NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. PM
Narendra Modi inaugurates ‘Rudraksh’ convention centre in Varanasi: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has inaugurated the International Cooperation and Convention
Centre “Rudraksh”, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The centre will become an
attractive destination for conferences and pull in tourists and businesspersons
to the city. The international cooperation and convention centre has been named
“Rudraksh” and has as many as 108 Rudraksha at the centre. Its roof is shaped
like a ‘Shiva Linga’.
The objective is to provide opportunities
for social and cultural interactions between people at the international
convention centre. The convention centre has been built with the assistance
from Japan International Cooperation Agency. An environment-friendly building,
the centre is equipped with adequate security and safety systems. It features a
regular entrance, a service entrance and a separate VIP entrance, making it an
ideal destination for holding all types of international events.
Note: UP Capital: Lucknow; UP Governor:
Anandiben Patel; UP Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath.
2.
Ladakh signs MoU with Sikkim to turn UT organic by 2025: The union territory
of Ladakh organic, the administration of Ladakh, signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) with the Sikkim State Organic Certification Agency (SOCCA).
A tripartite MOU has been signed between Ladakh and SSOCA regarding the
implementation of PrampragatKrishiVikas Yojana and Mission Organic Development
Initiative (MODI) in the Ladakh region with the aim to convert Ladakh into
organic by 2025. The main objective of this MOU is to get the organic
certification after a tie-up with the Government of India. Key points:
(1) The aim is to make Ladakh a certified
organic UT by 2025 which will be completed in three phases.
(2) In the first phase, 85 villages have
been identified with an aim to convert 5000 hectares of land into organic and
in the 2nd phase, 82 villages will be covered with an area of 10000 hectares
and under the 3rd phase, the department has selected 79 villages which will
cover the remaining areas.
(3) Sikkim is the first state that is 100
per cent organic with all of its farmland certified organic. The use and sale
of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are banned in Sikkim.
Note: Governors & Administrators of
Ladakh: Radha Krishna Mathur.
3.
Cabinet approves continuation of National AYUSH Mission scheme: The Union Cabinet
chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the continuation of
Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘National AYUSH Mission (NAM)’ for another five
years. The scheme will now be implemented from April 01, 2021, to March 31,
2026. The Centre has allocated Rs. 4607.30 crore (Rs 3,000 crore as Central
Share and Rs. 1607.30 crore as State Share) for the scheme to be invested over
five years. About the Scheme:
(1) The NAM Mission was first launched on
15 September 2014.
(2) The National AYUSH Mission is being
implemented by the Ministry of AYUSH.
(3) The objective of the mission is to
provide cost-effective AYUSH Services by focusing on core competency areas of
AYUSH like Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, Unani and also Homeopathy (ASU&H)
which are a treasure house of knowledge for preventive, promotive and curative healthcare.
(4) The mission involves upgrading AYUSH
Hospitals and Dispensaries, co-location of AYUSH facilities at Primary Health
Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), District Hospitals (DHs) and
Setting up of up to 50 bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospitals.
Note: Minister of AYUSH: SarbanandaSonowal.
4.
IAHE inks pact with University of New South Wales to set up CATTS in Noida: The Indian Academy
of Highway Engineers (IAHE) under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
has inked an agreement with the University of New South Wales, Australia for
setting up a Centre for Advanced Transportation Technology and Systems (CATTS)
in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The Agreement was signed in a virtual ceremony in the
presence of Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. This CATTS will
be a centre of excellence (CoE) to promote industries and startups from
Australia and India in the transportation sector, and will also provide
opportunities for innovation, research and development of advanced transport systems.
About the agreement: The Agreement is
for a project for capacity building, technology transfer and creation of
enabling environment for establishment of Centre for Advanced Transportation
Technology and Systems in, IAHE. The University of New South Wales will also
deliver a course on smart transport systems and modelling. The project will
help improve the road safety scenario in the country.
5.
Manduadih railway station renamed as Banaras: The Manduadih
railway station has been finally renamed as Banaras by the Northeastern
railways (NER). The NER replaced the old signboard with the new one which read
‘Banaras’ after the Railway Board gave its nod for the new name. The newly
painted signboards were put up with Banaras written in Hindi, Sanskrit,
English, and Urdu. The process to change the station’s name started in 2019
when the former railway minister and the present governor of Jammu and Kashmir
Manoj Singh, put forth the request. In the same year, the Uttar Pradesh
government accepted the proposal and forwarded it to the ministry of home
affairs.
6. A
book titled “The Great Big Lion” written by child prodigy Knight: A book titled “The
Great Big Lion” drawn and written by child prodigy Chryseis Knight. This book is a story about a lion and two
children. It talks about friendship, inclusivity, wildlife conservation and the
world of imagination. The book was published by Penguin Random House India’s
“Puffin” imprint. Knight, who is currently residing in Canada, learnt how to
read at the age of one, started writing the story of “The Great Big Lion” in
her notebook when she was three years old. She then shared it with her family
and became determined to do the artwork with the motivation of getting the book
published.
INTERNATIONALUPDATES:
1.
UAE becomes 1st Gulf nation to open embassy in Israel: The United Arab
Emirates has become the first Gulf nation to open an embassy in Israel, nearly
a year after both countries signed an agreement to normalise diplomatic ties.
The new mission is located in Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building. The ceremony
was attended by new Israeli President Isaac Herzog. UAE Ambassador Mohammad
Mahmoud Al Khajah officially presented his credentials at the beginning of
March.
Note: UAE Capital: Abu Dhabi; UAE Currency:
United Arab Emirates dirham; UAE President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Israel Prime minister: Naftali Bennett;
Capital: Jerusalem; Currency: New shekel
2.
Singapore unveils one of the world’s biggest floating solar panel farms: Singapore has
unveiled one of the world’s largest floating solar panel farms. The project is
part of efforts by the country to meet a goal of quadrupling its solar energy
production by 2025 to help tackle climate change. Located on a reservoir in
western Singapore, the 60 megawatt-peak solar photovoltaic farm has been built
by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries. Spanning an area
equivalent to 45 football fields and producing enough electricity to power the
island’s five water treatment plants. The electricity generated from the one
lakh 22 thousand solar panels on the 45-hectare site should make Singapore one
of the few countries in the world to have a water treatment system fully
powered by sustainable energy. The solar farm could help to reduce carbon
emissions by about 32 kilotonnes annually, comparable to taking 7,000 cars off
the roads.
Note: Singapore Currency: Singapore dollar;
Capital of Singapore: Singapore; PM of Singapore: Lee Hsien Loong.
3.
Nelson Mandela International Day: 18th July: The United Nations observes 18 July
every year as Nelson Mandela International Day. The day acknowledges Nelson
Mandela’s contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the
promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world. Nelson Mandela Day is an
occasion for all to take action and inspire change.
History of Nelson Mandela
International Day:
On 18 July 2009, the first Mandela Day was observed in New York. The United
Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on 10 November 2009 declaring 18
July as “Nelson Mandela International Day”. This day marks his contribution to
peace through his active involvement in resolving conflicts, promoting human
rights, international democracy and reconciliation and addressing racial
issues.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1.
Babar Azam becomes fastest batsman to score 14 ODI centuries: Pakistan captain
Babar Azam has altered the record books with the century he scored against
England during the third ODI at Edgbaston. He became the fastest batsman to
notch up 14 ODI centuries in terms of innings, surpassing the likes of
HashimAmla, Indian captain ViratKohli and Australian batsman David Warner. The
Pakistan captain reached his 14th ton in his 81st ODI innings. Former South
Africa opening batsman Amla had previously held the record who took 84 innings
to reach this feat. Warner had taken 98 innings to get his 14th ODI ton while
Kohli took 103 innings.
2.
Gokulam Kerala FC to represent India in AFC Women’s Club C’ship: The All India
Football Federation (AIFF) has nominated Gokulam Kerala FC to represent India
in the AFC Club Championship 2020-21. The winners of the Women League compete
in the tournament but since it will not be held, the national federation
nominated the champions of the fourth edition. Gokulam Kerala FC became the
first team from Kerala to win a national title when they defeated Kryphsa FC in
the 2019-20 Indian Women’s League (IWL) finals in Bengaluru.
BANKING AND FINANCE
.
Federal Bank launches “FEDDY” AI-Powered virtual assistant for customers: The Federal Bank
has launched “FEDDY”, an Artificial Intelligence-powered virtual assistant to
help customers with banking-related queries anytime. The bank said while most
of the similar AI-powered virtual assistants are available only on its website,
FEDDY can be accessed via Alexa, Google Assistant and WhatsApp. It is
integrated into Google Business Messaging, a first-of-its-kind by an Indian
bank. The bank has recently come out with innovative and user-friendly
facilities such as FedSelfie, under which individuals can open their accounts
by merely taking a selfie, and Federal 24×7, which makes possible the opening
of accounts through a video call to the bank.
Note: Federal Bank MD and CEO: Shyam
Srinivasan; Federal Bank Headquarters: Aluva, Kerala; Federal Bank Founder: K.P
Hormis; Federal Bank Founded: 23 April 1931.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
Adani Group takes over Mumbai airport management: Adani Group led by
Gautam Adani has completed the takeover of ‘Mumbai International Airport’ from
the GVK group. With this takeover, Adani group has become the top company in
terms of airport infrastructure companies in India. Mumbai International
Airport will be operated by Adani Airport Holdings which is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Adani Enterprises. With the takeover, Adani group’s airports now
account for a fourth of total footfalls at airports across India, and a third
of total air cargo handled.
Airports operated by Adani Group
(1) Thus, the company now operate six
airports. Three airports in Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Mangaluru are being operated
by the Adani group already while the takeover of three airports in Guwahati,
Thiruvananthapuram and Jaipur is to be complete.
(2) Adani Group will also set up an airport
in Navi Mumbai for which the company will achieve financial closure in the next
90 days.
(3) Group has planned to operationaliseNavi
Mumbai airport by 2024. Bids for operating these airports were won by Adani
Group for a period of 50 years after participating in the tendering process of
the Airports Authority of India.
DEFENCE
1.
India, Sri Lanka and Maldives hold virtual trilateral exercise TTX-2021: Top defence
officials from India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives participated in a virtual
trilateral tabletop exercise “TTX-2021”. The exercise focused on maritime
crimes like curbing narcotics and assistance in maritime search and rescue in
the region. The two-day exercise, TTX-2021 aimed at enhancing mutual
understanding and exchange of best practices procedures for countering common
transnational crime was coordinated by the Maritime Warfare Centre, Mumbai.
About the exercise:
(1) TTX-2021 exemplifies the deep
trilateral engagement between India-Maldives-Sri Lanka which has strengthened
immensely in the maritime domain over the past years.
(2) Interaction between the three
neighbouring countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has also grown
significantly in recent years, in consonance with India”s policy of
‘Neighbourhood First” and vision of ‘Security and Growth for all in the Region
(SAGAR).
OBITUARIES
1. Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui passes away: Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist, Danish Siddiqui, has passed away, after he was killed in a clash while reporting a fight between Afghan troops and the Taliban in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province in Afghanistan on July 13, 2021. He was employed with the international news agency Reuters. He was a recipient of the prestigious Pulitzer Prize with six others working as a photographer with Reuters news agency in 2018
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