Current Affairs - National

The Delhi Metro celebrated a significant milestone on August 13 by recording its highest-ever passenger count, with 72.38 lakh passengers travelling through its extensive network of over 393 km and more than 288 stations. This achievement surpasses previous records set in February and throughout August 2023. The Delhi Metro has become the most visited public transport system globally, underscoring its importance as a vital mode of travel in India's bustling capital city.

The Bangladesh crisis has significantly impacted Kolar's tomato farmers, who face steep losses due to the sudden halt in exports to Bangladesh and reduced demand from Indian markets. Kolar, known as Asia's second-largest tomato market, has been forced to sell its high-quality tomatoes locally for much lower prices. Farmers are concerned about their livelihoods as prices have plummeted by 60%.

The Kolkata Police have arrested 25 individuals for vandalizing the RG Kar Hospital amid protests by women in West Bengal. Investigators have noted the emergency ward, intensive care unit, and other areas were damaged. The police are examining evidence, including the sequence of events captured on camera and the profiles of arrestees, to determine if there was a pre-arranged attack or if the protests evolved spontaneously. The investigation continues to assess if the protests were coordinated or if they evolved spontaneously, with a focus on whether there was a deliberate act of vandalism by the individuals involved.

The Rajabai Clock Tower, resembling London’s Big Ben, stands tall in Mumbai. Built in 1878 by the wealthy broker Premchand Roychand Jain for £5,000, its construction was a testament to his commitment to his blind mother’s needs. Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, the tower, now a World Heritage Site, was originally intended to help Jain’s mother, Rajabai, time her meals with the bell's chimes. Over the years, it has become a symbol of Mumbai's architectural and historical legacy, featuring only a single chime to mark time.

India recently named three significant underwater structures in the Indian Ocean: Ashoka, Chandragupta, and Kalpataru. This naming process reflects India's growing involvement in marine science and its commitment to oceanographic research. The proposal for these names received approval from international bodies such as the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). This initiative highlights India's strategic role in exploring and understanding the Indian Ocean, underscoring its active participation in global marine research.