Current Affairs - National

The Andhra Pradesh government extended the Ragi Java nutrition programme for government school students until April 2029 through an agreement signed with the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. The programme provides a daily nutritious drink made from ragi flour and jaggery, both supplied free of cost by the trust. It currently benefits more than 30 lakh students studying in nearly 44,000 government schools across the state. The initiative aims to improve children’s health, energy levels, attentiveness in classrooms, and school attendance. The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, founded in 1972, has been actively supporting welfare and educational initiatives in Andhra Pradesh.

Hazaribag in Jharkhand was officially designated as India’s first and only pearl farming cluster on May 3, 2026. The project focuses on developing pearl cultivation through dedicated pond clusters in the Daurwa-Kundwa area and integrating pearl culture around cage culture operations in the Tilaiya reservoir. The initiative aims to empower women by involving self-help groups (SHGs) and establishing an all-women Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) for cultivation and management activities. Supported under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), the project uses modern aquaculture technologies and direct market linkages to strengthen freshwater pearl farming and rural livelihoods in the region.

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) was established in 1963 with the objective of professionalising India’s foreign trade management and supporting export-oriented research and policy development. Over the years, it has grown into a premier institution under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, contributing significantly to international business education and research. Its establishment marked an important step in strengthening India’s global trade capabilities during a period when the country was expanding its economic engagement with the world. The institute continues to play a vital role in shaping skilled professionals in international trade and business domains.

The Cell Broadcast Alert System, introduced in India for real-time disaster warnings, is powered by an indigenous technology known as SACHET. This system has been developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and plays a crucial role in enhancing disaster preparedness and response. It enables authorities to send immediate alerts to citizens’ mobile phones without requiring any prior subscription or user action. The alerts include loud alarm tones and flashing messages, ensuring high visibility. SACHET supports multiple regional languages and is designed to cover a wide range of emergencies, including natural disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as man-made threats.

Lakshadweep is the region targeted for connectivity under India’s first commercial seaplane service, launched by SkyHop Aviation after receiving approval from the DGCA. The project aims to connect five islands with the mainland, significantly improving accessibility to this remote archipelago. Using a modified Twin Otter aircraft, this initiative marks a milestone in domestic aviation innovation. It is further supported by government schemes like UDAN and Viability Gap Funding, ensuring affordability and sustainability. This development is expected to boost tourism, enhance local connectivity, and strengthen regional infrastructure in island territories.