- National:
- Rapido, the bike-taxi startup, has achieved unicorn status by reaching a valuation of $1 billion. In its latest funding round, Rapido secured $120 million, with WestBridge Capital leading the investment. This Series E infusion highlights Rapido’s growing prominence in India’s mobility sector, where it competes with Uber and Ola.
.png "Current Affairs One - Liner : 1st August 2024")
- The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 31, 2024. This bill aims to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act and modernize the regulatory framework for aviation in India.
- The world's first postage stamp featuring Lord Rama of Ayodhya was issued by Laos. This stamp was released to honor the deep cultural and religious ties between India and Laos, as well as to commemorate the shared heritage of the Ramayana, which is revered in both countries. The stamp highlights the significance of Lord Rama in Laotian culture, where the Ramayana is known as "Phra Lak Phra Lam."
- Banking:
- On July 26, 2024, Tata Power Solar Systems Limited (TPSSL) and Bank of India (BOI) signed a strategic partnership to facilitate easy financing for rooftop solar installations and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. TPSSL became the first solar company to collaborate with BOI for both solar and EV charging station financing, strengthening its position as a green energy solutions provider.
- Economy:
- On Tuesday, the Uttar Pradesh government presented a supplementary budget of over Rs 12,909 crore for the 2024-25 fiscal year. State Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna noted that this amount represents 1.66% of the original Rs 7.36 lakh crore budget.
- Important Days:
- National Mountain Climbing Day is observed on August 1st each year. This day was established to honor the feats of mountaineers and to encourage people to engage in mountain climbing and explore the great outdoors. It's a day to celebrate the thrill of climbing and the beauty of nature.
- The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) celebrated its 18th Foundation Day on July 27th, 2024. To mark the occasion, several important publications were released. These include guidelines for cyclone warnings, a framework for monitoring extreme weather, a report on the 14th Indian Arctic Expedition, and a catalog of marine crabs. These publications aim to improve disaster management, expand scientific knowledge, and support informed policymaking.
- World Ranger Day is celebrated worldwide on July 31st. It commemorates Rangers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty and celebrates the critical work they do to protect our planet’s natural treasures and cultural heritage. This year’s theme is “30 by 30,” based on the 2022 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15).
- World Breastfeeding Week is celebrated annually from 1 to 7 August. This global initiative aims to promote breastfeeding, improve child health, and raise awareness about its benefits. The theme for this year is “Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility”, emphasizing the importance of supporting breastfeeding mothers and creating an enabling environment for breastfeeding.
- The International Day of Friendship, celebrated on July 30, emphasizes global friendships, peace, and love among nations. This year’s theme is “Building Bridges of Peace,” encouraging understanding and unity across borders. Let’s cherish camaraderie and work for a harmonious world.
- World Wide Web Day is celebrated annually on August 1. This year, it falls on a Thursday. The day honors the transformative role of the web in revolutionizing communication, collaboration, and access to knowledge, effectively bringing the world closer together.
- Appointment:
- Sanjay Shukla officially assumed the role of Managing Director (MD) of the National Housing Bank (NHB) on July 30, 2024. With over three decades of experience in housing and retail asset finance, Shukla has a distinguished history of leading and transforming financial institutions.
- Preeti Sudan assumed charge as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on August 1, 2024. Preeti Sudan, an experienced civil servant, has taken over the crucial role of leading the UPSC. As the UPSC Chairman, she will oversee the recruitment and selection process for various government positions in India.
- The Union government appointed Prabodh Seth and Ramesh Narain Parbat as new members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), effective from July 30, 2024. Both officers belong to the 1989 batch of the Indian Revenue Service.
- Subhash Chandra Lal Das, a 1992 batch IAS officer of the AGMUT Cadre, has been appointed as the additional secretary of the Ministry of Steel. He assumed this role following the superannuation of Steel Ministry Secretary Nagendra Nath Sinha. The effective date of this appointment was August 1, 2024.
- Lt. Gen. Sadhna Saxena Nair has made history by becoming the first woman to assume the position of Director General Medical Services (Army) in the Indian Armed Forces. She took charge on August 1, 2024.
- Awards & Honours:
- Dr. Sundergopal Sridhar, a Chemical Engineer and Chief Scientist at CSIR Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, was inducted as a Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), London, UK on July 29, 2024.
- Google CEO Sundar Pichai and his wife, Anjali Pichai, were awarded honorary doctorates by their alma mater, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. The award ceremony took place in San Francisco. Sundar Pichai received the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) Award, while Anjali Pichai was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. The event occurred on July 26, 2024.
- Books:
- The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi received “Call of the Gir” , a coffee table book on Gir and Asiatic lions by Rajya Sabha Member, Parimal Nathwani. The book was presented by Parimal Nathwani to Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
- Obituaries:
- Anshuman Gaekwad, the former Indian cricketer, passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged battle with blood cancer. He was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in June last year and had been receiving treatment in London.
Question:
1 Which country issued the world's first postage stamp featuring Lord Rama of Ayodhya?
- A) India
- B) Thailand
- C) Laos
- D) Indonesia
2 Who assumed the role of Managing Director of the National Housing Bank (NHB) on July 30, 2024?
- A) Sanjay Shukla
- B) Ashok Kumar
- C) Rajeev Kumar
- D) None of the above
