Current Affairs - National

The 7th International Solar Alliance Assembly is scheduled to occur at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from November 3 to 6, 2024. This significant event will bring together leaders from 120 member countries to discuss crucial topics such as solar energy adoption, mobilizing finance for deployment, and global climate action. The assembly will provide a platform for ministers, mission heads, senior officials, and key stakeholders to collaborate and accelerate solar deployment, particularly in regions with limited energy access.

BEML, a state-owned company, has secured a significant contract worth ₹866.87 crore from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to design, manufacture, and commission India’s first indigenously built bullet trains. This project involves creating two high-speed trainsets, each consisting of eight cars and aims to achieve a test speed of 280 km/h with an operational speed of 250 km/h. Set to be produced at BEML’s facility in Bengaluru, this initiative is part of India's broader efforts to enhance rail infrastructure and promote self-reliance in railway technology, moving away from reliance on foreign technologies.

India's first Demonstration Facility for Biopolymers was inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh in Pune, marking a significant milestone in the country's biotechnology sector. Developed by Praj Industries, the facility specializes in producing Polylactic Acid (PLA) bioplastic. This initiative is part of India's rapidly growing bio-economy, valued at over $150 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $300 billion by 2030, driven by over 8,500 biotech startups. The facility underscores India's commitment to biotechnology research and innovation, positioning itself as a key player in the global biotech industry.

Dr S Jaishankar launched the eMigrate V2.0 portal and app to promote orderly and responsible migration for Indian workers, providing them with social security and streamlined passport issuance processes. This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 10 and features 2.81 lakh registered foreign employers, facilitating a secure and legal migration experience for Indian workers. The portal aims to safeguard the interests of Indian workers abroad and ensure their well-being.

India ranks 105th out of 127 countries in the 2024 Global Hunger Index, falling under the "serious" hunger category with a GHI score of 27.3. This ranking indicates that 13.7% of India's population is undernourished, with alarming rates of child malnutrition, including 35.5% stunted, 18.7% wasted, and 2.9% child mortality. In comparison, neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka have lower hunger levels, categorized as "moderate". The Global Hunger Index is published annually by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe to track hunger levels worldwide.