India Current Affairs [Nation & States] MCQs

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A Kalamezhuthu workshop was recently organized by the Malayalam Department in Kochi, Kerala. Kalamezhuthu, also known as Dhulee Chithram or Kalam Pattu, is a traditional floor painting art form in Kerala. It is performed during rituals to worship gods like Kaali, Ayyappan, and Vettakkorumakan. The drawings are erased at the end of rituals with musical accompaniment. Natural colors from plants are used for the drawings. Artists usually come from communities like the Kurups, Theyyampadi Nambiars, and Theeyadi Unnis.

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The Tribal Health Resource Centre in BR Hills, Karnataka, launched Kaanu, a South Indian Adivasi Knowledge Centre, on August 25. “Kaanu” means “evergreen forest” in Kannada and Soliga. Kaanu aims to be the first knowledge center dedicated to the past, present, and culture of South Indian Adivasi communities. It will have three branches: a library, an annotated bibliography, and a co-written book. The Kaanu Library will be inaugurated, and the bibliography will be available online in September. This initiative was started by Adivasi leaders, scholars, and researchers with long-term connections to these communities.

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A 100-metre steel bridge was inaugurated in Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project. Constructed by the National High-Speed Rail Corporation (NHSRC) and made in Japan, this bridge is a key milestone. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train will greatly cut travel time between the two cities. This development represents a major leap forward for India’s high-speed rail infrastructure and transportation sector.

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The Union Cabinet has approved twelve new greenfield industrial smart cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.The total investment for these projects is estimated at 28,602 crore rupees. They are expected to create 1 million direct jobs and up to 3 million indirect jobs. The projects will be located across ten states along six major corridors. The planned locations include Khurpia (Uttrakhand), Gaya (Bihar), Rajpura-Patiala (Punjab), Zaheerabad (Telangana), Dighi (Maharashtra), Orvakal and Kopparthy (Andhra Pradesh), Palakkad (Kerala), Jodhpur-Pali (Rajasthan), and Agra and Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh).

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Odisha granted habitat rights to Saora tribals in Gajapati district, making it the state with the most habitat rights for particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs). The Saora tribe is one of Odisha’s ancient tribes, mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. They are also known as Savaras, Sabaras, Saura, and Sora. Besides Odisha, Saoras live in Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam. They speak the Sora language, a Munda language, and use the Sorang Sompeng script. Saoras have Proto Australoid features, a complex religion with many gods, and unique art and tattoo traditions.
Economically, they are divided into plains Saoras (agriculture and wage work) and hill Saoras (shifting and terraced cultivation).

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The Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) recently held a national workshop on the Indian Ocean Biodiversity Information System (IndOBIS) in Kochi. IndOBIS is the Indian regional node of the global Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). Hosted by CMLRE, IndOBIS collects data on marine species in the Indian Ocean and contributes to OBIS. OBIS is a large global repository with millions of marine species records from various contributors worldwide. It provides detailed information on species distribution, habitats, and environmental data across the world’s oceans.
OBIS offers tools for searching, visualizing, and downloading biodiversity data.

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The Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2024 was passed to stop unauthorized developments. It aims to make property registration easier for small landowners. The law regulates illegal colonies and imposes strict penalties for violations. The Chief Minister emphasized its importance for public welfare. This legislation highlights Punjab’s commitment to addressing illegal colonies and promoting proper development in the state.

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Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi recently led the groundbreaking for India’s first silicon carbide manufacturing facility. Developed by RIR Power Electronics Limited, the facility is being set up at EMC Park in Bhubaneswar with an investment of Rs 620 crore. This facility represents a significant advancement for India and Odisha in the global power electronics market. It aims to position Odisha as a key hub for semiconductor production, fostering innovation and boosting the state’s economy.

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Since its launch in 2021, over 1,400 accessibility complaints have been lodged through the Sugamya Bharat mobile app, with 75% resolved. The app is an initiative by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD). It helps people with disabilities and the elderly report accessibility issues in public infrastructure, transportation, and buildings. Complaints are filed using geotagged photos, sent to relevant authorities. The app will soon be upgraded with AI features, including a chatbot and multilingual interface. Partnerships with Mission Accessibility and I-STEM support the app’s development.

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The Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) was launched by India in 2019 at the East Asia Summit in Bangkok as a global, non-treaty initiative. It builds on India’s 2015 ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’ concept. IPOI promotes community building and partnerships with like-minded countries through practical cooperation. It has 7 pillars, with countries voluntarily leading different areas of focus. IPOI offers an alternative to geopolitical competition and aligns with India’s Maritime Vision 2030 and global initiatives like AIIPOIP and ASEAN’s AOIP.