Current affairs 24 January 2025

Prayagraj Railway Division Launches 150+ Special Trains for Mahakumbh.

• Special Trains: Over 150 Mela trains were introduced to manage the influx of devotees for Mauni Amavasya at Mahakumbh.
• Coverage: Trains will operate direction-wise from all nine stations in Prayagraj.
• Objective: Ensures smooth travel and accommodation for the large number of devotees attending the Mahakumbh.

Walmart Launches Strategic Pilots with Indian Startups.

• Initiative: Walmart partnered with Indian startups for solutions to enhance its US supply chain and sourcing operations.
• Selected Startups: Pune-based KBCols Sciences, Chennai-based GreenPod Labs, and Bengaluru-based Cropin were chosen for pilot programs.
• Focus: Aim to leverage innovative ideas for building a resilient global supply network.

Army Hospital Performs India’s First LVAD Implantation with HeartMate.

• Army Hospital (Research & Referral), Delhi, conducted India’s first Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) implantation using the HeartMate 3.
• The procedure was performed on a 49-year-old woman with end-stage heart failure, awaiting a heart transplant for over two years.
• The HeartMate 3, a mechanical heart, supports heart function and offers a lifeline to critically ill cardiac patients.

BSNL Launches Free IFTV Pilot in UP East with OTTplay Partnership.

• Launch and Features: BSNL launched IFTV in UP East, offering 500+ live TV channels, movies & web series free for FTTH users, following a successful pilot in Puducherry.
• Expansion Plans: Nationwide rollout planned, starting with Maharashtra, Bihar & Jharkhand in February 2025.
• Partnership: Collaborates with OTTplay to combine BSNL’s network with AI-curated content promoting digital inclusion.

JSW Defence to Invest Rs 800 Crore in Telangana UAV Plant.

• MoU Signing: JSW Defence signed an agreement with the Telangana government to establish a manufacturing facility for Unmanned Aerial Systems.
• Investment Details: The Rs 800-crore unit will be set up via a technology partnership with a US defence technology company.
• Event Context: MoU signed at World Economic Forum in the presence of Telangana CM Revant Reddy & Parth Jindal of JSW Group.