daily current affairs 29/10/2026 english

1Best performance at the southern zonal level: First prize for the Tamil Nadu government’s ‘TAHDCO’ organization

TAMCO Wins South Zone First Prize

The Tamil Nadu Minorities Economic Development Corporation (TAMCO) has been awarded the First Prize for its outstanding performance at the South Zonal level for the financial year 2025-2026.

The Award: A shield and a certificate of appreciation.

Awarded By: The Chairman and Managing Director of the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC).

Event Location: The award was presented during the South Zonal review meeting held in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh on October 9th.

Official Recognition: The Tamil Nadu Minister for Minorities Welfare, Shahjahan, congratulated the organization for this achievement.

What is TAMCO?

Full Form: Tamil Nadu Minorities Economic Development Corporation

Purpose: It is a state-owned corporation established to uplift the economic status of notified minorities living in Tamil Nadu.

Functions: TAMCO acts as the State Channelizing Agency for the national body (NMDFC). It provides low-interest loans (micro-credit, term loans, education loans) to minorities for self-employment, income-generating activities, and higher education.

Beneficiaries: It serves the six officially recognized minority communities in India and Tamil Nadu: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains.

India Context: What is NMDFC?

Full Form: National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation.

Purpose: A Government of India undertaking functioning under the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

Mechanism: NMDFC does not provide direct loans to citizens. Instead, it routes its funds through State Channelizing Agencies (like TAMCO in Tamil Nadu) to reach the grassroots level across the country.

2The Chief Minister inaugurated modern electrical laboratories, set up at a cost of Rs. 5 crore, in government ITIs.

Modern Electrical Labs in Govt ITIs

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay inaugurated advanced modern electrical laboratories established in 30 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state. The inauguration event took place at the Government ITI in Guindy, Chennai.

• Project Cost: Rs. 5.10 Crores.
• Corporate Partner: The labs were established with the assistance of Schneider Electric India, highlighting a strong Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in state skill development.
• Future Expansion (MoU): During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the State Directorate of Employment and Training and Schneider Electric India to establish similar modern electrical labs in 40 more Government ITIs at an estimated cost of Rs. 6.80 Crores.

Highlights of the Event:

Skill Recognition: The CM distributed cheques worth Rs. 25,000 each to 15 students who won state-level skill competitions.

National Achievers: Certificates of appreciation were awarded to students who secured the first position at the national level in All India Trade Tests.

Focus on Skill Development

The Tamil Nadu government is actively upgrading its technical education infrastructure to meet modern industrial demands (like Industry 4.0). Upgrading ITIs ensures that the youth receive hands-on training with the latest technology, making them instantly employable in high-tech manufacturing and electrical sectors.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

Partnering with a specialized global multinational company like Schneider Electric ensures that the curriculum and lab equipment match real-world industry standards, bridging the gap between academia and industry.

3.10,000 milch cows for women in rural areas: Rs. 57 crore allocated for free distribution

Free Milch Cow Scheme for Rural Women

The Government of Tamil Nadu has allocated Rs. 57 Crores to provide free milch cows (dairy cows) to 10,000 eligible women living in rural areas.

• Objective: To increase state milk production, ensure regular income, and improve the livelihood and economic independence of rural women.
• Announcement: This scheme was previously announced in the state budget by Minister N. Maria Wilson. The government has now issued a Government Order (G.O.) and allocated the necessary funds to implement it.
• Asset Quality: Each beneficiary will receive a healthy, high-yielding crossbred cow capable of yielding a minimum of 8 liters of milk per day.
• Long-Term Benefit: With proper veterinary care and scientific management, each cow is expected to give birth to 3 to 4 calves over a 5-year period. This creates a sustainable, long-term economic asset (milk-producing wealth) for the beneficiary's family.

Women Empowerment

This scheme is a classic example of gender-targeted economic empowerment. By providing the asset directly to women, the government ensures that rural women have a steady daily income source, reducing their financial dependence and elevating their status within the household.

Rural Economy & Animal Husbandry

Agriculture and allied sectors (like Animal Husbandry) are the backbone of the rural economy. Providing high-yielding crossbred cows directly boosts the state's total milk production (White Revolution concept) and provides a safety net against crop failure for rural families.

4.Mercury has turned into gold: Information from the Pokhran-II team of scientists

Claim of Transmuting Mercury into Gold

A research team led by Lal Bahadur, a scientist previously associated with India's Pokhran-II nuclear tests and a BITS Pilani alumnus, has claimed to have successfully transmuted mercury into gold.

The Experiment: Conducted at the physics laboratory of Kanodia College in Jaipur, Rajasthan, using 0.240 grams of mercury.

Claimed Results: The team claims that surface analysis of the tested sample revealed 99.04% gold (23.77-carat purity), 0.48% silver, and 0.48% copper.

The Methodology: The scientist stated this was achieved after years of research based on ancient Indian texts by the scholar Acharya Nagarjuna. The process utilized ancient alchemical concepts such as:

oRasa Shastra: The ancient Indian science of alchemy.

oDhatu Parivarthana: The art of transforming/transmuting base metals.

oParada Samskara: Traditional methods of purifying mercury.

Scientific Caveat: The article notes that the absolute authenticity of this claim will only be confirmed after rigorous independent scientific testing. (Note: In modern physics, transmuting mercury to gold requires a nuclear reactor or particle accelerator, not chemical processes).

Indian History Context: Acharya Nagarjuna & Rasa Shastra

Acharya Nagarjuna: An ancient Indian Buddhist philosopher and alchemist. He is traditionally credited with writing the Rasaratnakara, a foundational text on Rasa Shastra (Indian alchemy and metallurgy) which extensively details the extraction and purification of metals, especially mercury.

Alchemy in India: Historically, the ultimate goal of Indian alchemy was not just creating wealth (gold) but creating elixirs for immortality and advanced medicines.

Tamil Nadu Context: The Siddhar Tradition

Tamil Alchemy (Rasavatham): The Tamil equivalent of this science is Rasavatham (ரசவாதம்), heavily practiced by the 18 Siddhars of Tamil Nadu.

Siddhar Bogar: The most famous Tamil Siddhar associated with alchemy and metallurgy is Bogar. He is renowned for creating the main deity idol at the Palani Murugan Temple using Navapashanam (an amalgam of nine poisonous minerals/herbs, intricately purified).

Mercury in Siddha Medicine: In the Tamil Siddha medical system, mercury is called Rasam (ரசம்) or Padarasam (பாதரசம்) and is considered a master medicine once highly purified through rigorous traditional processes (Suddhi).

Pokhran-II (Operation Shakti)

The scientist in the news is linked to Pokhran-II.

What was it? A series of five nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by India at the Indian Army's Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan in May 1998.

Code Name: Operation Shakti. (It was conducted under the leadership of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Dr. R. Chidambaram, making India a full-fledged nuclear state).

5.Journey to Success' Scheme for Persons with Disabilities: Government Order Issue

"Vetri Payanam Thittam" Extended to PwDs

The Tamil Nadu Government has officially issued a Government Order (G.O.) on October 27, 2026, permitting Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to travel for free in government buses under the "Vetri Payanam Thittam" (Victory Travel Scheme).

Background: The scheme, aimed at providing free bus travel for women, transgender persons, and differently-abled individuals across Tamil Nadu, was announced during the recent assembly session and officially launched on October 2, 2026.

The Issue: Initially, PwDs were left out of the implementation, leading to protests demanding that differently-abled women and their escorts be allowed free travel.

The Resolution: The government has now rectified this by issuing a comprehensive G.O. extending the benefit to all categories of differently-abled persons.

Beneficiaries: Women, Transgender individuals, and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

Disability Benchmark: PwDs with a disability of 40% and above are eligible.

Identification: Beneficiaries must show their Unique Disability Identity Card to avail of the scheme.

Escort Provision: For PwDs who cannot travel independently, one accompanying person (escort/attendant) is also allowed to travel completely free of charge.

Scope of Bus Services

• Included: City/Town ordinary buses, Express buses, Low-floor buses, LSS, Deluxe buses, and ordinary fare buses operating in suburban and hill areas.

• Excluded: Air-Conditioned (AC) buses are excluded from this free travel scheme.

• Ticketing: Bus conductors are mandated to issue a "Zero-Value" (free) ticket to the beneficiaries for record-keeping.