Current Affairs - National

The Home Minister inaugurated the ‘Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme’ at Terminal-3 of Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. This initiative aims to expedite immigration clearance for Indian citizens and OCI cardholders using automated e-gates, thereby enhancing travel efficiency and convenience.

The world’s first conservation and breeding centre for Asian king vultures is being established in Uttar Pradesh, specifically in Maharajganj. Known as the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre, this facility aims to protect and increase the population of critically endangered Asian king vultures, addressing their decline caused by factors such as diclofenac poisoning.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced new safety and performance standards (IS 18590: 2024, IS 18606: 2024) for electric vehicles (EVs) and IS 18294: 2023 for e-rickshaws/e-karts. These standards cover critical aspects like powertrains, batteries, and vehicle construction, ensuring stringent safety and quality measures are met. BIS now oversees 30 standards dedicated to EVs, playing a crucial role in promoting sustainable transportation and bolstering consumer confidence in electric mobility solutions across India.

The 'Young India Group' in Raipur undertook an initiative to create a mini-forest using the Miyawaki Method, planting more than 2,500 saplings in Gandhi Udyan. This method, originating from Japan, focuses on maximizing plant density in small areas to combat air pollution effectively. The initiative aims to boost oxygen levels and reduce pollution in urban spaces, with plans to expand this green initiative across the city of Raipur.

AIIMS Delhi made medical history by performing India's first foetal blood transfusion, a groundbreaking procedure that helped save a baby with a rare blood disorder. This milestone procedure, which involved using O D phenotype red cell units sourced from Japan, was performed on a woman from Haryana who had experienced seven previous unsuccessful pregnancies. The successful outcome underscores AIIMS Delhi's advanced capabilities in managing complex medical cases and pioneering new treatments in the field of maternal and foetal healthcare.