Current Affairs - Places

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) is set to host the MAHE Global Health Summit 2026 in Manipal, reinforcing its position as a leading centre for global health discussions. The summit focuses on evidence-based global health policy and academic responsibility, bringing together key international initiatives such as the World Health Summit Academic Alliance and the Lancet Commission on Academic Responsibility. By hosting this major event in Manipal, MAHE aims to influence global health dialogue, promote research-driven policymaking, and strengthen the role of academic institutions in shaping responsible and impactful global health strategies.

The Mega Health Camp, organised by DRVA Charitable Trust and Doctor 365, achieved international recognition for its scale and impact. The event was held in Mumbai, where it received acknowledgement from the IEA and ACE Book of World Records as the world’s largest health camp of 2026. The camp delivered extensive free healthcare services, including health checkups, distribution of medicines worth ₹2.5 crore, and issuance of nearly 5 lakh health cards. Hosting such a large-scale public health initiative in Mumbai highlights the city’s role as a major hub for social, medical, and charitable activities in India.

The 39th Surajkund International Atmanirbhar Crafts Mela is organized at Surajkund, which is located in Faridabad, Haryana. The event runs from January 31 to February 15, 2026, and serves as a major platform for promoting self-reliance through traditional crafts and cultural expressions. Faridabad’s proximity to Delhi makes it an ideal venue for attracting national and international visitors. The mela highlights rural artisanship, folk performances, ethnic cuisines, and cultural exchange, with special theme pavilions showcasing the crafts, heritage, and traditions of Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya.

The 12th edition of the Smile International Film Festival for Children & Youth was held in New Delhi, marking an important cultural and social event focused on young audiences. Organised by the Smile Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, the festival emphasised themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion. It showcased films created by disabled children and highlighted socially relevant issues through cinema. By hosting the festival in New Delhi, the organizers aimed to reach a wide and diverse audience, using films as a powerful medium to educate, inspire, and encourage positive action among children and youth.

Gulfood 2026 is being hosted in Dubai, marking a significant milestone for India as it participates as a Partner Country for the first time in the event’s 31-year history. The exhibition is taking place across two major venues—the Dubai World Trade Centre and the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai. India’s participation, led by APEDA, showcases the country’s growing agri-food export strength through a large and diverse pavilion featuring exhibitors from across India. This engagement highlights deepening India–UAE trade relations and reinforces Dubai’s role as a global hub for food, beverage, and agri-trade connectivity.