Current Affairs

INDIA AND DENMARK COLLABORATE ON CLEAN RIVER INITIATIVE

Why in the News?

The Environmental Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark has initiated the Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) project aimed at restoring the Varuna River. This project has been funded with ₹16.8 crore from India's Jal Shakti Ministry and an additional ₹5 crore from Denmark.

Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR)

• The alliance is a tripartite initiative between the Government of India, the Indian Institute of Technology-Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU), and the Govt of Denmark.
• Objective: Creating a collaborative platform for govt bodies, knowledge institutions and local communities to share insights and develop solutions for clean river water.
• It will use special models to study how the river’s water moves and behaves.
• It features a hybrid lab model and an on-field living lab to test and scale solutions in real-world settings.

Varuna River It is a minor tributary of the Ganges River in Uttar Pradesh. It is linked to the myth of the Ganges coming down to Earth. It originates at Phulpur in the Prayagraj district and merges into the Ganges near Sarai Mohana in the Varanasi district. It is named after Varuna, the Vedic god of water.

Denmark It is a Scandinavian country located in Northern Europe. Bordered by: North Sea to the west, the Baltic Sea to the east and Germany to the south. Capital: Copenhagen Official Language: Danish Government: Constitutional Monarchy with a Parliamentary system. Monarch: Frederick the Tenth (Frederik X) Prime Minister: Mette Frederiksen Currency: Danish krone (DKK) It is a member of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Location of Denmark along with its Flag

PM MODI VISIT TO UKRAINE

Why in the News?

In a historic visit to Kyiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi became the first Indian leader to visit Ukraine since establishing diplomatic ties in 1992. During his meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Modi offered India’s support as a friend to help bring peace, raising hopes for Indian involvement in peace mediation. India donated four Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM) Cubes to Ukraine.

About the Visit

• Narendra Modi has initiated efforts to integrate India into Europe's pursuit of peace.
• He seeks to expand India's strategic flexibility amid global geopolitical shifts caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
• Both Leaders expressed mutual interest in working towards elevating bilateral relations from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership in the future.
• Outcome: Signing of Four Agreements
  • Humanitarian assistance by India for high-capacity development projects
  • Cooperation in agriculture and food industry
  • Agreement on drug quality and regulation
  • Cultural Cooperation

Indian PM Narendra Modi with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky

Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri (BHISHM)

• They are innovative mobile medical units developed by India to provide emergency medical care, particularly in conflict zones and disaster-affected areas.
• It is part of Project Aarogya Maitri, a program aimed at supplying crucial medical resources to developing countries as a form of humanitarian aid.
• Key Features
  • Each cube measures 15 inches and weighs up to 20 kg, making it easily transportable by individuals.
  • They can be transported via air, sea, land, and drones.
  • Each cube can handle around 200 emergency cases, including trauma, burns, fractures, and shock. It supports basic surgeries, with the capacity for 10-15 surgeries per day.
  • They generate their own power and oxygen for limited periods, ensuring functionality in challenging environments.
  • 36 mini cubes form one Mother Cube, and two Mother Cubes combine to form one BHISHM Cube.
  • They are equipped with a dedicated app and tablet supporting 180 languages, ensuring effective operation.
  • It incorporates AI and data analytics for real-time monitoring and coordination.

Ukraine Location: Eastern Europe Borders: Belarus to the north, Russia to the east and northeast, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to the west, and Romania and Moldova to the southwest. It also has a coastline along the Black Sea to the south. Independence: 24th August 1991 from Soviet Union Capital: Kyiv It is the largest country in Europe by area. It is known as the "breadbasket of Europe" due to its fertile soil. Official Language: Ukrainian Government: Unitary Semi-presidential Republic President: Volodymyr Zelensky Prime Minister: Denys Shmyhal Currency: Hryvnia Russo-Ukrainian War: Since 27th February 2014 Location of Ukraine

INDIA’S KAPS-4 NUCLEAR PLANT BEGINS FULL-CAPACITY OPERATIONS

Why in the News?

The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Gujarat has successfully brought its second 700 MW reactor, KAPS-4, to full operational capacity. The reactor initially achieved criticality on December 17, 2023, and began commercial operations on March 31, 2024. Prior to reaching full capacity, KAPS-4 was operating at 90% output.

Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS)

• It is a nuclear power plant near the town of Vyara in the Tapi district of Gujarat.
• It is operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
• Role: Electricity generation through nuclear power.
• Reactor Types: It comprises Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), which use heavy water (deuterium oxide) as both a coolant and a moderator.
• Units
  • KAPS-1 and KAPS-2: These are the first two units of the plant, each with a capacity of 220 MW. They have been operational since the early 1990s.
  • KAPS-3 and KAPS-4: These are the newer reactors, each with a capacity of 700 MW. KAPS-4 recently achieved full operational capacity on 21st August 2024.
• India is building 14 more 700 MW nuclear power reactors of the same design which are expected to commence operations progressively by 2031-32.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL)

• Founded: 1987
• Headquarters: World Trade Centre, Mumbai
• Mission: To develop nuclear power technology and to produce nuclear power as a safe, environmentally benign and economically viable source of electrical energy to meet the increasing electricity needs of the country.
• It is a Public Sector Enterprise under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• Chairman: Bhuwan Chandra Pathak
• Operating Units
  • Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS), Maharashtra
  • Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), Rajasthan
  • Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), Tamil Nadu
  • Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Uttar Pradesh
  • Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS), Gujarat
  • Kaiga Generating Station (KGS), Karnataka
  • Kudankulam Nuclear Power Station (KKNPS), Tamil Nadu
• It operates and implements nuclear power projects across India, with 24 reactors generating 8,180 MW and 8 more under construction.

Logo of NPCIL

INDIA ADDS 3 NEW RAMSAR SITES

Why in the News?

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav recently announced the addition of three new Ramsar sites in Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh, increasing the total number of such sites in India to 85.

Ramsar Sites

• They are wetlands of international importance.
• It was designated under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty established in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran.
• Purpose: They are protected for their role in supporting biodiversity, providing habitat for waterfowl, and maintaining the water cycle.
• There are over 2,400 Ramsar sites globally, covering more than 2.5 million square kilometers.
• India has 85 Ramsar sites, making it one of the countries with the highest number of designated wetlands.
• Notable Sites
  • Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
  • Chilika Lake, Odisha
  • Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
  • Loktak Lake, Manipur
  • Wular Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
  • Vembanad-Kol Wetlands, Kerala
  • Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura
  • Pong Dam Lake, Himachal Pradesh
  • Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat
  • Sarsai Nawar Jheel, Uttar Pradesh
• Newly Added: Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) and Tawa Reservoir, (Madhya Pradesh).

Wetlands According to the Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland, or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish, or salt, including areas of marine water where the depth at low tide does not exceed six meters.”

WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY

• It is annually observed on 26th August.
• This day celebrates the achievements of women’s rights activists and reminds us of the unique daily struggles that women face.
• On this day, the U.S. Congress adopts the 19th Amendment, also known as the 'Susan B. Anthony Amendment,' giving women the right to vote.

SECRETIVE TELEGRAM CEO PAVEL DUROV

Why in the News?

CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov was arrested at an airport outside Paris and placed in custody for alleged offences related to the messaging app. Durov was wanted under a French arrest warrant due to the lack of moderation on Telegram, which allegedly led to the platform being used for money laundering, drug trafficking and sharing pedophilic content.

Who is Pavel Durov?

• He is a Russian-born person.
• He became a naturalised French citizen in August 2021 and left Russia in 2014.
• Founder: Telegram (2013), Co-founder: VKontakte social network (2006)
• Famously known as Russia’s Mark Zuckerberg.
• Telegram is widely used by Russian speakers.
• It has become a key platform for sharing information about the war in Ukraine and is reportedly used by the Russian military to communicate.

SUBHADRA SCHEME APPROVED

Why in the News?

Orissa CM announced the approval of an initiative for women's empowerment in the state legislative assembly. The government has made inclusion and exclusion criteria of its first pro-women initiative - Subhadra Yojana, which allows beneficiaries to avail the benefits whenever they become eligible during next five years. The scheme has been approved for implementation from the financial year 2024-25 to the financial year 2028-29.

About the scheme

• Objective: It will empower women financially and self-reliance among women in the state.
• It will cover all eligible women aged 21 years or above and less than 60 years old.
• A total of Rs 10,000 per annum will be paid in two instalments of Rs 5000 each on Rakhi Purnima Day and International Women’s Day.
• Women from economically well-off families, government servants or Income Tax payees will not be eligible under this scheme.
• Besides, women who are receiving assistance of Rs 1,500 or more per month or Rs 18,000 or more per year under any other government scheme will also be ineligible for inclusion.

Orissa

• Capital: Bhubaneswar
• Chief Minister: Mohan Charan Majhi
• Governor: Raghubar Das
• Official Language: Odia
• Major Dance Forms: Odissi, Ghoomar
• Tourist Attractions: Konark Sun Temple, Puri Jagannath Temple, Chilika Lake

Location of Orissa

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General Knowledge

INSURANCE REGULATORY AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF INDIA (IRDAI)

• Establishment: 2000
• Chairman: Debasish Panda
• Headquarters: Hyderabad
• Aim: To promote the insurance industry growth for public benefit and economy, acting when standards are lacking, ensuring self-regulation compliance with prudential rules.
• Composition: It is a statutory body under the IRDA Act 1999 and is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance.

Logo of IRDAI

Eminent Personalities in the News Today

Name	Designation	Image
Arif Mohammed Khan	Governor of Kerala
Mayawati	Chief of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh
Lakshya Sen	Indian Badminton Player
Lando Norris	British-Belgian Racing Driver
Sanjay Seth	Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence
Mauro Vieira	Foreign Minister of Brazil