10th October, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
PM Modi Inaugurates Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) Mumbai

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Mumbai, aiming to enhance youth employability and create an industry-ready workforce for Industry 4.0. The IIS, built on a 4-acre campus at the National Skill Training Institute, focuses on cutting-edge technologies like factory automation, AI, data analytics, and additive manufacturing.
• Established under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the Ministry of Skill Development and Tata IIS, it emphasizes aligning Indian youth’s skills with global standards. The event also marked the launch of several development projects in Maharashtra worth over ₹7600 crore.
• With partnerships like Fanuc India for robotics and Taj Skyline for culinary arts, IIS will offer both long-term and short-term specialized courses, empowering India’s youth to lead in industrial and service sectors.

Cabinet Greenlights National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal

• In a significant decision, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,
• has approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal,Gujarat. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, aims to celebrateand showcase India’s extensive maritime heritage, which spans over 4,500 years.
• Lothal, a pivotal site in this ancient legacy, is poised for a transformative journey. With the
• foundation stone laid in March 2019, the NMHC is envisioned to be one of the largest maritimecomplexes in the world. The project will be completed in two phases, each designed to enhancethe visitor experience and educational impact. It will curate and display a rich array of artifacts,from ancient relics to modern treasures, serving as an educational platform that inspires visitorsto explore the depths of our maritime history.
• The National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) is a multifaceted project that willencompass several key components, including a museum featuring 14 galleries, a Lothal Townand Open Aquatic Gallery, a Lighthouse Museum, a Bagicha Complex, Coastal State Pavilions,and the Recreation of Lothal City. Additional features will include eco-resorts, a Museuotel,theme-based parks, and a maritime research institute with a hostel. This ambitious undertakingaims not only to boost tourism but also to generate significant employment opportunities andrevive local businesses in the region.

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 INTERNATIONAL
China’s ‘Anaconda Strategy’ Tightens Grip on Taiwan

• Beijing is systematically increasing pressure on Taiwan through a multifaceted strategy that military officials describe as the “Anaconda Strategy,” aimed at compelling Taipei to accept reunification as inevitable. Although the situation around Taiwan has been relatively stable compared to global conflicts like those in Ukraine, this calm may be deceptive. Chinese military activities are intensifying, with a marked increase in air and naval incursions near Taiwan, raising concerns about a potential blockade or cyber warfare aimed at crippling Taiwan’s economy and communications.
• The “Anaconda Strategy” refers to China’s multi-faceted approach to exert pressure on Taiwan, likening its actions to an anaconda that slowly constricts its prey.

Tunisia’s President Kais Saied Secured Second Five-Year Term

• President Kais Saied has secured a second five-year term as Tunisia’s leader in an election marked by both overwhelming numbers and significant concerns. The Independent High Authority for Elections of Tunisia (ISIE) announced on October 7, 2024, that Saied had won a staggering 90.7 percent of the votes cast, a figure that has raised eyebrows among democratic observers worldwide.
• The 2024 presidential election witnessed an unprecedented low participation rate, with only 28.8 percent of eligible voters casting their ballots. This marks a dramatic decline from the 2019 election, which saw a 55 percent turnout. The significant drop in voter participation raises serious questions about:
• Public engagement in the political process
• The legitimacy of the electoral process
• The state of democracy in post-revolution Tunisia

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
WHO Certifies India’s Triumph Over Trachoma Elimination

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially validated India’s elimination of trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant achievement in public health. Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is one of the leading causes of global blindness. WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised India for its commitment to combating this debilitating disease, joining the ranks of Nepal and Myanmar in the WHO South-East Asia Region and 19 other countries worldwide that have achieved this milestone.
• India’s fight against trachoma dates back to 1963 when the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a control project with support from WHO and UNICEF. The approach included surgical treatments, antibiotics, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) initiatives. Over the years, these efforts were integrated into the National Program for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), allowing for expanded reach and effectiveness.
• In 2024, comprehensive surveys confirmed that elimination targets had been met in all previously endemic areas, following a significant reduction in trachoma prevalence—from 4% of blindness cases in 2005 to just 0.008% by 2018.

India’s Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex) Approved

• India’s National Space Commission has officially approved the Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (Lupex), marking the country’s fifth lunar mission. This mission follows the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, which made India the fourth nation to land on the Moon. Lupex is a collaborative endeavor between India’s ISRO and Japan’s JAXA, aimed at exploring the Moon’s resources, particularly water in its polar regions.
• Lupex will play a critical role in shaping future lunar missions, including potential sample return missions and plans to send astronauts to the Moon by 2040. This mission underscores the growing partnership between India and Japan in space exploration and aims to enhance international cooperation in scientific research. As both nations advance their lunar capabilities, Lupex stands as a testament to their commitment to exploring and understanding the Moon more comprehensively.

Published date : 10 Oct 2024 05:25PM