Current Affairs

1. THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO CONSTRUCT A FENCE ALONG THE ENTIRE 1643-KILOMETER-LONG INDO-MYANMAR BORDER TO FACILITATE BETTER SURVEILLANCE –

• Two pilot projects of fencing through a Hybrid Surveillance System (HSS) are under execution.
• The fencing will be completed in the next four- and-half years. Anyone coming through will have to get a visa.
• The FMR is a mutually agreed arrangement between the two countries that allows tribes living along the border to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.
• Under the FMR, every member of the hill tribes, who is either a citizen of India or a citizen of Myanmar and who is resident of any area within 16 km on either side of the border can cross over on production of a border pass with one-year validity and can stay up to two weeks.
• India currently has more than 15000 km of land borders and more than 7500 km of maritime borders. It shares borders with seven countries including Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar.

 

2. BHARAT RATNA TO HONOUR PV NARASIMHA RAO, CHAUDHARY CHARAN SINGH, AND MS SWAMINATHAN –

• India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, is set to honour the indelible contributions of three distinguished individuals whose efforts have significantly shaped the nation’s trajectory. Former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao and Chaudhary Charan Singh, alongside renowned agricultural  scientist MS Swaminathan, are the esteemed recipients of this prestigious accolade, acknowledging their unparalleled dedication to the progress of India.
• PV Narasimha Rao, often hailed as the Architect of Modern India, played a pivotal role in ushering in economic liberalization in the early 1990s.
• Chaudhary Charan Singh revered as a true champion of India’s agrarian community dedicated his life to the welfare of the farmers.
• Dr. MS Swaminathan’s contributions to India’s agricultural revolution are monumental. As the architect of the Green Revolution, Swaminathan’s scientific acumen and innovative approaches to crop improvement significantly increased food production, thereby mitigating the threat of famine and ensuring food security for millions.

 

3. TOMTOM TRAFFIC INDEX 2023: LONDON SLOWEST, BENGALURU SECOND MOST CONGESTED CITY –

• TomTom, a leading expert in location technology, has unveiled revealing insights into the global challenge of traffic congestion. Among the standout findings, London emerges as a focal point, experiencing the slowest traffic in 2023. This revelation, based on TomTom’s comprehensive analysis, underscores the pressing need for innovative solutions to tackle urban mobility challenges.
• According to TomTom’s data, commuters in London faced considerable delays during peak hours, with an average speed of just 14 kilometers per hour. This staggering statistic highlights the severity of traffic congestion in the UK capital, impacting travel time, fuel consumption, and environmental sustainability.
• TomTom’s report also sheds light on the traffic woes plaguing major Indian cities such as Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi, and Mumbai.Bengaluru, often hailed as the IT capital, and Pune found themselves among the top ten worst cities for traffic congestion globally in 2023.
• Commuters in Bengaluru spent an average of 28 minutes and 10 seconds for a 10-kilometer journey, while those in Pune faced a travel time of 27 minutes and 50 seconds for the same distance.
• TomTom’s report also highlights the traffic challenges confronting Delhi and Mumbai. While these cities ranked lower on the global congestion scale, they nonetheless face significant hurdles in managing traffic flow and travel time.
• With Delhi ranking 44th and Mumbai 52nd, there’s a clear imperative for strategic interventions to improve urban mobility and enhance the quality of life for residents.