NATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Odisha tops state ranking for implementation of National Food Security Act
2022: Odisha
has topped in the state ranking for implementation of the National Food
Security Act (NFSA) through ration shops, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Andhra
Pradesh. Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Piyush Goyal released the
‘State Ranking Index for NFSA’ 2022 during a conference of state food ministers
on food and nutrition security in India. As per the government’s ranking,
Odisha is at first position with a score of 0.836, followed by Uttar Pradesh
(0.797) and Andhra Pradesh (0.794). Key point of the ranking:
a)
Among
the special category states (the North Eastern states, Himalayan states, and
the Island states), Tripura has obtained the first rank. Himachal Pradesh and
Sikkim are at the second and third positions. Despite the logistical
limitations in these areas, they displayed a high degree of accomplishment in
competing with the general category states as well.
b)
Gujarat
is at fourth place, followed by Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman Diu, Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand.
c)
Kerala
has been ranked at the 11th position, Telangana (12th), Maharashtra (13th),
West Bengal (14th) and Rajasthan (15th). Punjab is at the 16th position,
followed by Haryana, Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
2.
IIT Hyderabad and Greenko inks a pact to establish sustainable sci-tech school: In order to
establish a school where students would be trained toward sustainable goals
like climate change mitigation, circular economy, energy transition, among
others, the renewable energy company Greenko has partnered with IIT-Hyderabad.
The Greenko School of Sustainable Science and Technology (GSSST) will open
toward the end of this year, according to a statement from the company, and by
June 2023, the first batch of students will be admitted for the MTech and Ph.D.
programmes in sustainable science and technology, followed by the BTech
programme. Key Points:
a)
It
will be the nation’s first institution solely focused on teaching sustainable
science and technology.
b)
Dharmendra
Pradhan, the Union Minister for Education, was present when the MoU was signed.
Dharmendra Pradhan stated that in order to achieve self-sufficiency and advance
global welfare, we must innovate and create our own models. India will take the
lead in the fourth industrial revolution, and IIT Hyderabad will have a
significant impact on the internationalisation of the Indian brand. Everyone
must realise the goal of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat set forth by the prime
minister.
Note: Union Minister for Education, GoI:
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan
3.
Tata Power and Tamil Nadu inks a pact to establish a solar manufacturing
facility:
Tata Power revealed that it has reached a deal with the Tamil Nadu government
to invest Rs. 3000 crore in the construction of a new solar cell and module
manufacturing facility in the state’s Tirunelveli district. According to the
agreement, both parties will endeavour to promote the switch to renewable
energy and the creation of jobs in the state. The investment in the facility
must take place over a period of more than 16 months and must result in the
creation of jobs, the majority of which will be for women. Key Points:
a)
More
than 2,000 direct and indirect job opportunities will be generated by the
initiative, most of which will go to women.
b)
After
the one in Bengaluru, this will be Tata Power’s second such production
facility.
c)
Tata
Power revealed that it has reached a deal with the Tamil Nadu government to
invest Rs. 3000 crore in the construction of a new solar cell and module
manufacturing facility in the state’s Tirunelveli district.
d)
According
to a corporate statement, Tata Power, one of India’s leading integrated power
firms, has struck an agreement with the Tamil Nadu government to invest roughly
Rs 3,000 crore to build a 4GW solar cell and 4GW solar module manufacturing
facility in the Tirunelveli region of Tamil Nadu.
4. To
establish semiconductor park, IGSS Ventures and Tamil Nadu Govt signs MoU: In the presence of
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed
between Tamil Nadu and the Singapore-based M/s. IGSS Ventures Pte Ltd to build
a 300-acre semiconductor high-tech park in the State with an investment and
grants of 25,600 crore. In the next five years, the project is expected to
directly employ more than 5,000 individuals, according to an official press
release. Key Points:
a)
By
using renewable energy to cook, IGSS Ventures intends to take part in the India
Semiconductor Mission and Project Surya, both of which aim to lessen air
pollution and global warming.
b)
For
a semiconductor fab that will produce wafers in three different technology
nodes, including 28 nm, 45 nm, and >=65 nm, as well as an industry ecosystem
infrastructure that includes semiconductor circuit designers, material
suppliers, equipment suppliers, and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test
players, Tamil Nadu has allocated nine strategic sites, including two near
Chennai.
c)
According
to the consortium, 1,500 semi-skilled and skilled workers might be employed
when commercial production begins in two years.
d)
With
an expected investment of roughly 76,000 crore, the ecosystem partners’ work in
the high-tech park might result in an extra 25,000 jobs for people.
5. A
new edition of Viswananthan Anand’s memoir ‘Mind Master’ released soon: Hachette India has
announced the expanded paperback edition of five-time world chess champion
Viswanathan Anand’s widely acclaimed memoir “Mind Master: Winning Lessons from a
Champion’s Life”. The book, featuring a bonus chapter on how to navigate
uncertainty and rapidly changing realities in the wake of the pandemic, will
hit the stands on July 15. It is written by Anand with author-journalist Susan
Ninan.
In “Mind Master”, Anand looks back at a
lifetime of games played, opponents tackled and circumstances overcome and
draws from its depths significant tools that will help every reader to navigate
life’s challenges. There are many nuggets that Anand touches upon with characteristic
wit, easy wisdom and disarming candour in the book.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1.
Indian-American Billionaire on Forbes’ List of America’s Richest Self-Made
Women:
Indian-American Jayshree Ullal, CEO of Arista Networks, an American computer
networking company, and a member of the board of directors of Snowflake, was
ranked near the top of 8th annual Forbes’ America’s Richest Self-Made Women,
with a net worth of $1.7 billion as of May 2022. The list, released in June
2022, ranks her at #15, below Alice Schwartz, co-founder of Bio-Rad
Laboratories, and above reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
Other Indian American women who made it to
the Forbes list are Neerja Sethi, co-founder of Syntel; Neha Narkhede,
co-founder and former CTO of Confluent; former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, and
Reshma Shetty, co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks. Diane Hendricks, co-founder and
chairman of ABC Supply, topped the list for the fifth year.
2.
World Kishwahili Language Day: 7th July: World Kiswahili Day is celebrated on the
7th of July every year following a declaration by UNESCO member states in this
regard. Kiswahili is one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa and the
most widely spoken in sub-Saharan Africa. Kiswahili is also the only African
language that is an official language of the African Union. This first
celebration of the World Kiswahili language day will be held under the theme
‘Kiswahili for peace and prosperity’. The mission of the annual celebration is
to promote the use of Kiswahili language as a beacon for peace, and enhanced
multiculturalism.
World Kishwahili Language Day
History:
In November 2021 at its 41st Session in Paris, the General Conference of UNESCO
declared July 7th World Kiswahili Language Day. By Resolution 41 C/61, Member
States recognized the critical role played by Kiswahili in promoting cultural
diversity, creating awareness, and fostering dialogue among civilizations. On
July 7th 2022, the Permanent Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the
United Nations and UNESCO will held the first international celebration of the
World’s Kiswahili Language Day at the United Nations Headquarter in New York.
3.
World Chocolate Day: 7th July: World Chocolate Day is celebrated on July
7 every year to commemorate the invention of chocolate. This special day allows
people around the world to indulge in their favourite treat without any guilt.
The day also celebrates all kinds of goodies made from chocolate, including
chocolate milk, hot chocolate, chocolate candy bar, chocolate cake, brownies,
or anything covered in chocolate.
World Chocolate Day History: World Chocolate
Day was first celebrated in the year 2009. However, some even believe that
people started marking July 7 as International Chocolate Day because it was the
day when chocolate was first introduced to Europe in 1550.
OTHER UPDATES:
BANKING AND FINANCE
1.
SBI updates agreement with Air Force for defence compensation package: The Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between State Bank of India (SBI) and the Indian Air Force
for the Defence Salary Package (DSP) plan has been extended, according to SBI.
All active-duty and former members of the Air Force, as well as their families,
will be eligible for a number of advantages and features under this programme
from the nation’s largest lender.
Key Points:
a)
Later
that day, two additional state-owned institutions, Bank of Baroda (BoB) and
Punjab National Bank (PNB), also announced agreements offering a range of goods
to active-duty and retired members of the IAF.
b)
In
a press release, SBI stated that as part of its agreement with the IAF, it will
provide the Air Force’s members with a wide range of advantages, including free
personal accidental insurance, free air accidental insurance, and enhanced
coverage in the event of an on-duty death.
c)
The
bank claimed that in the event of an Air Force member’s passing, the family of
the dead would be given additional coverage for the female child’s wedding and
education.
d)
In
addition, regardless of age, retired staff will be qualified for free personal
accidental insurance. Pensioners’ families would be eligible for a range of
benefits.
e)
All
Air Force personnel who are covered by SBI’s Defense Salary Package will
automatically receive the enhanced benefits outlined in the MoU, according to
SBI.
Note: State Bank of India (SBI) chairman:
Dinesh Kumar Khara
2.
South Indian Bank tie up with Kerala Forest & Wildlife Dept for digital
payment collection: The
South Indian Bank has signed an agreement with Kerala’s Forest and Wildlife
Department to enable digital collection of payments at eco-tourism centres,
Vanasree shops, mobile Vanasree units and eco-shops across the State. The
Forest Department has set up Vanasree shops and units with the objective of
marketing forest products, conserving and managing biodiversity, protecting the
rich and sensitive ecosystem and uplifting the living standards of the tribals
working in the area. Through this partnership, the digital collection system of
South Indian Bank will now be available at all 124 tourist spots that fall
under the Forest Department. The tie-up will commence with the setting up of
124 POS machines at various eco-tourism centres, Vanasree shops, mobile
Vanasree units and eco-shops under 36 forest department agencies across Kerala.
Note: South Indian Bank Headquarters: Thrissur;
South Indian Bank CEO: Murali Ramakrishnan (1 Oct 2020–); South Indian Bank
Founded: 29 January 1929.
BUSINESS AND ECONOMY
1.
IRDAI and NHA to develop National Health Claims Exchange to settle claims: IRDAI and National
Health Authority (NHA) will develop a National Health Claims Exchange as a
digital platform to settle health claims. The National Health Claims Exchange
will be developed as a digital platform, for settling the health claims.
Chairman of IRDAI, Debasish Panda, has also proposed for creation of a working
group with representation from industry. The working group will decide on how
to attract more people to buy health insurance, by making the largest segment
of general insurance in India.
Note: IRDAI Founded: 1999; IRDAI
Headquarters: Hyderabad; IRDAI Chairperson: Debasish Panda.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1.
Ukrainian mathematician Maryna Viazovska wins prestigious Fields Medal 2022: Ukrainian maths
professor, Maryna Viazovska, who won the top mathematics prize, the Fields
Medal 2022. Viazovska and three other mathematicians received the Fields Medal,
dubbed the Nobel prize in maths, in Helsinki after the ceremony was moved from
Saint Petersburg to the Finnish capital in response to Moscow’s war. Maryna is
only the second woman to receive the award, which is awarded to mathematicians
under 40, since it was created in 1936. The other female laureate, Iran’s
Maryam Mirzakhani, died of breast cancer in 2017 just three years after winning
the prize.
The four awardees of the prestigious
prize include:
a)
France’s
Hugo Duminil-Copin (36 years)- Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques
b)
US-based
June Huh (39 years) – Princeton University
c)
Britain’s
James Maynard (35 years) – University of Oxford
d)
Ukraine’s
Maryna Viazovska ( 37 years) – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
OBITUARIES
1.
OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo passes away: Organization of
the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary-General, Mohammad Sanusi
Barkindo, passed away. He was born in April 1959 in northeast Nigeria’s Adamawa
state, Barkindo assumed the office of the OPEC Secretary-General in 2016. His
tenure was scheduled to expire in July.
About the OPEC: OPEC is a permanent, intergovernmental organization, created at the Baghdad Conference in 1960, by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela. It aims to manage the supply of oil in an effort to set the price of oil in the world market, in order to avoid fluctuations that might affect the economies of both producing and purchasing countries. It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
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