DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Jan. 5, 2025

India has become home to the third-largest metro network in the world.

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

• On January 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a giant leap in enhancing India's metro network by  launching a 2.8 km stretch of Delhi Metro Phase-IV, strengthening connectivity between Delhi and Haryana.

Important points:

• Covering over 1,000 km across 11 states and 23 cities, millions of people rely on them for quick, easy and affordable travel. 

• These projects represent a major milestone in transportation, as metro systems now cover greater distances and serve over 1 crore passengers daily. 

• Currently, India ranks third globally in operational Metro network length and is on track to become the 2nd largest Metro network in the world.

•  In 1984 the first metro line in India, covering 3.4 km between Esplanade and Bhowanipur, opened in Kolkata. 

•   In 1995 the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) was established to bring world-class Mass Rapid Transport to Delhi. The project gained momentum with joint participation from the Central Government and the Government of Delhi.

•   In 2002 DMRC opened its first metro corridor between Shahdara and Tis Hazari in Delhi, setting the stage for one of the country’s largest metro networks.

•  In 2024, PM Modi inaugurated India’s first under-water metro tunnel in Kolkata, where the Esplanade-Howrah Maidan section passes beneath the Hooghly River. This remarkable feat showcases India’s engineering capabilities.

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INS TUSHIL ARRIVES AT DAKAR, SENEGAL

Tags: Defence

Why in the news?

• INS Tushil, Indian Navy’s latest stealth frigate, as part of the ongoing operational deployment visited Port of Dakar, Senegal.

Important points:

• This visit will further bolster the existing ties with Senegal and enhance interaction between the navies of the two countries.

• INS Tushil, commanded by Captain Peter Varghese, will engage in various military and social engagements during the port call.

• The ship will conduct interaction between subject matter experts from the two navies for mutually beneficial avenues and carry out training along with demonstrations. An invigorating session of Yoga is also planned for Senegalese enthusiasts.

• To showcase Indian culture, the ship will also organise social interaction onboard. On completion, the ship will participate in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) and joint patrol with the Senegalese Navy off the waters of the West African Coast. 

• The exercise is aimed at furthering maritime cooperation between the two navies while enhancing regional security and promoting interoperability.

About  SENEGAL:

• Senegal, officially the Republic of Senegal, is the westernmost country in West Africa, situated on the Atlantic Ocean coastline.

•  It borders Mauritania to the north, Mali to the east, Guinea to the southeast and Guinea-Bissau to the southwest. 

• Capital of Senegal is Dakar.

IIT Guwahati and Bose Institute developed an injectable hydrogel for breast cancer

Tags: National

Why in the news?

• Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, in collaboration with Bose Institute Kolkata, have developed an advanced injectable hydrogel designed for localised breast cancer treatment. 

Key points:

• This innovative hydrogel system allows for precise delivery ofanti-cancer drugs to tumour sites, minimising side effects commonly seen in conventional treatments like chemotherapy.

• The hydrogel is made fromultra-short peptides,biodegradable and biocompatible components of proteins.

•  It is designed to remain stable at the injection site and activates in response to elevated glutathione (GSH) levels, a molecule commonly found in higher concentrations within tumour cells. 

• Once activated, the hydrogel releases the drug in a controlled manner, reducing its impact on healthy cells and minimising systemic side effects.

CSIR's Indigenously developed "Paracetamol"

Tags: National News

Why in the news?

•  Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences (Independent Charge), announced the indigenously developed drug "Paracetamol" , commonly used in pain, fever etc, by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

Important points:

• There have been a series of indigenous developments namely India’s 1st Indigenously developed Antibiotic- Nafithromycin to treat both atypical and typical drug-resistant bacteria.
• This innovation aims to make India self-reliant in paracetamol manufacturing, reducing dependence on imported ingredients.
• Karnataka-based Satya Deeptha Pharmaceuticals Ltd will utilize this breakthrough to produceaffordable paracetamol domestically.
•  Currently, India imports the key raw materials for paracetamol from various countries. 
• Thus the CSIR initiative not only addresses this dependency but also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) vision.
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Vice President Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurates National Cadet Corps Republic Day Camp

Tags: National

Why in the news?

• Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar formally inaugurated the National Cadet Corps Republic Day Camp-2025 in Delhi Cantt.

Important points:

•  This year 2361 Cadets including 917 girl cadets from 17 NCC Directorates covering all the States and Union Territories of the Country are participating in Republic Day Camp 2025 which will culminate with the PM’s Rally on 27 Jan 2025. 

• The cadets will participate in a number of activities, including cultural programmes and institutional training competitions.

• During his address, the Vice president exhorted the cadets to make a commitment to our national transformation that rests on five basic pillars - Social Harmony, Family enlightenment by nurturing patriotic values at grassroots, Environmental protection, Honouring Bharat maa delving deep into our civilisation ethos and Swadeshi & self-reliance.

About NCC:

• The National Cadet Corps (NCC)is a voluntary organization in India that aims to develop the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens.

• The NCC isa tri-service organization that includes the Army, Navy, and Air Force. It's open to regular students in schools and colleges across India.