Skin bank
▪ The first skin bank in Kerala is ready at the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram.
▪ A skin bank is a facility where skin is taken from an eligible donor, and processed, and stored under appropriate temperature for up to five years.
▪ Skin from a deceased person can be donated within six hours after death.
▪ Anyone can donate skin, irrespective of sex and blood group. The donor’s minimum age should be 18 years.
▪ In India, Indian Army’s Skin Bank was launched to help treat severe skin burn injuries and other skinrelated conditions for service personnel and their families.
▪ The first-of-its-kind facility established in the Armed Forces Medical Services is staffed with trained medical professionals, including plastic surgeons, tissue engineers, and specialised technicians.
▪ India’s first skin bank was established in Mumbai at the Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital in 1978.
▪ In August 2016, the first skin bank under the government in Tamil Nadu was opened at the
Government Stanley Hospital in Chennai.
India’s first co-operative university
▪ Union Minister of Cooperation and Home Affairs laid the foundation stone for India’s first national cooperative university.
▪ The university will offer specialised courses in cooperative management, finance, law, and rural development.
▪ The university has been named after Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, a pioneer of the cooperative movement in India and a key figure behind the foundation of Amul.
▪ The cooperative movement that began in 1946 under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s guidance has now grown into a ₹80,000 crore enterprise involving 36 lakh women.
Fourth foundation day celebrations of Ministry of Cooperation
▪ Cooperatives Minister introduces five-point road map for cooperative growth on the fourth foundation day celebrations of Ministry of Cooperatives.
▪ Cooperative Ministry – Established in 2021.
▪ A five-point road map for cooperative growth
✓ People, meaning every initiative must benefit ordinary Indians.
✓ PACS, strengthening our primary cooperative networks.
✓ Platforms, meaning digital infrastructure.
✓ Policy reforms
✓ Prosperity, not just for individuals but for entire communities, especially our farmers and labourers.
Plan to manufacture 15 Amrit Bharat trains at ICF factory within current financial year
▪ ICF factory is planned to complete manufacturing 15 Amrit Bharat trains within this financial year.
▪ Efforts were made to manufacture Amrit Bharat trains (regular Vande Bharat trains) – non-AC
Amrit Bharat trains with common facilities for long-distance travel.
▪ Accordingly, 2 Amrit Bharat trains were manufactured and handed over to the Railway Board in November 2023.
▪ This 22-coach train includes non-AC seating compartments and sleeping berth compartments.
About Amrit Bharat Station Scheme
▪ ABSS, introduced by the Ministry of Railways in December 2022, aims to redevelop 1,309 railway stations into modern integrated transport hubs across India.
▪ It is also aimed at integrating regional architecture, enhancing passenger amenities, promoting
inclusivity, and supporting urban development.
▪ Nodal Ministry: Ministry of railways.
Sports and Games
International Rapid Chess
▪ The Super United Rapid and Blitz International Chess Tournament, part of this year’s Grand Chess Tour, is being held in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital.
▪ At the end of the 9th round, Gukesh scored 14 points to claim the championship title.
▪ Polish player Jan Krzysztof Duda finished second, and former world champion Magnus Carlsen took third place.
▪ Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa tied for fourth place with America’s Fabiano Caruana
