Current Affairs - February 23, 2025 Current Affairs

Microsoft introduced Majorana 1, the world's first quantum chip, which is powered by a Topological Core architecture. This innovative chip utilizes Majorana fermions that act as their own antiparticles, providing enhanced quantum stability. The chip features eight qubits, but its architecture allows for error-resistant scaling to one million qubits. This breakthrough in quantum computing has vast potential applications, including in microplastic breakdown, self-healing materials, healthcare, and solving complex problems in chemistry and materials science.

The proposed Aravali Safari Park, which is planned to be the world’s largest safari park, is located in Haryana. The project is designed to support eco-tourism and compensatory afforestation while addressing the loss of tropical forests in Great Nicobar. The Aravalis, which stretch across Haryana, play a vital role in groundwater recharge and preventing desertification. The park aims to mitigate ecological impacts, but it has sparked debates about its potential effects on the region's ecology, wildlife, and groundwater resources. The park will be developed in areas with less than 40% forest density.

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was launched by India in 2019, with the aim of enhancing disaster preparedness and resilience in various infrastructure sectors, including telecommunications. This initiative focuses on improving the readiness of telecom networks during disasters, emphasizing the need for infrastructure improvements, operational measures, and financial interventions.

The 2nd All-India State Water Ministers’ Conference was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The conference focused on various water management issues, with the theme "India@2047 – A Water Secure Nation." Key topics discussed included water security, water efficiency, governance, and river rejuvenation, with a special emphasis on micro-irrigation, strengthening drinking water supplies and improving water storage. This initiative aims to improve water usage and ensure sustainable water practices across India as part of long-term development goals.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin released a report titled "Antiquity of Iron: Recent radiometric dates from Tamil Nadu," which highlighted that the Iron Age began on Tamil soil, around 5,300 years ago (4th millennium BCE). This assertion challenges earlier beliefs about the timeline of iron usage in India and emphasizes Tamil Nadu's significant role in early technological advancements, particularly in metallurgy. The report suggests that the region may have skipped the Copper/Bronze Age, directly transitioning into the Iron Age due to scarce copper resources.

The AI-driven tools developed by IIIT-Delhi, CHRI-PATH, Tata 1mg, and ICMR focus on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance. These tools utilize routine hospital data such as blood, sputum, and urine cultures to provide real-time insights into AMR trends at the global, national, and hospital levels. By tracking resistance patterns and antibiotic usage, these tools offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional genomic approaches, helping in better decision-making and antimicrobial stewardship in clinical settings. The innovations also include visual scorecards for timely interventions in hospitals.

The Soil Health Card (SHC) scheme was launched on 19th February 2015 at Suratgarh, Rajasthan, marking the beginning of a nationally coordinated effort to improve soil health and address soil degradation. The scheme helps farmers by providing soil health information and recommendations for nutrient application. It is part of a broader initiative that includes soil testing and educational programs, contributing significantly to agricultural sustainability and improved crop yields across India. Rajasthan was the place where this important scheme was first introduced.

Assam has included Bathouism, the traditional faith of the Bodos, as an official religion option in various application forms, such as admissions and birth & death certificates. This move aims to preserve the indigenous faiths and distinct identity of the Bodo community, the largest plains tribe in Assam. The Bathouism faith centres around nature worship and reverence for ancestral traditions. This recognition reinforces the cultural roots of the Bodo community and promotes religious inclusivity, aligning with broader efforts to preserve nature-based indigenous beliefs in India.

The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) is a nuclear fusion research facility located at the Institute of Plasma Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (ASIPP) in Hefei, China. EAST aims to replicate the nuclear fusion process that powers the Sun, and its successful milestone of sustaining plasma at 100 million°C for over 1,000 seconds significantly advances the pursuit of clean and sustainable energy. This achievement is part of global efforts, including the ITER project, to develop large-scale, carbon-free fusion energy.

The IWT Terminal was inaugurated at Jogighopa in Assam. This terminal is strategically located on the Brahmaputra River, part of National Waterway-2 (NW-2). It is significant for boosting economic growth through enhanced inland waterways transport, reducing transit time and transportation costs, and improving multi-modal connectivity, particularly for trade with neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Bangladesh. The initiative aligns with PM Gati Shakti and strengthens India’s Act East Policy, further promoting regional trade and logistics.

Childhood cancers, defined as cancers affecting children aged 0-14 years, account for 4% of all cancer cases in India. This represents a significant public health concern, as cancer in children not only impacts young patients but also has a broader socio-economic impact on their families. The indirect costs, including loss of education and income, are substantial, with children often facing educational disruptions and emotional strain, while parents may experience job loss or reduced working hours due to caregiving responsibilities.