Current affairs 18 January 2025

"One Plate, One Bag" Campaign for Plastic-Free Maha Kumbh.

• The One Plate, One Bag campaign was launched by RSS to eliminate plastic use during the Maha Kumbh Mela.
• The initiative promotes the distribution of cloth bags and steel plates and glasses to replace disposable plastic items.
• RSS leaders emphasized collective efforts in creating a plastic-free society, urging people to adopt sustainable habits.

India Ranks 2nd in QS Future Skills Index 2025.

• India ranks 2nd globally in job market preparedness, excelling in AI, digital, and green industries, trailing only the US.
• Identified as a top contender in the Future of Work category, scoring 99.1, with a youthful population and vibrant start-up ecosystem.
• Focus needed on industry-academia collaboration and sustainable innovation.

Solar-Powered Skill Vans Launched for Underserved Communities.

• Shri Jayant Chaudhary flagged off solar-powered mobile training units to enhance skill development in underserved communities.
• The initiative, a collaboration between National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Dell Technologies, and Learning Links Foundation, focuses on digital literacy and emerging technologies.
• This project aims to bridge skill gaps and foster inclusive growth.

Eco-Sensitive Zone Declared Near Shikari Devi Sanctuary.

• The Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, now has an ESZ encompassing 43 villages within a 2 km radius.
• Declared under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the zone aims to mitigate deforestation, human-wildlife conflict, and regulate development.
• Sustainable activities like organic farming are permitted, while harmful activities such as mining and deforestation prohibited

BMW India Launches First Locally Produced EV at ₹49 Lakh.

• BMW India launched its first locally-produced electric vehicle, the BMW X1 Long Wheelbase All Electric, priced at ₹49 lakh.
• The vehicle, made at BMW's Chennai plant, was unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.
• It gets a 66.4 kWh battery pack paired with a single PMSM electric motor which puts out 204 hp of power and 250 nm torque.
• It has a claimed range of 531 km.