NATIONAL UPDATES:
1. Tata Group retains top spot as India’s most valuable brand at $28.6 billion: Tata Group has retained its position as India’s most valuable brand with a value of $28.6 billion, reflecting a 9 per cent increase from last year. Following Tata, Infosys holds the second position, while HDFC Group has made a significant leap to third place, in Brand Value’s ‘India 100 2024 ranking. Brand Finance’s report highlighted that Tata Group marks the first time an Indian brand is nearing the $30 billion mark. Meanwhile, HDFC was propelled to the third position driven by its monumental merger with HDFC Ltd. This merger has bolstered HDFC Group’s brand value, reflecting a strong presence in the financial sector. Taj, valued at $545 million, maintains its position as India’s strongest brand with an impressive Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 92.9 out of 100 and a prestigious AAA+ rating for brand strength.
2. RPF launches Sangyaan App to educate and empower RPF Personnel: The Director General of Railway Protection Force (RPF) Manoj Yadava has launched the mobile application-Sangyaan App. It is designed and developed by the Tech Team of RPF to provide in-depth information on three new Criminal Acts: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023.Sangyaan App aims to educate and empower RPF Personnel by providing comprehensive information to understand the provisions of both new and old criminal laws, while highlighting the relevance of these new acts in the context of RPF operations. The app features user-friendly navigation, a searchable database and offline access, making it a practical tool for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest legal developments in India.
3. MoE launches nationwide campaign on Tobacco Free Educational Institutions: The Ministry of Education (MoE) under the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) has initiated a nationwide campaign focused on Tobacco Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI). Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education has developed a “ToFEI Implementation Manual” for schools and launched it on World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) which was observed on 31st May, 2024. The objective is to make educational institutions across the nation comply with the ToFEI guidelines and become #Tobacco Free Area. The initiative outlines several key measures to be implemented in schools nationwide, including the display of “Tobacco Free Area” signage within school premises, prohibiting evidence of tobacco use on campus, organizing regular tobacco control activities, and nominating “Tobacco Monitors” among staff.
4. 28 June – National Insurance Awareness Day: National Insurance Awareness Day is observed every year on June 28. This day is dedicated to promoting the importance of insurance and ensuring that people understand the benefits of having adequate insurance coverage. The day also serves as a reminder to review insurance plans regularly and to make sure that they are up-to-date and reflect the changing needs of the individual. The history of insurance dates back to the Great Fire of London in 1886. The devastation caused by the fires led to the development of new forms of insurance that could protect individuals and families from the financial risks of major events.
5. 29 June – National Statistics Day: National Statistics Day is observed every year on June 29 to honour the late scientist Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis. The day highlights his contributions to the field of statistics and economic planning in the post-independent era. The day is not to be confused with the United Nations’ World Statistics Day, which is celebrated every five years on October 20. It also aims to raise public awareness about the importance of statistics in socio-economic planning. It encourages the use of statistical tools and techniques in addressing real-world challenges.
INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:
1. S Jaishankar to represent India at SCO summit in Kazakhstan: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana. The SCO summit to be held on July 3 and 4 is expected to focus on the regional security situation and ways to boost connectivity and trade. The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. India’s association with the SCO began in 2005 as an observer country. It became a full member state of the SCO at the Astana summit in 2017. The SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan became its permanent member along with India in 2017.
2. Deputy NSA Vikram Misri to be new Foreign Secretary: Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri will take charge as the Foreign Secretary on July 15. Misri, who is a former Indian ambassador to China, will succeed current Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra. Before he was appointed as the Deputy NSA, Vikram Misri served as India’s ambassador to China from 2019-2021. Misri, 59, is believed to have played a key role in talks between India and China after tensions flared significantly following the Galwan Valley clashes in June, 2020. Misri also served as India’s ambassador to Spain (2014-2016) and Myanmar (2016-2018) besides having stints in many Indian missions including Pakistan, the US, Germany, Belgium and Sri Lanka.
3. 27 June – International Pineapple Day: International Pineapple Day is celebrated every year on 27 June. This day is dedicated to the tropical fruit pineapple and its nutritional, economic, and cultural benefits. The day dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries when pineapples were used as a symbol of warmth and welcome. In Asia, pineapples symbolize prosperity and good fortune, while in the Caribbean, they symbolize friendship.
OTHER UPDATES:
DEFENCE
1. DRDO’s ‘ABHYAS’ Completes Six Successful Trials: ABHYAS is a High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) that was made by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru, India, for the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
SPORTS
1. India beat South Africa by 7 runs to win ICC T20 World Cup 2024: India ended their 13-year wait for an ICC Cricket World Cup trophy when they beat South Africa by seven runs to lift the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in a thrilling final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. India also became the first team to win the men’s T20 World Cup without losing a game all tournament. India won all eight matches they played in the tournament, and had one washout: the first-round game against Canada. With 281 runs from Eight games, Rahmanullah Gurbsaz of Afghanistan is the top scorer in the T20 World Cup 2024. While Rohit Sharma was second in the list with 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70. Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi was the joint highest wicket-taker with along with India’s Arshdeep Singh – 17 wickets.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. NASA picks SpaceX to destroy International Space Station: NASA had picked SpaceX to build a vessel to carry the International Space Station back through Earth’s atmosphere and on to a final resting place in the Pacific Ocean after it is retired in 2030. Elon Musk’s company has been awarded a contract with a potential value of US$843 million to develop and deliver the spaceship, dubbed the US Deorbit Vehicle. Selecting a US Deorbit Vehicle for the International Space Station will help NASA and its international partners ensure a safe and responsible transition in low Earth orbit at the end of station operations. Weighing 430,000 kilograms (950,000) pounds, the ISS is by far the largest single structure ever built in space. The first segment of the ISS was launched in 1998, and it has been continuously inhabited by an international crew since 2001.
2. Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index 2024 – India Ranks at 72nd: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) just released a full Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Index (AIPI) Dashboard. This tool will sort and rank 174 countries around the world based on how ready they are to use AI.
BANKING AND FINANCE
1. World Bank Grants $1.5 Billion for India’s Green Energy Push: The World Bank has agreed to lend India $1.5 billion to help it move toward a low-carbon energy future. This strategic funding will help create green hydrogen and electrolyzers and make it easier for the country to use renewable energy.
AWARDS AND HONOURS
1. Dr. Usha Thakur awarded 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman: Usha Thakur was awarded the 12th Vishwa Hindi Samman (World Hindi Conference) at a Hindi Samvad event organized by the Embassy of India in Nepal. She has translated more than 40 literatures in Hindi and Nepali and strengthened Hindi language. This award is given by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 12th World Hindi Conference was held in Fiji in 2023. As Dr Thakur could not attend the event in Fiji, she was given the award in an event organized in Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu.
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