Prelims Current Affairs includes World Food Programme (WFP), Tawi River, Fiji’s maritime security, National Youth Festival, Shipki-La Pass and Exercise Aarogya Setu at Rupai.

ORGANISATION

1. WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

Current Context: The Government of India and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced a collaboration to address the global hunger crisis.

ABOUT WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME (WFP)

• Nature: World’s largest humanitarian organisation working on food security.

• Functions:

  • Provides food assistance in emergencies.

  • Helps people recover from conflicts, disasters, and climate change.

  • Builds pathways towards peace, stability, and prosperity.

• Operations: Active in 120+ countries, including India.

• Recognition: Awarded Nobel Peace Prize (2020).

PLACE IN NEWS

2. TAWI RIVER

Current Context: India issued a flood warning to Pakistan about a possible rise in Tawi River water levels, calling it a “humanitarian gesture”.

KEY FACTS

• Communication Channel: Through diplomatic channels, not via the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

• Background: IWT remains suspended after the Pahalgam attack.

ABOUT TAWI RIVER

• Origin: Kailash Kund (Kali Kund) glacier, near Bhaderwah in Doda district, J&K.

• Tributary: Left-bank tributary of Chenab River.

• Importance: Known as the “Lifeline of Jammu city”.

3. SHIPKI-LA PASS

Current Context: China has agreed in principle to resume trade through Shipki-La Pass in Himachal Pradesh after Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India.

ABOUT SHIPKI-LA PASS

• Altitude: 3,930 metres.

• Location: Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh; border pass between India and China.

• Features:

  • Motorable pass, one of the highest in India.

  • Sutlej River (Langqen Zangbo in Tibet) enters India here.

  • Historically a major India–Tibet trade corridor.

• History:

  • Earlier called Pema La or Shared Gate/Pass.

  • Became part of Line of Actual Control (post-1962 war).

  • Named Shipki La by Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP).

• Significance:

  • Boosts tourism and trade in border districts (Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti).

  • Aims to promote economic growth along the 240-km India–China frontier.

DEFENCE

4. EXERCISE AAROGYA SETU

Current Context: The Indian Army conducted the maiden Exercise Aarogya Setu at Rupai, Doomdooma, in Tinsukia district, Assam.

ABOUT EXERCISE AAROGYA SETU

• Organised by: Indian Army

• Venue: Rupai, Doomdooma, Tinsukia district, Assam.

• Type: Civil–military medical fusion exercise (first-of-its-kind in the region).

• Participants:

  • Army Medical Corps.

  • Civil doctors from reputed hospitals.

  • Primary Health Centres (PHCs) of Tinsukia.

  • Northern Frontier Railway Hospital doctors.

Focus Areas:

• Joint response during disasters and war-like situations.

• Train ambulances concept for large-scale casualty evacuation.

• Strengthening cooperation between military and civilian medical systems.

5. INDIA–FIJI DEFENCE COOPERATION

Current Context: India has announced training and equipment support to upgrade Fiji’s maritime security.

ABOUT FIJI

• Location: South Pacific Ocean, surrounding the Koro Sea; northeast of New Zealand and southwest of Hawaii.

• Type: Island nation (archipelago).

• Islands: 300 islands + 540 islets (only ~100 inhabited).

• Capital: Suva, located on the largest island Viti Levu.

• Geography:

  • Viti Levu accounts for half of Fiji’s land area.

  • Rugged terrain with Mount Tomanivi (1,324 m) as the highest peak.

  • Formed through volcanic activity, sedimentary deposits, and coral formations.

  • 50% area forested; dry grasslands in western large islands.

• Demography: Majority Melanesian-Polynesian, with significant South Asian minority.

• Languages: English (official), Fijian.

• Currency: Fiji Dollar.

AWARD

6. NATIONAL YOUTH AWARD

Current Context: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has invited nominations for the National Youth Award (NYA) 2024.

ABOUT NATIONAL YOUTH AWARD

• Ministry: Sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

• Purpose:

  • To recognize and motivate Indian youth for their outstanding work in social service and national development.

  • To encourage responsibility, leadership, and citizenship among youth.

  • To honor voluntary organizations working with youth.

• Eligibility: Individuals aged 15–29 years and organizations involved in youth-centric development activities (health, culture, sports, human rights, art, tourism, traditional medicine, research, etc.).

• Award Categories:

  • Individual Category – Up to 20 awards annually.

  • Organisation Category – Up to 5 awards annually.

• Prize Money:

  • Individual: ₹1,00,000 + Medal + Certificate.

  • Organisation: ₹3,00,000 + Medal + Certificate.

• Ceremony: Conferred usually during the National Youth Festival.

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