Current Affairs - Places

Bengaluru, Karnataka, has been chosen as the location for the BIMSTEC Energy Centre, following the signing of a Host Country Agreement between India and BIMSTEC. This initiative aims to strengthen energy cooperation among BIMSTEC member states, promoting energy security and sustainable development in the Bay of Bengal region. The centre will foster inter-grid connectivity, regional connectivity, and collaboration on energy issues. The agreement was formalized by MEA Secretary (East) Jaideep Mazumder and BIMSTEC Secretary General Indramani Pandey, marking a significant step in India's engagement with BIMSTEC and its commitment to regional cooperation.

PV Sindhu, the renowned Indian badminton player and Olympic medallist, laid the foundation stone for the PV Sindhu Centre for Badminton and Sports Excellence on November 7 in Chinna Gadili, near Visakhapatnam. This three-acre facility, backed by the Andhra Pradesh government, aims to provide state-of-the-art training resources for aspiring badminton players. With support from stakeholders like Greenko and guidance from her coach Pullela Gopichand, the centre is envisioned to enhance Indian badminton talent and bring training infrastructure in line with global standards.

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.