Current affairs 25 January 2025

India’s Space Economy Soars to $8 Billion.

• India’s space economy has expanded to 8 billion dollars and will grow to 44 billion dollars in 10 years.
• Missions like Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4 (2027), Shukrayaan (2028), and an Indian Space Station (2030) reflect the nation’s strong space trajectory.
• SPADEX and other technological leaps are showcasing India’s advanced capabilities.

India projected to account for 16% of global consumption by 2050.

• India’s global consumption share is set to rise from 9% in 2023 to 16% by 2050, second only to North America’s 17%.
• Purchasing power parity adjustments show that India’s growth is driven by a young, expanding population and rising incomes.
• Declining fertility rates in advanced economies are shifting demographic focus toward later-wave regions, including India.

Gukesh Becomes India's Top Chess Player, Ranks 4th Globally.

• Milestone Achievement: D Gukesh, 18, became the highest-ranked Indian chess player, securing 4th place in FIDE rankings, surpassing Arjun Erigaisi.
• Key Tournament: Achieved this feat after a win against Vincent Keymer in the Tata Steel Tournament.
• Current Ratings: Gukesh holds 2784 points, while Erigaisi ranks 5th with 2779.5 points.

Expressways to Propel Growth in 30 Indian Cities by 2035, Nagpur Leads.

• Expanding road infrastructure, like the Samruddhi Mahamarg Expressway, is driving real estate growth in 30 emerging cities, with land prices expected to rise up to 5.2 times by 2035.
• Nagpur tops the list, followed by Jaipur, Lucknow, and tier-2 cities like Ahmedabad, Agra, Meerut, and Bhopal.
• Enhanced connectivity through expressways, driven by initiatives like Bharatmala Pariyojana.

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.