Kozhikode: WHO’s Age-Friendly City

Context: Kozhikode city has become a member of the World Health Organisation’s Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC).

About GNAFCC

• GNAFCC was established in 2010 to connect cities, communities and organizations worldwide with the common vision of making their community a great place to grow old in.
• Currently, GNAFCC has 1705 members from 60 countries.
• Significance Of Membership: Membership in the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) does not certify a city as already age-friendly.
  • It signifies a commitment to progress and a commitment to share experience, achievements and lessons learnt with other cities and communities.

Cashless Treatment Scheme For Road Accident Victims

Context: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified the cashless treatment scheme for road accident victims during the “golden hour”.

About the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025

• The Scheme has been notified under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
• Section 2(12A) of the Act defines “golden hour” as the first one hour after a traumatic injury when prompt medical treatment has the highest likelihood of saving life.

Key Provision of the Cashless Treatment of Road Accident Victims Scheme, 2025

• Cashless Treatment Coverage: Up to ₹1,50,000 per victim for a maximum of 7 days from the date of the accident.
• Immediate Medical Attention: Designated hospitals must begin treatment immediately upon the victim’s arrival.
  • Non-designated hospitals can only provide stabilisation treatment, as per official guidelines.
• Eligibility: Any road accident victim is eligible for treatment under the scheme.
• Hospital Onboarding: Hospitals are designated under the scheme by the State Health Agency, in coordination with those empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, as specified by the National Health Authority (NHA).
• Claim and Payment Process: Hospitals must raise claims via a dedicated portal after patient discharge.
  • The State Health Agency will approve or reject claims (fully or partially), with reasons recorded and communicated through the portal.
• Implementation Agency: The State Road Safety Council is the nodal agency for implementation.
  • It coordinates with the NHA for hospital onboarding, victim treatment, and payment processing.
• Monitoring Mechanism: A Central Steering Committee, chaired by the Secretary, MoRTH and CEO, NHA, will monitor national-level implementation.
  • State Road Safety Councils will oversee state-level implementation.

Global Space Exploration Summit GLEX 2025

Context: India is hosting the 12th edition of GLEX 2025 in New Delhi from 7th to 9th May 2025.

About Global Space Exploration Summit GLEX 2025

• It is a major international summit focused on space exploration, innovation, and collaboration.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Science and Technology
• Theme: “Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance”
• Organizers:
  • Host: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
  • Co-host: Astronautical Society of India (ASI)
  • International Partner: International Astronautical Federation (IAF)
• Objectives: 
• Encourage collaboration: Facilitate joint missions, research projects, and policy insights among nations. 
  • Highlight scientific and technological innovation: Show current prevalent challenges and explore AI, robotics, satellite development.
  • Next generation: Conduct sessions, engage students through technical sessions and education programs.

SHAKTI Policy

Context: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a revised SHAKTI policy to grant fresh coal linkages to thermal power plants.

About SHAKTI

• It refers to Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India. 
• Launched in: 2017
• Objective: It aims to ensure fair and transparent coal distribution to power plants. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Coal
• Amendments: The policy has undergone amendments in 2019 and 2023 to improve coal allocation mechanisms.

Key amendments in Shakti policy 2025 

The revised SHAKTI policy introduces two windows for coal linkage:

• Window-I: Coal at Notified Price
  • Eligibility: Central sector thermal power projects, Joint Ventures (JVs), and their subsidiaries.
  • States’ Coal Linkage: States can receive coal and distribute it to their power plants (State Gencos or Independent Power Producers) based on competitive bidding or existing agreements.
• Window-II: Coal at Premium Over Notified Price
  • Eligibility:
    • Any domestic coal-based power producer with or without Power Purchase Agreements (PPA).
    • Imported coal-based power plants requiring domestic coal.
  • Coal Procurement:
    • Short-term: Up to 12 months.
    • Long-term: Up to 25 years.
  • Electricity Sale: Power plants can sell electricity freely, without needing a Power Purchase Agreement.

Biju Patnaik

Context: Russia has paid tribute to freedom fighter and former Odisha chief minister Biju Patnaik by unveiling a memorial plaque in his honour at its embassy in New Delhi.

About Biju Patnaik

• Bijayananda Patnaik, popularly known as Biju Patnaik, was born on March 5, 1916, in Cuttack, Odisha.
• Freedom Fighter: Actively participated in India’s independence movement and was jailed by the British for his activities.
• Chief Minister of Odisha: Served two terms as the Chief Minister of Odisha, from 1961 to 1963 and from 1990 to 1995.
• Aviation Background:  Biju Patnaik was a skilled aviator in his youth and flew British aircraft during World War II as part of the Royal Indian Air Force (RIAF).  
• Role in the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-43):  Patnaik participated in supply missions for the Red Army (Soviet forces) during the Battle of Stalingrad.
• Other WWII Contributions: He assisted in evacuating British officials from Rangoon (Burma) as Japan advanced.  
• Post-War Recognition by Russia: In 1995, Russia honored Patnaik on the 50th anniversary of WWII’s end.  
  • In 2025, a memorial plaque was unveiled at the Russian Embassy in New Delhi to commemorate his role in Stalingrad.  
  • After his death (1997), his coffin was draped with the flags of India, Indonesia (for aiding its independence), and Russia.
• Legacy: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), a major political party in Odisha, was founded by his son Naveen Patnaik after his death, in his honor.

International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX) – 2025

Context: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan has arrived in Singapore to participate in IMDEX Asia 2025 at Changi Exhibition Centre.

About International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX)

• IMDEX is a premier maritime defence exhibition and conference in the Asia-Pacific.
• Established: 1997, Singapore
• Organised by: Experia Events with support from the Republic of Singapore Navy and Singapore Ministry of Defence
• Focus: Maritime defence, naval systems, and technologies
• Participants: Navies, coast guards, defence industries, shipbuilders, and maritime security experts from over 60 countries

Significance

• Serves as a strategic platform to showcase naval capabilities and foster defence cooperation.
• Facilitates knowledge-sharing and maritime diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Enhances regional maritime security through interaction and collaboration among global naval forces.

INS Kiltan (P30)

• This is an anti-submarine warfare corvette of the Indian Navy built under Project 28.
• It is the third of four Kamorta-class corvettes.

Alcatraz Prison

Context: US President Trump has directed the government to reopen and expand Alcatraz prison on an island off San Francisco 

Key points about Alcatraz Prison

• Location: Alcatraz is a small island in San Francisco Bay, about 2 KMs from the mainland.
• History: Originally used as a military fort (1850s) and later a military prison.
  • Became a federal penitentiary in 1934, operating until 1963.
• Purpose: Designed to house the most dangerous and escape-prone criminals in the U.S.
• Modern Use: Now a popular tourist attraction and part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

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