NATIONAL NEWS

Madhya Pradesh CM Launches PM Shri Tourism Air Service

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated the intra-state air service facility ‘PM Shri Tourism Air Service’ on 13 June 2024.

He inaugurated the first flight under the service from the Bhopal airport.

The Mohan Yadav government, which was sworn in on 13 December 2023, completed its six months in power on 13 June 2024.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced a number of new initiatives of the state government.

He also announced that from now on, no green tree will be cut in the state; rather, it will be shifted to another place through transplantation.

The PM Shri Tourism Air Service is an intra-state air service that connects the state's religious and tourist spots by air. It aims to improve connectivity for domestic and international tourists visiting Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradesh Tourism has launched the PM Shri Tourism Air Service in partnership with JETSERVE Aviation Private Limited.

The PM Shri Tourism Air Service will connect eight cities in the state: Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, Ujjain, Gwalior, Singrauli, and Khajuraho.

MNRE and IREDA Host a Conference in Bhubaneswar

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), in collaboration with the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), organized a pre-event conference for Global Wind Day at the Welcome Hotel in Bhubaneswar.

According to the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE), India’s onshore wind potential is estimated at 1,164 GWat 150 meters above ground level, with Odisha’s potential of 12 GW.

He pointed out Odisha’s potential to lead in green hydrogen projects, stressing the state’s critical role in advancing sustainable energy initiatives.

As of 31stMarch 2024, IREDA has disbursed cumulative loans totalling 1, 25,917 crores in renewable energy, with Rs. 26,913 crores disbursed to wind power projects nationwide.

Specifically, 1,637 crores loan has been disbursed by IREDA towards renewable energy projects in Odisha.

Shri Das also underlined Odisha’s Renewable Energy Policy 2022, which aims to drive investments in clean energy, with a special focus on RE manufacturing and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen, green ammonia, and floating solar.

Government to Launch 21st Livestock Census with Mobile Technology

The government announced that it will initiate the 21st livestock census from September to December 2024, utilizing mobile technology for the first time to gather detailed data on a wide range of animal species across the country.

This comprehensive enumeration will encompass all villages and urban wards, covering various species such as cattle, buffalo, Mithun, yak, sheep, goat, pig, horse, pony, mule, donkey, camel, dog, rabbit, elephant, and poultry birds like fowl and duck, held by households and enterprises.

Each animal will be counted at its location, with specific details recorded on breed, age, and sex, as stated in an official report.

A recent workshop in Arunachal Pradesh shed light on state-wise breeds and field identification techniques.

The resulting data will support livestock sector programs and contribute to the National Indicator Framework for Sustainable Development Goals.

 

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

India May Sign FTA with Oman

India may be finalising a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Oman within the first 100 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term, according to a report.

The news comes after Modi announced that the strategic ties between the two nations are ‘set to reach new heights’.

The FTA discussions between India and Oman gained momentum following a meeting between Modi and Sultan bin Tarik in New Delhi on December 16, 2023.

The proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was a focal point of their talks.

Subsequently, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Oman’s Trade Minister Qais Bin Mohammed Al Yousef agreed to establish dedicated desks in Invest India and Invest Oman to enhance bilateral trade and investment.

Negotiations for the FTA were also nearly complete during Modi’s previous term. However, the enforcement of the model code of conduct (MCC) on March 16, following the announcement of Lok Sabha poll dates, delayed the signing.

The report stated that preparatory work for the India-Oman FTA was well underway with officials confirming that draft documents were being prepared, and progress was ongoing.

 

DEFENCE

Indian Army Boosts Modernization with "Vidyut Rakshak"

The Indian Army has taken a significant step towards modernization with the launch of “Vidyut Rakshak,” an in-house innovation designed to enhance generator efficiency.

This was developed by Maj Rajprasad R S and was recently displayed during “Exercise Bharat Shakti,” which was witnessed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The innovation showcases the Indian Army’s dedication to adopting advanced technologies for operational efficiency.

An MoU for innovation production was signed between the Indian Army and the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, during Aero India 2023.

Vidyut Rakshak is the first innovation launched under this MoU.

In addition to Vidyut Rakshak, the Indian Army has secured a patent for another innovation by Major Rajprasad, called the “Portable Multi-Target Detonation Device.”

This device has already been inducted into the Indian Army, further exemplifying the Army’s innovative spirit and commitment to enhancing its technological capabilities.

 

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Infosys is a Top 100 Most Valuable Brand in The World

Four Indian companies have made it to the list of 100 most valuable global brands this year.

While Apple has topped the Kantar BrandZ Most Valuable Global Brands Report, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HDFC Bank, Airtel and Infosys from India also made the cut.

In the 2024 list, TCS has been ranked the 46th most valuable global brand, having a valuation of around $44.8 billion.

It is followed by HDFC Bank, in the 47th spot, with a brand value of approximately $43.3 billion.

At 73 is Airtel, valued at around $25.3 billion.

Next, in the 74th spot, is Infosys, with its brand value of around $24.7 billion.

In 2023, TCS was in the 42nd spot, followed by HDFC Bank (56), Infosys (66) and Airtel (76).

For the third year running, Apple topped the list as the world's most valuable brand.

The US tech giant has also become the first brand to surpass $1 trillion in value.

Google is second on the list with a total brand value of around $753.5 billion.

Bill Gates-backed Microsoft occupies the third position and has a brand value of $712.9 billion.

Global Gender Gap Index

India slipped two places on the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap index to 129th place as Iceland retained its top position in the rankings.

In South Asia, India was ranked fifth after Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan while Pakistan was ranked last.

In the world, Sudan was ranked last on the index of 146 countries while Pakistan fell three places to 145th.

India was among the economies with the lowest levels of economic parity, with Bangladesh, Sudan, Iran, Pakistan, and Morocco as all of them registered less than 30 per cent gender parity in estimated earned income.

India showed the best gender parity in terms of enrolment in secondary education and ranked 65th globally on political empowerment of women.

 

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Ajit Doval Re-Appointed as NSA

The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has re-appointed Ajit Doval as the National Security Advisor (NSA) to the Prime Minister. The former IPS officer Ajit Doval has been re-appointed for his third term.

Narendra Modi was sworn in for the third consecutive time as the prime minister of India on 9 June 2024 after the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won a majority in the 18th Lok Sabha.

The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet consists of the prime minister and the Home Minister.

Ajit Doval's appointment comes into effect on 10 June 2024. He will continue in office until the term of the incumbent prime minister or until further order.

The NSA enjoys office at the pleasure of the prime minister, which means that he can be dismissed by the prime minister at any time.

Ajit Doval has been given the rank of cabinet minister in the Modi government.

Ajit Kumar Doval is a 1968-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Kerala cadre. He was appointed to the Intelligence Bureau in 1972 and retired as its Director in 2005.

Dr PK Mishra Re-Appointed as Principal Secretary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet, has re-appointed Dr Pramod Kumar Mishra as the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.

The retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Dr P.K. Mishra, has been appointed for his second consecutive term.

Dr Parmod Kumar Mishra is a 1971 batch IAS (retd.) officer of the Odisha cadre who retired in 2008.

He was appointed as the Principal Secretary to the prime minister for the first time in 2019 and was re-appointed for the second time in 2024.

 

SPORTS

World Junior u-20 Girls’ Chess Championship

18-year Nagpur girl and women’s chess International Master Divya Deshmukh won the FIDE under -20 Girl’s World Chess Championship.

In the men’s section, Grand Master Kazybek Nogerbek, a 20-year-old chess player from Kazakhstan, won the world title.

The 2024 FIDE U-20 World Chess Championship was organised by the world chess governing body, the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

The FIDE World Junior Chess Championship 2024 was held in Gujarat’s capital city of Gandhinagar from 2 to 13 June 2024.

Divya Deshmukh is the fourth Indian to win the FIDE under -20 Girl’s World Chess Championship after Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli and Soumya Swaminathan.

Deshmukh has now become the second highest-rated girl under 20 and number 20 on the overall FIDE Women's list.

She will now be part of the Indian team in the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary.

 

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Blood Donor Day

Every year, World Blood Donor Day is observed on June 14. This year, World Blood Donor Day falls on Friday.

Every year, World Blood Donor Day is observed to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and to urge more people to donate blood.

Blood donation is a noble task, and is used to treat various medical conditions, such as blood loss, Anemia and cancer.

In the process of blood donation, usually a person donates blood to the blood bank or to an organisation that collects blood for transfusion.

Blood donation is an important task required for the constant supply of healthy blood for the healthcare industry.

In 1940, a scientist called Richard Lower performed a blood transfusion between two dogs without any ill effects.

This breakthrough allowed the development of modern blood transfusion techniques and made blood donation and transfusion a regular procedure in the healthcare sector.

In 2005, The World Health Assembly announced June 14 to be observed as World Blood Donor Day every year.

The theme of this year's World Blood Donor Day is 20 years of celebrating giving: thank you, blood donors.