Current Affairs One - Liner : 19th July 2024

On July 15, 2024, India’s G20 Task Force on Digital Public Infrastructure released its final report in New Delhi. Led by Co-Chairs Shri Amitabh Kant and Shri Nandan Nilekani, the task force outlined the framework for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) during India's G20 Presidency.

The “Utkrishtata ki Ore Badhte Kadam: Celebrating Achievements, Inspiring Excellence” event, organized by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on July 18, 2024, honored top performers under two key schemes: PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) Yojana and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).
The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), established by the Government of India in 2016, administers the Investor Education Protection Fund under the provisions of section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013.
President Droupadi Murmu has declined to clear a Punjab government Bill that aimed to remove Governor Banwarilal Purohit as the Chancellor of state-run universities. The Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which proposed replacing the governor with the chief minister as the chancellor, was sent to the President in December but was recently returned without assent.
The “Lok Samvardhan Parv” was inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju at Delhi Haat, New Delhi on July 18, 2024. Organized by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, the event showcased the ministry’s schemes and achievements. Notably, a credit plan of Rs. 1000 crores was unveiled by the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC), benefiting over 2.5 lakh beneficiaries for the year 2024-25.

India and Malaysia have agreed to enhance cooperation in agriculture, particularly in oil palm cultivation. Discussions covered market access issues related to agriculture and allied products, institutionalization of agriculture cooperation, and the application of digital technology in the plantation sector.
The MV Sea Change, a groundbreaking hydrogen-powered passenger ferry, was launched on July 19, 2024, at the San Francisco Ferry Building. This zero-emission vessel marks a significant step towards sustainable maritime transportation and cleaner air.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently approved a $240.5 million loan to support the installation of rooftop solar systems in India. This funding will be channeled through the State Bank of India (SBI) and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to provide loans to both developers and end-users across the country.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has recently entered into a tie-up with IDFC First Bank Ltd under a corporate agency arrangement. This collaboration will enable more than 1 crore customers of IDFC First Bank to buy LIC policies online by visiting the bank’s website. It’s a significant step toward providing a wide choice of LIC’s products to the bank’s customers.

On July 3, 2024, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote standardization and conformity assessment. This collaboration establishes the ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor’ at IISc, fostering a robust partnership in standardization efforts.

Dhruva Space received authorization from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) to provide Ground Stations as a Service (GSaaS) on July 15, 2024. This GSaaS offering empowers private Indian companies by providing cost-effective access to satellite data, accelerating their internal R&D efforts.

India’s counter-drone market is projected to grow at an impressive annual rate of 28% over the next five years, according to a report by financial services firm Motilal Oswal. The report estimates the addressable market for counter-drone systems at approximately Rs 120 billion (equivalent to $1.6 billion). This projection is based on a requirement for nearly 1,200 counter-drone systems, each costing between Rs 80 to 150 million.

As of the FIFA rankings released on July 18, 2024, India is ranked 124th. The rankings, updated monthly by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), reflect the performance of national teams in international matches and tournaments. France holds the top position in the latest rankings, owing to their strong performances in recent competitions.

Shaurya Bawa secured the historic bronze medal on July 17, 2024 at the World Junior Squash Championships in Houston, Texas. He became the second Indian male squash player to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Kush Kumar, who reached the semi-finals in 2014.
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a highly accomplished team in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has recently announced the establishment of its third international Super Kings Academy in Sydney, Australia.

On July 19, 2024, Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated the National Landslide Forecasting Centre at GSI’s Dharitri Campus in Salt Lake City, Kolkata. During the same event, he also launched the Bhusanket Web Portal and the Bhooskhalan Mobile App, which disseminate information on landslide hazards

On July 16, 2024, the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), a premier national laboratory established in 1952 and a constituent of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), celebrated its 73rd Foundation Day. The event served as a platform to promote scientific innovation and inspire the next generation of scientists in the field of road and transport research.
World Snake Day, celebrated annually on July 16th, aims to raise awareness about snakes and their vital role in ecosystems. The 2024 theme, "Coexisting with Snakes: Embracing Biodiversity," emphasizes the importance of understanding and protecting these reptiles, promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and snakes.

Sobha Group’s Sri Kurumba Educational and Charitable Trust has been honored with the “Best Child and Women Development Initiatives of the Year 2024” at the Global CSR, Sustainability, and ESG Awards 2024. The award ceremony took place at the Hyatt Regency, Gurgaon, organized by Marketing and Brand Honchos.

Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam’s long-serving leader, passed away on April 17, 2024. As the general secretary of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party since 2011, he was known for his anti-corruption campaign and overseeing the country’s economic growth.

Questions:

1 Who won the bronze medal at the World Junior Squash Championships 2024?

2 As of the FIFA rankings released on July 18, 2024, what is India's ranking?