India ranks 39th in Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2024

• India's ranking in the 2024 TTDI has been shifted five places bringing it to 39th place declared on December 19, 2024 according to the World Tourism Organization.
• Ministry of Tourism provides financial support through programs like 'Swadesh Darshan' and 'PRASHAD' to promote tourism-related structures.
• The Swadesh Darshan Scheme aims to enhance tourist experiences across India by developing theme-based tourist circuits.
• The PRASHAD scheme aims to enhance pilgrimage destinations and promote religious tourism development.
• The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched Advantage Healthcare India portal to assist international patients in finding healthcare facilities in India.
• The 'Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development' Scheme aims to improve facilities and services in strategic tourist destinations.
• Foreign patients can access medical services in India using the Advantage Healthcare India platform at www.healinindia.gov.in.

India's neighbouring countries in the 2024

24th BIMSTEC Senior officials meeting (Virtual)

• Jaideep Mazumdar represented India at 24th BIMSTEC Senior Officials Meeting held virtually in Thailand on December 19, 2024.
• The meeting focused on sustainable development, connectivity, security cooperation, and cultural relations.
• New cooperation mechanisms were introduced to improve the effectiveness of regional initiatives and relationships with other organizations.
• The 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Kathmandu has been reviewed, with the agendas and priorities of member states focusing on regional integration and growth.
• The meeting looked at BIMSTEC’s work and development since March 2023 with special emphasis on the furthering of ‘common interests’.
• BIMSTEC comprises 6 member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

"S.A.F.E Accommodation" report is released by NITI Aayog

• NITI Aayog defines the role of Housing for Industrial Growth for creating S.A.F.E i.e., Secure, Affordable, Flexible, and Efficient Housing for the manufacturing sector workers.
• NITI Aayog published "S.A.F.E Accommodation" report on  December 19, 2024.
• India has envisioned to take the manufacturing sector’s GDP percentage from present 17% to 25% by 2047 creating 7.85 lac jobs every year until 2030.
• The Union Budget 2024-25 proposes a government-private partnership to increase rental accommodation for industrial workers.
• High regulatory laws in urban development and building construction discourage worker housing stock development in industrial areas.
• The report recommends classifying worker accommodations as sub-standard residential for reduced taxes and utility bills.
• The report proposes the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) program to finance 30-40% of total project costs to ensure the financial viability.
• Access to decent housing boosts job productivity by saving time and travel distance and increases workforce retention.

Sahitya Akademi Award 2024

• Nagaland author Easterine Kire bagged the Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 for Spirit Nights declared on December 19, 2024.
• Spirit Nights depicts Naga folk story belonging to Chang tribe of Nagaland asserting the distinct tradition and folktales.
• The Sahitya Akademi declared its annual awards for 2024 in 21 languages to reward literary artistry across the country.
• Northeast winners include Sameer Tanti for Pharingbore Bator Katha Jane, Haobam Satyabati Devi for Mainu Bora Nungshi Sheirol, and Aron Raja for Swrni Thakhai.
• The award winners will receive a copper plaque, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
• These literary winners have been earmarked to be officially honoured on 8th of march next year 2025 at Delhi.
• Sahitya Akademi Award is literary award of India which supports regional language literature and inspires authors to write on any topic.

PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

• PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana was started on  February 15, 2024 to supply rooftop solar power to one crore household by March 2027.
• It is designed to set up a record of becoming the largest domestic rooftop solar program in the global market.
• Gujarat has highest number of installations of 102243, followed by Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, with 152375 and 56000 respectively, as of December 19, 2024.
• Domestic customers can receive a 40% subsidy on installation fees and low interest, slightly above 7%, for micro systems up to 3 kW.
• The scheme aims to install 30GW of rooftop solar installations to meet India's Renewable Energy (REvision) targets.
• Scheme aims to save ₹75000 crore or 75 GW per year in electricity expenditure and generate 1000 billion units of electricity in 25 years.
• The program aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 720 million tonnes, thereby aiding India's fight against climatic change.

Delhi and Bengaluru are leading in India's crypto investment

• Delhi and Bengaluru invested 30.5% of the total crypto investments in India according to data received till  December 19, 2024.
• Delhi NCR dominates India's crypto market with 20.9% of investments, followed by Bengaluru at 9.6% and Mumbai at 6.5%, accounting for 36% of the total.
• Pune investors make 86% profit from crypto investments, with adoption increasing in Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata becoming new entrants.
• Investor preference for blue-chip and large-cap cryptocurrencies is high, with Layer-1 tokens ranking 37% and DeFi tokens 17%.
• Crypto investors, predominantly under 35, make up 74% of the market, with a growing number of women.
• Crypto adoption is expanding to small cities, with investors diversifying their investments in meme coins, Defi tokens, and other types.