Current Affairs - Places

Srinagar is the city where Asia’s largest tulip garden, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, is located. Situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range and overlooking the scenic Dal Lake, the garden is a major attraction during the spring season. Spread across 74 acres, it features around 1.8 million tulips in a wide variety of colours and patterns. The garden also includes other flowers like daffodils and hyacinths, enhancing its beauty. Its annual opening marks the beginning of Kashmir’s tourism season, drawing thousands of visitors from across India and abroad.

The Union Home Minister inaugurated several major healthcare projects in Guwahati, marking a significant milestone in Assam’s medical infrastructure development. The city became notable for hosting India’s first government hospital offering Proton Cancer Therapy, an advanced treatment for cancer. Alongside this, multiple cancer centres and medical colleges were also launched or expanded, contributing to improved healthcare accessibility in the Northeast region. The initiatives are supported by increased budget allocation and aim to reduce dependency on metro cities for advanced treatments, making Guwahati a key healthcare hub in eastern India.

India’s first microalgae-based PureAir Tower has been installed in New Delhi along the Aerocity highway corridor to address rising vehicular pollution. The innovative biotechnology system uses photosynthetic microalgae to capture pollutants such as carbon dioxide, particulate matter and nitrogen oxides from the surrounding air. These pollutants are then converted into oxygen and algal biomass through natural biological processes. The project was developed through collaboration between C P Arora Private Limited and Carbelim Pvt Ltd, a climate-tech startup incubated at IIT Madras. The tower is designed to provide an air purification effect comparable to more than 15 mature trees, helping improve urban air quality sustainably.

The NXT Conclave 2026 is scheduled to take place from 12th to 14th March 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, which is located in New Delhi, the capital city of India. The event is designed as a global platform bringing together leaders, policymakers, and thinkers from across the world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the conclave as the Chief Guest and emphasised India’s growing role in global innovation and collaboration. Several prominent international leaders, including former prime ministers from Australia, Sweden, and Nepal, are participating as Guests of Honour. The conclave aims to connect global expertise with India’s strengths to shape initiatives for a sustainable and inclusive future for humankind.

The International Malaria Conference 2026 was organized by the ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research in New Delhi. The three-day conference took place from March 7 to 9, 2026, and brought together scientists, researchers, and public health experts from around the world. The theme of the event was “Discovery, Development and Delivery: Driving Malaria Elimination and Beyond.” Discussions focused on parasite biology, transmission patterns, diagnostic innovations, surveillance technologies, and strategies to translate research findings into public health interventions. The conference also encouraged participation from early-career researchers through turbo talks and poster presentations, promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing in the global fight against malaria.