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NATIONAL AFFAIRS
Highlights of 78th Independence Day of India on August 15, 2024
i.The Government of India has organized the 78th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi, Delhi. Prime Minister (PM) of India Narendra Modi addressed the nation and delivered his 11th consecutive Independence Day speech.
- 2024 Independence Day signified the theme ‘Viksit Bharat@2047’ i.e. transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.
- It was his first address of his third term.
ii.The Guard of Honour for the PM consisted of officer and 24 personnel from the Indian Army (IA), Indian Navy (IN), Indian Air Force (IAF), and Delhi Police. The IN is the coordinating service in 2024.
About Delhi:
Lieutenant Governor– Vinai Kumar Saxena
Chief Minister– Arvind Kejriwal
>> Read Full News
MoS Bhagirath Choudhary launches Digital Geo-Spatial Platform, Krishi-Decision Support System
On 16th August 2024, Minister of State(MoS) Bhagirath Choudhary,Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare(MoA&FW), launched the Krishi-Decision Support System (DSS), a digital geo-spatial platform, during a conference on ‘Space-Driven Solutions for Agricultural Transformation in India’ organized by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Delhi.
- The event was part of the Department of Space’s nationwide celebrations in August 2024, commemorating the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and the establishment of National Space Day on August 23.
About Krishi-DSS:
It is a pioneering geospatial platform tailored for Indian agriculture, providing access to satellite images, weather data, reservoir storage, groundwater levels, and soil health information.
- It features advanced modules for comprehensive agricultural management, including crop mapping, drought monitoring, and crop weather watch.
- The platform supports sustainable agriculture by analyzing crop rotation practices and offers real-time updates on crop conditions, soil moisture, and weather impacts.
- Krishi-DSS integrates various data sources to develop farmer-centric solutions.
Key Highlights:
i.The conference highlighted the latest advancements in satellite remote sensing and geo-spatial technology for precision agriculture, crop monitoring, disaster management, and soil health.
ii.Emphasis were laid on collaboration between the government, private sector, and academia to accelerate the adoption of space technology in agriculture.
iii.The event stressed the importance of creating user-friendly solutions and capacity-building programs to ensure that space technology benefits farmers at the grassroots level.
MoPSW Launches SOP for Green Tug Transition Program for Sustainable Maritime Future
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), officially launched the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP), in New Delhi, Delhi.
- This initiative aims to replace conventional fuel-based tugs with eco-friendly alternatives in major Indian ports, supporting India’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Key Details of the GTTP:
i.Announced on 22 May 2023, the GTTP is part of the ‘Panch Karma Sankalp’ initiative, focusing on decarbonising maritime operations in India.
ii.The GTTP is designed to phase out conventional fuel-based harbour tugs operating in Indian ports and replace them with green tugs powered by cleaner and more sustainable alternate fuels.
iii.Phase 1 of the GTTP (1 October 2024 – 31 December 2027) involves 4 Major Ports, each procuring or chartering at least 2 green tugs, based on the standardised designs and specifications issued by the Standing Specification Committee (SSC).
- The 4 major ports are Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Maharashtra, Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) in Gujarat, Paradip Port Authority (PPA) in Odisha, and V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) in Tamil Nadu.
iv.The program is expected to involve an investment of around Rs 1000 crore for building these green tugs.
v.The first set of tugs will be battery-electric, with provisions for adopting other green technologies like hybrid, methanol, and green hydrogen in the future.
Impact and Vision:
i.The program boosts domestic innovation and manufacturing in the maritime industry, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- All tugs will be built in Indian shipyards, boosting local employment and innovation.
ii.By 2040, all tugs in the major Indian Ports will be green, with new tugs post-2033 complying with the Approved Standard Tug Design Specifications (ASTDS) – GTTP standards.
iii.This initiative aligns with the Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030) and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
- The MIV 2030 aims to make India a global leader in maritime sustainability, including reducing carbon emissions and increasing renewable energy use.
- Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 targets a 30% reduction in Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from port vessels by 2030.
MoA&FW Launches AI-Powered National Pest Surveillance System to Empower Farmers
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) launched the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS), a digital initiative to connect farmers with agriculture scientists and experts for pest management, at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, Delhi.
Note: This platform is expected to benefit about 14 crore (140 million) farmers in India by enabling direct communication with experts.
Objective: The NPSS aims to reduce farmers’ dependence on pesticide retailers and promote a scientific approach to pest management.
About the National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS):
i.The NPSS is a digital initiative by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (DA&FW), MoA&FW.
ii.It uses cutting-edge technologies like AI and Machine Learning (ML) to offer real-time pest management advisories.
iii.Using AI tools, the NPSS will analyse the latest data on pests, helping farmers and experts in pest control and management,
Features and Benefits:
i.The NPSS comprises a user-friendly mobile application (app) and a web portal, ensuring accessibility for all farmers.
ii.Farmers can take photos of infested crops or insects using the NPSS platform and these images are sent to scientists and experts for analysis.
iii.By leveraging real-time data and advanced analytics, NPSS enables accurate pest identification, monitoring, and management, aiming to ensure correct pesticide usage in appropriate quantities and timing.
iv.NPSS will enhance productivity, minimise crop losses, conserve soil health, and reduce excessive pesticide use.
Union Minister C.R. Paatil Launches ‘FloodWatch India’ Mobile App Version 2.0
Union Minister C.R. Paatil, Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS) has launched the Version 2.0 of the ‘FloodWatch India’ Mobile Application (App), developed by the Central Water Commission (CWC) in New Delhi (Delhi), aiming to improve real-time flood monitoring and forecasting across India.
i.The upgraded version includes data from 592 monitoring stations, increased from the 200 stations in the first version.
ii.It gives real-time data on the storage positions of 150 major reservoirs, providing insights into potential flood scenarios in downstream areas.
iii.The app uses modern technology like satellite analysis, mathematical modelling, and real-time monitoring to deliver accurate flood forecasts.
iv.It also presents all the information in 2 languages: English and Hindi, which is available in readable and audio broadcast format.
- The users can check the status of flooding at the nearest monitoring station directly from the home page.
Note: The first version of the mobile app was launched by CWC on 17th August, 2023 with the aim of using mobile phones to spread information about the flood situation in India.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Overview of President Droupadi Murmu’s 3-nation Visit to Fiji, New Zealand & Timor Leste from 5th to 10th August 2024
Droupadi Murmu, The President of India, was on a 3-nation visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor Leste from 5th August to 10th August 2024.
- She started the 1st leg of her visit with Fiji from 5th to 6th August 2024 at the invitation of Ratu Wiliame Maivalli Katonivere, President of Fiji. This marks the 1st-ever visit by a Head of State (HoS) from India to Fiji.
- On 2nd leg of her tour, she visited New Zealand from 8th August to 9th August 2024.
- President Droupadi Murmi concluded her 3-nation visit on 10th August 2024 by visiting the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste at the invitation of Jose Ramos-Horta, President of Timor-Leste.
On 6th August 2024, President Droupadi Murmu was honoured with the Companion of the Order of Fiji, highest civilian honour of Fiji. The award was presented by Fiji President Katonivere during the bilateral meeting with his counterpart at the State House in Suva, Fiji.
About Fiji:
President- Ratu Wiliame Maivalli Katonivere
Currency- Fijian Dollar (FJD)
Capital- Suva
About New Zealand:
Prime Minister (PM)- Christopher Luxon
Currency- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
Capital- Welington
>> Read Full News
External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar Officially Visited Maldives from August 09-11, 2024
Union Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) undertook an official visit to Maldives for 3 days from August 9 to 11, 2024, followed the recent visit of H. E. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, the President of Maldives to India inJune 2024, to strengthen India-Maldives relations and review ongoing projects.
- It is his second visit to Maldives. He had previously visited Maldives in January 2023.
i.He inaugurated the water and sanitation project,the Addu Reclamation Project, Addu Shore Protection Project and 6 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Maldives.
ii.He signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on capacity building of an additional 1000 Maldivian civil servants in India and the introduction of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Maldives were exchanged.
iii.He reviewed India-assisted Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) site, which will connect Malé with the adjoining islands of Villingili, Gulhifalhu, and Thilafushi.
About Maldives:
President– Mohamed Muizzu
Capital– Malé
Currency– Maldivian Rufiyaa
>> Read Full News
CAG & Chamber of Accounts of Uzbekistan Signed MoU to Exchange Auditing Expertise
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chamber of Accounts of Uzbekistan, the SAI of Uzbekistan, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to foster collaboration and exchange of expertise in auditing between the two nations.
Signatories:
The MoU was signed by Girish Chandra Murmu, CAG of India, and Adiz Muzaffarovich Boboyev, Chairman of the Chamber of Accounts of Uzbekistan during Girish Chandra Murmu’s visit to Uzbekistan.
Benefits of the MoU:
i.This MoU establishes a platform for knowledge sharing among auditing professionals, enhancing capacity for conducting audits.
- Knowledge sharing among SAIs promotes the dissemination of best practices and innovative solutions, creating a global network of expertise.
ii.Investing in capacity building will equip SAIs with the skills to effectively audit complex government programs.
iii.The collaboration is expected to contribute to promoting best practices and building more resilient and sustainable governance frameworks.
About Uzbekistan:
President– Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev
Capital– Tashkent
Currency– Uzbekistani Som
BANKING & FINANCE
DSP MF launches India’s first Nifty Top 10 Equal Weight Index Fund & ETF
Discipline Science and Processes (DSP) Mutual Fund has launched India’s first-ever Nifty Top 10 Equal Weight Index Fund and its corresponding Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) with the aim to provide investors with exposure to the top 10 companies listed on the Nifty Index, with each stock receiving equal weight in the portfolio.
- The New Fund Offer (NFO) for an open-ended schemes opened for subscription started on August 16, 2024 and ends on August 30, 2024.
i.DSP Nifty Top 10 Equal Weight Index Fund is tracking the Nifty Top 10 Equal Weight Index and ETF is tracking the Nifty Top 10 Equal Weight Index’s returns.
ii.The Index Fund will provide returns that are consistent with the performance of the Nifty Top 10 Equal Weight Index, subject to tracking error.
- The index fund has no exit load, even for switches between Direct and Regular PlansThe minimum investment for this fund is Rs.100.
iii.The ETF will provide returns that, before expenses, correspond to the total return of the underlying index (Nifty Top 10 Equal Weight Total Return Index (TRI)), subject to tracking errors.
- There is no exit load for creation unit size redemptions by Market Makers or Large Investors. The minimum investment for this ETF is Rs.5,000.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
NI-MSME Hyderabad Awarded Accreditation Certificate as ‘UTKRISHT’
The National Institute for MSME (NI-MSME) has been awarded with an Accreditation Certificate with a ‘Utkrisht’ 3-star rating on completion of National Standards for Civil Services Training Institutions (NSCSTI) process in recognition of excellent services in the field of promotion and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
- Dr. Sunchu Glory Swarupa, the Director General (DG) of NI-MSME has received the Accreditation Certificate from Union Minister of State (MoS – Independent Charge, IC) Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T) during CSTI Convention at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
i.It has received a 3-star rating following a comprehensive assessment by the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) and Integrity, Customer-First, Accountability, Respect and Excellence (ICARE).
ii.The assessment was made based on the inspection of all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and methodologies followed by NI-MSME at different levels.
Note: NI-MSME is a national institute in India under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (M/oMSME), headquartered at Hyderabad, Telangana.
APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS
Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes Thailand’s Youngest PM
On 16th August 2024, Paetongtarn Shinawatra (37years old), was elected as youngest-ever and second female Prime Minister (PM) of Thailand by the Parliament.
- She succeeds Phumtham Wechayachai, who served as Acting PM of Thailand for two days from 14th August 2024 following the removal of PM Srettha Thavisin.
- She secured the position with 319 votes in favor, 145 against, and 27 abstentions.
Key Points:
i.Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been serving as the leader of Pheu Thai Party since 2023.
ii.She is the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, who served as PM from 2001 to 2006.
- Means, she is the third member of the Shinawatra family to become PM, following her father, and her aunt, Yingluck.
iii.Known by her nickname “Ung-Ing,” she began her political career in 2021 as Chief of the Pheu Thai Party’s Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee.
iv.She has also been active in business and social initiatives.
About Thailand:
Capital– Bangkok
Currency– Thai Baht
Prime Minister (PM)– Paetongtarn Shinawatra
ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS
Kotak Bank Announces the Amalgamation of Sonata Finance and BSS Microfinance
Mumbai (Maharashtra) based Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited(KMBL) has announced the Amalgamation of Sonata Finance Private Limited(SFPL),Lucknow(Uttar Pradesh, UP) and BSS Microfinance Limited(BML),Bengaluru(Karnataka), both its wholly owned subsidiaries.
- The Board of Directors (BoD) of both companies has approved a Scheme of Amalgamation under Sections 230 to 232 of the Companies Act, 2013.
i.The scheme is subject to the approval of the respective shareholders and creditors of Sonata and BSS, as well as the approval of the relevant National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and other regulatory authorities.
ii.According to the merger scheme, BSS will issue and allot 1,931 shares of face value Rs 10 for every 10,000 shares of face value Rs 10 held by Sonata.
iii.The merger is expected to increase operational efficiency, streamline administrative and operational rationalisation, and reduce overheads and expenses.
Note: KMBL had announced its acquisition of SFPL in February 2023.
SPORTS
Hockey India retires No. 16 jersey in honour of PR Sreejesh, Appoints him as Junior Men’s Team Coach
Hockey India has officially retired the No. 16 jersey from the national senior men’s team in honour of Parattu Raveendran (PR) Sreejesh, the goalkeeper who announced his retire after the Paris Olympics 2024.
- He is regarded as the ‘God of Indian Modern History’ and popularly known as “The Wall of India”.
- This announcement was made during the farewell ceremony organized by Hockey India.
- Hockey India also appointed him as the coach for the Junior Men’s Hockey Team.
Key Points:
i.Throughout his 18-year career, he has competed in four Olympic Games since 2012, captained the team at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and secured two Olympic bronze medals (Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024).
ii.His career accolades also include two Asian Games gold medals (2014, 2023), an Asian Games bronze (2018), two Commonwealth Games silver medals (2014, 2022), and four victories in the Asian Champions Trophy (2011, 2016, 2018, 2023).
About PR Sreejesh:
i.Hailing from Kerala, debuted with the junior national team in 2004 at 16, followed by his senior debut in 2006 at 18.
ii.He was honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2021.
iii.He became the second Indian athlete to be named World Games Athlete of the Year in 2021 after Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal in 2020.
iv.He also earned the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Goalkeeper of the Year title for two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022.
v.He received the Arjuna Award (hockey) in 2015 and he was awarded with 4th highest civilian award Padma Shri(sports) in 2017.
STATE NEWS
Petroglyphs & Geoglyphs: Maharashtra Declares Rock Arts in Ratnagiri as ‘Protected Monuments’
The Maharashtra Government has declared Petroglyphs and Geoglyphs (rock arts) in Ratnagiri as ‘Protected Monuments’ under the Maharashtra Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1960.
- Geoglyphs and Petroglyphs are the different types of ancient art forms which includes the creation of images or designs on the earth’s surface or rock surfaces.
- Ratnagiri has almost 1,500 such artworks spread across 70 sites, seven of which are on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)‘s tentative World Heritage List(WHL).
About Petroglyphs:
i.Petroglyphs are found in Deud, Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) which dates back to the Mesolithic age (approximately 20,000–10,000 years ago).
ii.The petroglyphs feature footprints, a donkey, a rhino, a deer, and a monkey.
iii.The Konkan region’s petroglyphs are significant because they show the artistic endeavours of Mesolithic humans.
iv.The total area around the monument to be protected is 210 square metres (sq.m).
v.The seven were discovered in Umbarle village of Dapoli taluka, one of which was a 17 feet long petroglyph, while the eighth was discovered in Borkhat village of Mandangad.
About Geoglyphs:
i.Geoglyphs is located along the 900 kilometre(km) Konkan coast in Maharashtra and Goa.
ii.They are unique clusters of pictorial representations that include marine and riverine species (along with animals), reptiles, amphibians, and birds that disappeared from the region centuries ago.
iii.The conservationists have raised concerns about a proposed oil refinery in Barsu (Maharashtra), warning that it could damage the geoglyphs in the area.
Note:
i.Rock art in India is one of the oldest material evidence of early human life creativity.
ii.The most common forms of rock art in India are rock paintings, rock engravings, bowl-shaped and ring-shaped marks.
About Maharashtra:
Chief Minister (CM) – Eknath Shinde
Governor – C. P. Radhakrishnan
Wildlife Sanctuary- Malvan (marine) Wildlife Sanctuary
Tiger Reserves – Bor Tiger Reserve, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
UP CM Yogi Adityanath Announces ‘MYUVA Scheme’ To Empower Youth Entrepreneurs in UP
On 15th August 2024 (78th Independence day), Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister (CM) of Uttar Pradesh (UP), has announced the launch of Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyam Vikas Abhiyan (MYUVA) scheme aimed at empowering the youth of UP.
About the MYUVA Scheme:
i.MYUVA Scheme aims to prepare one lakh young entrepreneurs every year by providing interest-free loans for projects of up to Rs 5 lakh.
- The young entrepreneurs were offered interest subsidies and Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) coverage in addition to interest-free loans.
ii.It is designed to empower educated and skilled youth throughout UP by promoting self-employment opportunities and encouraging the formation of one million Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
iii.The government has allotted Rs 1,000 crore in the 2024-25 budget to support this initiative.
iv.The state government will provide industrial training and finance to about 100,000 youths annually for the next 10 years.
v.It aims to directly benefit one million (10 lakh) units over the next ten years by financing 1,000,000 units annually.
vi.Following the first loan’s successful repayment, units will be qualified for second-stage financing, which offers a composite loan that can total up to Rs 7.50 lakh, or double the original amount.
vii.The funding for this scheme will be available from nationalised,
scheduled, rural banks as well as the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) and all financial institutions notified by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
Eligibility:
i.The beneficiaries who have undergone training in various government-run schemes, such as the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana (VSSY), One District One Product (ODOP) Training and Toolkit Scheme, Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Class (OBC) Training Scheme, and Skill Upgradation (Kaushal Unnayan) run by the UP Skill Development Mission (UPSDM) are eligible for this assistance.
ii.Additionally, youth with educational certificates, diplomas, and degrees are eligible for these benefits.
About Uttar Pradesh (UP):
Chief Minister (CM) – Yogi Adityanath
Governor – Anandiben Mafatbhai Patel
Wildlife Sanctuaries – Suhelwa Wildlife Sanctuary, Sandi bird sanctuary
Zoological Parks – Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden,
Kanpur Zoological Park
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