Current Affairs One - Liner : 23rd July 2024

The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency Limited (IREDA) has decided to invest approximately Rs. 290 Crore in a 900 MW hydroelectric power project in Nepal. This strategic move will secure IREDA up to 10% shareholding in GMR Upper Karnali Hydro Power Limited and Karnali Transmission Company Pvt. Ltd. in Nepal. The project aims to support the establishment of the 900 MW Upper Karnali Hydro-Electric Power Project.

The Sikkim government has recently mandated that all tourist vehicles entering the state must carry large garbage bags. This decision aims to promote environmental sustainability and responsible tourism. Tour operators, travel agencies, and vehicle drivers are responsible for informing travelers about the use of garbage bags for waste disposal.
Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems have partnered to establish a final assembly line for H125 helicopters in India. The first "Made in India" H125 is expected to be delivered in 2026. This joint venture aims to cater to the Indian and neighboring markets, boosting the domestic aerospace industry and creating new job opportunities.
On July 23, 2024, NITI Aayog’s Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) signed a Joint Letter of Intent (JLoI) to create joint innovation programs for countries in the Global South. This collaboration aims to enhance understanding and awareness about intellectual property rights (IPR) and foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth by leveraging India’s innovative models.

India and Bhutan have jointly approved 61 projects worth ₹4,958 crore to be implemented during Bhutan’s 13th five-year plan. These projects span various sectors, including connectivity, infrastructure, energy, health, education, capacity building, industrial parks, sports, digital economy, e-mobility, and space technology. New Delhi is providing ₹10,000 crore as development support for these initiatives.
Azerbaijan, as the host of COP29, has introduced the Climate Finance Action Fund (CFAF). This fund aims to support green projects in developing countries and help member nations stay within reach of the 1.5°C temperature target. The CFAF will receive annual contributions from fossil fuel-producing countries and companies, with an initial fundraising goal of $1 billion.

UPL University and the Space Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 15, 2024, in Mumbai to collaborate on chemical sciences research. This partnership aims to advance research in areas such as advanced materials for space applications, green propellants, and energy storage systems.

Japanese researchers at the University of Tokyo have achieved a remarkable breakthrough by attaching living skin to a robot’s face, creating a humanoid machine that can smile. The robot’s face is covered in a plastic-like pink film, but this material is genuine living skin.

Shreya Gupta, a talented Indian fencer, clinched the bronze medal in the Sabre category at the Commonwealth Junior & Cadet Championship held in Christchurch, New Zealand. This prestigious sporting event took place between July 12th and July 19th, 2024.
India’s Kush Maini secured his maiden Formula 2 Sprint Race victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The race took place on July 21, 2024. Maini’s achievement is historic, as he became the first Indian driver to win an F2 race, inheriting the top position after initial winner Richard Verschoor was disqualified due to a technical infringement.
PR Sreejesh, the celebrated Indian hockey goalkeeper, has announced his retirement plans after the Paris Olympics 2024. This decision marks the conclusion of his illustrious 18-year career in international hockey. Sreejesh, who has earned 328 international caps and participated in three Olympic Games, will compete in his fourth Olympics in Paris, starting on July 26.

World Brain Day is an annual event celebrated on July 22nd to raise awareness about brain health and neurological disorders. This year's theme, "Brain Health and Prevention," emphasizes the importance of taking proactive steps to protect our brains.

The government has extended Rajendra Prasad Goyal’s additional charge as CMD of NHPC by three months, starting from June 1, 2024. Goyal, who is the Director of Finance at NHPC, has been holding the additional charge of CMD since March 1, 2024.

Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 22, 2024, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Olympic movement.

“Jamsetji Tata: Powerful Learnings for Corporate Success” is a book by Harish Bhat and R. Gopalakrishnan. It provides insights into the entrepreneurial principles of Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group. The book also highlights the institutionalization of Tata values by him and his successors.

C.T. Kurien, a distinguished economist and former professor at Madras Christian College, passed away due to age-related ailments on July 23, 2024. He was 93 years old. Mr. Kurien dedicated his life to understanding and addressing poverty through economics.

Questions:

1 Who was awarded the prestigious Olympic Order by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 22, 2024?

2 Who won the bronze medal in the Sabre category at the Commonwealth Junior & Cadet Championship in 2024?