Current affairs 15 January 2025

WPI inflation rises to 2.37% in December on higher food prices.

• WPI-based inflation increased to 2.37% in December 2024, up from 1.89% in November, driven by higher prices of food articles, textiles, and non-food articles.
• The December 2023 WPI inflation stood at 0.73%, indicating a significant year-on-year rise.
• Month-over-month WPI change for December 2024 was (-)0.38%, reflecting variations in key sectors.

India’s Coal Imports Drop by Over 3% during April-October, 2024.

• Coal imports declined from 154 million tonnes to 149 million tonnes between April and October last year.
• India relies on imports for coking coal and high-grade thermal coal, essential for industries like steel production.
• The Coal Ministry highlighted efforts to boost domestic production and reduce dependence on imports.

Bhashini Enables Multilingual Access at Mahakumbh Prayagraj 2025.

• The Ministry of Electronics and IT’s Bhashini platform offers multilingual support in 11 languages at Mahakumbh 2025.
• A Digital Lost & Found Solution allows users to register lost/found items in their native language with real-time text/voice translation.
• Bhashini powers the Kumbh Sah’AI’yak chatbot.
• UP 112 Helpline integrates Bhashini’s ‘CONVERSE feature for multilingual devotee support.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal launches National Turmeric Board.

• The National Turmeric Board was inaugurated virtually by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi.
• The board will focus on turmeric farmers' welfare, developing superior varieties, and enhancing exports.
• India produces 70% of the world’s turmeric, grown across 20 states with 30 varieties, some having GI tags.
• The board aims to raise awareness of turmeric's medicinal properties.

India sends 2nd tranche of foodgrain assistance to Lesotho.

• India dispatched 1,000 metric tonnes of sorghum to Lesotho from Nhava Sheva Port, Mumbai.
• This is the second tranche of foodgrain assistance aimed at addressing food security in Lesotho.
• The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized India’s commitment to supporting global food security.
• The assistance highlights India’s solidarity with nations facing food crises.