NATIONAL NEWS
1)‘Vande Metro’ to be rolled out by December 2023, says Ashwini Vaishnaw
The announcement by the Railway minister came after the successful launch of the semi-high-speed trains, Vande Bharat Express, in various parts of the country. As per details, the upcoming metro network is expected to connect major cities and provide an affordable mode of transportation.
Adding more, Vaishnaw said that “Vande Metro” will operate on a short-distance metro rail network, connecting major cities with a distance of less than 100 kilometers.
Features of Vande Metro:
-Vande Metro will run between cities separated by less than 100 kilometres.
-It is the short-distance version of Vande Bharat Express.
-According to the railway minister, this will allow job seekers and students to get world-class transportation from one city to another while saving time.
2)Dogri version of Indian Constitution
Union Minister of Law released the first edition of the Dogri version of the Indian Constitution at the University of Jammu.
Dogri is a language spoken in the northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
It is a significant step towards promoting linguistic diversity and preserving the cultural heritage of the country.
STATE NEWS
PM Modi launches railway projects, methanol plant in Assam
Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday rolled out a series of railway projects across the Northeast, besides commissioning a methanol plant and laying the foundation stone for a bridge over the Brahmaputra river. Modi virtually inaugurated the five railway works along with other projects from the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, where he is on a day-long tour.
The new railway projects rolled out by him are Digaru-Lumding and Gauripur-Abhayapuri sections, while doubling of tracks between New Bongaigaon and Dhup Dhara was also inaugurated. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Palasbari-Sualkuchi bridge over the Brahmaputra river. It will be constructed at an expenditure of Rs 3,200 crore over the next 3-4 years.
Modi also virtually commissioned a methanol plant at Namrup in Dibrugarh by Assam Petrochemicals Ltd (APL) with 500 tonnes per day (TPD) capacity, constructed at an investment of Rs 1,709 crore.
CONFERENCE NEWS
G20 MACS meeting in Varanasi to feature the MAHARISHI Initiative
A significant event, the G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS), is scheduled to take place in Varanasi from 17 to 19 April. The meeting’s theme is Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems for Healthy People and Planet, which aligns with India’s G20 presidency theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
About The MAHARISHI Initiative:
Additionally, the meeting will feature the MAHARISHI Initiative, which stands for Millets And OtHer Ancient Grains International ReSearcH Initiative. This initiative aims to promote research and awareness about agro-biodiversity, food security, and nutrition in line with the International Year of Millets 2023.
REPORTS
The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems: FAO
Recently, the FAO ( Food and Agriculture Organization) has released a report titled- “The Status Of Women In Agrifood Systems” highlighting the importance of Gender Equality in the Agricultural Sector.
Highlights of the report
Gender-Based Barriers:
Women make up a significant proportion of the agricultural workforce, accounting for around 40% of the global agricultural labor force. However, women often face significant gender-based barriers that limit their access to resources, technology, and markets, which can impact their productivity and income.
Gaps are Unchanged:
Even though women have gained more access to some resources, such as digital technology and financial services, over the last several years, the gaps are either unchanged or growing in far too many areas, especially for rural women.
Since the outbreak of Covid -19 the gap between women’s and men’s Food Security has grown to 4.3% — with significantly higher food insecurity among rural women.
IMPORTANT DAYS
World Art Day 2023 observed on 15th April
UNESCO’s General Conference declared April 15 as World Art Day to commemorate Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday, recognizing the importance of art in promoting creativity, cultural diversity, and information exchange. Art has always encouraged innovation and sparked discussion among individuals worldwide. However, to preserve artistic freedoms, it is crucial to safeguard the conditions that support and protect artists. This celebration is an opportunity to encourage the development, distribution, and enjoyment of art annually.
World Hemophilia Day 2023 observed on 17th April
World Hemophilia Day is celebrated every year on April 17th to honor the birth anniversary of Frank Schnabel, who established the World Federation of Hemophilia. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness and provide information about hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. Hemophilia is a rare medical condition where the blood fails to clot correctly due to the lack of specific clotting factors. This leads to prolonged bleeding, which can be hazardous and life-threatening in some situations.
Previous current affairs :https://www.pmias.in/tnpsc-important-current-affairs-april-14-2/
Source:https://www.dinamalar.com
