10.11.2024 Daily [Madhya Pradesh] MPPSC Current Affairs

The Bhopal gas disaster criminal case, spanning over 14 years, continues to be plagued by delays and legal maneuvering. The current district judge, Manoj Shrivastava, is the eighth judge to hear the appeal, highlighting the persistent obstacles to a final verdict. The defense counsel for two convicts, Anirban Roy, has repeatedly sought a retrial, claiming the CBI investigation was flawed and the charges against his clients are unfounded. These tactics, according to the Bhopal Group of Information & Action (BGIA), are deliberate attempts to delay the proceedings and prevent the convicts from serving their sentences. The case has been stalled for months due to these legal challenges, raising concerns about the possibility of the convicts and survivors passing away before justice is served. The tragic reality is that three of the eight convicted Union Carbide officials have already died during the pendency of the appeal, underscoring the urgency of a swift resolution. Despite the judge’s commitment to hear the case twice a month, the future of this long-running case remains uncertain, leaving the victims and their families in a state of perpetual limbo.

Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupted again on Thursday, spewing ash columns as high as 8,000 meters, exceeding the intensity of Monday’s eruption that killed nine people and injured dozens. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the latest eruption as residents within the 7-kilometer danger zone had been evacuated. The volcano’s activity has been heightened since January, forcing the closure of the island’s airport and displacing thousands of people. Meanwhile, another active volcano, Mount Marapi in West Sumatra, also erupted on Thursday, spewing ash and blanketing nearby villages. Indonesia, situated on the “Ring of Fire,” is prone to volcanic activity and earthquakes, making these eruptions a recurring threat to its large population.

Canada has discontinued the Student Direct Stream (SDS), a program that expedited study permit applications for students from 15 countries, including India. This decision, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, aims to ensure fair and equal access to the study permit application process for all international students. The government cited concerns about program integrity and student vulnerability as reasons for the suspension. While applications received before November 8th will be processed under SDS, all future applications will be subject to the regular study permit stream, requiring students to submit a Guaranteed Investment Certificate and a provincial or territorial attestation letter. This move is likely to impact Indian students significantly, as they were among the largest beneficiaries of the SDS program.

On November 8, 2024, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan launched Project ‘Shaurya Gatha’, a joint initiative of the Department of Military Affairs and the United Service Institution (USI) of India. This project aims to educate the public about India’s rich military history and heritage through various initiatives, including the annual Indian Military Heritage Festival. The festival, now in its second year, brings together global and Indian think tanks, corporations, and academicians to discuss national security, foreign policy, military history, and heritage. The event also features publications on military topics, exhibitions showcasing advancements in defense research, and participation by NCC cadets. The project seeks to bridge the gap between the public’s understanding of India’s military heritage and its contemporary security challenges, promoting national discourse and fostering self-reliance in military capabilities through the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

The Ahmedabad-based community initiative aProCh, focused on creating safe environments for children, won the Innovation Award at the 2024 Smart Cities Expo World Congress (SCEWC) in Barcelona, Spain. The award, shared with Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, recognizes urban solutions that prioritize human well-being for sustainable and inclusive cities. aProCh’s initiative transforms public spaces into child-friendly areas, empowering children to participate in a sustainable future. The SCEWC, themed “Live Better,” showcased innovations in mobility, economy, and other fields. The event also recognized Shenzhen as the Smart City of 2024 for its “Smarter City, Better Life” initiative and Milano Mayor Giuseppe Sala as the best leader. The Indian delegation at the SCEWC, including representatives from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, received collaboration requests from other participants, highlighting the global interest in India’s smart city initiatives. The event also emphasized sustainability with a zero-waste initiative and the Czech Republic winning the Green Exhibitor Award for its sustainable pavilion built from recycled materials.

India maintains a robust maritime domain awareness system, ensuring complete knowledge of activities in its area of interest, including those of China, according to Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. He dismissed concerns over China’s dual carrier operations in the South China Sea, stating that India has conducted similar operations for years and is confident in its ability to safeguard national interests. The Navy Chief emphasized India’s close monitoring of activities in the Indian Ocean region, particularly those involving China, and highlighted the Navy’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement. The Navy is also actively engaging with the public, particularly youth, through initiatives like the THINQ quiz competition, to promote awareness and understanding of its role in safeguarding national security.