Current Affairs Highlights

• Morel Dam in Focus due to Chemical Waste:

  • Asia's largest unpaved dam, Morel Dam, located in Sawai Madhopur and Dausa, on the Morel River (a tributary of Banas River).
  • Suffering from pollution due to chemical waste from textile units in Jaipur (Sanganeri and Bagru print) and Dausa (Jaipur Kalins textile park).
  • Pollution has led to foul smell and death of migratory birds, including Siberian Cranes, which visit the dam and Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary.
  • Related Dam Information:
    • Jawai Dam (Pali) on Jawai River, known as 'Marwar ka Amrit Sarovar'.
    • Bisalpur Dam (Tonk) on Banas River.
    • Panchna Dam (Karauli), a soil-built dam.

• Patrika National Book Fair:

  • Organized by Rajasthan Patrika (founder Kapoorchand Kulish, editor Gulab Kothari).
  • Being held at Jawahar Kala Kendra (JKK), Jaipur.
  • Jawahar Kala Kendra: Established in 1993, designed by Charles Correa.

• Book Release: 'Rajasthan ka Samajik Sanskritik Itihas'

  • Author: K.L. Sharma.
  • Unveiled by: Ghanshyam Tiwari.
  • Other Noteworthy Books & Personalities:
    • Book 'Abhyuday Ki Aur' related to Governor Kalraj Mishra's one-year tenure, unveiled by Somti Devi.
    • Book 'संवाद से संघर्ष तक' by BJP leader Satish Poonia.
  • Political Figures:
    • Diya Kumari: MLA from Vidhyadhar Nagar (Jaipur), Deputy CM, Tourism Minister, Women & Child Development Minister, Finance Minister.
    • Bhajanlal Sharma: MLA from Sanganer (Jaipur), Chief Minister, unique for becoming CM directly after being a Sarpanch.

• Bangkok International Film Festival Award:

  • 'New Voice Award' presented to Director Nidhi Saxena.
  • Nidhi Saxena's short film 'Secret of a Mount Sepent' was screened at the Venice Film Festival.
  • Priyadarshani Choudhary's short film 'Still a Long Ride' was also mentioned.

• 44th North Zone Rifle Shooting Championship:

  • Held in Dehradun.
  • Rajasthan's Vaibhav Pratap Singh Chauhan won a bronze medal in the 50-meter Three Position category.
  • Related Forest Data (Indian Forest Situation Report 2023, issued Dec 2024 from Indian Forest Survey Institute, Dehradun):
    • Rajasthan's Recorded Forest Area: 32,869 sq km (9.60%).
    • Reserved Forests: 37.04%.
    • Protected Forests: 56.55%.
    • Unclassified Forests: 6.40%.

• AVGC-XR Policy 2024 (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Extended Reality):

  • Administrative Nodal Department: Department of Information Technology and Communications, Rajasthan Government.
  • Unveiled on December 4, 2024.
  • Objective: To make Rajasthan a global hub for AVGC-XR by March 31, 2029.
  • Financial incentives cover infrastructure, production, and skill development.
  • Focuses on foundational development like Atal Innovation Study and Incubation Center.

• UDISE Report 2023 (Ministry of Education):

  • In Rajasthan, school dropout rates increased at primary and upper secondary levels, and decreased at the secondary level.

• Health for All Initiatives in Rajasthan:

  • Rajasthan Right to Health Act 2023 (Rajasthan was the first state to implement this).
  • Mukhyamantri Ayushman Arogya Yojana (includes health insurance, accident insurance, and e-voucher scheme).

Recent Revisions (from previous lectures):

• Anta Assembly By-election: Won by Pramod Bhaya Jain.
• Country's First Joint Law and Technology Center: To be established in Jodhpur.
• Ghoomar Festival: To be held for the first time in the state on November 19.
• Iron Lady Award: Presented to Dr. Anita Parihar by International Samrasta Manch and Indo-Nepal Samrasta Organization.
• Kharif Crop 2025-26 Girdawari Report: 2961 villages declared as scarcity-affected.