Current Affairs - Places

Anish Sarkar, a 3-year-old chess sensation from Kolkata, has etched his name in history as the youngest-rated chess player. Achieving a remarkable FIDE rating of 1555 on November 1st, 2024, Anish surpassed the previous record held by Tejas Tiwari, who was five years old when he gained his rating. This feat showcases Anish's exceptional talent and potential in the world of chess. Notably, he has even had the opportunity to play against renowned Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, demonstrating his skills against experienced opponents. Kolkata can pride itself on nurturing this young chess prodigy.

The closing ceremony of the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024 took place at Shaurya Sabhagaar in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on September 30, 2024. This event marked the conclusion of a month-long campaign focused on issues like anaemia, growth monitoring, and complementary feeding, with the aim of promoting holistic nutrition across India. The ceremony featured distinguished guests, including the Governor of Jharkhand, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, and other officials from the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Jharkhand state government.

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.