NATIONAL NEWS

Parshottam Rupala Launched NANDI Portal

• Union Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Parshottam Rupala on 26th June at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi launched NANDI (NOC Approvals for New Drugs and Inoculation System).
• The NANDI portal has been developed to digitize and streamline the regulatory approval process in India's Animal Health Sector.
• The development of the NANDI portal was carried out in collaboration with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) and the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC).
• The portal aligns with the vision of Digital India and embodies the principles of Minimum Government and Maximum Governance by leveraging IT systems.
• The primary objective of the portal is to expedite the assessment and examination of veterinary product proposals, ensuring their safety, efficacy, and essentiality.
• The Minister emphasized the transformative impact of the portal and the government's decision to launch Mobile Veterinary Units, which will contribute to vaccinating all livestock in the country.
• The NANDI portal is expected to support the development of India as a global manufacturing hub for veterinary products and encourage research and development efforts to enhance animal health.

UP to Launch 'Legal Aid Defense Counseling System (LADCS)'

• The Uttar Pradesh government launched the 'Legal Aid Defense Counseling System (LADCS)'.
• LADCS is implemented under Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority.
• This program will be effective for two years.
• LADCS aims to provide free legal aid to the needy, especially in criminal matters.
• This program operates in districts or headquarters under Uttar Pradesh.
• LADCS offers representation, trial and appeal in all Sessions, Special, Magistrate and Executive Courts.
• The primary focus is on providing legal aid services in criminal matters.

BANKING

LIC Launches Close-Ended Dhan Vridhhi Plan

• The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched Dhan Vriddhi, a single-premium, non-participating endowment plan.

• It is a limited-time guaranteed returns policy that will be available for purchase up to September 30, 2023.

• This plan provides financial support to the family in case of unfortunate death of the life assured during the policy term.

• It also provides a guaranteed lump sum amount on the date of maturity to the assured.

• Dhan Vriddhi is a non-linked, non-participating, individual, savings, single premium life plan, offering a combination of protection.

• The plan’s entry age ranges from 90 days to 8 years, depending on the insurance term selected.
• The maximum admission age varies from 32 to 60 years old, depending on the term and policy choice chosen.
• The minimum basic sum assured is Rs 1.25 lakh, with the opportunity to enhance it in multiples of Rs 5,000.

ADB Approves Loan to Improve Transport Connectivity in Bihar

• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $295 million loan to widen and upgrade around 265 kilometres of state highways, improving transport connectivity and safety in the state of Bihar in India.

• The highways will be upgraded with climate- and disaster-resilient design, road safety elements, and other features that will respond to the needs of the elderly, women, children, and people with disabilities.

• The project will also encourage women’s participation by providing employment to female workers in construction works.

• Training in livelihood as well as awareness on road safety, health and hygiene, and abuse and harassment will be offered to women from communities in the project areas.
• The government is contributing $156.6 million to the project.

AWARDS & PRIZES

Shankar Mahadevan Receives Honorary Doctorate in UK

• Singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan received an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University (BCU) in England.
• Shankar Mahadevan's honorary doctorate is in recognition of his significant contribution to the field of music and the arts.
• Shankar Mahadevan is 56 years old and a prominent member of the music composition trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
• He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Professor Philip Plowden, Vice-Chancellor of Birmingham City University.
• The ceremony took place in Birmingham.

'Order of the Nile,' Egypt's Highest Honor

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the 'Order of the Nile,' Egypt's highest honor, by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi during a ceremony at the Presidential palace in Cairo.
• The 'Order of the Nile' was established in 1915 and is bestowed upon heads of states, crown princes, and vice presidents who have rendered invaluable services to Egypt or humanity.
• This is the 13th highest state honor conferred upon Prime Minister Modi.
• During the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Egypt in 26 years, India and Egypt elevated their relationship to a 'Strategic Partnership' following extensive discussions between Modi and El-Sisi.
• The two countries signed three more pacts covering agriculture and allied sectors, protection and preservation of monuments and archaeological sites, and competition law.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Prime Minister of Greece

• Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the leader of Greece's centre-right New Democracy party, was sworn in as Prime Minister for a second term on 26th June.

• The swearing-in ceremony took place at the presidential palace in the presence of the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church, following the country's tradition.
• Mitsotakis expressed his gratitude for the strong mandate given to him by the voters and pledged to accelerate institutional and economic reforms.
• He emphasized that major reforms would be implemented rapidly, and he had ambitious targets for his next four years in power that could bring transformative changes to Greece.

DEFENCE

IAF Conducts Rannvijay Exercise

• The Indian Air Force recently conducted Exercise Ranvijay, a series of integrated wargames aimed at enhancing the skills of fighter pilots through day and night operations involving combat aircraft like Su-30s.

• The exercise took place in the UB Hills and Central Air Command Area of Responsibility from June 16 to June 23.

• It involved the execution of full spectrum operations by all combat assets, with a particular emphasis on integrated operations and the optimal utilization of the Indian Air Force's electronic warfare capabilities.

• The exercise was carried out from various air bases under the Central Air Command, which is headquartered in Prayagraj.

• Different commands within the Indian Air Force, along with the Army and Navy, have been conducting wargames to enhance coordination and strengthen integration among the forces.
• After addressing various concerns, the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force have reached a consensus to proceed with the plan for establishing theatre commands, which will further enhance coordination and synergy among the three services.

Indian Navy Organises Special Event ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’

• To commemorate International Day of Yoga (IDY) 23, the Ministry of AYUSH has planned an event ‘Ocean Ring of Yoga’ (symbolising unity and solidarity) in coordination with the Ministry of Defence and other ministries.
• In support of the IDY-23 initiative, Indian Navy ships deployed in the Indian Ocean Region are visiting various ports of friendly foreign countries and spreading the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which is also the theme for IDY 23.
• It is an event symbolising unity and solidarity.
• Under IDY 23 Ocean Ring of Yoga, about 3500 naval personnel have travelled over 35,000 Km as ambassadors of Yoga in both national and international waters.
• The activities of the Indian Navy ships at the foreign ports are planned to involve the ship’s crew and personnel from the host country and would be focussed on the ‘Common Yoga Protocol’ (CYP).

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

IIT Kanpur Successfully Conducts Test Flight for Cloud Seeding

• The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has successfully conducted a test flight for cloud seeding.

• The project was initiated at IIT Kanpur a few years ago and is headed by Manindra Agrawal from the Computer Science and Engineering Department.

• The experiment was conducted with due approval from the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation).

• The test flight went up to an approximate height of 5000 feet.

• The short flight took off and came back to the IIT Kanpur Flight Lab airstrip, after successfully completing the test ride.
• In the experiment undertaken by IIT Kanpur, a Cessna aircraft was flown from the Flight Laboratory of IIT Kanpur with cloud seeding attachments.
• These attachments were procured from a manufacturer in the United States (US) and the modifications in the aircraft were approved both by the manufacturers of Cessna and DGCA.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Drug Day

• The International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, also known as World Drug Day, is observed every year on 26 June.

• World Drug Day aims to promote global efforts to eliminate drug abuse and illegal drug trafficking.

• This year's campaign focuses on treating individuals involved in drug use with empathy and respect.

• The campaign aims to combat the stigma and discrimination faced by drug users through respectful and non-judgmental language and approach.

• The theme for World Drug Day 2023 is ‘People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention.’
• The theme emphasizes a people-centred approach to drug policies with a focus on human rights, compassion and evidence-based practices.