Current Affairs - Places

Guwahati hosted the National Textiles Ministers’ Conference 2026, which began on January 8 as a two-day event organized by the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with the Government of Assam. The conference brought together Textile Ministers and senior officials from all States and Union Territories to discuss the future roadmap of India’s textile sector. Held under the theme “India’s Textiles: Weaving Growth, Heritage & Innovation,” the event emphasized cooperative federalism, development of PM MITRA Parks, and the strategic goal of positioning India as a global textile manufacturing hub by 2030, while also highlighting the potential of the North-Eastern region.

Phase-II of the specialised cancer care training programme for BIMSTEC countries was launched at Visakhapatnam, reflecting India’s commitment to regional health cooperation. The programme is hosted at the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and aims to strengthen cancer care capacities among participating nations. Health professionals from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Nepal are being trained to address the growing cancer burden and disparities in access to treatment. Implemented by the Tata Memorial Centre with support from the Ministry of External Affairs, the initiative underscores India’s role in promoting healthcare collaboration across the BIMSTEC region.

New Delhi is moving to classify human rabies as a notifiable disease, a step that requires all confirmed cases to be officially reported to public health authorities. This measure enables real-time disease surveillance, early detection of outbreaks, and faster public health responses. Rabies is a viral disease transmitted through the saliva of infected animals such as dogs, cats, bats, and monkeys, typically via bites, scratches, or open wounds. Since rabies is almost 100 percent fatal once symptoms appear, timely reporting, vaccination, and preventive measures are critical to saving lives and controlling the spread of the disease.

The 9th Siddha Day celebrations were organised at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai as part of efforts to promote India’s traditional systems of medicine. The event was held ahead of National Siddha Day and focused on the theme “Siddha for Global Health,” highlighting the importance of Siddha medicine in preventive healthcare and its growing relevance worldwide. The programme was inaugurated by C. P. Radhakrishnan, and several eminent contributors were honoured for their role in advancing Siddha medicine, reinforcing Chennai’s importance as a centre for Siddha traditions.

The ambassadors of the QUAD nations—United States, India, Australia, and Japan—held a rare public meeting in Beijing, highlighting the strength and stability of their ties. The QUAD, initially proposed in 2007 and revived in 2017, focuses on regional security, maritime safety, economic cooperation, and supply chain resilience in the Indo-Pacific. While not a formal military alliance, initiatives such as the Malabar Exercise and QUAD At Sea enhance interoperability and strategic coordination. Holding this meeting in Beijing, despite China’s opposition to the grouping, signals the Quad’s diplomatic engagement in regional affairs and its emphasis on rules-based order.