Current Affairs - Places

The Thiruvalluvar Cultural Center is located in Jaffna, a city in northern Sri Lanka. This cultural center was built with Indian assistance and serves as a symbol of the strong cultural, linguistic, historical, and civilisational ties between India and Sri Lanka. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his support for the naming of the center, highlighting the significance of this cultural hub.

The India Pavilion at Heimtextil 2025 was inaugurated by the Minister of Textiles at Messe Frankfurt, showcasing India’s advancements in the textile industry. Heimtextil is a prominent global event for home textile exporters, importers, and manufacturers, making Frankfurt a key venue for this international showcase. The Minister emphasized India's competitiveness in the sector and the importance of collaboration for sustainable growth, underlining India's significant role in the global textile market.

The newly expanded Guna Head Post Office and Passport Seva Kendra were inaugurated by Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia. Built at a cost of ₹43.18 lakh over an area of 1154 sq. ft., this facility focuses on modernizing postal services with advanced technology. It aims to enhance citizen services, including initiatives like Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and India Post Payments Bank. This development aligns with India Post's vision to improve accessibility and provide efficient public welfare services in the region.

The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar from January 8-10. Organized in partnership with the Odisha state government, the event celebrates the contributions of the Indian diaspora. Held biennially since 2017, the convention's theme for this edition is "Diaspora's Contribution to a Viksit Bharat,” emphasizing the role of overseas Indians in shaping a developed India.

The protests in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, were triggered by the disposal of 337 tonnes of toxic waste from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal, which was transported to an industrial incineration facility. Locals fear environmental damage, including groundwater contamination and air pollution, despite government assurances of safe disposal. The waste is a remnant of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy, one of history's worst industrial disasters, leaving lasting health and environmental impacts. Public mistrust of government handling of hazardous materials has fueled opposition, with activists citing past failures in ensuring safety and transparency in waste management practices.