22nd August, 2024
Lok Sabha Speaker, 6 New Parliamentary Committees, 2024-25, UAE, BRICS, Industrial Competence Centre, World Bank, USD 225 Million, Carbon Removal Bond, Amazon Reforestation, Cabinet Committee, PM Modi, New Appointments, Departments, Ministries, Sanjiv Ranjan, Secretary General, IORA Secretariat, 3 Years, January 2025, Former Meghalaya CM, Salseng Marak, Passed Away, World Sanskrit Day 2024, August 19, International Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism 2024, August 21, World Senior Citizen’s Day 2024, August 21, Himachal CM, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana, School Children, India, Malaysia, Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, India-Japan, Special Strategic and Global Partnership (SGSP), Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), Vinesh Phogat, Silver Medal, Disqualification, International Day for Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2024, Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercises, Begin, RGIA, Best Airport Award, Third Year in a Row, Airtel Payments Bank, AI-Powered Face Match
- Lok Sabha Speaker Forms 6 New Parliamentary Committees for 2024-25
- UAE Joins BRICS to Launch Industrial Competence Centre
- World Bank Issues First-Ever USD 225 Million Carbon Removal Bond for Amazon Reforestation
- Cabinet Committee Led by PM Modi Approves New Appointments in Various Departments and Ministries
- Sanjiv Ranjan Appointed Secretary General of IORA Secretariat for 3 Years Starting January 2025
- Former Meghalaya CM Salseng Marak Passes Away
- World Sanskrit Day 2024 – August 19
- World Senior Citizen’s Day 2024 – August 21
- Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Launches Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana for School Children
- India and Malaysia Strengthen Ties with Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
- India-Japan ‘Special Strategic and Global Partnership (SGSP)’
- Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) Rejects Vinesh Phogat’s Appeal for Silver Medal After Disqualification
- International Day for Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief 2024
- Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercises Begin
- RGIA Wins Best Airport Award for Third Year in a Row
- Airtel Payments Bank Boosts Security with AI-Powered Face Match
Table of Content
National News
- Lok Sabha Speaker Constitutes New Parliamentary Committees For 2024-25
- What
- Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted new Parliamentary Committees, including the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
- The chairpersons for these committees have been appointed.
- Why
- The committees will examine various aspects of government functioning, such as expenditure, public sector undertakings, and welfare measures for different sections of society.
- Tell me more
- All these formed committees have a tenure of one year.
- What
| Committee Name | Functions | Chairperson |
|---|---|---|
| Committee on Public Accounts | The PAC reviews the appropriation accounts for various government departments and the CAG reports on these accounts. | KC Venugopal (Congress) |
| Committee on Public Undertakings | The Committee on Public Undertakings examines the reports and accounts of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and assesses their impact on the economy and citizens' lives. | Baijyant Panda (BJP) |
| Committee on Estimates | The committee examines the budget estimates for each administrative department. It also suggests ways to improve efficiency and administrative reform. | Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal (BJP) |
| Committee on Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes | This committee works for the welfare of the SC and STs. | Dr. Faggan Singh Kulaste (BJP) |
| Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes | The Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes was first established in 2012 and reviews welfare measures for OBCs. | Ganesh Singh (BJP) |
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
|
o Parliamentary committees in India, based on the British Parliament model, get their authority from the Indian Constitution under Article 105 (powers and privileges) and Article 118 (regulation of business). o There are two types of Parliamentary Committees in India: Standing Committees and Ad Hoc Committees. o Standing Committees are permanent and are set up by Parliament to handle specific areas of public policy or administration. o Ad Hoc Committees are temporary and are created for particular tasks or to review specific bills. They are dissolved once their objectives are met |
Source: ET
- India and Malaysia Elevate Ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
- What
- India and Malaysia have upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
- This decision was made during Ibrahim’s first official visit to India as Prime Minister.
- Why
- The upgrade aims to enhance cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, and security, reflecting the growing ties between the two countries.
- Tell me more
- The two leaders signed several agreements, including those on employment and repatriation of workers, and cooperation in digital technologies.
- Bilateral trade between India and Malaysia has reached a record high of $19.5 billion, with both leaders encouraging further investment.
- They condemned terrorism and agreed to work together to combat it, emphasizing that no country should harbor terrorists.
- What
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
|
o Malaysia is India's third-largest trading partner in the ASEAN region, and India is Malaysia's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. o The two countries have previously established an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in 2015, which has now been upgraded. o Malaysia is the 28th largest investor in India, with Malaysian companies active in various sectors, including infrastructure and telecommunications. |
Source: ET
- 10 years of India-Japan Special Global and Strategic Partnership
- In 2014, India and Japan upgraded the ‘Strategic and Global Partnership’ to a ‘Special Global and Strategic Partnership (SGSP)’ to better align their geo-economic and geo-strategic interests. Now, it is the 10th year of this partnership.
- Key Pillars of SGSP
- Global Partnership for Peace and Security in the Region and the World
- Civil Nuclear Energy, Non-proliferation and Export Control
- Exploring Science, Inspiring Innovation, Developing Technology, Connecting People
- Recently, the third 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue between India and Japan took place in New Delhi.
Source: PIB MEA
State News
- Himachal Pradesh Launches Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana
- What
- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the Mukhyamantri Bal Paushtik Aahar Yojana to provide nutritious food to children in government schools.
- The scheme will complement the existing midday meal scheme and target students from nursery to Class 8 in 15,181 schools.
- Tell me more
- Under the scheme, children will be provided boiled eggs or fruits once a week.
- Currently, about 5.34 lakh children are benefiting from the midday meal scheme and will now receive additional nutrition under the new initiative.
- Schools will source fresh fruits from local markets based on the children’s preferences.
- The state government has allocated an additional Rs 12.75 crore for the scheme in the current fiscal year.
- What
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
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o The Chief Minister also announced the distribution of tablets to 17,510 primary school teachers to promote digitization in education and administration. o The state government is making efforts to improve the quality of education, with teachers being sent on exposure visits abroad and the establishment of Rajiv Gandhi Day Boarding Schools in every assembly constituency |
Source: TOI
International News
- UAE Launches Centre for Industrial Competences with BRICS
- What
- The UAE Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology has launched a Centre for Industrial Competences in cooperation with BRICS and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).
- This initiative was announced during the 8th BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting held on August 20, 2024.
- Why
- The centre aims to support the development of industrial skills and capabilities among BRICS nations, addressing challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
- Tell me more
- The meeting was chaired by Russia and included representatives from the UAE, Russia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, and South Africa.
- The centre will promote partnerships under the New Industrial Revolution (NIR) framework and will focus on various sectors, including chemicals, metals, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), smart manufacturing, and clean technology.
- What
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
|
o The declaration from the meeting includes commitments to support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9, which focuses on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. o The centre will also recognize the role of the PartNIR (Partnership on New Industrial Revolution) Innovation Centre of BRICS, which focuses on policy coordination, personnel training, and project development. o The next BRICS Industry Ministers Meeting will be hosted by Brazil in 2025. o In August 2023, six new members were invited to join BRICS, including the UAE, which officially joined in January 2024. Forecasts suggest that BRICS could account for 45% of the global economy by 2040. |
Source: ANI
- World Bank Issues $225 Million Amazon Reforestation Bond
- What
- The World Bank has issued a $225 million bond linked to reforestation efforts in the Amazon rainforest.
- This nine-year bond is designed to support the removal of carbon from the atmosphere through reforestation projects.
- Why
- The bond aims to raise funds for reforestation while linking investors’ financial returns to the amount of carbon removed, promoting environmental sustainability.
- Tell me more
- The bond offers investors a fixed guaranteed coupon of approximately 1.745% annually, which is lower than typical World Bank bonds.
- The funds raised will support Brazilian startup Mombak, which will reforest land in the Amazon using native tree species.
- Investors can earn up to a total annualized yield of 4.362% based on the revenue generated from carbon credits sold to companies like Microsoft.
- What
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
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o This bond is the largest outcome bond ever issued by the World Bank and the first to link financial returns directly to carbon removal. o The World Bank has been involved in various innovative financing projects, including a previous bond for black rhino conservation that raised $150 million in 2022. o The Amazon rainforest is crucial for global biodiversity and carbon sequestration, making reforestation efforts vital for combating climate change. |
Source: BS
- Ulchi Freedom Shield Exercise Between US and South Korea
- United States and South Korea kicked off a large-scale joint military exercises, aimed at strengthening their combined defence capabilities and deterring threats from North Korea.
- The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises will see more than 200 South Korean and US fighter jets fly around the clock for five days in the week of the exercise.
Source: NOA
Banking and Economy
- Airtel Payments Bank Launches Face Match Security Feature
- What
- Airtel Payments Bank has launched a new security feature called Face Match to protect customer accounts from fraud.
- Why
- This feature uses advanced machine learning algorithms and facial recognition technology for verification.
- The introduction of Face Match aims to enhance the security of digital banking and address concerns about fraudulent activities, such as account takeovers and money laundering.
- Tell me more
- Face Match analyzes factors like user behavior, transaction patterns, and location data to assess potential threats.
- If a user’s activity raises a threat score, they will be prompted to verify their identity with a selfie through the Airtel Thanks app.
- MD and CEO of Airtel Payments Bank: Anubrata Biswas
Source: BT
- What
Awards
- Hyderabad Airport Wins Best Airport Award Again
- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad has been awarded the title of Best Airport at the India Travel Awards for the third consecutive year.
- The airport also received the ‘Best Airport Staff in India & South Asia 2024’ award from Skytrax at the Passenger Terminal EXPO 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany in April this year.
Source: TT GMR
Important Days
- World Sanskrit Day 2024 – August 19
- World Senior Citizen’s Day – August 21
- In India, the elderly population is projected to reach 193.4 million by 2031, up from 103.8 million in 2011, emphasizing the need for effective policies and support systems.
- The Indian government has implemented various initiatives for senior citizens, including the Atal Pension Yojana, Atal Vayo Abhyudaya Yojana and the National Social Assistance Program.
- The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) and Trust for America’s Health are organizing the National Healthy Aging Symposium for senior citizens in India on September 26, 2024.
Source: PIB
- International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief – August 22
- Freedom of religion, expression, peaceful assembly, and association are protected by Articles 18, 19, and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Source: UN
- Freedom of religion, expression, peaceful assembly, and association are protected by Articles 18, 19, and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Sports
- Court of Arbitration for Sports Rejects Vinesh Phogat’s Appeal
- Recently, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) rejected Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s appeal for a silver medal after she was disqualified for being overweight.
- The Court of Arbitration for Sport is an international body established in 1984 to settle disputes related to sport through arbitration. Its headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland and has additional courts in New York City and Sydney.
Source: CAS
Appointments
- New Appointments in Senior Bureaucratic Positions
- What
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved a series of postings and reshuffles in senior bureaucratic positions across various departments and ministries.
- Tell me more
- What
| Position Name | Person Appointed |
|---|---|
| Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training | Vivek Joshi |
| Officer on Special Duty, Department of Defence and Secretary of Defence Ministry | Rajesh Kumar Singh |
| Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs | Katikithala Srinivas |
| Secretary, Department of Expenditure | Manoj Govil |
| Secretary, Corporate Affairs | Deepti Gaur Mukherjee |
| Officer on Special Duty, Department of Health and Family Welfare | Punya Salila Srivastava |
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
|
o The ACC is responsible for making senior-level appointments in the Indian government. o The reshuffle includes the promotion of officials to key positions, reflecting the government's commitment to effective governance. |
Source: TH
- Sanjiv Ranjan Appointed Secretary General of IORA
- What
- Sanjiv Ranjan has been appointed as the Secretary General of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Secretariat in Mauritius.
- His appointment will take effect from January 1, 2025, for a period of three years.
- What
| Knowledge Nuggets |
|---|
|
o Ranjan is an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of the 1993 batch. o The IORA is an inter-governmental organization established in 1997 to promote regional economic cooperation among its member states. o The IORA Secretariat is located in Mauritius and is led by a Secretary General on a fixed-term basis. o IORA has 23 member states, including India, Australia, and South Africa. o The organization also has 12 dialogue partners, including China, the European Union, and the United States. o IORA became an observer to the UN General Assembly and the African Union in 2015. |
Source: Print
Miscellaneous
- Former Meghalaya Chief Minister Salseng C Marak Passes Away
- Former Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Salseng C Marak, has passed away at the age of 82 due to old age-related ailments.
- Marak was the first Chief Minister of Meghalaya to complete a five-year term in 1993.
Source: IE
About Anuj Jindal
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Anuj Jindal, the founder, is an ex-manager from SBI, with an M.Com from Delhi School of Economics. He also has a JRF in Commerce & Management and NET in HRM, along with more than 5 years of experience in the field of Education.
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