Current Affairs

1. INDIA TO IMPORT WHEAT AFTER 6 YEARS –

• India, the world’s second-largest wheat producer, plans to begin wheat imports after a six-year gap to replenish depleted reserves and control rising prices, driven by three consecutive years of disappointing crops.
• India is likely to remove a 40% import tax on wheat, allowing private traders to purchase from countries like Russia, though in small quantities.
• India’s wheat production has declined in the last 3 years due to unfavourable weather conditions, leading to a sharp drop in wheat output.
• The government estimates this year’s wheat crop to be 6.25% lower than the previous year’s (2023) record production of 112 million metric tons.

 

2. INDIA’S FIRST 3D-PRINTED ROCKET LAUNCHED –

• Recently Chennai-based start-up Agnikul Cosmos has launched the world’s first rocket, Agnibaan Sub Orbital Technology Demonstrator (SOrTeD), powered by a fully 3D-printed engine.
• It aims to conduct a test flight to showcase the company’s internally developed technologies and gather important flight data.
• This has achieved several firsts for the Indian space ecosystem i.e. launch from a private pad (Dhanush), homegrown semi-cryo engine-powered rocket launch and the world’s 1st single-piece 3D printed engine.
• It uses liquid oxygen and kerosene as propellant.
• Launch was supported by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe).

 

3. CYCLONE REMAL, AND DISASTER-RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE –

• The aftermath of cyclone Remal causing extensive damage in the form of landslides and flash floods in the North- East and West Bengal Region, upgradation and overhauling the disaster management system is the need of the hour.
• Remal means “sand” in Arabic and was named by Oman
• The storm made landfall near Mongla port, Bangladesh and the adjoining Sagar Islands in India’s West Bengal state with a wind speed of up to 135kmph (84mph)
• Remal was the first cyclone to hit the Bay of Bengal this year in advance of the June- September monsoon season. Cyclone Remal advanced to a severe cyclonic storm from low pressure in bay of bengal in just three days.
• Official Death Toll across the four northeastern States rose to 38.