Current Affairs - National

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a Mini-Ratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Railways, has been promoted to a 'Schedule A' category. This upgrade, announced on July 19, 2024, signifies recognition of IRCTC's strong financial performance and efficient management. Over the past three fiscal years, IRCTC has shown remarkable financial growth, with increasing total income, profit after tax, and dividends. The promotion is seen as a testament to IRCTC's effectiveness in managing operations in the hospitality, travel, and tourism sectors.

The wagh nakh, a weapon used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was transported to Mumbai from the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum in London. This medieval dagger, known for its curved blades, was notably used by Shivaji Maharaj to kill Afzal Khan. The weapon has been loaned to Maharashtra for three years and will be exhibited in museums across the state.

The Thane Borivali Twin Tunnel, inaugurated on July 13, 2024, is India’s longest and largest urban tunnel. This 11.8 km tunnel, developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), connects Thane to Borivali, significantly reducing travel time from over an hour to just 12 minutes. The project, which costs Rs. 16,600 crore, cuts the travel distance by 12 km and is part of a larger infrastructure initiative aimed at improving connectivity in Mumbai.

Scientists from Hyderabad's National Geophysical Research Institute discovered a hidden ridge in Andhra Pradesh's Darsi and Addanki regions, linked to a billion-year-old collision between India and East Antarctica. This significant geological finding involved reprocessing seismic data to uncover Proterozoic sediment layers, which has provided new insights into the ancient tectonic activities that shaped India's eastern coast. The discovery highlights Andhra Pradesh’s crucial role in understanding the geological history of the Indian subcontinent and its connections to the ancient Gondwana supercontinent.

The first confirmed death from Chandipura virus in Gujarat was reported in Mota Kanthariya, Aravalli, involving a four-year-old child. This death, confirmed by Pune’s National Institute of Virology, is part of a concerning outbreak in the region. The virus has caused 14 deaths within two weeks and has 26 suspected cases under investigation. Chandipura virus, transmitted primarily by sandflies and mosquitoes, poses significant health risks, including rapid progression to severe symptoms like encephalitis and mortality. The outbreak underscores the need for vigilant public health responses and management strategies.