NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Dr Radhakrishnan to head government committee on restructuring NTA: The Union Ministry of Education has set up seven members committee headed by the former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), K Radhakrishnan to review and suggest reform in the examination process. The government has taken this step after the controversy over a paper leak at the undergraduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam 2024 and the postponement of NET-UGC exams. The committee consists of seven eminent people. It will be headed by former ISRO chairman Koppillil Radhakrishnan. The other members of the committee are Professor BJ Rao, Professor Ramamurthy K, Dr Randeep Guleria, Pankaj Bansal, Professor Aditya Mittal and Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Education.
2. India’s first pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification in Jharkhand: The Ministry of Coal via Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has initiated India’s first pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara District, Jharkhand. This first ever groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize the coal industry by using in-situ coal gasification to convert it into valuable gases such as methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. These gases can be utilized to produce synthetic natural gas, chemical feedstocks for fuels, fertilizers, explosives, and other industrial applications.
3. UP to establish world’s first Asian King Vulture Conservation & Breeding Centre in Maharajganj: Uttar Pradesh government will establish the world’s first conservation and breeding centre for Asian king vultures or red-headed vultures in Maharajganj. The facility will improve the population of critically endangered species listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list since 2007. The centre is named Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre. The centre aims to ensure the good health of growing vultures and provide them with a pair. Once a female lays an egg, the pair will be left free in their natural environment.
4. HDFC ERGO General Insurance elevates Anuj Tyagi as MD and CEO: Anuj Tyagi has been appointed as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC ERGO General Insurance Tyagi will succeed Ritesh Kumar effective July 1. Tyagi has been with the company since 2008, holding various functions during his tenure. He was elevated as joint managing director in April 2023.
5. Mrinal Kr Das appointed as Director in Department of Consumer Affairs: Mrinal Kumar Das (IRS) has been appointed as the Director in the Department of Consumer Affairs under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. Das has been selected for the appointment to the said post under the Central Staffing Scheme (CSS) for a period of five years from the date of taking over charge of the post or until further orders, whichever event takes place earlier. Das is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of 2007 batch. He was recommended for the Central deputation by the Department of Revenue.
6. Maharashtra Governor releases book titled ‘Gateways to the Sea’: The Governor of Maharashtra Ramesh Bais released a book titled ‘Gateways to the Sea: Historic Ports and Docks of Mumbai Region’ at Raj Bhavan Mumbai. The book has been published by the Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GoI. It comprises of 18 articles by renowned authors, compiled by the Maritime Mumbai Museum Society (MMMS) The publication of this book is an important milestone in creating awareness about the ancient ports stated above and it also covers the development of modern ports and docks of Mumbai including Mazagon Dock, Mumbai Port, Bombay Dock, Sassoon Dock and Ferry Wharf also known as Bhaucha Dhakka.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. ESAF SFB chief Paul Thomas elected Chairperson of Sa-Dhan: MD & CEO of ESAF Small Finance Bank, Paul Thomas has been elected as Chairperson of the board of Sa-Dhan, which is an association of microfinance and impact finance institutions. Sayeed has been re-elected for the second term on the board of Sa-Dhan at the Association’s Annual General Body meeting. Jaiswal, Salimath, A Ramesh Kumar, Chairman & MD of Laraksha Impact Finance, Nagendra Mali, MD of Navachetna Microfinance, and Ganesh Chandra Modak, MD of Grameen Shakti were elected as new members to the Board.
2. 24 June – International Day of Women in Diplomacy: International Day of Women in Diplomacy is celebrated on June 24 every year to highlight the contribution of women to diplomacy – those who are breaking barriers and doing commendable jobs in this field. Theme 2024 – Women’s Leadership in Multilateral Diplomacy This year, the event to mark the International Day of Women in Diplomacy at the United Nations Headquarters in New York brings together high-level government officials, diplomats, senior representatives of the UN system and other stakeholders. The event aims to facilitate interactive discussions and exchanges on the contributions, challenges and opportunities for women in diplomacy to catalyse change and transformation in multilateral affairs, the UN website stated.
3. 25 June – International Day of the Seafarer: International Day of the Seafarer is celebrated every year on 25 June. This special day was created by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to recognize the important role seafarers play in our daily lives and the global economy. The Day of the Seafarer was established during an important meeting in Manila in 2010. At this meeting, countries agreed on new standards for training seafarers (called the STCW Convention). The resolution that created this day encourages everyone involved in shipping – from governments to companies – to promote the Day of the Seafarer and find meaningful ways to celebrate it.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. Indian Army opened Khalubar War Memorial to tourists in Ladakh: In Ladakh, as a tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War, the Indian Army has opened the Khalubar War Memorial to tourists.
This opening ceremony was part of the ‘Forever in Operations’ Division’s Pre-Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations as this year, the country will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July. Located in the renowned Aryan Valley this memorial commemorates the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers who fought to reclaim the valley during the war. Khalubar, a serene valley near the border, became a focal point during the Kargil War when enemy forces captured it. The area was recaptured by the valiant efforts of Indian soldiers, including Captain Manoj Pandey, whose heroic actions are now immortalized at the memorial.
SPORTS
1. Sreeja Akula creates history by winning WTT Contender singles title: Sreeja Akula of Hyderabad became the first Indian table tennis player to win a WTT (World Table Tennis) Contender Women’s single title. Sreeja Akula won both the women’s singles and doubles titles at the WTT Contender Lagos 2024 event. The USD 80,000 prize money WTT Contender Lagos 2024 was held at the Sir Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall in Lagos, Nigeria. Sreeja Akula, defeated the 16-year-old Yijie Ding of China 4-1 (10-12,11-9,11-6,11-8,11-6) in the final of the WTT Contender Lagos 2024 to win her first WTT Contender title.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. Universal Sompo settles ₹8 crore claims under Ayushman Bharat in 4 months: Universal Sompo General Insurance Company has provided cashless claims approval of ₹8.03 crore for over 8,170 hospital admissions under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in the Union Territory Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. The scheme has become operational since February 1 and the cashless approvals have been made over the past 142 days. This reflects the scheme’s efficiency and the substantial financial relief to families. The administration of PMJAY is supported by PMJAY-ABHA digital platform, enhancing the efficiency, transparency and effectiveness of the scheme’s implementation. Universal Sompo General Insurance Co is a joint venture of Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Karnataka Bank, Dabur Investment Corporation and a leading general insurer from Japan, Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.
2. ACE partners with Bank of Baroda for construction equipment financing: Action Construction Equipment Ltd. (ACE), a prominent player in India’s construction equipment manufacturing sector, has entered into a MoU with Bank of Baroda to facilitate financing solutions for construction equipment businesses. Under this partnership, ACE customers across the country will have access to tailored financing options provided by Bank of Baroda. This agreement aims to support construction equipment businesses, local entrepreneurs, and startups by offering seamless access to financing.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. ‘Golden Thread’ bags the prestigious Golden Conch award at 18th MIFF 2024: The Indian film ‘The Golden Thread’, directed by Nistha Jain bagged the coveted Golden Conch award for the Best Documentary at MIFF 2024. The film is both an homage to and an observation of the how last vestiges of the Industrial Revolution were impacted by the forces of economic change. The film, adjudged as the best documentary of the South Asia’s oldest and largest film festival for non-fiction, not only illustrates the relationship of man to machine but also questions how capitalism values man as equal only to his labor. Earlier noted wildlife filmmaker Subbiah Nallamuthu was conferred with the 18th V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award at the inauguration of the 18th MIFF 2024. The 18th biennial MIFF 2024 was organised by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and executed by the National Film Development Corporation at Mumbai.
2. THDC wins PSU Leadership award for digital transformation excellence: THDC India Limited (THDC) has been conferred with the prestigious PSU Leadership & Excellence Award 2024 in the category of ‘Leadership in Digital Transformation. The Union Minister of State (Ind. Charge) Science & Technology; Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, PP/DoPT, Atomic Energy, Space, Government of India Dr Jitendra Singh conferred the award in a glittering ceremony organized in New Delhi.
MD of THDC – RK Vishnoi
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