Current Affairs - December 17, 2024 Current Affairs

Russia will permit Indian tourists to travel visa-free starting in March 2025, as part of bilateral efforts to simplify visa requirements. This decision comes after a notable increase in Indian visitors, with Moscow experiencing a 1.5x rise in Indian travellers in the first half of 2024 and over 60,000 Indian visitors in 2023, reflecting a 26% growth from 2022. The move highlights India's significance as a priority market for Russia and aims to boost tourism and strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

India has risen to the 4th position among the world's largest smartphone exporters, a significant jump from the 23rd rank in 2019. The country achieved a milestone by surpassing ₹20,000 crore in smartphone exports in November 2024 alone. This success aligns with the goals of the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, which aims to export 70-75% of the production value during the financial year 2024-25, showcasing India's growing prowess in the global smartphone market.

Italy granted citizenship to Argentine President Javier Milei due to his Italian ancestry, reflecting the country’s policy of offering citizenship to descendants of Italian emigrants. This decision has sparked debates about Italy’s citizenship laws, particularly their perceived unfairness toward children of immigrants born in Italy who often face difficulties in obtaining citizenship. Despite the criticism, the move aligns with Italy’s long-standing legal framework and has also fostered closer political and economic ties between Italy and Argentina, with leaders discussing a collaborative Action Plan for 2025-2030.

The 2024 edition of the Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX) will take place in Visakhapatnam from December 17 to 20. This annual exercise started in 2005, aims to strengthen maritime cooperation and enhance interoperability between the navies of India and Sri Lanka. Hosted by the Eastern Naval Command, SLINEX 2024 will feature a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase, focusing on promoting regional maritime security and bolstering bilateral ties. The event underscores the strategic importance of Visakhapatnam as a hub for naval collaboration and defence operations.

India’s data centre market is projected to exceed $100 billion in investments by 2027, driven by sectors such as BFSI, technology, fintech, media, and generative AI. This marks a significant growth from the $60 billion invested between 2019 and 2024. Cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi-NCR, and Bengaluru are leading this expansion due to their robust infrastructure and supportive government policies. Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have become key hubs for data centre development, highlighting India's rise as a global leader in digital infrastructure and its commitment to meeting the growing demands of the digital economy.

The 100th Tansen Music Festival, held in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest ensemble of 536 artists playing nine different instruments simultaneously for nine minutes. Organized by the Culture Department of Madhya Pradesh, the Tansen Samaroh celebrates the legacy of Tansen, one of India's greatest musicians, and highlights the cultural richness of the city of Gwalior, known as the music city.

Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Jalandhar has developed innovative products for use in space communication and satellites. These advancements were achieved by the Space Technology Incubation Centre (STIC), which was established at the institute with the support of ISRO. The products were demonstrated to a delegation from ISRO, showcasing the institute's role as a hub for fostering technological innovation and contributing to the country's space research capabilities.

Pensioners Day in India is observed annually on December 17 to honour D.S. Nakara, who championed the rights of pensioners and ensured equality in pension benefits. The date marks the 1982 Supreme Court judgment that declared discriminatory pension policies unconstitutional. Known as the “Magna Carta of Pensioners,” this landmark decision ensured dignity and economic security for retired officials. D.S. Nakara’s legal battle highlighted the importance of equal treatment in pension schemes, making December 17 a significant day for recognizing the contributions of pensioners to society.

INS Nirdeshak, the Indian Navy's new survey ship, will be commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on December 18, 2024. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), this 110-meter vessel is the second in the Survey Vessel (Large) Project. Equipped with advanced hydrographic and oceanographic tools, it enhances India's maritime capabilities, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region. The ship also underscores India's focus on self-reliance, with over 80% of its components sourced domestically. The event marks a continuation of the legacy of the original INS Nirdeshak, which served the Navy for over 30 years.

The United Kingdom introduced its first codes of practice for online safety, overseen by Ofcom. These regulations require social media platforms like Meta's Facebook to tackle criminal activities and improve safety features. The codes specifically address issues such as child sexual abuse and suicide-related content. Companies failing to comply face significant penalties, including fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global turnover. This initiative marks a pivotal step in creating a safer digital environment.

India clinched the Women's Junior Asia Cup 2024 in hockey by defeating China in a penalty shootout with a score of 3-2 in Muscat, Oman. Key contributors to the victory included goalkeeper Nidhi with three saves and goals by Sakshi Rana, Ishika, and Sunelita Toppo. The match ended in a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Additionally, Deepika Sehrawat stood out as the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals, and Hockey India announced rewards for the players and staff to celebrate the achievement.