NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. National
Fish Farmer’s Day 2023: 10th July: India observed the
National Fish Farmer’s Day on July 10 annually to commemorate the
contribution of eminent fisheries scientist professor Hiralal Chaudhary and his
colleague Alikunhi. On July 10, 1957, they successfully achieved the induced
breeding of Indian Major Carps in the country, at Angul in Odisha. This is
celebrated to highlight and encourage the dedicated supremacy of fish farmers. Aim:
To excel in delivering employment chances in this sector
2. Centre
adding more services to Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres: Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) programme of
India has grown to more than 1.60 lakh centres and registered a footfall
of over 178.87 crore (as of June end). The government will add more
services including screening, prevention, control, etc. by August-end. The
essential list of medicines and diagnostics has been expanded to make available
171 medicines at Primary HWCs and 105 at Secondary Health Care-HWC and 63
diagnostics at PHC-HWC.
3. Inaugural
session of third G20 CWG meeting of Culture organized in Hampi: The inaugural session of the third G20 Culture Working Group (CWG)
meeting was organized in Hampi, Karnataka. Union Minister of Parliamentary
Affairs, Pralhad Joshi addressed the session.
Four priority
areas:
· Protection and restitution of cultural property
· Harnessing living heritage for a sustainable future
· Promotion of cultural and creative industries and creative economy
· Leveraging digital technologies for the protection and promotion of
culture
4. Performance
Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D):
The Department of School Education and Literacy released
the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) combined report for
2020-21 and 2021-22. This report assesses the performance of the school
education system at the district level by creating an index for comprehensive
analysis. Highest grade: Daksh (scoring more than 90% of the total points
in that category or overall) Lowest grade: Akanshi-3 (Scores upto 10% of the
total points)
5. Allahabad University to now offer PhD in three foreign
languages: For the first time, Allahabad University
(AU) will be offering PhD courses in three foreign languages on its
campus. Following the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s permission for PhDs
to be supervised by teachers even during probationary period of their
appointment, now a framework has been prepared be the university for conducting
PhD in three languages—French, Russian and German. Last year, the AU
authorities had appointed three teachers to teach French, German and Russian on
the campus. The teachers appointed as assistant professors included Kanchan
Chakraborty for French, Prashant Kumar Pandey for German and Mona Agnihotri for
Russian. Now, students will be able to do PhD in Hindi, English, Urdu,
Arabic/Persian, Sanskrit besides in these three foreign languages at AU.
6. Gig workers to get insurance cover up to Rs four lakh
in Karnataka: The Karnataka
government has announced a free accidental and life insurance cover
worth Rs 4 lakh, for which it will entirely bear the cost of the annual
premium. Those employed as full-time or part-time delivery personnel for
Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon etc are set to benefit from the insurance cover
announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the budget presented. The cover
comprises life insurance and accidental insurance of Rs 2 lakh each. An
association of gig workers had submitted a request to the labour department to
provide accidental cover for all the gig workers in the state, where there are
over 2-4 lakh of them. The food aggregator also has a claim status tracking
function to help the delivery partners avail of insurance claims fast and
without hassles. The company provides visibility to network hospitals and gives
the option to partners to directly edit details. It has also launched a 24×7
helpline for queries about moving from physical document submission to online
submission. Zomato last year launched a pilot initiative to give its delivery
partners and their dependents a health insurance cover of Rs 3 lakh.
7. Defense ministry signs with HAL to upgrade Dornier
Aircraft for ICG: The Ministry of
Defence has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(HAL) for the procurement of two Dornier Aircraft for the Indian
Coast Guard (ICG) along with an associated engineering support package at
an overall cost of Rs 458.87 crore. The aircraft will be procured under
the Buy (Indian) Category. The aircraft will be fitted with several advanced
equipment including a glass cockpit, maritime patrol radar, electro-optic
infrared device, and mission management system. The addition will further
bolster the aerial surveillance capability of maritime areas of
responsibilities of the ICG. The Dornier aircraft are being indigenously
manufactured at HAL (Transport Aircraft Division), Kanpur, and will
significantly contribute in achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence, in consonance
with the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the government.
8. India to launch Chandrayaan 3 moon lander and rover on
July 14: India’s third lunar
mission, Chandrayaan-3 will lift off from the spaceport in
Sriharikota at 2.35 PM on July 14 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in
Sriharikota. Chandrayaan-3 will be launched over LVM-3, which was previously
known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk-III (GSLV-3). ISRO chairman
S Somanath said “If the launch takes place on that day [July 14], we’ll reach
the Moon by the end of August. Landing will be on August 23 or 24 as we want
the landing to happen when the Sun rises on the Moon so we get 14-15 [Earth]
days to work. If landing cannot happen on these two dates, we’ll wait for
another month and land in September. Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-on mission to
Chandrayaan-2. Unlike its predecessor, which carried an orbiter along with
Vikram and Pragyan (the rover), Chandrayaan-3 is a composite of three modules:
propulsion, lander and rover. The spacecraft will weigh 3,900 kg — the
propulsion module weighs 2,148 kg and the lander module, including the rover,
weighs 1,752 kg. The life of the lander and rover will be for 14 Earth days but
the same could get extended. Fourteen Earth days would be one lunar day, which
is measured in terms of time between Sunrise and Sunset on Moon, or the time
taken for Sun to return to the same position in the lunar sky.
9. 10 July – National Fish Farmer’s Day: India observed the National Fish
Farmer’s Day on July 10 annually. National Fish Farmer’s Day 2023 is
an opportunity for the entire nation to recognize the immense contributions of
fish farmers and their commitment toward sustainable aquaculture. NFFD is
celebrated to honour and commemorate the contribution of Professor Dr. Hiralal
Chaudhury and his colleague Dr. K. H. Alikunhi, in Indian fisheries sector who
had guided the induced breeding and reproduction in Indian Major Carps by
Hypophysation technique,on this day 1957. On July 10, 1957, they successfully
achieved the induced breeding of Indian Major Carps in the country, at Angul in
Odisha.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. India,
Tanzania begin trade settlements in local currencies: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed that India and
Tanzania have started trade settlements in local currencies. This new
initiative will help in promoting commerce between the two countries. India-Tanzania
bilateral trade has seen very strong growth and stood at USD 6.4 billion in
2022-23. Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank have operations in
Tanzania. About 18 countries have already opened special vostro accounts with
Indian banks.
2. India & Panama Sign MoU on Electoral Cooperation: The Election Commission of India has signed an MoU with
the Electoral Tribunal (ET) of Panama to establish the institutional
framework for their ongoing cooperation in the field of election
management and administration. Under this agreement, both countries will set up
an institutional framework for ongoing cooperation in the field of election
management and administration. ECI has already signed MoUs with Mexico, Brazil,
and Chile to expand its links and cooperation with foreign Election Management
Bodies (EMBs) through its ‘International Cooperation Programme’. This is the
fourth MoU signed with an election management body in the Latin America region.
This MoU reflects the commitment of the Election Commission to engage with
election bodies around the world and strengthen democratic processes.
3. Third World Hindu Conference organized in Bangkok: The three-day World Hindu Conference
(WHC), being organized by the World Hindu Foundation, is scheduled to
start on November 24 at a convention centre in Bangkok. From North America
to South America, Europe to Africa, and Asia to Australia delegates from over
60 countries are expected to take part in the conference. These delegates would
include businessmen, professionals, academicians, media persons, and eminent
people from the Hindu society living in different parts of the world. The World
Hindu Foundation had organized the first international conference in Delhi in
2014 and the second in Chicago in 2018. The theme of the WHC-2023 is “Jayasya
Aayatnam Dharmah”, meaning “dharma, the abode of victory”. The event will
provide an opportunity for participants to “network, exchange ideas, work
confidently and model their future course of action”.
4. IMO sets 2050 as net zero target: The International Maritime Organisation
(IMO) agreed on a “flexible” net zero target of 2050 for the global
shipping industry. The target is “by or around” 2050 and includes a clause that
it only applies if national circumstances allow. The IMO also agreed to reduce
emissions by at least 20% by 2030, and by at least 70% by 2040. The
London-based IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations which is
responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international
shipping and to prevent pollution from ships. The Maritime Environment
Protection Committee (MEPC) of IMO has also agreed on a goal to uptake zero GHG
emission technologies, fuels and energy sources, “at least 5 percent, striving
for 10 percent by 2030”. Most of the developing nations had been lobbying for
the mid-century target — could be 2051, 2052 or 2053, insisting on not strictly
fixing 2050 as the year for achieving net zero.
5. 11 July – World Population Day: World Population Day is celebrated every
year on 11 July. Objective – To create awareness and inform people of the
issues pertaining to the global population and the rise of it. Theme 2023 –
Unleashing the power of gender Equality: Uplifting the voices of women and
girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities. This special day was
established by the United Nations in 1989. On July 11, 1987, the world
population reached five billion – this influenced the start of celebrating
World Population Day, as proposed by Dr KC Zachariah. The first World
Population Day was observed on 11 July 1990, in more than 90 countries. Since
then, numerous organizations, institutions, and United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) country offices, in partnership with governments and civil society,
have been marking this day to bring attention to population-related concerns.
OTHER UPDATES:
SPORTS
1. Lakshya
Sen clinches Men’s Singles Canada Open Badminton title 2023: Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen (world number 19) has clinched
Men’s Singles title of the Canada Open 2023 badminton tournament in
Calgary, Canada. In the final, he defeated Li Shi Feng of
China 21-18, 22-20. In the second set he was down four game points but
saved all and ended up winning the game in straight sets. This is the first BWF
World Tour title of Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen after almost a
year.
2. Parth
Salunkhe wins Youth World Championship 2023 in recurve category: Parth Salunkhe became the first male archer to win a gold in
the recurve category at the Youth World Championships 2023. He defeated
a Korean in the Under-21 men's recurve individual final, in Limerick,
Ireland. He hailed from Satara in Maharashtra. With this medal, India finished
with their highest-ever tally of 11 medals including six gold, one silver, and
four bronze. Of the 11 medals India won, six were bagged in the U21 category -
four gold and two bronze.
3. IPL version of Impact Player rule in Syed Mushtaq Ali
T20 Trophy: The IPL version of the much-talked
about Impact Player Rule will be used in the Syed Mushtaq Ali
T20 Trophy (SMAT) beginning October 16, the BCCI Apex Council
approved. The Impact Player was introduced in SMAT last season but it had to be
brought before the end of the 14th over and had to be named before the toss. Like
IPL, the teams will be allowed to name four substitutes besides the playing
eleven before the toss. Out of the four substitutes, only one can be used as an
Impact Player. Both teams are allowed to use one Impact Player per match. It
is, however, not compulsory. Impact Player was used widely by the 10 IPL teams
but the introduction of it divided opinions.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. NHB
operationalises ₹10,000-crore Urban Infrastructure Development Fund: National Housing Bank
(NHB) has operationalized the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund
(UIDF) with an initial corpus of Rs 10,000 crore. Finance Minister
Nirmala Sitharaman in her 2023-24 Budget speech announced the setting up of the
UIDF through the use of priority sector lending shortfall for the creation of
urban infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The interest rate on
UIDF loans has been kept at Bank Rate minus 1.5%, i.e., 5.25% (at
present).
2. Forex
reserves rise by $1.85 billion to $595.05 billion: According to the RBI, India's foreign
exchange reserves rose by $1.853 billion to $595.051 billion in the week ended
on June 30, 2023. The overall reserve had dropped by $2.901 billion to $593.198
billion in the previous reporting week. In October 2021, the country's forex
reserve had reached an all-time high of $645 billion. The reserves have been
declining as the central bank deploys the kitty to defend the rupee amid
pressures caused majorly by global developments.
3. NSDL
files DRHP with SEBI for IPO: India’s largest depository, National Securities Depository Limited
(NSDL) has filed its Draft Red Herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities
and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) for an IPO. The IPO will see IDBI Bank, NSE,
SBI, HDFC Bank, and Union Bank of India paring stakes. IDBI Bank and National
Stock Exchange (NSE) hold 26% and 24% stakes in the company, respectively. SBI
(5%), Union Bank of India (2.8%), and Canara Bank (2.3%) are other key
stakeholders.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Belgian tennis player Justine Henin receives the Philippe Chatrier Award: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has awarded the highest honor ‘Philippe Chatrier Award 2023’ to Belgian tennis player Justine Henin. Henin won seven Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, and was part of Belgium’s team that won the Fed Cup now called the Billie Jean King Cup in 2001. The award, named after the former ITF president, was introduced in 1996 and recognizes people who have made significant contributions to the sport on and off the court. Henin won the French Open four times, the U.S. Open twice and the Australian Open once. She was a two-time runner-up at Wimbledon. She won Olympic gold at the 2004 Athens Games. The award will be presented Saturday at the ITF World Champions Awards at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum. The 41-year-old Henin has established a successful academy in Belgium and a charitable foundation that helps provide sporting opportunities for children with disabilities.
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