an agreement with the Telangana government to establish the Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC) in Hyderabad. This specialized international cybersecurity hub will focus on advancing cybersecurity capabilities, fostering skill development, and creating employment opportunities. The GSEC will be Google's second such centre in the Asia Pacific, after Tokyo, and fifth globally.

Meghalaya is undertaking a significant initiative in water conservation through the Climate-Adaptative Community-Based Water-Harvesting Project, supported by a $50 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project will create 532 climate-resilient water storage facilities across 12 districts, addressing challenges posed by heavy rainfall. This effort highlights Meghalaya's commitment to sustainable development and resource management while fostering climate adaptation.

The 100-day TB elimination campaign is a significant step in addressing TB incidence and mortality in India. It will be launched in Panchkula, Haryana, as part of the government's effort to intensify TB detection and treatment across 347 districts in 33 states and UTs. Haryana's selection for the campaign launch highlights its strategic importance in health initiatives targeting high-risk groups.

IndiGo Airlines ranked 103rd out of 109 in the 2024 AirHelp Score report, placing it among the worst-performing airlines globally. The ranking considers factors like customer claims, on-time performance, and passenger feedback. However, IndiGo has disputed the findings, citing concerns about the report's methodology and transparency, particularly regarding the sample size from India. Despite this ranking, the airline maintains its strong reputation for punctuality and customer satisfaction, as supported by India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reports.

Nepal and China have strengthened their bilateral relations by signing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Cooperation Framework during Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's visit to China. The agreement aims to expedite the development of infrastructure, including roads, railways, and telecommunications, to transform Nepal into a land-linked country. It reflects Nepal's growing reliance on China for economic development and highlights the collaborative efforts of both nations in pursuing ambitious connectivity and development goals.