27th March, 2024 Current Affairs

Sakshi Education

NATIONAL
BRO connects strategic Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road in Ladakh

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) connected the strategic Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road in Ladakh on March 25, 2024. This 298-km road will connect Manali to Leh through Darcha and Nimmu on Kargil – Leh Highway. The road is now the third axis apart from Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh which connects Ladakh to the hinterland.
The Nimmu-Padam-Darcha road derives its strategic importance from the fact that it is not only shorter vis-a-vis the other two axes, but crosses only one pass; Shinkun La (16,558 feet) on which tunnel work is about to commence by the BRO. This will result in the road having all weather connectivity to the Ladakh region. The connectivity will strengthen the defence preparedness and provide a boost to the economic development in the Zanskar valley.
When the River Zansakar was frozen, the equipment and personnel were mobilised and the work of establishing the connectivity was completed. With construction of Shinkun La tunnel commencing, the third all weather axis to Ladakh will be established.

As part of overseas deployment to ASEAN countries, ICG Ship Samudra Paheredar arrives at Manila Bay, Philippines

Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, arrived at Manila Bay, Philippines on 25 March 2024 on a three-day visit.
The visit of specialized Pollution Control Vessels is part of a broader initiative aimed at demonstration of ICG Marine Pollution Response capabilities and shared concern & resolve towards Marine Pollution in the ASEAN region, besides bolstering bilateral cooperation with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The ICG ship is on an overseas deployment to ASEAN countries namely the Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei from 25 March to 12 April 2024. The deployment is the third in a row by the Indian Coast Guard to ASEAN countries. Earlier in the year 2023, ICG Pollution Control Vessels visited Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia as part of the initiative.
The ship is equipped with specialized marine pollution control equipment and a Chetak Helicopter in Pollution Response configuration, designed to contain, and recover spilled oil and augment the operation. The demonstration at visiting ports includes Pollution Response training and a practical display of various equipment.
Additionally, the ship has also embarked 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets to participate in the Government’s initiative "Puneet Sagar Abhiyan," and provide it an international outreach in coordination with partner nations. As part of an overseas exchange program, the NCC cadets, in coordination with ICG ship crew, Partner agencies personnel, Indian Embassy/ Mission staff, and local youth organizations will undertake beach cleanup and similar activities during the port call of the ship.
This visit holds significant importance in strengthening bilateral relationships with key maritime agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard, Vietnam Coast Guard, and Brunei Maritime agencies. ICG has a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) towards Enhanced Maritime Cooperation and Maritime Safety and Security with the Coast Guards of the Philippines and Vietnam. These relationships have evolved over the years to ensure the safety, security, and marine environment concerns in the region. The visit's agenda includes professional exchanges, cross-deck visits, joint exercises, as well as official and social engagements including visits to capacity-building facilities.

About ICGS Samudra Paheredar:

ICGS Samudra Paheredar, stationed on the East Coast of India in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, is under the Command of Deputy Inspector General Sudhir Ravindran. Over the years, Samudra Paheredar has successfully undertaken various Coast Guard operations, including Pollution Response, IMBL/EEZ surveillance, counter-transnational crimes, and Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR).

Also Read: National: Weekly Current Affairs Bitbank (February 12 to 18, 2024): Where is the Regional Centre of Sangeet Natak Akademi, known as 'Dakshin Bharat Sanskritik Kendra', being established?

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INTERNATIONAL
Bassirou Diomaye Faye Named As Senegal’s Next President

In Senegal, little known opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye has been named as the country’s next president, less than two weeks after being released from prison to run in the election.
The former Prime Minister who was the other frontrunner, and who was backed by incumbent President Macky Sall, conceded defeat based on preliminary results.
Sall followed with congratulations, also naming 44-year old Faye as the winner.
It was Senegal’s fourth democratic transfer of power since gaining independence from France in 1960.

Brazilian & French Presidents Announces A Plan To Invest 1.1 Billion Dollars In Amazon

The Brazilian and French presidents have announced a plan to invest 1.1 billion dollars in the Amazon, including parts of the rainforest in neighbouring French Guiana.
The two countries’ governments said in a joint statement yesterday that the money will be spread over the next four years to protect the rainforest.
It will be a collaboration of state-run Brazilian banks and France’s investment agency. Private resources will also be welcomed, Brazil and France said.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva were meeting yesterday to revive the relationship between the countries after years of friction with former President Jair Bolsonaro, deepen cooperation to protect the rainforest and boost trade.
Macron started his three-day visit to Brazil in the Amazon city of Belem, where he met his long-time ally Lula. The French president then took a boat to the Combu island to meet with Indigenous leaders.

US: Bridge Collapses After Being Hit By Container Ship In Baltimore

In the US a major portion of Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being struck by a container ship in Baltimore on Tuesday (26th March 2024).
The Baltimore city fire department officials described the collapse of the Bridge as a “mass casualty multi agency incident.
The conditions were unsafe for rescuers due to freezing conditions and limited visibility. The rescue workers are searching for around 20 people and multiple vehicles are believed to have fallen into river. The ship caught fire and appeared to sink after hitting the bridge.

Luis Montenegro Named Portugal’s Prime Minister

After eight years of Socialist rule in Portugal, Luis Montenegro, leader of the centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD), has been appointed as the new prime minister. However, his minority government faces challenges due to his refusal to ally with the far-right Chega party.
Montenegro’s appointment marks the return of a centre-right leader to the prime minister’s office after more than eight years.
Despite his party’s victory in the recent election, the AD falls short of a majority in the parliament, with only 80 out of 230 seats.
Montenegro’s rejection of a coalition with the far-right Chega party leaves his government in a fragile position, necessitating negotiations with other parties for legislative support.

ECONOMY
India’s Transition from Minimum Wage to Living Wage

India aims to replace its minimum wage system with a living wage framework by 2025, seeking assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO) for technical support in creating and implementing this transition.
The living wage is the income necessary for workers and their families to afford a decent standard of living, considering the country’s circumstances and calculated for normal working hours.
Despite the passage of the Code on Wages in 2019, implementation remains pending, with proposed universal wage floors applicable across all states.
Stagnant national wage floors since 2017 have led to disparities in wage payments, particularly affecting the vast unorganized sector where 90% of India’s workforce is employed.

Published date : 27 Mar 2024 05:04PM