1. Cabinet Approves Kalai-II & Kamala Hydroelectric Projects
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved two massive hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh with a combined investment of over ₹40,000 crore, marking a major push for renewable energy in Northeast India.
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- Kalai-II Project: A 1,200 MW project located on the Lohit River in the Anjaw District. It will be implemented through a Joint Venture between THDC India Limited and the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Kamala Project: A 1,720 MW project designed to generate approximately 6,870 million units (MU) of energy annually.
- Economic Impact: The projects include significant budgetary support for local infrastructure, such as bridges and roads, and provide for 12% free power to the state.
- Lohit River: A major tributary of the Brahmaputra, known for its high hydropower potential.
2. Death of Jim Whittaker: First American to Summit Everest
Jim Whittaker, the legendary mountaineer who became the first American to reach the summit of Mount Everest, passed away at the age of 97 on April 7, 2026.
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- Historical Ascent: He reached the summit on May 1, 1963, as part of the American Mount Everest Expedition led by Norman Dyhrenfurth.
- Climbing Partner: He summited alongside Nawang Gombu Sherpa, who was the nephew of Tenzing Norgay.
- REI Legacy: Whittaker was the first full-time employee and later the CEO of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), a major global outdoor retail brand.
- Notable Feat: In 1965, he guided Robert F. Kennedy to the summit of the unclimbed Mount Kennedy in the Canadian Yukon.
3. Nepal New Year: Bisket Jatra Festival
Nepal celebrated the arrival of the Nepali New Year 2083 (Bikram Sambat calendar) with the traditional Bisket Jatra festival, primarily centered in the historic city of Bhaktapur.
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- Significance: Bisket Jatra marks the transition from the month of Chaitra to Baisakh. The name "Biska" is derived from the Newari word for "death of the serpent," celebrating a mythological victory over a curse.
- Key Rituals: The festival is famous for the "Lingo Jatra" (raising of a massive wooden pole) and a fierce tug-of-war between the eastern and western residents of Bhaktapur over a chariot.
- Tongue Piercing: Another unique aspect of the festival occurs in the town of Bode, where a local volunteer undergoes a tongue-piercing ceremony to ensure the community's prosperity.
4. Operation Him Setu: Rescue in North Sikkim
The Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps successfully launched 'Operation Him Setu' to rescue over 1,300 tourists stranded in Lachen, North Sikkim, following severe landslides and heavy snowfall.
- Exam-Centric Facts:
- The Crisis: Road connectivity was severed after a critical section of the Lachen–Chungthang road collapsed near the Taram Chu bridge.
- The Operation: Troops constructed temporary footbridges across damaged stretches and used heavy Army vehicles to tow civilian cars through steep, snow-clogged passes.
- Coordination: The mission was a joint effort between the Indian Army, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the local civil administration.
- Strategic Passes: Rescue batches were facilitated through high-altitude alternate routes, including Dongkya La and Zero Point.
