9th January, 2025 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
India Welcomes Its First Generation Beta Baby

• As the year 2025 brought upon the world the ‘Generation Beta’, India got its first baby of this gen on New Year’s day, January 1, in Mizoram’s Aizawl. The baby, named Frankie RemruatdikaZadeng, is recognized as India’s first child from the so-called Generation Beta. Born at 12:03 AM on January 1, 2025, at Synod Hospital in Durtlang, Aizawl, the healthy newborn weighed a little over 3.12 kilograms.
• This milestone makes Frankie the “first-gen Beta Baby” of India, symbolizing a new chapter of hope and progress for the nation. Beta Generation babies, born from the mid-2020s, are set to thrive in an era defined by groundbreaking AI, sustainable living, and a seamlessly connected digital world.

Prayagraj Develops 56,000 Sq. Meters of Dense Forests Using Miyawaki Technique Ahead of Mahakumbh 2025

• In preparation for Mahakumbh 2025, the city of Prayagraj has developed 56,000 square meters of dense forests at multiple locations to ensure clean air and a healthy environment for the millions of devotees expected to visit. Utilizing the Japanese Miyawaki technique, the Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has successfully created lush green oxygen banks over the past two years, contributing significantly to environmental conservation and improved air quality.

 The Miyawaki Technique: A Revolutionary Forest Creation Method

• Origin: Developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in the 1970s, this method is often referred to as the ‘pot plantation method.’
• Approach: It involves planting trees and shrubs closely together, mimicking natural forests with a mix of native species.
• Growth Acceleration: Trees grow up to 10 times faster, with higher carbon absorption and richer biodiversity compared to traditional plantations.
• Benefits of the Miyawaki Technique
• Enhanced Green Cover: Creates dense forests in limited spaces, ideal for urban areas.
• Environmental Impact: Improves air quality, absorbs more carbon, and reduces pollution.
• Soil Health & Biodiversity: Improves soil quality, prevents erosion, and fosters ecological balance.
• Urban Transformation: Converts polluted and barren lands into thriving green ecosystems.
• Urban Applications

In urban settings, the Miyawaki technique has been instrumental in:

• Managing industrial waste.
• Reducing dust, foul odors, and water pollution.
• Promoting sustainable development and ecological restoration.
• The forests in Prayagraj, established using this technique, are not just aesthetic additions but essential for supporting biodiversity and ensuring a healthier atmosphere during Mahakumbh 2025. These efforts underscore the city's commitment to creating a sustainable and welcoming environment for millions of visitors.

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INTERNATIONAL
India-U.S. Collaboration on Sonobuoy Production for Indian Navy

• India and the U.S. have entered into a significant partnership for co-producing U.S. sonobuoys to enhance undersea domain awareness (UDA) for the Indian Navy.
• This move is part of a broader collaboration aimed at improving naval capabilities and tracking submarines in the deep seas, in response to the growing Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Ultra Marine (UM), a U.S.-based leader in undersea warfare technology, and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will jointly manufacture sonobuoys, ensuring interoperability between the U.S. and Indian navies, as well as allied nations like Australia and Japan.
• The U.S., India, Australia, and Japan are strengthening maritime security cooperation, with an emphasis on UDA and interoperability.

ECONOMY
India’s FY25 Outlook: Per Capita GDP to Rise by ₹35,000

• The State Bank of India (SBI) has revised its GDP growth forecast for the financial year 2024-25 (FY25) to 6.3%, slightly below the National Statistical Office’s (NSO) projection of 6.4%. This adjustment reflects concerns over a slowdown in lending and manufacturing, coupled with a high base effect from the previous year. Despite these challenges, per capita nominal GDP is expected to increase by ₹35,000 compared to FY23, indicating a positive trend in individual economic well-being.
• The expected increase in per capita nominal GDP suggests an improvement in individual economic well-being, even amidst a deceleration in overall economic growth. Policymakers may need to focus on sustaining growth in the agriculture sector and stimulating private investment to maintain economic momentum. Addressing challenges in the manufacturing and services sectors will be crucial for achieving balanced and sustainable economic development.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
IIT-Madras Sets Record with Asia’s Largest Wave Basin

• IIT-Madras has successfully commissioned Asia’s largest shallow wave basin at its Discovery campus in Thaiyur. This research facility is designed to address complex coastal engineering challenges and is expected to make significant contributions to marine science and engineering. Developed with indigenous technology, the shallow wave basin is set to enhance the country’s capabilities in port and waterway research without relying on foreign technology.
• Multidirectional shallow wave basin capable of simulating complex wave and current interactions.
• Mobile wave maker for versatile use in various projects.
• Indigenously designed and constructed, except for a few components by collaborating with National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways, and Coasts (NTCPWC), Ministry of Shipping.

Published date : 09 Jan 2025 06:15PM