NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
GoI launches mobile app ‘MatsyaSetu’ for Indian aqua farmers: Union Minister for
Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh has launched the Online
Course Mobile App “MatsyaSetu”. The app was developed by the ICAR-Central
Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (ICAR-CIFA), Bhubaneswar, with the funding
support of the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Hyderabad. The
online course app aims to disseminate the latest freshwater aquaculture
technologies to the aqua farmers of the country.
About the app:
(1) MatsyaSetu app has species-wise/
subject-wise self-learning online course modules, where renowned aquaculture
experts explain the basic concepts and practical demonstrations on breeding,
seed production and grow-out culture of commercially important fishes like
carp, catfish, scampi, murrel, ornamental fish, pearl farming etc.
(2) Better Management Practices to be followed
in maintaining the soil & water quality, feeding and health management in
aquaculture operations were also provided in the course platform.
(3) The modules are divided into small
video chapters for the convenience of the learners, along with additional
learning materials. In order to motivate the learners and provide a lively
learning experience, Quiz/Test options were also provided for self-assessment.
(4) Upon successful completion of each
course module, an e-Certificate can be auto-generated. Farmers can also ask
their doubts through the app and get specific advisories from experts.
2.
Government Launches “AtmanirbharKrishi App” For Farmers: The government
launched “AtmanirbharKrishi App” to provide farmers with actionable
agricultural insights and early weather alerts. The wealth of information
relevant to farmers curated by various government departments on a national
digital platform ”KisanMitr” is now being made available through the
”AtmanirbharKrishi App” in a manner comprehensible to them. The App — in
Android and Windows versions — is available in 12 languages for free of cost
for farmers, start-ups, KrishiVighyanKendras, Self Help Groups, and NGOs.
3.
DRDO gives licence to Laurus Labs to make & market 2-DG: Hyderabad-based
pharma player Laurus Labs has received a licence from the Defence Research
& Development Organisation (DRDO) for manufacturing and marketing Covid-19
drug 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2-DG) in India. The licence to Laurus Labs has been
granted by DRDO as part of efforts to make the drug affordable and accessible
to patients.
DRDO had recently invited expression of
interest (EoI) from other pharma companies for manufacturing this drug and had
said it would grant licences to 15 companies on a first-come, first-served
basis. Meanwhile, the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
institution Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) has been
licencing the know-how for 2-DG synthesis to other companies, including Lee
Pharma, Suven Pharma, Anthem Biosciences and Nosch Labs.
4. A
book titled ‘The Fourth Lion: Essays for Gopalkrishna Gandhi’: A book titled ‘The
Fourth Lion: Essays for Gopalkrishna Gandhi’ authored by VenuMadhavGovindu and
SrinathRaghavan. The book consists of twenty-six essays contributed by
individuals drawn from various walks of life and from across the globe.
Gopalkrishna Gandhi has been an administrator, diplomat, author, and public
intellectual of distinction for over four decades. His writings have spanned
diverse genres, showcasing both his deep scholarship as well as a profound
engagement with issues of politics, history, literature, and culture.
5.
52nd IFFI to be held in November 2021 in Goa: The 52nd edition of
the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be held in Goa from 20th
-28th November 2021. The regulations and poster for the 52nd IFFI were released
by Hon’ble Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri Prakash Javadekar. On
the occasion of the birth centenary of the maestro of Indian cinema Shri
Satyajit Ray, the “Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in
Cinema” has been instituted from this year to be given at the IFFI every year
starting from this year.
6.
National Fish Farmers’ Day: 10th July: National Fish Farmers’ Day is celebrated
every year on 10 July, by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries,
Animal Husbandry and Dairying in association with the National Fisheries
Development Board (NFDB). The event aims to draw attention to changing the way
the country manages fisheries resources to ensure sustainable stocks and
healthy ecosystems. This day is made to honour the fish farmers, aquapreneurs,
fisherfolks, stakeholders and whoever else is associated in the fishery for
their contribution in the fishery. The day is commemorated annually in
remembrance of scientists Dr K H Alikunhi and Dr H.L. Chaudhury who had
invented induced breeding technology of Indian major carps on 10 July 1957.
2021 will mark 21st National Fish Farmers’ Day.
INTERNATIONALUPDATES:
1.
Haiti President JovenelMoise assassinated at his home: Haiti President,
JovenelMoise was assassinated and his wife wounded in an attack at their home,
the interim prime minister announced an act that risks further destabilizing
the Caribbean nation beset by gang violence and political volatility. The
president faced steep opposition from swathes of the population that deemed his
mandate illegitimate, and he churned through a series of seven prime ministers
in four years. Most recently, Joseph was supposed to be replaced this week after
only three months in the post. Moise, a former entrepreneur who set up a string
of businesses in the north of the country, where he hails from, burst onto the
political stage in 2017 with a message of re-building the impoverished nation.
He campaigned on populist pledges, as all candidates in Haiti do, but he kept
up the rhetoric even after he was elected in February 2017.
Note: Haiti Capital: Port-au-Prince; Haiti
Currency: Haitian gourde; Haiti Continent: North America.
2.
World’s tallest sandcastle constructed in Denmark: A sandcastle in
Denmark has entered into new Guinness World Record for being the tallest
sandcastle in the world. The triangular-shaped sandcastle has been built in the
town of Blokhus in Denmark. It stands at a height of 21.16 metres (69.4 feet).
This new structure is 3.5m taller than the previous record held by sandcastle
measuring 17.66 m in Germany in 2019. Dutch creator, Wilfred Stijger, was
assisted by 30 of the world’s best sand sculptors. The structure is built in
the shape of a triangle to avoid collapsing like many others have. A wooden
structure was built around it to allow the artist to carve the incredible
figures in the sand. This highly decorated monument in the small seaside
village of Blokhus, which is reminiscent of a pyramid, is made up of 4,860
tonnes of sand. To ensure the sand sticks on, it was mixed with around 10%
clay.
Note: Denmark Capital: Copenhagen; Denmark
Currency: Danish krone.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
WAKO India Kickboxing Federation gets Government recognition: The Ministry of
Youth Affairs & Sports has decided to grant recognition to WAKO India
Kickboxing Federation as National Sports Federation (NSF) for promotion and
development of the Kickboxing sport in India. To be fully included and accepted
in the Olympic movement is important for the recognition and development of the
sport of kickboxing. It is expected that with government recognition of WAKO
India Kickboxing Federation as NSF, the sport of kickboxing will develop at a
faster pace in the country. WAKO have been a provisionally recognized member of
the IOC Since 30 November 2018. The full recognition of WAKO will be finally
decided by the IOC Session in Tokyo in July 2021.
Note: Ministry of Youth Affairs &
Sports: KirenRijiju.
2.
Indian men and women remain 4th and 10th in FIH rankings: The Indian men’s
and women’s hockey teams remained unchanged at fourth and 10th spot
respectively in the FIH rankings released. Australia moved to the top of the
men’s world rankings with 2513.67 points after a string of victories over New
Zealand, both in the FIH Hockey Pro League and an FIH sanctioned test series.
There is no change at the top of the women’s world rankings, with the
Netherlands extending their lead over second-ranked Argentina to almost 600
points.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
Interest rates to remain unchanged on Small Savings Schemes, including NSC and
PPF for second quarter of current Financial Year: The government has
decided to keep the interest rates on Small Savings Schemes, including National
Savings Certificate, NSC and Public Provident Fund, PPF unchanged for the
second quarter of the Financial Year 2021-22. The second quarter starts on 1st
July and ends on 30th September. This is the fifth quarter (ending September
30, 2021) in a row that the finance ministry has retained the interest rate on
various small savings schemes.
According to the announcement: (For Q-2 of
FY2021-22)
• Return
on five-year deposit: 6.7 per cent
• Rate
on 12 months’ deposit: 5.5 per cent
• National
Savings Certificate (NSC) rate: 6.8 per cent
• Interest
on senior citizens savings scheme: 7.4 per cent
• Interest
on savings deposit for senior citizens: 4 per cent
• Interest
on SukanyaSamriddhi account scheme: 7.6 per cent
• Interest
on Public Provident Fund (PPF) scheme savings: 7.1 per cent
2.
RBI extends interest subsidy scheme for exporters till September: The Reserve Bank of
India (RBI) has extended the validity of the interest equalisation scheme for
pre-and-post-shipment rupee export credit by three months through 30 September
2021. This comes as relief for exporters struggling to cope with the damage
caused by the second Covid wave. Exporters get the subsidy under the ‘Interest
Equalisation Scheme for pre and post-shipment Rupee Export Credit’. Earlier in
April, the scheme was extended till June 30. The extension takes effect from
July 1, 2021, and ends on September 30, 2021, covering three months.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Credit growth to industry remained in negative zone during 2020-21: RBI: Credit growth to
the industrial sector remained in the negative territory during 2020-21, mainly
due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant lockdowns, RBI data showed. However,
“personal loans continued to grow at robust pace and recorded 13.5 per cent
growth in March 2021; industrial loan growth, on the other hand, remained
negative during all quarters of 2020-21. The data further revealed that private
sector banks recorded higher loan growth when compared to public sector
lenders. Their share in total credit increased to 36.5 per cent in March 2021
from 35.4 per cent a year ago and 24.8 per cent five years ago.
2.
Reliance inks pact with ADNOC to build mega chemical project in UAE: Reliance Industries
Ltd (RIL) signed a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
(ADNOC) to build a chlor-alkali, ethylene dichloride and polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) production facility at TA’ZIZ in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. Under the terms of
the agreement, the companies will construct an integrated plant with a capacity
to produce 940,000 tonnes of chlor-alkali, 1.1 million tonnes of ethylene
dichloride and 360,000 tonnes of PVC annually. The project will be constructed
in the TA’ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone, which is a joint venture between ADNOC
and ADQ.
DEFENCE
1.
Grene Robotics develops India’s first indigenous drone defence dome
‘Indrajaal’: Hyderabad-based
company Grene Robotics has designed and developed India’s first autonomous
drone defence dome called “Indrajaal”. Indrajaal is an autonomous defence
weapon system, to identify and counter threats, using technologies such as
Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity and robotics. Indrajaal can protect
large area of 1,000-2,000 sq km per system against threats such as Unmanned
Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), incoming weapons (missiles), loitering munitions and
Low-Radar Cross Section (low flying) targets autonomously. This ANTI-UAV
systems will provide protection to defence bases as well as benefit linear
infrastructures like international borders against advanced weaponry.
OBITUARIES
1. ‘Superman’ director Richard Donner passes away: Ace filmmaker Richard Donner, best known for helming the original ‘Superman’ film, ‘Lethal Weapon’ film series and ‘The Goonies’, has passed away. The 91-year-old filmmaker was at the forefront of some of the most popular genres in the history of mainstream cinema: the superhero movie, the horror flick, the buddy cop romps. The legend got his first big directing break with the 1976 cult classic horror film ‘The Omen’, which solidified his foothold in the industry and led to his next major studio film, ‘Superman’ (also the original) that paved the path for countless other flicks, including ‘Goonies’, and all of the ‘Lethal Weapon’ movie series, starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover.
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