Current Affairs - National

The Malabar River Festival 2024, featuring the International White Water Kayaking Championship, will be hosted in Kerala's Kozhikode. This event will showcase the thrilling sport of white-water kayaking across several rivers including Thusaharagiri, Chalipuzha, and Iruvazhinjipuzha, attracting participants from around the world.

The India-IORA Cruise Tourism Conference concluded in New Delhi on June 14. The conference brought together officials and experts from member states of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) to discuss and foster cooperation in cruise, coastal, and marine tourism across the region. New Delhi hosted the event, which aimed to enhance collaboration and strategic partnerships among stakeholders involved in promoting tourism within the Indian Ocean Rim.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the intra-State air service 'PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Seva' from Raja Bhoj International Airport in Bhopal on June 13. This service, operated by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) in partnership with Jet Serve Aviation Private Limited, aims to boost tourism by connecting eight cities within the state. The initiative includes flights to destinations such as Jabalpur, Gwalior, Indore, and Khajuraho, with plans to expand based on public response, using twin-engine aircraft initially designed to accommodate six passengers each.

According to the Global Peace Index 2024 published by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), India is ranked 116th among 163 countries evaluated. This ranking reflects India's position in terms of peacefulness compared to other nations worldwide, considering various factors such as levels of violence, militarization, and ongoing conflicts.

Nagaland is set to conduct Urban Local body elections after a hiatus of 20 years, with 669 candidates, including 238 women, contesting for various positions. This election marks a significant milestone as it includes 33 per cent reservation for women candidates, reflecting efforts towards inclusive governance and representation in the state.