NATIONAL NEWS

Mitra Van to Be Set up in Uttar Pradesh’s 35 Border Districts

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has announced a major initiative to establish ‘Mitra Van’ in the 35 districts of the states that share a border with other states, Union Territory and Nepal.

Under the Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan-2024, extensive tree planting will be done to establish ‘Mitra Van’ in these 35 districts.

Along with ‘Mitra Van,’ special forests like ‘Shakti Van,’ ‘Yuva Van,’ and ‘Bal Van’ will also be established in each district under the Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan 2024.

The Uttar Pradesh Forest Department is the nodal agency for implementing the Mitra Van scheme under the Vriksharopan Jan Abhiyan-2024.

During the tree plantation programme, the forest department of Uttar Pradesh will coordinate with the representatives of the neighbouring states, UT and Nepal, and engage them in this drive.

The forest department will also obtain the opinion of the representatives of neighbouring states, UT and Nepal on the species of trees to be planted and will ensure the availability of the plant species at the forest division.

The location of the sapling plantation is the responsibility of the identified 35 forest divisions, and they will also select the plant species for the plantation to be done.

AI-Powered Translation of Laws by Union Law Ministry

The Union Law Ministry is advancing efforts to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) for translating Central legislation into Indian languages, potentially operational by December.

This move aims to reduce dependency on state governments for translating Central laws into various regional languages.

Initial trials of AI for translating laws showed about 40% success. The Ministry, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre, is enhancing AI performance by incorporating words from the legal glossary in Hindi and other Indian languages.

While there are 22 Indian languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, translations will focus on 14 languages, including Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati, Urdu, Punjabi, and Marathi.

This selection is based on the languages predominantly used in courts.

The AI is still under development and has not yet produced usable results. The Ministry's legal glossary is being used to train the AI.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India to Finalise Pact with Zambia on Geological Mapping

India is on the verge of finalising a significant agreement with Zambia to enhance geological mapping and mineral exploration in the resource-rich African nation.

This move aims to secure access to valuable minerals and strengthen bilateral relations.

Zambia is known for its abundant mineral wealth, making it an attractive partner for India's resource needs.

This collaboration will facilitate geological surveys and joint exploration efforts, potentially leading to resource extraction and development.

It boosts economic ties and fostering a stronger partnership between India and Zambia.

 

BANKING

RBI Revokes Licence of ShimshaSahakara Bank Niyamitha, Maddur, Mandya

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cancelled the licence of ShimshaSahakara Bank Niyamitha, Maddur, Mandya District, Karnataka, due to its worsening financial position.

As a result, the bank ceased to carry on banking business from the close of business on July 05, 2024.

The Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Karnataka, has been requested to issue an order for winding up the bank and to appoint a liquidator.

Upon liquidation, each depositor is entitled to receive a deposit insurance claim amount of up to ₹5, 00,000 (5 Lakhs) from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), subject to the provisions of the DICGC Act, 1961.

ICICI Lombard Introduces AI-Powered Health Insurance Plan 'Elevate

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited, a private general insurer in India, has launched 'Elevate', a new health insurance product equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

It aims to provide tailored solutions for diverse healthcare needs, unforeseen medical emergencies, and rising medical costs.

It provides a 100% cumulative bonus annually, regardless of claims, for an indefinite period.

Elevate' includes 15 in-built covers and multiple personalization options.

Elevate covers 20 critical illnesses, personal accidents, maternity and newborn care, accommodation and travel benefits, preventive care, inflation protector, air ambulance, personalized home care, among others.

 

DEFENCE

Indigenous Zorawar Tank to be Inducted in Indian Army by 2027

According to Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Dr Samir Kamath, the indigenously developed lightweight tank Zorawar is expected to be inducted into the Indian Army in 2027.

The DRDO expects all the necessary trials to be completed, and the tank will be ready for induction in 2027.

Dr Samir Kamath spoke after the commencement of the tank trial at Hazira, Gujarat.

The Zorawar tank has been designed and developed by DRDO in collaboration with the private sector company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and other smaller companies.

The government of India approved the development of a lightweight tank for the Indian Army in March 2022 after the bloody clash between the Indian Army and the Chinese Army in Galwan, Ladakh, in June 2020,

The DRDO developed the tank's design and prototype within two and a half years of the government's approval. The tank prototype is being extensively trialled in Hazira, Gujarat.

The government of India launched Project Zorawar to meet the Indian Army's requirement for deployment in the Ladakh region of the China-India border.

The Indian government approved the project in March 2022, and DRDO was tasked with designing and developing the tank according to the Indian Army's specifications

 

AWARDS & PRIZES

Roshni Nadar of HCL Tech honoured with France Highest Civilian Award

HCL Technologies chairperson Roshini Nadar has been conferred with France's highest civilian award, the Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur or the Knight of the Legion of Honour.

The French ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, conferred the award to Roshini Nadar on behalf of the French president on 8 July 2024 at the French Embassy in New Delhi.

Roshini Nadar was honoured for her outstanding contributions to the business world, her constant endeavour to promote economic ties between France and India and her unwavering commitment to social and environmental causes.

The Order of Légion d'honneur is the highest civilian award conferred by the government of France. The award was instituted by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.

The Order of Legion of Honour has been divided into five degrees: Grand Croix (Grand Cross), Grand Officer, Commandeur(Commander), Officier and Chevalier (Knight)

The Grand Cross is the highest-ranked award, followed by Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.

The award is given to a French citizen or a foreigner for outstanding contribution in the recipient’s field of expertise.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation

South African Revenue Services (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has been re-elected as the chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) for a second one-year term (2024-2025).

The re-election occurred during the 143rd/144th Sessions of the WCO Council.

The sessions took place in Brussels, Belgium, with the participation of directors general of customs from the WCO’s 186 members.

At the meeting, the WCO council examined the work carried out by the WCO Secretariat and working bodies throughout the year in line with the WCO Strategic Plan 2022-2025.

The WCO is an intergovernmental organization focused on customs-related matters.

It aims to develop and streamline customs procedures to enhance trade supply and international trade.

The WCO Council is the highest decision-making body within the organization.

 

SPORTS

Gagan Narang to be Indian Team Chef-De Mission

The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has appointed 2012 London Olympics bronze medalist shooter Gagan Narang as the Chef-de-Mission of the Indian team for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, replacing Mary Kom.

Ace Badminton player PV Sindhu was also appointed as the co-flag bearer along with table tennis player Sharath Kamal.

The appointment of Gagan Narang and PV Sindhu was announced by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha on 8 July 2024.

Shiva Keshavan will remain the deputy Chef -de- Mission.

The Chef de Mission is an important administrative post for any national contingent taking part in an international multidisciplinary sporting event.

The Chef de Mission is the spokesperson of the entire team during the Olympic Games. They are also mentors, supporters, and cheerleaders who aim to motivate and inspire the team while protecting the athletes' performances.

Lewis Hamilton Wins British Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton secured his 104th career victory in an emotional and long-awaited triumph at the British Grand Prix.

This victory marked his record ninth win at the event.

Hamilton's win at the British Grand Prix is his 104th career victory and his ninth win at this particular event.

The race featured changing weather and track conditions, adding to the challenge. Despite this, Hamilton managed his tyres and race strategy expertly.

He finished 1.465 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen.

 

OBITUTARY

Oscar-Winning Producer of Titanic and Avatar, Jon Landau

Jon Landau, an Oscar-winning producer who worked closely with director James Cameron on three of the biggest blockbusters of all time, Titanic and two Avatar films, has passed away at the age of 63.

He began his career in the 1980s as a production manager in the film industry.

He worked his way up to become a co-producer on films such as "Honey I Shrunk the Kids" and "Dick Tracy."

His notable collaboration with James Cameron began with "True Lies" and extended to blockbuster films like "Titanic" (1997) and the "Avatar" series, starting in 2009 with sequels continuing, including "Avatar: The Way of Water" released in 2022.

At just 29 years old, he was named Executive Vice President of Feature Films at 20th Century Fox, where he oversaw successful movies like "Home Alone," its sequel, "Mrs. Doubtfire," and "True Lies."

Landau won an Academy Award for Best Picture for producing James Cameron's disaster film Titanic (1997).