CURRENT AFFAIRS

CURRENT AFFAIRS 29 October, 2024

1. INDIA ROLLS OUT ITS FIRST MADE-IN-INDIA C295 AIRCRAFT BY SEPTEMBER 2026 –

• India is set to mark a significant milestone in its aerospace industry with the rollout of the first locally assembled C295 military transport aircraft from the Vadodara facility in September 2026.
• This initiative, part of the “Make in India” campaign, represents a robust collaboration between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems. The facility was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, highlighting the deepening defense ties between India and Spain.
• The Vadodara final assembly line (FAL) will produce over 85% of the C295 aircraft components domestically, excluding the engines. The project is expected to create approximately 10,000 jobs across the country, with 18,000 components being manufactured indigenously.
• PM Modi emphasized that the factory symbolizes the new work culture in India, showcasing the rapid progress in the country’s manufacturing capabilities. “Just two years ago, the construction of the factory had started, and now it is ready for aircraft production,” he stated.

2. AYUSHMAN BHARAT: FREE HEALTH COVERAGE FOR SENIORS 70+ –

• In a significant expansion of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card on October 29, 2024, providing free healthcare coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of income.
• This extension, rolled out on Ayurveda Day at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi, enables seniors to avail free treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh annually at AB PMJAY empaneled hospitals.
• The initiative, however, excludes seniors in Delhi and West Bengal due to non-implementation by these state governments.

3. INDIA’S FIRST WRITER’S VILLAGE OPENS IN DEHRADUN –

• India’s first ‘Writer’s Village’ was inaugurated in Dehradun by former President Ram Nath Kovind, along with Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh (retd) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
• This unique village aims to foster creativity and provide a nurturing environment for writers from across the country, establishing Dehradun as a new cultural hub for literary talent.
• The inauguration was attended by prominent personalities, including former President Kovind, who lauded the initiative for addressing challenges faced by writers, and CBFC Chairman Prasoon Joshi, who highlighted the need for such secluded spaces for creativity.
• Former Chief Minister Nishank, a notable writer himself, conceptualized the village to foster a peaceful atmosphere conducive to literary creation.

4. BRAZIL OPTS OUT OF CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE –

• In a significant diplomatic decision, Brazil has chosen not to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), becoming the second member of the BRICS bloc, after India, to opt out of Beijing’s ambitious multi-billion-dollar infrastructure project.
• The move has sparked widespread interest and debate, as it reflects Brazil’s cautious stance on joining China’s influential global initiative.
• The decision, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and influenced by Celso Amorim, his special presidential adviser for international affairs, signals Brazil’s intent to pursue alternative forms of collaboration with China, without becoming bound by the BRI’s framework.

5. PM MODI AND SPANISH PM PEDRO SANCHEZ JOINTLY INAUGURATE TATA AIRCRAFT COMPLEX IN VADODARA, GUJARAT –

• In a landmark event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Spain, Mr. Pedro Sanchez, jointly inaugurated the Tata Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 military transport aircraft at the Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) campus in Vadodara, Gujarat.
• This project, a first-of-its-kind private sector Final Assembly Line (FAL) for military aircraft in India, marks a significant step forward in India’s journey towards indigenous defense production under the “Make in India, Make for the World” mission.