Current Affairs - National

India’s first human gene therapy, developed by CSCR at CMC Vellore, targets Hemophilia A, a genetic disorder causing blood clotting issues. The therapy, using lentiviral vectors, successfully reduced the annual bleeding rates to zero for five participants, eliminating the need for repeated injections. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and show both long-term safety and efficacy. This breakthrough offers significant hope for the 136,000 patients suffering from Hemophilia A in India, marking a major step forward in the treatment of genetic disorders.

Bihar’s sex ratio at birth has dropped to 882 females per 1,000 males, which is a significant decline from 894 in 2022-23. This alarming drop has led the government to take urgent action, including stricter enforcement of the PC-PNDT Act and launching awareness campaigns to curb female foeticide and improve gender parity. The government's initiative focuses on community engagement and promoting the value of the girl child, with particular emphasis on districts like Vaishali, Bhojpur, and Saran, where the decline is most pronounced.

Aarit Kapil, a 9-year-old chess prodigy, hails from New Delhi. He made history by becoming the youngest Indian to defeat a chess Grandmaster, Raset Ziatdinov, during the ninth round of the KIIT International Open Tournament. This achievement not only set a national record but also made Aarit the third-youngest player globally to defeat a Grandmaster under classical time control, showcasing his extraordinary chess talent at such a young age.

The International Conclave 2024 on "Insolvency Resolution: Evolution & Global Perspective" was hosted in New Delhi by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) in collaboration with INSOL India. The event included key discussions led by RBI Deputy Governor M. Rajeshwar Rao on the IBC's impact on bank asset quality and IBBI Chairperson Ravi Mital's insights into mediation and creditor-led insolvency resolutions, reflecting on global practices and evolving mechanisms.

The national workshop on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0 (PMAY-U 2.0) was held in New Delhi, organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the National Housing Bank (NHB). The workshop aimed to enhance understanding and cooperation among stakeholders for implementing PMAY-U 2.0, targeting affordable housing solutions for urban poor and vulnerable groups. Over 250 representatives from banks, housing finance companies, and primary lending institutions participated, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts to ensure the scheme’s success in addressing India’s urban housing challenges.