Current affairs One - Liner : 14th & 15th July 2024

• National:
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to jointly create an AI Audit Tool. This tool aims to oversee corporate performance in India and detect frauds.

• Tata Power has launched 'Ghar Ghar Solar' in Uttar Pradesh to bring solar power to every home. The initiative offers rooftop solar solutions with government subsidies of up to Rs. 1,08,000. This aims to reduce electricity bills and promote clean energy.
• The World Heritage Young Professionals Forum 2024 was inaugurated on 15th July 2024. Hosted by the Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya Institute of Archaeology in New Delhi, this forum aims to enhance the expertise and capacities of young professionals in protecting, preserving, and promoting our natural and cultural World Heritage.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the Pradhan Mantri Colleges of Excellence in all 55 districts of Madhya Pradesh on July 14, 2024. These colleges have been built for Rs 486 crore and aim to provide high-quality education across various disciplines, including Biotechnology, Computer Science, Culture, Arts, and more.
• NITI Aayog launched the NITI GearShift Challenge on July 15, 2024, under the e-FAST India initiative. It aims to accelerate electric truck adoption by encouraging innovative business models. The challenge seeks solutions to financial, technical, and operational hurdles, fostering collaboration among students, industry, and policymakers.
• India is all set to host the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Goa from November 20th to 24th, 2024. This landmark event for the media and entertainment industry will bring together professionals, creators, and innovators from around the world.
• Banking:
• REC Limited, a leader in the Indian power sector, has secured a green loan of JPY 31.96 billion (equivalent to USD 200 million) from Deutsche Bank AG’s GIFT City branch. This investment supports REC’s commitment to fostering sustainable growth under its Green Finance Framework.
• Greenko Group has received a Rs 6200 crore sanction from the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NABFID) to prepay overseas dollar bonds. These bonds are set to mature in January and July next year. The move aims to reduce overseas liabilities amid higher interest rates abroad. The company currently has 7.5 gigawatts of installed solar and wind power capacity across 15 states in India.
• Economy:
• Net direct tax collections in India surged 19.5% to Rs 5.74 lakh crore in FY25. This significant growth is driven by both personal and corporate income tax. The increase indicates a robust economic recovery and will likely boost government spending.
• Sports:
• Spain secured their fourth UEFA European Football Championship title (Euro Cup) by defeating England 2-1 in the final held at Berlin’s Olympiastadion stadium on July 14, 2024. Mikel Oyarzabal’s goal four minutes from time sealed the victory for La Roja, making it a record-breaking achievement for the Spanish team.
• Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his Wimbledon Men's Singles title on Sunday, July 14, 2024. He defeated Novak Djokovic in a thrilling final match held at Centre Court, Wimbledon, London.
• Important Days:
• Social Media Giving Day is celebrated annually on July 15th. It aims to harness the power of social media for good causes. People donate to charities, share information, and volunteer their time. The goal is to inspire a wave of giving and create a positive impact through social platforms.
• The International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, observed on July 12 each year, aims to raise awareness about the impact of sand and dust storms on human health, the environment, and economies. The theme for 2024 is “Addressing the alarming increase in frequency and severity of sand and dust storms” .
• Appointments:
• The Indian government has appointed Robert Jerard Ravi as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), effective from July 15. This appointment denies an extension to the outgoing CMD, P. K. Purwar, who had been serving as the CMD of both BSNL and MTNL since July 2019.
• Arun Bansal was appointed as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Paytm Payments Bank on July 15, 2024. He brings significant experience to the role, having previously served in various leadership positions in the telecom industry.
• K P Sharma Oli is a prominent political figure in Nepal, known for his leadership roles within the country's political landscape. He previously served as Prime Minister of Nepal from 2015 to 2016 and again from 2018 to 2021. His recent oath-taking on July 15, 2024.
• Awards & Honours:
• Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik won the Golden Sand Master Award with a gold medal at the International Sand Sculpture Championship held in St. Petersburg, Russia. The championship took place from July 4 to July 12, 2024, at the iconic Peter and Paul Fortress.
• Obituaries:
• Aparna Vastarey, a cherished Kannada actress and the familiar voice behind Namma Metro’s announcements, passed away at the age of 57. She succumbed to lung cancer on July 11.

Questions:

1 What is the objective of Tata Power's 'Ghar Ghar Solar' initiative?

• A) To promote wind energy
• B) To bring solar power to every home in Uttar Pradesh
• C) To install geothermal energy systems
• D) To reduce water consumption

Answer: B) Tata Power has launched 'Ghar Ghar Solar' in Uttar Pradesh to bring solar power to every home.

2 Who has been appointed as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)?

• A) Robert Jerard Ravi
• B) P. K. Purwar
• C) Both A and B
• D) None of the above

Answer: A) The Indian government has appointed Robert Jerard Ravi as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), effective from July 15.