Current Affairs - National

The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) initiative aims to increase telecom connectivity in rural areas, replacing the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). It focuses on promoting telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas, funding research, supporting pilot projects, and introducing new telecom services and technologies. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to bridging the digital divide by targeting underserved groups and enhancing connectivity across India's diverse geographic regions.

Tata Power has launched the 'Ghar Ghar Solar' initiative in Uttar Pradesh, starting from Varanasi, to promote rooftop solar solutions among residents. This initiative offers substantial subsidies, state-of-the-art technology, and financial savings on electricity bills, aiming to drive widespread adoption of clean energy and support sustainable development goals in the region.

In India, children up to 14 years of age are considered child labour according to regulations aimed at protecting their rights and ensuring their welfare. The declaration of Jharkhand's mica mines as 'child labour-free' by NCPCR underscores efforts to eliminate underage labour from hazardous industries like mining, where children were historically involved in collecting mica.

Santhals rank as the third largest scheduled tribe in India, after Gonds and Bhils. They are predominantly found in Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha. The Santhali language, written in the Ol-Chiki script, is recognized as a scheduled language in the Indian Constitution.

India has initiated the Rupee-Kyat trade mechanism with Myanmar to enhance bilateral trade. This arrangement, facilitated by Punjab National Bank's Yangon office, marks a significant step in using local currencies for trade transactions between the two nations, focusing on goods like pulses.