NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Rajasthan govt will set Vedic Education and Sanskar Board: The Rajasthan
government will soon set up a Vedic Education and Sanskar Board to revive the
knowledge of Sanskrit scriptures and Vedas. The board is likely to be formed in
the next four to five months. A committee, formed to define aims, objectives
and functioning of the board, has submitted its report to the state government,
Minister of State (MoS) for Sanskrit Education Subhash Garg mentioned, adding
modules will be presented before the board based on the report. He stated the
Vedic board would come into function after approval from Chief Minister Ashok
Gehlot.
Note: Chief Minister of Rajasthan: Ashok
Gehlot; Governor: Kalraj Mishra.
2.
Arjun Munda launches tribal livelihoods ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi- Mission Van Dhan’: Union Minister for
Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda launched Sankalp Se Siddhi – Mission Van Dhan to
promote local products manufactured by tribal artisans to ensure the
sustainable livelihood of the tribal population across the country. The Union
Minister launched TRIFED’s new office premises at NSIC Complex at Okhla
Industrial Area, which is built in around 30,000 sqft area and has
state-of-the-art infrastructure. Besides, the minister also launched other
initiatives such as Van Dhan software application, which is designed to receive
and process the Van Dhan proposals online, GIS integration, monitor project
implementation activities, etc. A digital connect programme, under which a
two-way communication process is proposed to be established, was also launched
by the minister. Munda also inaugurated seven more Tribes India outlets – two
in Jagdalpur, three in Ranchi, one each at Jamshedpur and Sarnath.
3.
Centre Allocates Whopping Rs 10,870.5 Crore to UP Under Jal Jeevan Mission: The Centre has
allocated a whopping Rs 10,870 crore to Uttar Pradesh under the Jal Jeevan
Mission for 2021-22, the highest allocation so far to any state, the Ministry
of Jal Shakti said. The amount is more than four times what was allocated to
the poll-bound state last year. Uttar Pradesh has assured to achieve the goal
of providing water to every rural household by 2024.
INTERNATIONALUPDATES:
1. UK
and Australia agreed on historic free trade agreement: A new free trade
agreement with the United Kingdom will deliver more Australian jobs and
business opportunities for exporters, bringing both countries closer together
in a changing strategic environment. Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Boris
Johnson have agreed on the broad outlines of an Australia-UK Free Trade
Agreement (FTA). The FTA is the right deal for Australia and the United
Kingdom, with greater access to a range of high-quality products made in both
countries as well as greater access for businesses and workers, all of which
will drive economic growth and job creation in both countries. Australian
producers and farmers will receive a significant boost by getting greater
access to the UK market.
Note: UK Capital: London; UK Prime
minister: Boris Johnson; UK Currency: Pound sterling;
Australia Capital: Canberra; Australia
Currency: Australian dollar; Australia Prime minister: Scott Morrison.
2. PM
Modi Virtually Addresses 5th edition of VivaTech in Paris: Prime Minister,
Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 5th edition of VivaTech. VivaTech is one
of the largest digital and startup events of Europe, held in Paris every year
since 2016. PM Modi was invited as a Guest of Honour to deliver the keynote
address at VivaTech 2021, which has been organised from 16-19 June 2021 in
Paris. During his address, PM Modi invited the world to invest in India based
on the five pillars: Talent, Market, Capital, Eco-system and, Culture of
openness.
About the event: Other prominent speakers
of the event include the President of France Mr. Emmanuel Macron, Prime
Minister of Spain Mr. Pedro Sanchez, and Ministers/MPs from various European
countries. VivaTech is jointly organized by PublicisGroupe, a prominent advertising
and marketing conglomerate, and Les Echos, a leading French media group. The
event brings together stakeholders in technology innovation and the startup
ecosystem. It includes exhibitions, awards, panel discussions and startup
contests.
3.
SIPRI Yearbook 2021: China, India, Pakistan expanding nuclear arsenal: Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released the SIPRI Yearbook
2021. The report assesses the current state of armaments, disarmament and
international security. China is in the middle of significant modernisation and
expansion of its nuclear weapon inventory, and India and Pakistan also appear
to be expanding their nuclear arsenals.
Key findings of the SIPRI Yearbook
2021:
(1) According to the yearbook, India possessed
an estimated 156 nuclear warheads at the start of 2021 compared to 150 at the
start of last year, while Pakistan had 165 warheads, up from 160 in 2020.
(2) China’s nuclear arsenal consisted of
350 warheads up from 320 at the start of 2020.
(3) The nine nuclear-armed states – the
U.S., Russia, the U.K., France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea
– together possessed an estimated 13,080 nuclear weapons at the start of 2021.
(4) Russia and the U.S. together possessed
over 90% of global nuclear weapons and have extensive and expensive
modernisationprogrammes underway.
Note: Sipri Headquarters: Oslo, Norway;
Sipri Founded: 6 May 1966; Sipri Director: Dan Smith.
4.
Shenzhou-12: China launches first crew to new space station: China launched three
astronauts as its first crew to its new Tiangong space station, the country’s
first manned spaceflight in nearly five years. The high-stakes mission, named
Shenzhou 12, was launched on the back of the Long March 2F rocket, at Jiuquan
in the northwestern Gansu province. The mission is being led by 56-year-old
NieHaisheng, accompanied by fellow spacefarers Liu Boming and Tang Hongbo who
are aboard the spacecraft Shenzhou-12. The astronauts will be stationed in the
core module and remain in orbit for three months.
5.
World Humanist Day: 21st June: World Humanist Day is celebrated every year
around the world on the June solstice, which usually falls on June 21. The day
aims to spread awareness of Humanism as a philosophical life stance and means
to effect change in the world. The day has been organised by the International
Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), since 1980. IHEU is the global federation
for Humanist, atheist, rationalist, ethical culture, secularist and other
freethought groups.
Note: International Humanist and Ethical
Union President: Andrew Copson; International Humanist and Ethical Union
Founded: 1952; International Humanist and Ethical Union Headquarters: London,
United Kingdom.
6.
World Hydrography Day: 21st June: Every year the World Hydrography Day is
observed on 21 June to make the public aware of hydrography and the essential
role that it plays in everyone’s life. The main objective of this day is to
attract people’s attention to the work of the IHO at the international level.
It is also celebrated to urge countries to work together to protect the marine
environment and seek safe international navigation around the world. The theme
for 2021 WHD is “One hundred years of international cooperation in
hydrography”. The United Nations General Assembly accepted a resolution to
celebrate World Hydrography Day on every June 21 in 2005. The day is organised
by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) since 2006 to publicise
the work of hydrographers and the importance of hydrography.
Note: International Hydrographic
Organization Headquarters: Monte Carlo, Monaco; International Hydrographic
Organization Secretary-General: Dr Mathias Jonas; International Hydrographic
Organization Founded: 21 June 1921.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien Announces Retirement from ODIs: Ireland all-rounder
Kevin O’Brien has announced his retirement from one-day internationals. The
37-year-old Dubliner, who remains available for Test and T20 cricket, won 153
caps in the 50-over format, scoring over 3,000 runs and taking a national
record 114 wickets in the format with his lively medium pace. But he is best
known for a blistering World Cup hundred that saw Ireland beat England by three
wickets in Bangalore during the 2011 edition. His 50-ball hundred remains the
quickest in World Cup history, with O’Brien hammering an England attack that
featured James Anderson, Stuart Broad, and off-spinner Graeme Swann.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
LIC CSL launches prepaid gift card in collaboration with IDBI Bank: LIC Cards Services
(LIC CSL) has launched a contactless prepaid gift card, ‘Shagun’, in
collaboration with IDBI Bank on the RuPay platform. The purpose of this card is
to expand the gift card market with an intent to promote cashless ways of gifting
and present a wide range of end-use choices and in a future foray into the
market of e-gift cards. NPCI partnered with LIC CSL & IDBI Bank for the
launch of the Shagun Gift Card on RuPay network.
About the card:
(1) Shagun card, in the initial phase, will
be available to LIC and its subsidiaries for official use. The card will be
used to facilitate awards and special rewards during official conferences and
functions.
(2) The Shagun gift card offers
customisation in the form of flexible loading of any amount ranging from Rs 500
to Rs 10,000. With this card, the customer can perform multiple transactions
within the validity of 3 years.
(3) They can also use it to shop online,
pay utility bills, book tickets for air, rail, bus, and so on through various
mobile wallets and E-commerce portals or apps using this card. The contactless
(tap & go) feature of the card is aimed at transforming the transaction
experience for users.
Note: IDBI Bank CEO: Rakesh Sharma; IDBI
Bank Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
2.
Centre appoints Finance Ministry official Anand Mohan Bajaj to SEBI Board: The Centre has
appointed Anand Mohan Bajaj, Additional Secretary in the Department of Economic
Affairs (DEA) as Member of the Board of Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI), which is the capital markets as well as commodity derivatives market
regulator. In the SEBI Board, he is replacing Tarun Bajaj, who is now the
Revenue Secretary. The other Central Government appointed official in the SEBI
Board is K V R Murty, Joint Secretary in Ministry of Company Affairs.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Ambuja Cement Foundation and NABARD to skill rural youth across the nation: Ambuja Cement
Foundation (ACF), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Ambuja Cements
Ltd, which is working towards empowerment of rural communities joins hands with
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for the
implementation of its ‘Employability through Skill Initiative Project (ESIP)
Phase II. ACF received grant assistance from NABARD under the GramyaVikas
Nidhi, a fund created for the development of off-farm sector activities. ESIP
will provide skill training across 19 ACF locations for a period of two years
in 12 trades and has already reached over 4000 youth despite the pandemic.
Besides skill training, the course also includes soft skills and leadership
skills as part of the training module. On completion of training, the students
will be provided with placement and hand-holding support post placement.
2.
Tata Digital to Acquire Majority Stake in 1MG: Tata Digital Ltd, a
wholly-owned arm of Tata Sons, said it will acquire a majority stake in 1MG
Technologies Ltd, an online healthcare marketplace. The company, however, did
not disclose the financial details of the transaction. The investment is in
line with Tata group’s vision of creating a digital ecosystem that addresses
consumer needs across categories in a unified manner.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Environmental Organisation ‘Familial Forestry’ wins prestigious UN Award: The 2021 Land for
Life Award has been won by Familial Forestry of Rajasthan, a unique concept
that relates a tree with a family, making it a green “family member.” The UN
Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) organises the Land for Life Award
every two years to recognize excellence and innovation in efforts towards land
in balance. The theme for the 2021 Award is “Healthy Land, Healthy Lives”. The
Land for Life Award was launched at the UNCCD COP (Conference of Parties) 10 in
2011 and is considered as the world’s highest reward regarding land
conservation and restoration.
About the Familial Forestry: Familial Forestry
is an environment conservation concept by climate-activist Shyam Sunder Jyani,
an Associate Professor for Sociology in Rajasthan, who has been campaigning for
Familial Forestry for over 15 years. Familial Forestry means transferring the
care of the tree and environment in the family so that a tree becomes a part of
the family’s consciousness. More than a million families from more than 15,000
villages of desert-prone northwest Rajasthan in over 2.5 million saplings have
been planted in the past 15 years, with the active participation of students and
desert dwellers.”
OBITUARIES
1. Senior Congress Leader Indira Hridayesh Passes Away: Leader of Opposition in the Uttarakhand assembly, Indira Hridayesh, passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest in New Delhi. She was 80. Hridayesh was a Congress MLA from Haldwani and one of the seniormost Congress leaders from the state. Hridayesh was the finance minister of Uttarakhand from 2012 to 2017 and also held the portfolios of parliamentary affairs and higher education and planning in the Congress government led by Harish Rawat.
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