Current Affairs - National

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) was launched in 2013 by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs in India. This mission aims to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to the urban poor by focusing on skill development and entrepreneurship. It specifically targets six groups, including construction workers, gig workers, waste management workers, care workers, domestic workers, and transportation workers. The program has successfully mobilized millions of urban poor women and formed numerous Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across various towns in India, highlighting its significance in enhancing the livelihoods of vulnerable urban populations.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will lead India's delegation to Pakistan for the SCO Heads of Government meeting, marking the first visit by an Indian EAM since 2015. The visit is focused on regional cooperation, with no bilateral meetings planned. This meeting is significant as it comes at a tense time in India-Pakistan relations, which have been strained since 2019. The SCO meeting provides a platform for regional cooperation, and India's participation underscores its commitment to the organization. Jaishankar's visit is a follow-up to Pakistan's invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the SCO summit.

The Global Summit on 'Spirituality for Clean and Healthy Society' was organized by Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya at Mount Abu, Rajasthan. During the summit, President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the importance of spirituality in cultivating inner strength, and purity in thoughts, and actions for achieving societal peace and harmony. The location, Mount Abu, is a significant spiritual hub, further aligning with the summit's focus on integrating spirituality with societal well-being.

The Union Cabinet recently approved classical language status for five languages: Marathi, Bengali, Pali, Prakrit, and Assamese. This addition increases the total number of classical languages in India to 11. Classical languages hold significant cultural and historical importance, and the recognition brings them special status for preservation and promotion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the construction of four compressed bio-gas plants in Assam on October 2, 2024, as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 programme. The plants are located in Guwahati, Jorhat, Sivasagar, and Tinsukia. This initiative aims to promote sustainable energy and reduce pollution. Oil India Ltd, in collaboration with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, plans to establish a total of 25 CBG plants by 2024-25. This project will contribute to Assam's transition to cleaner energy and provide an alternative source of income for farmers.