These current affairs today are a part of our daily current affairs. We cover a wide range of topics from state, national, and international news that are relevant and important for competitive exams. Our team prepares today’s current affairs after going through many newspapers, such as The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, PRS, etc.
Scroll down for current affairs of 13th January, 2024.
India’s Initiative to Commence Cervical Cancer Vaccination Drive Later in the Current Year
- New Delhi to launch an extensive HPV vaccination campaign for girls aged 9 to 14
- Immunization effort planned in three phases with an initial provision of over 7 crore doses
- Cervical cancer, currently the second most prevalent among Indian women, to take center stage in the government’s vaccination program
- WHO ranks cervical cancer as the fourth most common global cancer, emphasizing the need for preventive measures
- HPV vaccine, priced at approximately ₹2,000 per dose, designed to combat cervical cancer and related malignancies
- Vaccine provides protection against strains causing genital warts, offering a comprehensive defense against HPV-related health risks
- India, accounting for a fifth of global cervical cancer cases, witnesses a concerning rise in cancer incidence
- Projected cancer cases to surge from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh in 2025, emphasizing the need for robust preventive measures
- Government decision aligns with the goal of universal vaccine accessibility, intending to provide it free of charge
- Targeting a younger demographic, the campaign aims to establish early immunity foundations, potentially reducing the burden of cervical cancer in the future.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Unveils the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik
- Recently, Nashik, Maharashtra, played host to the distinguished 27th National Youth Festival spanning January 12 to 16, 2024.
- This event, aligning with Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, glorified the talents and skills of the nation’s youth.
- The festival’s primary objective was to serve as a platform for the younger generation to exhibit their abilities, emphasizing India’s youth power and the commitment to transform the nation into a developed entity by 2047, marking the 100th year of Indian independence.
- This festival, coupled with initiated development projects, signifies a stride toward empowering the youth and augmenting the nation’s infrastructure.
U.S. and U.K. Conduct Airstrikes on Yemen’s Huthi Rebels in Response to Red Sea Attacks
- Responding to escalating assaults by Iran-backed Huthi rebels on shipping in the Red Sea, the United States and the United Kingdom executed airstrikes utilizing fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles.
- The Huthis, in control of a substantial portion of Yemen since 2014, heightened their attacks on the critical international sea route, eliciting global concerns.
- Alarms were raised by shipping companies diverting around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, indicating potential economic repercussions.
- British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convened an emergency cabinet meeting, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The international community grapples with the challenge of navigating a complex geopolitical scenario in the region.
India’s First X-ray Polarimetry Satellite Captures Cassiopeia A Supernova Remnant
- The XSPECT instrument on India’s XPoSat space observatory has successfully captured images of the Cassiopeia A supernova remnant shortly after its January 1 launch.
- XPoSat, India’s inaugural satellite dedicated to studying polarized and spectroscopic emissions in cosmic X-ray sources, weighs less than 20 kgs and hosts two aligned scientific payloads – POLIX and XSPECT.
- POLIX, developed collaboratively by the Ramam Research Institute and ISRO’s UR Rao Satellite Centre, measures X-ray polarization in the 8-30 keV range. It aims to study polarization across 40 exotic galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources during XPoSat’s 5-year mission duration.
- XSPECT, the second instrument on XPoSat, facilitates spectral and timing studies of soft X-ray emissions from celestial objects.
- Early orbit checks show XSPECT’s successful imaging of Cassiopeia A, a reference celestial object, capturing the expanding shell of gas from the supernova explosion.
- Cassiopeia A, located 11,000 light years away, is the remnant of a supernova generated by a massive collapsing star. The remnant is visible across radio, infrared, and X-ray wavelengths, offering insights into stellar evolution cycles.
- XPoSat’s observation capabilities in X-ray polarimetry provide unique insights into mechanisms behind cosmic gamma ray bursts and shed light on stellar evolution. Continuous data over its intended 5-year lifetime is expected to significantly enrich our understanding of these cosmic phenomena.
Simmtech’s Venture into Gujarat: Setting Up Semiconductor Plant in Sanand
- The semiconductor industry in India experiences a notable upswing with Simmtech, a South Korean enterprise, unveiling plans to establish a manufacturing facility in Sanand, Gujarat.
- Backed by an investment of Rs 1,250 crore, Simmtech aspires to foster a robust semiconductor ecosystem within the state.
- Having inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government, the company, globally acknowledged as the largest producer of semiconductor substrates, is slated to commence construction on the 30-acre land allocated in close proximity to Micron’s existing facility in Sanand.
- The construction is scheduled to kick off in the next two to three months, with the entire setup anticipated to be completed in 6-7 months.
India’s Economic Aspirations: $5 Trillion by FY28, $30 Trillion by 2047, as Outlined by Finance Minister at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit
- During the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman laid out ambitious targets for India’s economic expansion.
- Presently holding the fifth position globally with a GDP of USD 3.4 trillion, India aims to ascend to the third position by 2027-28, achieving a GDP surpassing USD 5 trillion.
- The Indian economy projects a growth rate of 7.3% in the ongoing fiscal year, surpassing the 7.2% recorded in 2022-23.
- Impressively, the country attracted USD 919 billion in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) over 23 years until 2023, with a noteworthy USD 595 billion flowing in during the past 8-9 years under the leadership of the Narendra Modi government.
National Road Safety Week: January 11 to 17, 2024 – A Crucial Initiative in India
- Observing its 35th year, National Road Safety Week takes center stage in India from January 11 to 17.
- This annual campaign aims to heighten awareness about road safety, emphasizing responsible driving, pedestrian safety, and the necessity for enhanced road infrastructure.
- Recognizing the gravity of road safety challenges, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) introduces an extended awareness period known as National Road Safety Month (RSM), slated for January 15 to February 14 in 2024, fostering an extended duration for educational initiatives.
National Youth Day 2024: Celebrating Swami Vivekananda’s Legacy
- Annually observed on January 12th in India, National Youth Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, acknowledging his profound contributions to Indian society and the global community.
- In 1984, the Government of India officially designated January 12 as National Youth Day to pay homage to Swami Vivekananda’s birthday.
- This dedicated day serves as a platform to inspire and motivate the youth, drawing upon the life and ideas of Swami Vivekananda with the overarching goal of fostering national development.
- The theme for National Youth Day 2024, “Viksit Yuva-Viksit Bharat,” centers around youth empowerment and nation-building.
- Emphasizing the pivotal role of the youth in shaping a developed India, it aligns seamlessly with Swami Vivekananda’s vision of harnessing the power of the youth for positive societal transformation.
India’s Initiative Against Cervical Cancer: Extensive HPV Vaccination Campaign
- Targeting girls aged 9-14, the immunization drive unfolds in three phases with over 7 crore doses in the initial stage.
- Cervical cancer, the second leading cause among Indian women, becomes a primary focus of the government’s immunization program.
- WHO ranks cervical cancer as the fourth most common globally, emphasizing the urgency for preventive measures.
- The ₹2,000 per dose HPV vaccine combats cervical cancer and related malignancies affecting the anus, vagina, and oropharynx.
- Provides protection against strains causing genital warts, offering a comprehensive shield against HPV-associated health risks.
- India, contributing a fifth of global cervical cancer cases, witnesses a concerning rise with projected cases surging from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh in 2025.
- Government aligns with the goal of universal vaccine accessibility, planning to provide it free of charge, eliminating financial constraints.
- Targeting a younger age group, the campaign aims to establish early immunity foundations, potentially reducing the burden of cervical cancer in the future.
Lakhpati Baideo” Program Launch by Assam Government
- Aimed at empowering 40 lakh self-help group (SHG) workers in Assam to become rural micro-entrepreneurs.
- Financial assistance of ₹35,000 offered to 40 lakh women by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
- Goal: Enable women to achieve an annual income of ₹1 lakh.
- Chief Minister Sarma emphasizes alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to empower two crore ‘Lakhpati didis’ (wealthy sisters).
Implementation Details: “Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan”
- Estimated cost of ₹4,000 crore.
- Each SHG worker receives ₹10,000 in the first year, followed by ₹12,500 from the government, and an additional ₹12,500 as a bank loan over the next two years (totaling ₹25,000).
- Beneficiaries must submit a business plan to access the grant.
Today’s Current Affairs MCQs/ GK Quiz 13th January 2024
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