07th August, 2024

1. India and Saint Kitts & Nevis Sign MoU on Sports Cooperation
2. Government Declares Adichunchanagiri and Choolannuar as Peacock Sanctuaries
3. LIC Launches Four Term Insurance Products for Youth
4. J&K Bank Launches “Kisan Ka Samman” to Empower J&K Farmers
5. BHEL Revives First Methanol Firing Demonstration Order at Kayamkulam CCPP
6. Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera Assumes Charge as DG of Assam Rifles
7. Dinesh Karthik Appointed as SA20 League Ambassador
8. Carlyle Group Sells 12.8% Stake in PNB Housing Finance for Rs 2,578 Crore
9. IAF Approves DRDO and BDL for Astra Mark-1 Missile Production
10. China’s SSST Launches First 18 Satellites for Megaconstellation
11. Padma Bhushan Awardee and Social Worker Shobhana Ranade Passes Away
12. Hiroshima Day 2024 – August 6
13. CJI DY Chandrachud Launches e-DHCR Portal for Delhi High Court Judgments
14. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Launches “Upasthiti Portal” for Healthcare Attendance
15. Agharkar Research Institute Describes India’s First Indigenous Methanotroph Cultures
16. Mizoram Faces Challenges in the Wake of Cyclone Remal
17. Tata Group Unveils ₹27,000 Crore Semiconductor Facility in Assam

National News

1. New Peacock Sanctuaries Declared in India
   • What
     • The Central Government has declared Adichunchanagiri in Karnataka and Choolannuar in Kerala as new Peacock Sanctuaries.
     • The announcement was made by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mr. Bhupender Yadav.
   • Why
     • The declaration aims to enhance the conservation efforts for the national bird, the peacock, and to protect its habitat.
       Source: NOA
2. CJI Launches e-DHCR Portal, Inaugurates Café Run by Neurodiverse Persons
   • What
     • Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud launched the e-DHCR portal, a user-friendly platform for reporting judgments of the Delhi High Court.
     • He also inaugurated a café managed by at least 10 neurodiverse persons at the Delhi High Court premises.
   • Why
     • The launch of the e-DHCR portal aims to enhance accessibility and efficiency in the justice system by embracing technological advancements.
     • The inauguration of the café run by neurodiverse persons highlights the CJI’s commitment to inclusivity and recognizing the potential of differently-abled individuals.
   • Tell me more
     • The e-DHCR portal will contain all reported judgments of the Delhi High Court since 1968 in HTML format, along with key issues and findings.
     • The portal has advanced AI search algorithms, voice search options, and language preferences in both English and Hindi.
     • The café, named Sagar Ratna, is the second such initiative after the Mitti Café set up in the Supreme Court premises, which was appreciated by lawyers.
       Source: TOI

State News

1. J&K Bank Launches “Kisan Ka Samman” Program
   • What
     • J&K Bank has launched a program titled “Kisan Ka Samman” to honor financially disciplined farmers in Jammu & Kashmir.
     • The program will run until September 30, 2024.
   • Why
     • The initiative aims to empower farmers who have shown exceptional financial discipline and promptness in their dealings with the Bank.

   • Tell me more
     • The program involves identifying farmers who have consistently renewed their Kisan Credit Cards (KCCs) and demonstrated financial discipline.
     • Farmers will receive a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ and be offered additional loan products under the “Kisan Dost” scheme.
     • The program also aims to spread awareness about the Prompt Repayment Incentive (PRI) under KCC, which includes a 3% interest subvention for eligible farmers.
       Source: GK

2. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Launches Attendance Portal
   • What
     • Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren launched the ‘Upasthiti (Attendance) Portal’ to ensure daily attendance of doctors, para-medical staff, and other employees under the state health department.
   • Why
     • The initiative aims to improve health facilities in the state and enhance accountability among health department personnel.
       Source: ET
3. Tata Group Launches ₹27,000 Crore Semiconductor Facility in Assam
   • What
     • The Tata Group has inaugurated a ₹27,000 crore semiconductor assembly and test facility in Jagiroad, Assam.
     • The facility aims to package 15 billion semiconductor chips annually for global customers.
   • Why
     • The establishment of this facility is part of India’s initiative to enhance its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on imports.

   • Tell me more
     • Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran emphasized the comprehensive strategy of the Tata Group, which includes facilities in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, and now Assam.
     • The project aligns with the Government of India’s Semiconductor policy and the India Semiconductor Mission.
     • Assam is strategically located closer to existing semiconductor packaging and testing hubs in Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Singapore.
       Source: HBL

International News

1. China Launches First Batch of G60 Satellites
   • What
     • China successfully launched the first group of 18 G60 satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO) from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center.
     • This launch marks the beginning of China’s plan to establish a mega constellation of internet satellites.
   • Why
     • The initiative aims to provide global internet coverage and compete with the US-based Starlink satellite network.
   • Tell me more
     • The launch was carried out using a Long March 6A rocket, designed specifically for LEO missions.
     • The G60 constellation is developed by Shanghai Spacecom Satellite Technology (SSST) in collaboration with the Innovation Academy for Microsatellites under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
     • The project aims to deploy over 14,000 satellites, with a total of 108 satellites expected to be launched by the end of 2024.
     • The satellites are designed to provide high-speed internet access, particularly in remote areas.
       Source: IT

Banking and Economy

1. LIC Launches New Term Life Insurance Plans
   • What
     • Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched four new term life insurance plans: LIC’s Yuva Term, LIC’s Digi Term, LIC’s Yuva Credit Life, and LIC’s Digi Credit Life.
     • The plans are available both online and offline.
   • Why
     • The introduction of these plans aims to provide a safety net against loan repayments, as more individuals are utilizing loan facilities for various purposes.
   • Tell me more
     • The new term insurance plans cover loan liabilities such as housing, education, and vehicles.
     • LIC’s Yuva Term is for offline customers, while LIC’s Digi Term is available online.
     • LIC’s Yuva Credit Life is for offline customers, and LIC’s Digi Credit Life is available only online.
     • These plans are Non-Par, Non Linked, Life, Individual, Pure Risk Plan.
     • Special lower premium rates are offered for women.

3. BHEL to Demonstrate Methanol Firing in Gas Turbine
   • What
     • Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has received an order to demonstrate methanol firing in a Gas Turbine at NTPC’s 350 MW Kayamkulam Combined Cycle Power Plant in Kerala.
     • This project marks the first methanol firing demonstration in India.
   • Why
     • The initiative aims to revive unutilized gas turbine sets across the country and promote cleaner emissions in the energy sector.
   • Tell me more
     • The use of methanol is expected to reduce SO2 and NOx emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.
     • The project has the potential to create a circular economy through carbon capture and offers independence from import price fluctuations.
       Source: PSU

4. Carlyle Group Divests Stake in PNB Housing Finance
   • What
     • The Carlyle Group has divested a 12.8% stake in PNB Housing Finance for Rs 2,578 crore through open market transactions.
     • This transaction makes Carlyle the first major investor to offload such a significant stake in the company.
   • Tell me more
     • Carlyle Group held a 32.68% stake in PNB Housing Finance prior to this transaction.
     • PNB Housing’s gross non-performing assets (GNPA) declined to 1.35% from 3.76% in the previous year.
       Source: PTI

Defence News

1. IAF Approves Production of 200 Astra Mk1 Missiles
   • What
     • The Indian Air Force has given clearance to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the production of 200 Astra Mark 1 air-to-air missiles.
     • The Astra Mark1 missiles have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with BDL as the production agency.
   • Why
     • The clearance aims to boost indigenous missile manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign sources.
   • Tell me more
     • The approval for the over Rs 2,900 crore project was granted in 2022-23 by the Defence Acquisition Council.
     • The Astra missiles will be integrated on both the Russian-origin Su-30 and the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft.
     • The DRDO and IAF are progressing the Astra program gradually and plan to test the Mark 2 version with a range of around 130 km.
     • There are plans to test and develop a long-range Astra with a strike capability of 300 km.
       Source: ET

Science and Technology

1. India Discovers Indigenous Methane Mitigating Agents
   • What
     • Indian scientists have reported the discovery of indigenous natural methane mitigating agents from rice fields and wetlands, primarily from Western India.
     • These agents, known as methanotrophs, play a crucial role in reducing methane emissions.
   • Why
     • The discovery aims to tackle climate challenges posed by methane, a greenhouse gas with 26 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide.
   • Tell me more
     • Methanotrophs are bacteria that oxidize methane, converting it into carbon dioxide and water, thus mitigating its harmful effects.
     • The research team, led by Dr. Monali Rahalkar from MACS Agharkar Research Institute, isolated a novel genus and species named Methylocucumis oryzae, characterized by its cucumber-like shape.
     • This bacterium has been shown to promote rice plant growth by inducing early flowering and increasing grain yield.
     • The findings were published in the Indian Journal of Microbiology, highlighting the potential of these methanotrophs in climate change mitigation.

Source: PIB

Important Days

1. Hiroshima Day – August 6
   • On August 6, 1945, during the final stages of World War II, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, to end the war as soon as possible.
   • The bomb is named as the “Little Boy”.
   • Nagasakit Day is observed on August 9 to commemorate the bombing of the city with an atomic bomb named “Fat Man”.
     Source: TOI

Memorandum of Understanding

1. India and Saint Christopher & Nevis Sign MoU on Sports Cooperation
   • What
     • India and Saint Christopher & Nevis signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in sports matters.
       • Saint Christopher & Nevis is an island country in the West Indies.
     • The MoU was signed by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, India’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, and Dr. Denzil Douglas, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saint Christopher & Nevis.
   • Why
     • The MoU aims to enhance cooperation between India and Saint Christopher & Nevis in various areas of sports.
       Source: PIB

Appointments

1. Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera Assumes Command of Assam Rifles
   • Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera has taken charge as the 22nd Director General of the Assam Rifles.
   • The Assam Rifles is known as the “Sentinels of the Northeast.” It works under Central Armed Police Forces.
     Source: ET
   
   
   
   
2. Dinesh Karthik Joins Paarl Royals in SA20 League
   • What
     • Former Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik has been signed by Paarl Royals for the upcoming season of the SA20 league.
     • He becomes the first Indian cricketer to participate in this South African league.
   • Tell me more
     • Karthik, who retired from all forms of cricket in June 2024, has been appointed as a mentor-cum-batting coach for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
     • SA20 is a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa.
       Source: TOI

Miscellaneous

1. Gandhian Social Worker Shobhana Ranade Passes Away
   • What
     • Renowned Gandhian and social worker Shobhana Ranade, known for her lifelong dedication to the welfare of destitute women and children, has passed away at the age of 99.
     • She was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2011 for her contributions in the social field.
   • Tell me more
     • Ranade was actively involved in the Ganga Bachao Abhiyan, a campaign to save the Ganga River from pollution.
       Source: TOI
2. Cyclone Remal Causes Devastation in Northeast India
   • Cyclone Remal has led to severe destruction in Mizoram.
   • The cyclone made landfall, initially causing extensive damage in coastal regions of India and Bangladesh, killing at least 16 people and cutting power to millions.
     Source: Reuters

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