Current Affairs - July 7, 2025

Appointments & Awards

• Council of Architecture: Ritu Singh (Jaipur) has been elected as a member of the Executive Committee of the Council of Architecture, India. The Council of Architecture was established on September 1, 1972, as a statutory body working in the field of architecture and construction in India.
• Related Personalities:
  • Pawan Vyas (Bikaner): Turban artist, created a record by tying a 2025-foot-long turban at the Bikaner Camel Festival 2025.
  • Praveen Prajapati (Alwar): Bhavai dance artist.
  • Anju Kumawat: Awarded the National Talent Icon Award 2025.

Infrastructure & Development

• Paperless Airport: Jaipur International Airport has been made paperless to streamline processes and reduce documentation.
• Rajasthan Civil Airports:
  • Jaipur International Airport (Sanganer): Rajasthan's first international airport, operated by Adani Group. Hosted the "Runway Festival."
  • Udaipur Airport (Dabok/Maharana Pratap Airport): Ranked #1 nationwide in customer satisfaction with a "Five-Star Ranking."
  • Other Civil Airports: Bikaner (Nal), Jaisalmer, Barmer (Uttarlai), Kota, Kishangarh, Jodhpur (Ratanada).
  • Airport Authority of India (AAI): Operates all civil airports in India, except Jaipur, which is managed by Adani Group.
• Railway Stations in Rajasthan:
  • Jaipur Junction: Rajasthan's first cashless railway station.
  • Gandhinagar Station (Jaipur): First women-operated railway station in India.
  • Jodhpur Junction: India's first platinum-rated railway station.
  • Bhagat Ki Kothi (Jodhpur): Has a Vande Bharat Train Maintenance Depot.
• Budget 2025-26 Air Transport Announcements:
  • Green Airport: To be established in Kota.
  • Flying Training Institutes: Announced for Hamirgarh (Bhilwara) and Jhalawar, in addition to the existing one in Kishangarh (Ajmer).

Technology & Innovation

• Nanotechnology Product (Jodhpur): The regional office of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in Jodhpur has developed two nano-technology based products:
  • Fabric Softener: Makes clothes soft and keeps them infection-free for 6 months (e.g., for hospitals, railways).
  • Surface Coating: Keeps walls infection-free for 5 years (e.g., for schools, hotels, public places).
  • Collaboration: Developed by DRDO scientists in collaboration with Fabric & Polymer Jodhpur. DRDO was established in 1958.
• Indigenous Speedometer Analysis Software: Jodhpur Railway Division has developed this software to analyze train speed, aiding in better control, braking, and accident prevention.
• Rajasthan Railway Network:
  • North Western Railway Zone: Headquartered in Jaipur, established on October 1, 2002.
  • Railway Divisions: Jaipur, Ajmer (houses Railway Recruitment Board), Jodhpur, and Bikaner (first in Rajasthan to implement 24-hour advance ticket chart preparation trial). These four fall under the North Western Railway Zone.
  • Kota Railway Division: Falls under the West Central Railway Zone.

Social & Governance

• National Commission for Women (NCW) Visit: Vijay Rahatkar, Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, inspected women prisoners at Jodhpur Central Jail.
  • National Commission for Women: Established in January 1992 under the NCW Act 1990.
  • Rajasthan State Commission for Women: Established on May 15, 1999, under the Rajasthan State Commission for Women Act 1999.
    • First Chairperson: Kanta Khaturia.
    • Current Chairperson: Rehana Riyaz Chishti.

Energy & Resources

• Chhabra Power Plant (Baran): Currently facing a coal supply crisis.
  • Significance: It is Rajasthan's first critical power project.
  • Coal Supply Issue: The Coal Ministry denied permission to the joint venture (50-50% stake) between Rajasthan Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) and NTPC to continue coal supply from their allotted mines in Chhattisgarh.

Environment & Tourism

• Baran District:
  • Sorsen: Known for a donkey fair, a Godawan (Great Indian Bustard) breeding center (one of three in Rajasthan, others in Ajmer-Arvar and Jaisalmer-Sudhasri & Ramdevra), and Brahmani Mata temple (where the back of the deity is worshipped). Godawan chicks relocated under "Operation Sindoor" were named Sofia, Vam, Sindoor, and Mishri.
  • Garlic Market: Located in Baran.
  • Mining University: Located in Ciswali, Baran.
  • Bhand Devara: Known as "Khajuraho of Hadoti."
  • Ramgarh Crater: India's first Geo-Heritage Site.
  • District Administration Program: "Neenv: Ladkiyan Bhage Sabse Aage" (Foundation: Girls Run Furthest)
• Kishangarh Dumping Yard: Known as "Mini Switzerland of Rajasthan" due to the large white piles of marble cutting waste, which resemble snow.
• Panch Gaurav Yojana: "Ek Zila Paanch Pehchan" (One District, Five Identities) plan. For example, Udaipur division's identities include Custard Apple (fruit), Mahua (plant), Marble/Granite (product), Fateh Sagar/Pichola Lake (tourist spot), and Swimming (sport).
• Environmental Protection: Rajasthan Patrika newspaper's environmental protection program is named "Hariyali Rajasthan."

Sports

• 32nd Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship:
  • Participants from Rajasthan: Divyanshi Jain, Subhash Chaudhary, and Pranav Bajoria.
  • Indian Team Medals: Won 2 Gold, 1 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals.
  • Coach: Surbhi Mishra (Jaipur), known as "Squash Sensation of Rajasthan," coached the Indian team.