- National:
- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is launching a massive tree plantation drive across India on the 78th Independence Day, August 15, 2024. As part of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in the Name of Mother) campaign, they aim to plant 15 lakh trees.
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- India’s first sunken museum, located at the Humayun’s Tomb complex in New Delhi, was inaugurated on July 29, 2024. This innovative museum is situated at a UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers visitors a unique perspective on Mughal history and architecture.
- Over the past five years, 628 tigers have died in India from natural causes and poaching, while 349 people have been killed in tiger attacks, with Maharashtra accounting for 200 of these deaths. As of 2022, India’s tiger population was 3,682, comprising about 75% of the global wild tiger population. The country has 55 tiger reserves, covering over 78,735 square kilometers, which is roughly 2.4% of India's total land area.
- The Supreme Court has ruled that states can impose mineral cess on mining operations. This decision overturns a previous ruling and grants states more power to tax mineral resources. It's expected to boost revenue for mineral-rich states, especially in eastern India.
- Banking:
- On July 25, 2024, EQT Private Capital Asia (formerly known as Baring Private Equity Asia) exited RBL Bank by selling its entire 7.89% stake in the private sector lender for ₹1,091 crore through an open market transaction.
- Science & Technology:
- An international team, including an IIT Kanpur professor, has discovered a giant exoplanet, six times the mass of Jupiter, orbiting a Sun-like star. This groundbreaking discovery was made using direct imaging, a challenging technique that marks a significant leap in exoplanet research. The newly found "super-Jupiter" is the first mature exoplanet detected through this method.
- An astronaut training for India’s Gaganyaan mission will join a joint mission with NASA to the International Space Station (ISS). This partnership between ISRO, NASA, and Axiom Space marks a significant milestone for India’s space program.
- Committees:
- On July 26, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval led the Indian delegation at the 4th Annual Meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Security Chiefs in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. During the meeting, he emphasized strengthening cooperation in counter-terrorism, combating drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and organized crime.
- The first meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia High-Level Task Force on Investments was held on July 28, 2024. Co-chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. P.K. Mishra, and the Saudi Energy Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the task force discussed investment opportunities in areas such as petroleum, renewable energy, telecom, and innovation.
- Government Schemes:
- The Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) 2024 has been extended by two more months, now running until September 30, 2024. Additionally, the scheme’s outlay has been enhanced to Rs. 778 crore. This initiative aims to advance the government’s green mobility efforts and foster the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing ecosystem in the country.
- Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant launched the "Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan" on July 27, 2024. This scheme aims to boost solar energy adoption in Goa by providing financial assistance to residents for installing rooftop solar power systems. The initiative aligns with the Prime Minister's Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and seeks to empower households to generate their electricity.
- Sports:
- On July 28, 2024, Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team secured their maiden Asia Cup title in a thrilling final match against India in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Their eight-wicket victory was fueled by half-centuries from Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, along with Kavisha Dilhari’s heroics.
- Important days:
- World Nature Conservation Day is observed annually on July 28. On this day, people around the world come together to emphasize the importance of preserving our planet’s natural resources and maintaining a healthy environment. The theme for 2024 is, “Connecting People and Plants, Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation.”
- World Hepatitis Day is observed annually on July 28. It provides a platform for advocacy, education, and engagement with governments, health professionals, and the public to drive awareness and action to eliminate viral hepatitis. This year’s theme is “It’s time for action”.
- On July 27, 2024, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) celebrated its 86th Foundation Day. This significant occasion recognizes the courage, contributions, services, and sacrifices of CRPF personnel in safeguarding India’s growth by maintaining peace, preserving internal security, and upholding national integrity over the past 85 years.
- Appointments:
- Manoj Mittal recently assumed the position of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) at the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) on July 29, 2024. His appointment was made by the Government of India. SIDBI, established in 1990, plays a crucial role in promoting, financing, and developing the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) sector in India.
- Awards & Honours:
- Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to diabetology, diabetes care, and research. The award ceremony took place on July 27, 2024 during the International Meet of medical professionals.
Questions:
1 Who recently assumed the position of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) at the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) on July 29, 2024?
- A) Ravi Agrawal
- B) Mahabaleshwara MS
- C) Arun Bansal
- D) Manoj Mittal
2 Where is India’s first sunken museum located?
- A) Red Fort
- B) Qutub Minar
- C) Humayun’s Tomb complex
- D) Fatehpur Sikri
