Current Affairs - Places

The 34th Capacity Building Programme (CBP) for Maldivian civil servants was held in New Delhi, and organized by India’s National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs. This program is part of a broader Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and the Maldives to enhance governance and administrative capabilities within the Maldivian civil service. Conducted from October 14–25, 2024, the training underscores India’s commitment to supporting regional governance and fostering closer ties with the Maldives, building upon previous cooperative initiatives.

The Asia Clean Energy Summit (ACES) 2024 took place in Singapore, bringing together industry leaders to discuss clean energy innovations and initiatives. Gavin Adda, CEO of Peak Energy, addressed the summit, highlighting his company's impressive 5.5GW development pipeline. Peak Energy's projects span South Korea, Japan, and Australia, showcasing its commitment to renewable energy. Notable projects include the 100MW Haesolar in South Korea, a 28MW solar project in Japan, and a 291MWh battery storage facility in Australia. Singapore's reputation as a hub for sustainability and clean energy makes it an ideal host for ACES.

NTPC and the Indian Army are jointly developing a pioneering solar hydrogen microgrid in Chushul, Ladakh, to replace diesel generators and provide clean energy to off-grid Army locations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the project via video conferencing. This innovative green hydrogen microgrid is designed to operate autonomously, even in extreme winter conditions, ensuring a reliable and sustainable power supply. The collaboration aims to reduce carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly energy solutions in remote areas, demonstrating India's commitment to renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Ladakh's unique geography makes it an ideal location for harnessing solar energy.

NITI Aayog is organizing the 2nd International Methanol Seminar in New Delhi, focusing on methanol's potential as a low-carbon fuel. The seminar aims to highlight methanol's role in green energy and showcase innovations in transportation, power, and shipping. India's Methanol Economy initiative, launched in 2016, has been collaborating with the Methanol Institute, USA, to promote methanol as a clean energy source. This event brings together experts to discuss the prospects of methanol in reducing India's carbon footprint and promoting sustainable energy solutions.

Union Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) extension centre at the Andhra Medical Tech Zone (AMTZ) campus in Visakhapatnam. This centre is focused on providing specialized training in Computer Software Applications (CSA) under the Crafts Instructor Training Scheme (CITS). Starting from the 2024-25 academic session, it aims to equip instructors with the necessary skills to enhance technical education and vocational training in India, positioning Visakhapatnam as a key hub for skill development initiatives.