20th March, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
Election Commission launches ‘Mission 414’ campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout

• The Election Commission has launched a special campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout in 414 polling stations with less than 60% voting during the last Lok Sabha polls.
• Appointing ‘Mahila Preraks’ (motivators) in gram panchayats to encourage women to vote.
• Engaging women icons and campus ambassadors to reach out to working women and housewives.

India’s First Ayurvedic Cafe Opens in Delhi

• The Maharishi Ayurveda Hospital in Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, is making headlines for its in-house restaurant, Soma-The Ayurvedic Kitchen. This restaurant is being hailed as the first Ayurvedic Kitchen in India.
• At Soma-The Ayurvedic Kitchen, the food is customized according to the visitor’s health. The menu features dishes like Dumplings and Pav Bhaji, all prepared without onion and garlic. The hospital patients frequently visit this café during their treatment, alongside outside visitors.
• According to Ayurveda, Kapha Dosha is associated with a lazy and relaxed personality. The dumplings are offered with a blend of wheat, beetroot, ricotta, cottage cheese, and spinach. Beetroot is known for its detoxifying ability, while spinach is iron-rich and aids digestion

Meta’s Plan to Combat Misinformation in 2024 Lok Sabha Elections

• AS India prepares for the Lok Sabha elections, Meta (formerly Facebook) has unveiled its strategy to combat misinformation, particularly AI-generated bogus content that could influence the election outcome. Meta's plan is in response to concerns raised by the Election Commission of India regarding the spread of false information.

To address these concerns, Meta intends to implement the following measures:

• Expert-staffed Elections Operations Center: Meta plans to establish an Elections Operations Center staffed with experts specifically for India. This center will be dedicated to monitoring and addressing issues related to misinformation and election integrity. The team of experts will be responsible for identifying and addressing potential threats to the electoral process, including AI-generated false or modified content.
• Monitoring AI-generated content: Meta's team of experts will closely monitor AI-generated content on its platforms. By leveraging advanced technologies and human expertise, they will identify and assess the potential risks posed by false or manipulated content. This proactive approach aims to detect and mitigate the spread of misinformation before it can significantly impact the election process.
• Overall, Meta's strategy underscores its commitment to safeguarding election integrity and combating the spread of misinformation during the Lok Sabha elections in India. By establishing dedicated resources and leveraging technology and expertise, Meta aims to promote a fair and transparent electoral process, ensuring that voters have access to accurate and reliable information.

47th Meeting of National Committee of Archivists held in Srinagar

• The 47th Meeting of the National Committee of Archivists (NCA) wrapped up on March 19th, 2024, at the Sher-e Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar.
• The two-day event brought together archivists from various Indian states:
• In-person attendance: Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh
• Virtual participation: Haryana and West Bengal

INTERNATIONAL
Nepal Declares Pokhara as Its Tourism Capital

• The government of Nepal has officially declared Pokhara, a city in the Gandaki province, as the tourism capital of the Himalayan country. This designation aims to bolster Nepal's tourism sector and promote Pokhara as a premier destination for travelers. The announcement was made at a ceremony held at the Barahi Ghat on the shores of Phewa Lake.
• Pokhara has long been recognized as Nepal's tourism hub due to its scenic beauty and adventurous offerings. The city's elevation of 827 meters (2,713 feet) above sea level adds to its allure. With its breathtaking natural surroundings, Pokhara attracts tourists from around the globe.
• In addition to its picturesque landscapes, Pokhara is renowned for adventure travel. Visitors can partake in various activities such as hiking, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and paragliding. Notably, the city serves as the starting point for the famous Annapurna Circuit, one of the most popular hiking routes globally, drawing thousands of hikers annually.
• The official recognition of Pokhara as Nepal's tourism capital is expected to enhance its reputation and attract even more visitors. This designation reaffirms Pokhara's status as a must-visit destination for travelers seeking adventure and natural beauty in the heart of the Himalayas.

ECONOMY
MoU signed between Indian Council of Agricultural Research and Dhanuka Agritech Limited

• The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and DhanukaAgritech Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of leveraging the expertise of both organizations to deliver new agricultural technologies to farmers. The agreement was signed by Dr. U.S. Gautam, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Extension) of ICAR, and Dr. R.G. Aggarwal, Chairman of DhanukaAgritech Limited.
• The primary objective of this partnership is to provide training and support to small-scale farmers across India, who constitute a significant portion of the country's agricultural workforce. DhanukaAgritech Limited will collaborate with central institutes, Agricultural Technology Application Research Institutes (ATARIs), and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to deliver agricultural production training to these farmers.
• Given the challenges posed by climate change, both organizations recognize the importance of adopting climate-friendly agricultural practices. As such, the MoU also aims to promote natural farming methods that are sustainable and resilient to changing environmental conditions.
• By combining their resources and expertise, ICAR and DhanukaAgritech Limited seek to address the evolving needs of Indian farmers and contribute to the development of a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. This collaboration underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in driving agricultural innovation and supporting the livelihoods of farmers in India.

Science & Technology
IXI Launches BhashaNet Portal for Universal Acceptance Day

• The National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) is launching the BhashaNet portal to celebrate Universal Acceptance (UA) Day on March 21st, 2024.
• This event highlights collaboration between NIXI, MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology), ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), and the Government of India.
• "BhashaNet: Impetus Towards Universal Acceptance" emphasizes NIXI's commitment to digital inclusion for all languages and scripts.

Global Hydrogen Leaders Meet in Delhi to Advance Clean Energy

• The International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) held its 41st Steering Committee Meeting in New Delhi, India (March 18-22, 2024). Delegates discussed deploying green hydrogen (produced from renewable energy) to decarbonize economies.
• Representatives from over 15 countries explored ways to collaborate on hydrogen initiatives like the Glasgow Breakthrough Agenda and G20.

Published date : 20 Mar 2024 05:29PM