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1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently launched the ‘Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari’ initiative in Surat, Gujarat, aimed at water conservation by constructing around 24,800 rainwater harvesting structures. The initiative follows a “Whole-of-Society and Whole-of-Government” approach, emphasizing community and government collaboration. India faces severe water stress, with only 4% of global water resources for 18% of the population, critical groundwater levels in 256 districts, and 163 million people lacking safe drinking water. Other key water initiatives include the Jal Jeevan Mission, which expanded piped water connections to over 15 crore households, the construction of 60,000 Amrit Sarovars, and the Catch The Rain Campaign promoting rainwater harvesting.
2. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) to advance digital governance through blockchain technology, enhancing transparency and trust in public services. This initiative includes the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack, which offers Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) with a distributed infrastructure for diverse applications, and the National Blockchain Framework Lite (NBFLite), a sandbox for rapid prototyping by startups and academia. Additionally, Praamaanik provides blockchain-based mobile app verification, and the National Blockchain Portal facilitates access to blockchain resources. The NBF aims to boost security, transparency, and efficiency in service delivery, address research and development challenges, and leverage BaaS for cost-effective and scalable blockchain application development.
3. Recently, Prime Minister praised India's record performance at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024, where the country achieved its best-ever results by winning 29 medals—7 gold, 9 silver, and 13 bronze. The Paralympics, the premier international event for athletes with disabilities, was first held in Rome in 1960 and is governed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). This year’s Games in Paris featured about 4,400 athletes across 22 sports from August 28 to September 8, 2024. India’s delegation of 84 para-athletes competed in 12 disciplines, including new events like para-cycling and blind judo. India finished 18th overall, surpassing a milestone of 50 medals in its Paralympic history, and notably secured its first-ever gold in the men’s javelin throw F41 category through Navdeep Singh.
4. The Agni-4 missile was successfully launched from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). This test confirmed the missile's operational and technical parameters. The Agni-4, part of the Agni series developed by DRDO, is an intermediate-range ballistic missile with a 4,000-kilometer range. It can carry a 1,000 kg payload and is designed for both ground and sea launches. The name "Agni," meaning "fire" in Sanskrit, reflects its elemental significance. The SFC, a component of India's Nuclear Command Authority (NCA), oversees the country's nuclear arsenal management, with the NCA’s Political Council, led by the Prime Minister, being the sole authority for nuclear weapon use.
5. At the International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024 celebrations in New Delhi, the Vice-President of India highlighted the transformative role of literacy, urging a nationwide effort to enhance education and celebrate linguistic diversity. He commended the National Education Policy, 2020 for its role in empowering youth and recognizing linguistic diversity. The event saw the launch of the ULLAS (Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society) DTH Channel, aimed at improving literacy in remote areas. ILD, established by UNESCO on September 8, 1967, traces its origins to the 1965 World Conference in Tehran. The 2024 theme, “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace,” underscores the importance of diverse linguistic education. India’s key literacy initiatives include the New India Literacy Programme, Saakshar Bharat, and the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan.