Current Affairs - National

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.

The 'Pujari Granthi Samman' scheme, which aims to financially support Gurudwara priests, was launched by the Delhi Government. Announced by former CM Arvind Kejriwal on December 30, this initiative provides a monthly grant of Rs 18,000 to every temple and Gurudwara priest in New Delhi. The scheme reflects the city's commitment to supporting religious functionaries.

E-waste generation in India has grown significantly, showing a 72.54% rise over five years, increasing from 1.01 million metric tonnes in 2019-20 to 1.751 million metric tonnes in 2023-24. This sharp increase underscores the need for enhanced recycling efforts and regulations, as only 43% of e-waste is currently recycled, and much remains untreated. Addressing this challenge is critical for environmental sustainability and public health, as e-waste contains hazardous substances like lead and mercury.