Current Affairs One - Liner : 1st & 2nd September 2024

The 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah was launched at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on August 31, 2024. Led by Union Minister Annapurna Devi, this initiative aims to raise nutrition awareness and improve the nutritional status of mothers and children across India. The focus is on promoting healthy eating habits and ensuring better health outcomes for the community.

The DGTR has recommended an anti-dumping duty on aluminium foils from China, ranging from $619 to $873 per tonne. This follows an investigation showing Chinese imports captured 30% of the Indian market. The Ministry of Finance will make the final decision. This move aims to protect domestic producers but may raise costs for downstream products.
The Uttar Pradesh government has proposed a new digital media policy that offers financial incentives to social media influencers for promoting government schemes, with payments up to ₹8 lakh per month. The policy also includes strict measures against “anti-national, indecent, or hurtful” content.

On August 27, 2024, Paytm received approval from the Ministry of Finance for downstream investment into Paytm Payments Services Ltd (PPSL). This approval is a significant step for Paytm as it aims to expand its financial services and strengthen its position in the digital payments ecosystem.
HDFC Bank’s DigiPassBook feature on the SmartWealth app consolidates all investments, including equities and demat accounts, under one roof. It integrates financial information from various sources, providing detailed insights into spending and income. This feature is supported by the RBI’s account aggregator framework, ensuring secure digital information sharing with user consent.
Mastercard has launched its Payment Passkey Service in India, enhancing online shopping security with biometric authentication like fingerprints and facial scans. This service aims to replace traditional passwords and OTPs, making transactions faster and more secure. It is being piloted with major payment players and banks, including Juspay, Razorpay, PayU, and Axis Bank.
The RBI has imposed a penalty of Rs 2.68 crore on UCO Bank for violations related to the opening of current accounts, interest rates on deposits, and fraud classification. This action highlights the importance of regulatory compliance in the banking sector.

The Controller General of Accounts (CGA) reported that India’s fiscal deficit for April to July 2024 was 17.2% of the full-year target, amounting to Rs 2,76,945 crore. This is a notable improvement from the same period last year, which saw a deficit of 33.9% of the annual target.
The Combined Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) rose by 6.1% in July 2024 compared to July 2023. This growth was mainly driven by strong performances in steel, electricity, coal, refinery products, cement, and fertilizers. This increase indicates robust industrial activity and a positive economic outlook.

Rajgir, Bihar will host the 8th Women’s Asian Champions Trophy from November 11 to 20, 2024. This marks the first international hockey tournament in Bihar. India, the defending champions, will compete against teams like China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.

On August 29, 2024, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) and the National Highway Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (NHIDCL) signed an MoU in New Delhi to supply double-lane modular bridges. This agreement aims to enhance infrastructure development, especially in remote and hilly areas, by providing quick and efficient connectivity solutions.

The International Day for People of African Descent, observed on August 31, 2024, focuses on the theme “Celebrating Diversity, Promoting Inclusion”. This day highlights the cultural heritage and contributions of people of African descent while advocating for greater inclusion and equality in society.
World Coconut Day, celebrated on September 2nd, highlights the importance and benefits of coconuts. This year’s theme is “Sustaining Coconut Sector for the Present and Future Generation”, emphasizing sustainable practices in the coconut industry. Coconuts are versatile, used in food, cosmetics, and construction, and are rich in nutrients.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Central Air Command on September 1, 2024. He succeeds Air Marshal RGK Kapoor. With over 37 years of service in the Indian Air Force, he is an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor with extensive experience.
IAS Officer Dharmendra was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Delhi on August 31, 2024, and he officially took over the position on September 1, 2024. This appointment marks a significant change in the administrative leadership of Delhi.
IPS officer Rajwinder Singh Bhatti was appointed as the Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) on August 28, 2024. His appointment marks a significant step in strengthening the leadership of the CISF, which plays a crucial role in safeguarding India’s critical infrastructure and industrial units.

Hayao Miyazaki received the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award on August 31, 2024. This award recognizes his outstanding contributions to environmental protection and promoting peace through his animation work. Miyazaki’s influence in the world of animation is profound and celebrated globally.
French President Emmanuel Macron was awarded the Olympic Order in Gold by the International Olympic Committee on August 28, 2024. This honor recognized his significant contributions to the success of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

A.G. Noorani, a distinguished lawyer and scholar, passed away on August 29, 2024, at the age of 94. He was renowned for his expertise in constitutional law and his prolific writings on legal and political issues.

Questions:

1 Where was the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah launched?

2 Who took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Central Air Command on September 1, 2024?