Current Affairs 14 August 2024

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs 14 August 2024, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2024 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

Our Current Affairs August 2024 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams. Also, try our Latest Current Affairs Quiz and Monthly Current Affairs 2024 PDF which will be a pedestrian to crack your exams.

Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name – Learn Current Affairs – Free Course – Click Here to Download the APP

We are Hiring – Subject Matter Expert | CA Video Creator | Content Developers(Pondicherry)

Click here for Current Affairs 13 August 2024

Click here for Affairscloud Hindu Free Vocabs telegram channel

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MEA & NSIL Signed MoU To Assist Launch of Nepal’s Munal SatelliteThe Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL),  commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to grant assistance for the launch of Nepal-built Munal satellite.
Key People:
i.The MoU was signed by Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North) of the MEA and Arunachalam A, Director of NSIL.
ii.Dr. Rabindra Prasad Dhakal, Secretary of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Dr. Surendra Thapa, Chargé d’affaires of Nepali Embassy and Dr. Abhas Maskey, Founder of Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN) were also present at the occasion.
Background:
The Launch Service Agreement for the Munal Satellite, between NSIL and NAST, was signed on January 4 2024 in Nepal during the External Affairs Minister(EAM) S. Jaishankar’s visit to co-chair the 7th Joint Commission Meeting  (JCM).
Key Points:
i.Munal is an indigenous satellite developed in Nepal under the aegis of the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

• The satellite has AI-powered photography functionalities and is projected to improve Nepal’s space research capabilities.

ii.The aim of the satellite is to build a vegetation density database of the Earth’s surface.
iii.It is expected to be launched soon on NSIL’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).
iv.Antarikchya Pratishan Nepal (APN) is a Nepali space startup which has assisted Nepali students in the design and fabrication of this satellite.
About the NewSpace India Limited (NSIL):
NSIL is a wholly owned Government of India company, under the administrative control of the Department of Space (DOS).
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) – Radhakrishnan Durairaj
Headquarters – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Incorporated – 2019
About the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA):
Union Minister – Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (Rajya Sabha- Gujarat)
Minister of State (MoS) – Kirti Vardhan Singh(Constituency – Gonda, Uttar Pradesh, UP); Pabitra Margherita (Rajya Sabha- Assam)

PM Narendra Modi Released 109 High-Yielding, Climate Resilient & Biofortified Varieties of CropsOn 11th August 2024, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, released 109 new varieties of 61 crops developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), Pusa, New Delhi, Delhi.

• The high yielding, climate resilient and biofortified varieties of the 61 crops includes 34 field crops and 27 horticultural crops.

Key People:
Bhagirath Choudhary and Ram Nath Thakur, Ministers of State (MoS), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW); Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the  Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), MoA&FW, and Director-General(DG) of ICAR were present during the event.
Significance:
i.These varieties are nutritionally rich and adaptable to environmental changes.
ii.The launch of these crops is aimed at enhancing food security, boosting agricultural diversity, and addressing nutritional issues in India.
iii.The new varieties encompass a wide range of crops includes Cereals; Millets; Pulses; Oilseeds; Fibre; Forage; Fruits; Vegetables; Flowers; Spices; Medicinal plants; etc.,.
Key Crop Varieties:
i.“Pooja 1801”, a millet variety, has exceptional iron and zinc content. This could combat child malnutrition, in partnership with the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH).
ii.‘Pusa 2002,’ a millet variety, matures in just 70 days, compared to the 110 days required by most other varieties. This promotes climate resilience.
iii.‘Girnar 6‘, a groundnut variety, has high oil content.
iv.Chickpea Variety, ‘Nandyal 1267‘ is suitable for mechanical harvesting.

• Developing timely harvesting and secure storage pulses is vital for enhancing farmers’ productivity and profitability.

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh Launches ‘Amrit Gyan Kosh‘ and ‘Faculty Development’ Portals On August 12, 2024, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (MOS – Independent Charge, IC), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), launched the ‘Amrit Gyan Kosh’ and ‘Faculty Development’ portals under ‘Mission Karmayogi’ during the Civil Service Training Institutions (CSTI) Convention at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The ‘Amrit Gyan Kosh’ portal is a comprehensive knowledge repository that offers access to India-centric case studies, reducing the dependence on Western sources.
• The Faculty Development portal aims to improve the teaching skills of practitioners and faculty members, ensuring effective training for civil servants.

Participants:
The event featured participation from Adil Zainulbhai, Chairperson of the Capacity Building Commission/CBC (participated online), along with senior officials from accredited ministries, and directors of CSTIs across India.
Key Points:
i.The Minister also introduced 13 Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) as part of a roadmap to enhance training Indian institutions continuously.
ii.He granted accreditation to 20 ministries and recognized several CSTIs for their contributions, including the top five with highest courses of IGoT (Integrated Government Online Training):

1. New Delhi-based Institute of Secretariat Training and Management/ISTM (132)
2. Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP)-based National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research Innovation and Training/NTIPRIT (67)
3. Ghaziabad-based Rafi Ahmed Kidwai National Postal Academy/RAKNPA (41)
4. New Delhi-based National Institute of Communication Finance/NICF (39)
5. Hyderabad, Telangana based Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy/SVPNPA(20)

MNRE Issued Operational Guidelines for Model Solar Village Scheme under PM Surya Ghar Muft : Bijli Yojana On 9th August 2024, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has issued the operational guidelines for implementing the ‘Model Solar Village’ scheme under the ‘Prime Minister (PM)-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’.

• Under the scheme component, emphasis has been laid on establishing one Model Solar Village per district across India in order to promote solar energy adoption and enable village communities to become self-reliant in energy needs.

Guidelines:
These Guidelines relate to the scheme component for Model Solar village.
i.Budget Allocation: The MNRE has allocated Rs 800 crore for the implementation of the scheme, providing central financial assistance of Rs 1 crore per village.
ii.Eligibility Criteria for Village: As per the guidelines for scheme, a village will be considered under the competition mode. Also, a village must be a revenue village with a population size above 5,000 (or 2,000 for special category states).
iii.Selection Process: The villages will be selected by assessing their overall distributed Renewable Energy (RE) capacity installed on 6 months after the declaration of the potential candidate by District Level Committee (DLC).

• There will be one winning village in each district of the State which has the highest RE capacity .

iv.Implementing Agency: The scheme will be implemented by State or Union Territory (UT) Renewable Energy Development Agency (REDA) under the supervision of the DLC.

• This will ensure that selected villages under the scheme, transition effectively to solar-powered communities and will serve as models for other villages across the country.

About PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana:
i.The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana on 29th February, 2024.

• The Government of India (GoI) has allocated Rs 75,021 crore for the scheme and is to be implemented till Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27).

ii.Under the scheme, households will be provided with a subsidy up to 40% to install solar panels on their roofs.
iii.It aims to provide free electricity of 300 units per month to 1 crore households in India.
About Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE):
Union Minister- Prahlad Joshi (Lok Sabha Constituency- Dharwad, Karnataka)
Minister of State (MoS)- Shripad Yesso Naik (Lok Sabha Constituency- North Goa, Goa)

MoHFW Launched 2nd Phase of Nationwide Bi-Annual MDA Campaign 2024 to Eliminate LF
Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge,  IC) Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), virtually launched the 2nd phase of the bi-annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign 2024 to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF)  by 2027. LF is commonly known as elephantiasis(Haatipaon), a priority mosquito-borne disease.

• The launch included the release of the ‘Revised Guideline on Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis’ and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) material for LF elimination.

i.The campaign focuses on 63 endemic districts in Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh(UP).

• Till 2023, 6.19 lakh cases of lymphoedema and 1.27 lakh cases of hydrocele were reported from all the endemic districts.

ii.It will provide door-to-door administration of preventive medications in endemic areas, aiming to achieve 90% drug compliance among eligible populations.
iii.As part of the 2nd phase, 63 districts (38 triple drugs & 25 double drugs), and 771 blocks across 6 states are conducting the MDA campaign, focussing on both the distribution and consumption of medicines.
Note: The MDA campaign conducted biannually on 10th February (alongside National Deworming Day (NDD)), and on 10th August, aims to advance India’s goal of LF elimination ahead of the global target.

Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare Issues Guidelines for Nationwide DLC Campaign 3.0
The Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare (DoPPW) under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions (MoPP&P) has notified the guidelines for the Nationwide Digital Life Certificate (DLC) campaign 3.0, scheduled from November 1-30, 2024, in 800 cities/districts across India.

• This will be the largest-ever campaign aiming to achieve higher digital empowerment of pensioners with a saturation approach

i.The campaign will be coordinated by the DoPPW in collaboration with various Ministries, Departments, Pension Disbursing Banks (PDBs), and Pensioners’ Welfare Associations (PWAs).
ii.Pensioners must submit their Life Certificate annually in November to continue receiving their pension.

• Central Government, Defence, and Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) pensioners can submit their DLCs during this campaign.

iii.The DLC 1.0 campaign was held in 37 cities in the month of November 2022 and the DLC Campaign 2.0 was held in November, 2023 under which 45.46 lakh Central Government Pensioners submitted their DLC’s.
iv.The campaign will be monitored on a real-time basis through the DLC campaign portal, with PDBs formulating detailed plans and coordinating with the PWAs.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

IAF Successfully Concluded Participation Exercise Udara Shakti 2024The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent participated in the Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 (EX US24), bilateral air exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) from August 5 to 9, 2024 at RMAF Base Station in Kuantan, Malaysia 

• Aim: To bolster the operational efficiency, technical experts of both Air Forces engaged in sharing of their maintenance practices.

Key Dignitaries: The opening ceremony was attended by Group Captain Ajay Rathi, leader of the IAF team, Subhashini Narayanan, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Malaysia and other senior officials of the RMAF.
Key Highlights of the exercise:
i.The exercise was based on two different concepts such as: Field Training Exercise (FTX) and Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE).
ii.The exercise saw the participation of 7 Sukhoi-30 fighter jets from both the RMAF and the IAF.

• The IAF contingent participated with Su-30MKI fighter jets while the RMAF participated with Su-30MKM fighters.

iii.During the exercise, the Su-30 MKI fighter jets of IAF engaged in air combat missions with Su-30MKM fighter jets of RMAF.

• This enabled the crew of air forces of both the countries to familiarize with each other’s operational protocol, thus, enhancing interoperability, commonality and overall effectiveness in Su-30 aircraft operations.

iv.The activities in EX US24 were enriched with SMEE discussions which aimed to share expertise, insights, and skills in aviation and engineering for the Sukhoi-30 aircraft.
v.The exercise also included HOP Exercise (HOP EX), during which the pilots of both the Air Forces exchanged their Sukhoi fighter jets i.e. Indian pilot flew Su-30 MKM fighter jet of RMAF and vice versa.

• The primary objective of HOP EX was to test the readiness of aircraft, share combat tactics, and explore differences in aircraft equipment functionality.

About Indian Air Force (IAF):
Chief of Air Staff (CoAS)- Vivek Ram Chaudhari
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Established- 8th October, 1932
About Malaysia:
Prime Minister (PM) – Anwar Ibrahim
Capital- Kuala Lumpur
Currency- Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)

Ex Mitra Shakti 2024: 10th Edition of India- Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise commenced in Sri LankaOn 12th August 2024, Exercise Mitra Shakti 2024, the 10th edition of the joint military exercise between the Army of India and Sri Lanka commenced at Army Training School, Maduru Oya, Sri Lanka.

• The combat training exercise is set to conclude on 25th August 2024.
• It is part of India’s efforts to strengthen military ties with Sri Lanka and enhance bilateral relations.

Note:
i.The annual Mitra Shakti exercise was started in 2012 and is held alternately in India and Sri Lanka.
ii.Mitra Shakti 2023, the 9th edition of the exercise was held in 2023 in Pune, Maharashtra.
About Mitra Shakti 2024:
i.The exercise aims to bolster joint military capabilities for counter-insurgency operations in a semi-urban environment under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate
ii.Mitra Shakti primarily focuses on infantry, with mixed infantry divisions from both armies participating.
iii.Mitra Shakti facilitates the exchange of best practices, enhances interoperability, and strengthens the bonds between the two armies, further boosting defense cooperation and bilateral ties.
Participants:
India: 106 personnel from the Rajputana Rifles.
Sri Lanka: Represented by the Gajaba Regiment.
Highlights:
i.The exercise consists of four phases:

• Phase 1: Static display and weapon demonstrations.
• Phase 2: Training and rehearsals, including night drills.
• Phase 3: Sports competitions to foster camaraderie.
• Phase 4: A comprehensive joint exercise.

ii.Tactical drills to be rehearsed during the exercise include response to terrorist actions, establishing joint command posts, intelligence and surveillance centers, securing helipads, special heliborne operations, cordon and search operations, and the use of drones and counter-drone systems.
About Sri Lanka:
Prime Minister (PM)– Dinesh Gunawardena
Capital– Colombo (Executive & Judicial), Sri Jayawardhapura Kotte (Legislative)
Currency– Sri Lankan Rupee

Neelakurinji, the Iconic Flowering Shrub of Kodagu & Western Ghats, Listed as Vulnerable by IUCN
The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a purplish flowering shrub predominantly found in the Western Ghat (Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu(TN)), has been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species.

• The species has been categorised as “Vulnerable” under IUCN Criteria A2c, indicating a significant threat to its survival.
• This marks the first-ever global assessment of Neelakurinji of the southwest Indian montane grasslands.

About Neelakurinji:
i.Neelakurinji, or Kurunji, or Kurinji blooms between mid-July and October, once every 12 years.  The plant thrives in high-altitude shola grasslands between 1,340 and 2,600 meters, primarily in 5 mountain ranges in southwest India.
ii.It consists of 34 subpopulations within 14 ecoregions in the high-altitude mountain ranges of southwest India, including 33 subpopulations in the Western Ghats and 1 in the Eastern Ghats (Yercaud, and Shevaroy Hills in TN).
iii.It faces challenges due to its fragile habitat, with over 40% of its habitat has been lost due to human activities.

BANKING & FINANCE

Axis Bank and Visa Launched the “PRIMUS” Credit Card for India’s EliteIndia’s leading Private Sector Bank (PSBs), Axis Bank Limited in partnership with Visa Inc., the global leader in digital payments has launched “PRIMUS”, an ultra premium credit card designed specifically for Ultra-High-Net –Worth (UNHW) individuals in India.

• The PRIMUS credit card will be offered by invitation only, to select UNHW customers of Axis Bank. It might be seen as an alternative to the Citibank Ultima credit card.
• For the 1st time in India, the customers will have access to internationally acclaimed, bespoke privileges and benefits customized for UHNW individuals.

About PRIMUS credit card:
i.The PRIMUS credit card is designed to cater the distinct and complex banking needs of UHNW individuals that require specialised services beyond those provided to other clients.
ii.It was launched to select clients in New Delhi (Delhi) and Mumbai (Maharashtra) at “Axis Bank PRIMUS Soiree”.
iii.The joining fee for PRIMUS credit card is Rs 1.8 lakh. The cardholders will get access to unlimited domestic airport lounge, and international lounge access will be provided through Priority Pass membership.
Key Benefits:
i.Unforgettable culinary experiences: The customers will get preferential access to more than 10,000 global restaurants, including coveted tables and last minute reservations at Michelin-star restaurants and the world’s top 50 restaurants.
ii.Curated global events: The customers will be invited to private art gallery tours, global sporting events to restaurants takeovers, among others.
iii.Travel redefined: The customers will get exclusive access to specially curated travel itineraries such as: flying safaris, ski vacations, access to private jets.
iv.Luxury Hotels: The customers will get access to the best global hotels at preferential rates.
Note: The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of India has significantly increased to approximately USD 3.5 trillion, thus, making it among the world’s largest economies.
Axis Bank Launched “Sparsh Week 2024”; Reinforcing its Ethos of “Customer Delight”
Axis Bank also launched the 2nd edition of its customer-centric initiative “Sparsh Week 2024”, which commenced from 5th August to 9th August, 2024.

• Aim: To enhance customer experience by empowering its employees to create memorable interactions throughout the customer journey.
• During the week, bank organised a series of customer-focused activities for its employees and customers.

Key Points:
i.The initiative is in alignment with Sparsh’s core philosophy of “Listen, Act, and Celebrate”.
ii.The bank hosted various interesting programs such as Masterclasses, Fireside Chats, Customer and Leadership Connects, and Panel Discussions, where eminent speakers shared their valuable insights and experience with the employee and reinforced the ethos of customer delight.
iii.As a part of the initiative, the bank launched exclusive offers through its more than 5,000 branches.

• 30 lakh health insurance (family plan) at an annual premium of Rs 2,499; free Axis Direct Account with access to Smart Edge and various stocks with 72% return in a year;
• Access to 100% loan financing for education which includes the cost of living expenses, pre-visa disbursement facility and pre-admission sanction letter, among others.

About Axis Bank Limited:
Managing Director (MD) & Chief Executive Officer(CEO) – Amitabh Chaudhry 
Headquarters – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline – Badhti ka Naam Zindagi
Established – 1993

India’s Merchandise Exports Expected to Grow by 4.2% in Q2 FY25: EXIM Bank ReportThe quarterly report of the Export-Import Bank of India (India Exim Bank), has projected India’s merchandise exports to grow by 4.2% to USD 111.7 billion in the 2nd Quarter (Q2 – July to September) of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), down from 5.8% (USD 109.9 billion) in Q1 of FY25(April to June).

• India’s merchandise exports were at USD 109.9 billion in Q1 of FY25.

Key Findings:
i.The Non-oil exports are expected to grow at 6.26% Y-o-Y basis, to USD 89.8 billion in Q2 FY25.

• The report noted that the positive growth rate in total merchandise exports and in non-export sectors for 3 consecutive quarters, a trend that is likely to persist in Q2 FY25.

ii.The report showed that the India’s economy continues to show strong activity, which is mainly driven by sustained momentum in both the manufacturing and services sectors, expected global monetary easing and improving demand prospects from trade partners will provide a favourable environment for India’s exports.
iii.The outlook is subjected to risks like uncertain economic prospects in advanced economies, geopolitical tensions, and ongoing conflicts in West Asia, global supply chain disruptions and deepening geo-economic fragmentation.
iv.India’s trade deficit, which hit a 7-month high in May 2024 (USD 23.78 billion), decreased to USD 20.98 billion in June 2024, this is slightly higher than the USD 19.1 billion registered in April 2024.
iv.India’s trade performance has showed a robust post-pandemic recovery. The merchandise exports surpassed the USD 400 billion mark for the 1st time in FY24, reaching a record USD 433.09 billion.
Additional info:
i.The projections were made based on EXIM Bank’s in-house Export Leading Index (ELI) model as part of its continued research initiatives to track and forecast the movement in India’s exports on a quarterly basis.
ii.ELI is based on several external and domestic factors that could impact exports of the country.

• The next projections, covering the 3rd Quarter (Q3) of FY25 (October to December), will be released in the 1st fortnight of November.

About Export-Import Bank of India (India-Exim Bank):
Managing Director (MD) – Harsha Bangari
Headquarters- Mumbai, Maharashtra
Established- 1982

RBI Notifies Approval for FPI Investments in Sovereign Green Bonds at IFSC
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the commencement of Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrB) trading at the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Gujarat during the second half of Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25), allowing Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) to invest in these bonds at the IFSC.

• Following this, the RBI has amended the Forex Management (Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2024, allowing non-residents with securities accounts in the IFSC, to trade SGrBs.
• FPIs can pay for SGrBs using inward remittances or funds held in foreign currency accounts. The sale or maturity proceeds from SGrBs can be remitted outside India, net of applicable taxes.

Note: The government has raised Rs 36,000 crore through green bonds since 2022-23. In FY25), only Rs 1,697 crore has been raised out of the Rs 12,000 crore target, due to unfavourable bids.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IN approves MDL to Build 6 Submarines in Collaboration with Germany’s TKMSThe Indian Navy (IN) has authorized Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to construct six advanced submarines in partnership with Germany‘s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) under the ‘Project 75 India (P75I)’ initiative.

• The project, valued at approximately Rs 60,000 crore, is pivotal in strengthening India’s naval capabilities in the Indian Ocean, particularly in response to the growing presence of China and Pakistan.

Key Points:
i.MDL’s selection followed successful trials of submarines equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) systems, enabling them to remain submerged for up to two weeks without surfacing for battery recharging.
ii.MDL, alongside TKMS, competed against Larsen & Toubro and Navantia, for this contract.
iii.The submarines will be diesel-electric with AIP technology will offer superior endurance and capabilities over previous models.
iv.Additionally, the government has initiated Project 76, which focuses on building 6 conventional submarines with an entirely indigenous design, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and IN.
About Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL):
i.MDL is a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
ii.It was incorporated as a Private Limited Company in 1934 and it was takenover by the Government of India in 1960.
Chairman & Managing Director (CMD)– Sanjeev Singhal (additional charge)
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra

OBITUARY

Padma Bhushan Awardee & Former External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh Passed Away Padma Bhushan Awardee Kunwar Natwar Singh, a Diplomat and Former External Affairs Minister, passed away at the age of 93 in Gurugram, Haryana. He was born in 1929 in Bharatpur, Rajasthan.

• In 1984, the Government of India (GoI) honoured him with Padma Bhushan (Civil Service).

About Kunwar Natwar Singh:
i.Kunwar Natwar Singh joined the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in 1953.
ii.He has been appointed in various positions including India’s Deputy High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) from 1973 to 1977, High Commissioner to Zambia in 1977.
iii.He served as India’s Ambassador to Pakistan from 1980 to 1982.
iv.He served as Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) from 1982 to 1984.
v.He also served as the Secretary-General (SG) of the 7th Non-aligned Movement (NAM) Summit held in New Delhi (Delhi) in 1983.
Political career:
i.In 1984, Kunwar resigned from the IFS and joined the Indian National Congress (INC) party.
ii.He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Bharatpur in 1984 and was again re-elected in 1998.
iii.He also served as the Union Minister of State (MoS) for Steel, Mines, and Coal, and Agriculture from 1985 to 1989 under the leadership of then Prime Minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi.
iv.He was elected (indirectly) to the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan in 2002. He served as the External Affairs Minister(EAM) from 2004 to 2005 under the leadership of then PM Manmohan Singh.

• In 2006, he resigned from the post following the allegations related to the oil-for-food scam.

Books:
He has authored several books which includes, ‘The Legacy of Nehru: A Memorial Tribute’ and ‘My China Diary 1956-88’ and his autobiography titled ‘One Life is Not Enough’ (2014).

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Youth Day 2024 – August 12The United Nations (UN)’s International Youth Day is annually observed across the globe on 12 August to honor young people and their contributions to society. The day also brings the youth issues to the attention of the international community and recognise their potential as global partners.

• The theme of International Youth Day 2024 is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”.

Background:
i.The idea for International Youth Day was proposed in 1991 by youth, who gathered for the 1st session of the UN System’s World Youth Forum in Vienna, Austria.
ii.In 1998, a resolution proclaiming 12 August as International Youth Day was adopted by the 1st session of the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (WCMRY).
iii.In 1999, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) at its 54th session endorsed the recommendation in its resolution A/RES/54/120 entitled “Policies and programmes involving youth.”
iv.The 1st International Youth Day was observed on 12th August 2000.
>> Read Full News

World Elephant Day 2024 – August 12 World Elephant Day is an annual international campaign observed across the globe on 12 August to raise awareness about the preservation and protection of Elephants(Elephantidae), the ‘Gentle Giants‘ worldwide.
i.The day also highlights the threats faced by the Elephants, including poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, etc.
ii.The theme for World Elephant Day 2024 is “Personifying Prehistoric Beauty, Theological Relevance, and Environmental Importance”.
iii.Aaranyak, a biodiversity organisation in Assam has launched a Mobile Application (App) named ‘HaatiApp‘ and a comprehensive Solar Fence Manual in Assamese, to address the Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC) in Assam and Northeast India, at an event held in Guwahati, Assam.
>> Read Full News

*******

Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)

Aspirant: Does Affairscloud covers all the Current affairs topics related to examinations?
Affairscloud: We Guaranteed All the Important topics related to examination are covered in Our Daily CA content and Daily CA Quizzes.
Aspirant: Why is there a delayal in news?
Affairscloud: As some of the major news sites doesn’t provide the required data on the exact day, we take extra time for important data to be presented to the aspirants on the examination basis to ensure nothing is missed.
Example:  In ‘Important Days’ topics the International Organisations publish their reports and Rankings in the evenings, to make sure every data is covered, we delay the topics to the next day.