NATIONAL NEWS

India's First Anti-Gravity Body

• On the occasion of International Yoga Day 2022 on 21 June 2022, AIIMS-Delhi doctors announced that they have developed the world's first anti-gravity body suit that will allow astronauts to perform yoga in space.

• This is India's first body suit for astronauts and will help astronauts strengthen muscles and prevent loss of bone density minerals.
• It will also increase the weight of the astronauts by more than 70 percent in space to prevent them from floating.
• The anti-gravity body suit development has been developed by the National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar.
• The proof of concept of the invention will soon be presented to ISRO. It will enable astronauts to join the global yoga movement.

Indian Army Partners with IIT Madras

• The Army Training Command (ARTRAC) of Indian Army is partnering with the IIT-Madras to establish a 5G Testbed at the Military College of Telecommunication at Mhow, Indore.
• The collaboration would give a support to the induction of systems, devices and equipment using technology and use of AI-based algorithms for enhancing the capabilities of the armed forces.
• It will also promote collaborative and cooperative research and facilitate the exchange of ideas for the development of new technology.
• The partnership would encourage students, faculties and scientists to undertake research in the area of 5G communications and the development of military applications.

One Nation, One Ration Card Scheme

• Assam has become the 36th State to implement One Nation One Ration Card scheme.

• With this, One Nation One Ration Card scheme is successfully implemented in all the 36 states and Union Territories making food security portable throughout the country.
• To make this scheme more seamless and swifter, MERA RATION mobile application was rolled out.
• This mobile app is providing a host of useful real time information to the beneficiaries and is available in 13 languages.
• This scheme is aimed at enabling migrant workers and their family members to seamlessly lift their entitled subsidized foodgrains from any Fair Price Shop.

New Advanced Light Helicopter Squadron 840 CG

• The Indian Coast Guard inducted the new air squadron known as 840 Squadron with an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mark-III aircraft into the Coast Guard Region East.

• This is the first such aircraft to be positioned by the defence force in the eastern region.

• The first chopper was received at Coast Guard Air Station, Chennai with a traditional ‘water cannon salute’ in the presence of Inspector General AP Badola, Commander of Coast Guard Region East.
• An indigenous aircraft designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

BANKING

SBI and DoPPW

• The Centre's Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) will collaborate with the State Bank of India (SBI) to create an integrated pension portal.

• The pension portal will enhance the ease of living of pensioners.
• During the session, the central government noted that immediate efforts were needed for the creation of an integrated pension portal by linking the existing portals of the DoPPW and the SBI to provide seamless services to pensioners.
• Four awareness programmes will also be conducted in collaboration with the State Bank of India.

BOB Financial and Nainital Bank

• A wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Baroda, BOB Financial Solutions Limited (BFSL) & Nainital Bank launched the Nainital Bank – BoB co-branded Contactless RuPay Credit Card during the centenary year of Nainital Bank.

• The card is designed to reward customers for everyday spending categories like grocery and departmental stores.

• Cardholders of Nainital Bank – BoB RuPay Contactless Credit Card will be able to earn 5 reward points (per Rs. 100 spent) for spending on grocery, departmental stores, and movies.
• For all other spending, cardholders will earn 1 reward point per Rs. 100 spent.
• In addition, cardholders will also benefit from a 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver on fuel purchases.
• The card is offered at zero joining fee and a nominal annual fee that is waived on spends of Rs. 25,000 per year.

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

‘Gold refining and recycling’ Report

• A World Gold Council (WGC) released a report titled ‘Gold refining and recycling’.

• India ranked 4th in global gold recycling in 2021.

• The report estimated that from 2013 to 2021, India’s gold refining capacity increased by 1,500 tonnes or 500% to 1,800 tonnes.

• India’s gold refining landscape has changed over the last decade, with the number of formal operations increasing from less than five in 2013 to 33 in 2021.
• China emerged top in the gold refining and recycling report by the WGC followed by Italy.
• The United States of America secured third place.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Prime Minister’s Awards

• The Prime Minister's award for outstanding contribution for promotion of Yoga has been announced for the year 2021.

• Bhikkhu Sanghasena from Ladakh, Marcus Vinicius Rojo Rodrigues from Brazil and two organisations, The Divine Life Society from Uttarakhand and the British Wheel of Yoga from United Kingdom have been chosen for the award.
• Ayush Ministry announced that the winners will be felicitated with a trophy, certificate and cash award of 25 lakh rupees.
• The award was announced by the Prime Minister on the occasion of the second International Day of Yoga celebrations at Chandigarh in 2016.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

India’s Permanent Representative to UN

• Senior diplomat Ruchira Kamboj was appointed as the next Ambassador and India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

• Kamboj, a 1987-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer, is presently serving as India’s envoy to Bhutan.

• She will succeed T S Tirumurti as the Indian ambassador to the UN.

NDB Appointed Head for its Regional Office in GIFT City

• Shanghai-headquartered New Development Bank (NDB) of the BRICS countries has appointed former bureaucrat Dr D J Pandian as the Director-General of its India Regional Office in Gujarat International Finance Tec City (GIFT City).
• The NDB has approved 20 projects in India for about USD 7.2. billion.
• The IRO will support the effective and efficient implementation of these projects and work closely with Project Implementation Agencies on achieving desired project outcomes.
• IRO will also play an important role in preparing new projects and assisting government institutions in capacity building and in providing technical assistance.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Music Day

• World Music Day is observed every year on 21 June.

• The special day highlights the value of music in people’s lives.

• It aims to recognise and honour musicians and young artists for their contribution to the music industry.
• The concept of World Music Day originated in France and is called 'Fête de la Musique' which means a music festival in the year 1982.
• The theme for the year 2022 is ‘Music at Intersections’.

International Yoga Day

• International Yoga Day is celebrated every year on 21 June.

• The world will celebrate the 8th International Yoga Day in 2022.
• It is celebrated to spread awareness about the invaluable benefits of Yoga.
• This theme for the year 2022 is “Yoga for Humanity”.
• This year the main event demonstration will be led by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at Mysuru, Karnataka.

OBITUTARY

Photojournalist R Raveendran

• Veteran photojournalist R. Raveendran passed away at the age of 69.

• He started his career as a teleprinter operator in AFP 1973.
• Later, he became a photographer in 1984.
• Presently, he was working with ANI as Photo Editor.
• He was the recipient of numerous photography awards and is known for his iconic photo of Rajiv Goswami setting himself on fire during the Mandal agitation in the Capital.