Current Affairs - National

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is tracking cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) in Karnataka. HMPV, a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus from the Pneumoviridae family, primarily affects infants aged 6–12 months, posing a hospitalization risk. The virus, discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands, recently re-emerged in China in late 2024, raising global health concerns. Monitoring its prevalence in Karnataka underscores the importance of early detection and preventive measures to protect vulnerable populations.

Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Central Ayurveda Research Institute's new building in Rohini, New Delhi. This modern facility, with an estimated cost of ₹185 crore, will cover 2.92 acres and include a 100-bed research hospital. Established in 1979, the institute aims to advance Ayurveda research and its integration into healthcare. The initiative reflects the government's commitment to promoting traditional medicine through state-of-the-art infrastructure.

On January 5, 2025, the Prime Minister inaugurated a 13-km section of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor. This stretch connects Sahibabad in Uttar Pradesh to New Ashok Nagar in Delhi and is part of the larger 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor. The RRTS aims to revolutionize regional transit by reducing travel time between Delhi and Meerut to just 40 minutes. Anand Vihar station serves as a major transit hub on this route, providing seamless connectivity with Delhi Metro and other transport systems.

Grameen Bharat Mahotsav 2025 focuses on rural empowerment through initiatives such as improved infrastructure, financial inclusion, and promoting women entrepreneurship. Under the theme "Building a Resilient Rural India for a Viksit Bharat 2047," the event celebrates the cultural and entrepreneurial potential of rural India, with a special emphasis on sustainable agriculture and economic stability, particularly in the North-East. This initiative aligns with the vision of creating a developed India by 2047.

Blinkit has introduced a 10-minute ambulance service in Gurugram, aiming to provide rapid emergency medical transport. Residents can book an ambulance via the Blinkit app, ensuring quick arrival with Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances equipped with essential medical supplies such as oxygen cylinders, defibrillators, and emergency medicines. The service includes a trained paramedic, assistant, and driver, marking a significant advancement in urban emergency response systems.