Current Affairs - Places

Varanasi became the first city in India to have a portable solar panel system installed between railway tracks. The project was commissioned at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) by Indian Railways as part of its sustainability drive. The system spans 70 metres, consisting of 28 solar panels capable of generating 15 kWp of power. Unlike fixed systems, this arrangement is removable and offers operational flexibility, marking a significant step toward green energy in the transport sector. This innovation reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting renewable energy solutions in everyday infrastructure.

The Ministry of Ayush, through Rashtriya Ayurveda Vidyapeeth, is hosting its 30th National Seminar on Child Health in New Delhi. The 2025 theme, “Management of Illness and Wellness in Paediatrics through Ayurveda,” highlights the integration of traditional Ayurvedic approaches with evidence-based practices to address child health concerns. This two-day seminar is set to bring together scholars, practitioners, researchers, and students, creating a collaborative platform to explore innovative and time-tested solutions in paediatric care. The choice of New Delhi as the venue underscores its role as a hub for national-level health and research initiatives.

The NeVA (National e-Vidhan Application) Seva Centre was inaugurated in New Delhi on July 21, 2025, marking a key milestone in India's journey toward paperless and transparent legislative processes. Spearheaded by the Delhi Legislative Assembly and supported by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, this initiative aligns with the broader “One Nation, One Application” concept. The project aims to digitise all legislative documents and operations, thereby reducing paper usage, enhancing accessibility, and supporting eco-friendly governance. Features include smartphone-based access to legislative information, dedicated training sessions, and a state-of-the-art centre equipped with high-speed systems to facilitate digital lawmaking.

Gita Gopinath, a renowned Indian-American economist, is set to resign as the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in August 2025. Her tenure at the IMF was marked by pivotal contributions during major global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. She joined the IMF in 2019 as Chief Economist and was later promoted to the No. 2 position in 2022. Known for her academic rigor and policy leadership, Gopinath played a key role in global economic discourse, influencing multilateral strategies on fiscal stimulus, debt relief, and climate finance. She will return to Harvard University to continue her work in academia.

The first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) was inaugurated in Mumbai by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This initiative aims to strengthen the AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics – Extended Reality) ecosystem by offering advanced training aligned with industry demands. IICT is set to play a vital role in building a future-ready workforce for the creative economy. The institute has also partnered with leading global tech companies, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, and Apple, to ensure a high-quality curriculum and exposure for students.