Current Affairs 05 Jan 2025

Details:The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention takes place in Bhubaneswar from January 8 to 10, 2025. The theme is ‘Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat’, celebrating the diaspora’s role in India’s development. Prime Minister Modi inaugurates the event on January 9, and President Christine Carla Kangaloo of Trinidad & Tobago addresses virtually. More than 50 countries’ diaspora members participate, and Modi flags off the Pravasi Bharatiya Express tourist train.

Details:The Odisha government launches the Shahid Madho Singh Haath Kharcha Scheme to promote education among Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. The scheme aims to reduce dropout rates by providing a one-time incentive of ₹5,000 to ST students enrolling in Class IX and Class XI. It is implemented for the 2024-2025 academic year and targets students with annual family incomes below ₹2,50,000. The incentive is available only for ST students in government and government-aided schools within the state. Eligible students receive ₹5,000 directly in their bank accounts, with applications processed through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.

Details:Union Minister of Education launched Sashakt Beti and e-Drishti projects at the University of Delhi’s Samarpan Samaroh event. Project Sashakt Beti empowers orphaned and single-parent female students with family incomes under ₹4 lakh by providing laptops. Project e-Drishti supports visually impaired students by providing tablets to improve their learning and research capabilities.

Details:The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India clarified the use of methylcobalamin (MeCbl), an active form of Vitamin B12. Methylcobalamin, structurally distinct from other Vitamin B12 forms, contains a methyl group bonded to a cobalt atom. It is found in supplements and food sources like fish, meat, eggs, milk, and milk products. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell production, and neurological function. Deficiency can cause severe health issues, often requiring supplementation. It supports vital functions like cell growth, blood formation, and protein synthesis.

Details:The Election Commission of India released 42 statistical reports for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and 14 reports for assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim. This initiative aims to boost public trust and enhance transparency in the electoral system. In 2024, 47.63 crore women electors were registered, accounting for 48.62% of the total electors. Puducherry and Kerala had the highest female electors at 53.03% and 51.56%.

Details:The Rajasthan government recently dissolved nine districts and three divisions created in 2023. Rajasthan now has 41 districts and seven divisions. The divisions of Pali, Sikar, and Banswara were annulled. Eight districts, including Dudu, Kekri, Shahpura, and others, were abolished due to administrative necessity. Retained districts include Balotra, Beawar, Didwana-Kuchaman, and others. A High-Level Committee report deemed the new districts unviable, and a Cabinet Sub-Committee was formed to review their status.

Details:Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurates ‘Panchayat Se Parliament 2.0’ at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. It is organised by the National Commission for Women (NCW) with the Lok Sabha Secretariat and Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The event commemorates the 150th birth anniversary of tribal leader Bhagwan Birsa Munda. It gathers 502 elected women representatives from Scheduled Tribes across 22 states and Union Territories. Its primary focus is to empowering women representatives by enhancing their knowledge of constitutional provisions, parliamentary procedures, and governance.

Details: The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways announces the completion of the 2.35 km Banihal Bypass on NH-44 in Jammu & Kashmir. Built at a cost of ₹224.44 crore, it is a four-lane bypass addressing traffic bottlenecks in Banihal town. The bypass eliminates congestion caused by roadside markets and shops, ensuring smoother traffic flow. It significantly reduces travel time for tourists and defense vehicles heading to the Kashmir Valley.

Details:Tripura recorded the Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra) for the first time in Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a lycaenid butterfly found in South and Southeast Asia, including forests in Northeast India. Three subspecies exist in India: macantia (Southwest India to Goa), tarpina (Andamans), and indra (Orissa to West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Jharkhand). Males have deep purple sheen; females are brownish with white markings. The underwings are pale brown with white bands, giving a “banded” look.

Details:The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) is using the Open Data Kit (ODK) platform to enhance transparency and accountability in public spending. ODK is a secure digital platform for designing, collecting, and managing data. It is integrated with CAG’s Operating System (OIOS) and provides end-to-end encryption. The platform helps identify problem areas and launch multilingual surveys. Beneficiary surveys support audit planning and evidence collection. ODK was used to assess patient satisfaction and audit the performance of AIIMS Mangalagiri and AIIMS Bibinagar.