10th-12th August, 2024

1. ISLRTC & AWES Signed MoU to Promote Indian Sign Language
2. Home Minister Amit Shah Inaugurated 24×7 Water Supply Project at Manimajra, Chandigarh
3. Indian Gold Sector Established 1st Self-Regulatory Body to Boost Consumer Trust
4. PFC Secures JPY 25.5 Billion Loan for Wind Project of OKPPL
5. SEBI Approved Appointment of Praveena Rai as New MD & CEO of MCX
6. Sahitya Akademi Awardee & Renowned Scholar and Writer C. G. Rajagopal Passes Away
7. International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2024 – August 9
8. Gujarat CM Inaugurates IACC’s First MSME Centre of Excellence in India
9. Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNMA)
10. District Level Committee approves Habitat Rights for Juangs of Keonjhar, a PVTG in Odisha
11. SJVN Limited (Mini Ratna Schedule ‘A’ CPSU under Ministry of Power) has successfully commissioned the 90 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project at Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh.
12. Recently International Clouded Leopard Day was observed at Aizawl, Mizoram.
13. The central government announced the full list of the first-ever Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024 awardeeS.
14. OpenAI is working on an AI watermarking technique that could recognize AI generated content and prevent it from being used in fraudulent activities.
15. President of India addressed the New Zealand International Education Conference, where India is the ‘Country of Honour’ this year.
16. Three Indian Ocean structures named Ashoka, Chandragupta and Kalpataru as proposed by India
17. Russia declared emergency in Kursk region.
18. World Meteorological Organization has launched the PCAPS project to improve weather forecasting in Arctic and Antarctic.
19. Ministry of tribal affairs recently paid homage to Raghoji Bhangre.

National News

1. President Droupadi Murmu Visits New Zealand

• What
  • President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, on August 8, 2024, as part of her state visit to Fiji, New Zealand, and Timor-Leste.
• Tell me more
  • President Murmu was received by Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro, who welcomed her with a traditional Maori “Pōwhiri” ceremony and a Royal Guard of Honour.
  • During her visit, the President addressed the New Zealand International Education Conference, where India was the ‘Country of Honour’ this year.
  • The President also paid floral tributes at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and laid a wreath at the Pukeahu National War Memorial, in Wellington, New Zealand.

Source: PIB

2. India Names Three Underwater Structures in Indian Ocean

• What
  • India has officially named three underwater geographical structures in the Indian Ocean: Ashoka Seamount, Chandragupt Ridge, and Kalpataru Ridge.
• Why
  • The naming aims to recognize India’s contributions to ocean research and enhance the representation of Indian heritage in global oceanography.
• Tell me more
  • The Ashoka Seamount and Kalpataru Ridge were discovered in 2012 by the Russian vessel Akademik Nikolay Strakhov, while the Chandragupt Ridge was found in 2020 by the Indian vessel MGS Sagar.
  • These structures were discovered during the Indian Southern Ocean Research Programme, which has been ongoing since 2004, led by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa.
  • With these additions, there are now seven underwater structures in the Indian Ocean named after Indian scientists or proposed by India.

Source: IE

State News

1. Amit Shah Inaugurates 24×7 Water Supply Project in Manimajra
• What
  • Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a pilot project for 24×7 water supply in Manimajra, Chandigarh, benefiting over one lakh households.
• Tell me more
  • The project has been planned and executed at a cost of around Rs 160 crore, comprising Rs 75 crore in capital cost and Rs 85 crore for 15 years of maintenance.
  • The project is part of the Smart City mission and aims to transform the existing intermittent water supply into a continuous and pressurized system.
  • The capital expenditure (CAPEX) value of the project is Rs 74.56 crore, with a maintenance value of Rs 91.29 crore for 15 years, to be borne by the Municipal Corporation (MC).

Source: TOI

2. Gujarat CM Inaugurates IACC’s MSME Centre of Excellence
• What
  • Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce’s (IACC) Centre of Excellence for MSME in Ahmedabad, the first such center by IACC in India.
• Why
  • The center aims to upgrade and strengthen Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to effectively cater to export markets, fostering industrial relations between India and the United States.
• Tell me more
  • Gujarat, which comprises 5% of the country’s land area, contributes 8.63% to the GDP.
  • IACC is the bilateral chamber of commerce promoting trade between India and the US, with 14 offices across India and 38 partner organizations in the US.
  • The chamber works closely with both countries to bolster bilateral trade, which reached USD 200 billion last year.
  • The inauguration of the MSME Centre of Excellence aims to further strengthen industrial relations between India and the United States.

Source: The Week

3. Assam Launches ‘Nijut Moina Asoni’ to Empower Girls
• What
  • Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma introduced the Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina Asoni (MMNMA) scheme, offering financial assistance to female students to eradicate child marriages in the state.
• Why
  • The initiative aims to empower girls through education and provide financial support to encourage them to continue their studies, thereby combating the issue of child marriage in Assam.
• Tell me more
  • Girls enrolled in Class 11 will receive Rs 1000 per month for 10 months, totaling Rs 10,000 per year.
  • First-year graduation students will get Rs 1250 per month for 10 months, amounting to Rs 12,500 per year.
  • First-year postgraduate students will be provided Rs 2500 per month for up to 10 months, resulting in Rs 25,000 per year.
  • Students will fill out application forms to be submitted at their respective institutions, which will collect, verify, and submit the data for auto verification.
  • From the second year onwards, a certificate from the head of the institution certifying the student’s continuity will be sufficient for availing benefits.

Source: TOI

4. Odisha Grants Habitat Rights to Vulnerable Tribal Groups
• What
  • Odisha has recognized habitat rights for three Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), making it a leading state in India under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
• Why
  • The initiative aims to affirm the rights of indigenous communities, preserving their cultural heritage and ensuring their sustainable living practices.
• Tell me more
  • The District Level Committee (DLC) recognized the habitat rights of the Juangsin tribal community in Keonjhar district on August 7, 2024.
  • On August 6, the habitat rights of the Juang PVTG community in Jajpur district were also approved.
  • The Paudi Bhuyan community in Deogarh district was the first in Odisha to receive habitat rights on March 7, 2024.
  • Habitat rights have been recognized across various villages: Paudi Bhuyan in 32 villages, Juangs in Jajpur in 13 villages, and Juangs in Keonjhar in 134 villages across four blocks.
  • There are 13 PVTGs in Odisha, the highest among all states and Union Territories in India.

5. SJVN Commissions 90 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project

• What
  • SJVN Limited has successfully commissioned its 90 MW Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project, executed by its wholly-owned subsidiary, SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL).
• Tell me more
  • The project is located in the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Park in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh, and is the largest floating solar park in India.
  • The total cost of the project is Rs 646.20 crores, with an expected energy generation of 196.5 million units in the first year and a cumulative generation of 4629.3 million units over 25 years.
  • The project will increase SJVN’s revenue by Rs 64 crores and reduce carbon emissions by 2.3 lakh tons.
  • The project was awarded at a tariff of Rs 3.26 per unit through competitive bidding conducted by REWA Ultra Mega Solar Limited (RUMSL).
  • Upon commissioning, SJVN’s total installed capacity has increased to 2466.50 MW.

Source: PIB

International News

1. Russia Declares Emergency Amid Ukrainian Incursion in Kursk Region
• Russia has declared a “federal-level” emergency in the Kursk region following a significant incursion by Ukrainian troops, marking one of the largest attacks on Russian soil since the war began.

Source: TOI

2. WMO’s New Project “Polar Coupled Analysis and Prediction for Services” (PCAPS)
• What
  • The “Polar Coupled Analysis and Prediction for Services” (PCAPS) project has been launched to tackle climate change challenges in polar regions, focusing on both scientific and societal issues.
• Why
  • The project aims to enhance weather, water, ice, and climate information in the Arctic and Antarctic, addressing the significant impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities and local populations.
• Tell me more
  • PCAPS will run from 2024 to 2028 and is part of the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) World Weather Research Program (WWRP).
  • The project builds on the previous Polar Prediction Project (PPP) and aims to improve climate services and forecasts in polar regions.
  • The project is coordinated by Dina Abdel-Fattah from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and involves collaboration with various international partners.
    • The Norwegian Meteorological Institute is a key partner in international climate research initiatives.
  • The PCAPS project aims to facilitate knowledge exchange between scientific research and user communities, including Indigenous peoples.
  • The project will contribute to the fifth International Polar Year (IPY), scheduled for 2032-2033.

Source: WMO

Banking and Economy

1. Indian Gold Industry Launches Self-Regulatory Body IAGES

• What
  • India’s gold industry, with the support of the World Gold Council (WGC), has established a self-regulatory organization called the Indian Association for Gold Excellence and Standards (IAGES).
• Why
  • The initiative aims to increase consumer confidence, restore trust, and promote fair, transparent, and sustainable practices in the bullion industry, along with regulatory compliance, a code of conduct, and an audit framework.
• Tell me more
  • IAGES will provide accreditation based on a strict audit, allowing members to display the IAGES logo.
  • Industry bodies such as Indian Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), All India Gems and Jewellery Council of India (GJC) and Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) would be part of the IAGES.
  • The WGC will take the initiative to popularize IAGES among retail consumers and finance the associated campaign.

2. PFC Secures Loan for Wind Energy Project

• What
  • The Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has secured a loan of 25.5 billion Japanese yen (approximately Rs 147 crore) from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) for a wind energy project.
• Why
  • The loan is part of JBIC’s Global Action for Reconciling Economic Growth and Environmental Preservation (GREEN) initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable energy practices.
• Tell me more
  • The loan will finance the 300.3 MW Wind Energy Project of Ostro Kannada Power Private Ltd (OKPPL) located in Karnataka, India.
  • The loan is co-financed by Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and other Japanese banks, with JBIC providing a guarantee for the portion co-financed by these institutions.
  • This long-term loan aims to support the development of renewable energy infrastructure in India.

3. OpenAI Develops Tool to Detect ChatGPT-Written Text

• What
  • OpenAI has developed a tool designed to detect text generated by ChatGPT, particularly for identifying essays and research papers, although its public release is currently under consideration.
• Why
  • The tool aims to combat academic dishonesty by helping educators identify when students use AI to complete assignments, thus promoting integrity in education.
• Tell me more
  • The tool utilizes a text watermarking method that subtly alters word selection during the writing process, creating an invisible watermark within the generated content.
  • The watermarking method is reported to be 99.9% effective when sufficient new text is generated.

Source: TOI

Awards

1. Indian Government Announces Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Awards 2024

• What
  • The Indian government has announced the recipients of the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Awards for 2024, recognizing distinguished contributions in various fields of science and technology.
• Tell me more
  • The awards are given in 13 domains, including Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Space Science.
  • The ceremony will be held on August 23, 2024, at the Rashtrapati Bhawan Cultural Centre, presided over by the President of India.

Important Days

1. International Clouded Leopard Day – August 4

• Although International Clouded Leopard Day is on August 4, it was observed on August 5 this year due to a holiday.

Source: TOI

2. International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – August 9

• Theme: Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Voluntary Isolation and Initial Contact
• The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) was adopted by the General Assembly in 2007.

Source: UN

Memorandum of Understanding

1. ISLRTC and AWES Sign MoU for Sign Language Training

• What
  • The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Army Welfare Association Society (AWES) in New Delhi to promote Indian Sign Language (ISL).
• Why
  • The partnership aims to train school administrators, students, parents, and teachers, enhancing sign language skills among the faculty of Army Public Schools to empower and include the Deaf community.
• Tell me more
  • The MoU was signed under the chairpersonship of Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).

Source: PIB

Appointments

1. SEBI Approves Praveena Rai as MCX MD & CEO

• What
  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has approved Praveena Rai’s appointment as the Managing Director and CEO of the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX).
• Tell me more
  • MCX is a state-of-the-art commodity derivatives exchange that facilitates online trading of commodity derivatives transactions, providing a platform for price discovery and risk management.
  • The exchange started operations in November 2003 and operates under the regulatory framework of SEBI.

Source: FE MCX

Miscellaneous

1. C. G. Rajagopal Passes Away
• Scholar and writer C. G. Rajagopal passed away at 93.

Source: TH

2. Ministry of Tribal Affairs Honors Raghoji Bhangre
• What
  • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs paid homage to Raghoji Bhangre, a notable tribal revolutionary leader, recognizing his contributions to the fight against colonial rule.
• Tell me more
  • Raghoji Bhangre was born in 1805 in Devgaon, Ahmednagar District, Maharashtra, and belonged to the Koli community.
  • Raghoji led the Koli community against exploitative moneylenders and colonial authorities, ultimately being captured in 1847 and executed in 1848.
  • He is recognized for his significant role in various uprisings in Maharashtra, particularly against British officials.
  • He was known as “Bandkari,” meaning leader of rebellions in Marathi, reflecting his leadership in anti-colonial efforts.
  • In 2014, a Circuit House in Thane was named after Raghoji Bhangre to honor his legacy.

Source: Wiki

Source: ET

Source: TH

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