DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Aug. 1, 2024

Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh Win Bronze in 10m Air Pistol at Paris 2024

Tags: Sports

Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh secured a historic bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Paris Olympics 2024.

An Overview of the News

• This makes Bhaker the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single Olympics edition.

Badminton Highlights

• Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty defeated the Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto in straight sets (21-13, 21-13) to top Group C and advance to the quarter-finals.

• Tanisha Crasto and Ashwini Ponnappa lost their Group C match in women's doubles against Australia’s Setyana Mapasa and Angela Yu (21-15, 21-10).

Hockey Update

• The Indian men’s hockey team secured their second win in the group stage with a 2-0 victory over Ireland. 

• Harmanpreet Singh scored both goals, leading India to the top of Pool B with seven points from two wins and a draw.

Archery and Rowing

• Bhajan Kaur reached the Round of 16 in the women's individual archery event.

• Balraj Panwar finished 5th in the men’s single sculls quarterfinal and did not advance to the medal rounds.

Boxing Result

• Amit Panghal lost to Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba with a score of 4:1 in the 51kg Round of 16 bout.

Jiya Rai Becomes World's Youngest and Fastest Female Para Swimmer to Cross the English Channel

Tags: Sports

Indian athlete Jiya Rai has become the world's youngest and fastest female para swimmer to cross the English Channel.

An Overview of the News

• At 16 years old, she completed the 34 km stretch from Abbots Cliff in England to Pointe de la Courte-Dune in France in 17 hours and 25 minutes.

Inspiring Career

• Jiya is an internationally renowned open water para swimmer with a world record in open water swimming.

• She has achieved several milestones despite her disability, including swimming across Palk Bay.

• She has received numerous awards, including the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (PMB) – 2022.

Dedication and Recognition

• Jiya dedicated her English Channel swim to raising awareness about autism.

• She is the daughter of a naval personnel stationed in Mumbai.

India Becomes 2nd Largest Aluminium Producer Worldwide

Tags: National News

India is the 2nd largest aluminium producer globally.

An Overview of the News

• In FY 2024-25 (April-June), primary aluminium production grew by 1.2%, reaching 10.43 lakh tons (LT) compared to 10.28 LT in the same period last year.

Mineral Production Growth:

• Iron Ore Production: Increased by 9.7%, from 72 million metric tons (MMT) in FY 2023-24 (April-June) to 79 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April-June).

• Limestone Production: Rose by 1.8%, from 114 MMT in FY 2023-24 (April-June) to 116 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April-June).

• Manganese Ore Production: Increased by 11%, from 0.9 MMT in FY 2023-24 (April-June) to 1.0 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April-June).

Global Rankings:

• India is the 3rd largest lime producer and the 4th largest iron ore producer in the world.

Economic Implications:

• The continued growth in iron ore, limestone, and aluminium production reflects strong demand in sectors such as steel, cement, energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, and machinery.

Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair Becomes First Woman DG Medical Services (Army)

Tags: Person in news

Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair became the first woman to be appointed as Director General Medical Services (Army) on August 1, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Before this, she was the first woman to hold the post of DG Hospital Services (Armed Forces) upon promotion to the rank of Air Marshal.

Background of Sadhna Saxena

• Education and Training:

  • Graduated with distinction from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune.

  • Commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1985.

  • Holds a Post Graduate degree in Family Medicine, Diplomas in Maternal & Child Health and Health Care Management.

  • Completed a two-year Medical Informatics training program at AIIMS, New Delhi.

  • Trained in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Warfare with the Israeli Defence Forces.

  • Received training in Military Medical Ethics with the Swiss Armed Forces in Spiez.

• Notable Positions:

  • First woman Principal Medical Officer of Western Air Command and Training Command, Indian Air Force (IAF).

• Contributions:

  • Nominated as an expert member of the Dr. Kasturirangan Committee for drafting part of the medical education component of the National Education Policy.

• Awards:

  • Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command Commendation.

  • Chief of the Air Staff Commendation.

  • Vishisht Seva Medal awarded by the President of India.

83rd AFHQ Civilian Services Day

Tags: Important Days

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the 83rd  Armed Forces Headquarters (AFHQ) Civilian Services Day in New Delhi on August 01, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Encouraged AFHQ Civilian Services personnel to enhance skills for efficient policy making and reform execution in the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Role of Civil Services:

• Described as the steel frame of governance.

• Recognized for dedication and hard work in pursuing Aatmanirbharta and contributing to soldiers' welfare.

• Identified as a crucial link between the Armed Forces and civilian government.

Collaboration and Reforms:

• Stressed teamwork between the Armed Forces and Civil Services from Command Headquarters to the Ministry.

• Highlighted significant reforms in MoD over the past five years with global recognition due to teamwork.

• Inclusion of AFHQ Civil Services officers in key MoD roles to improve decision-making quality.

Significance of AFHQ Day:

• Celebrated on 1st August annually to recognize AFHQ Civilian Services personnel.

• Aims to foster spirit-de-corps among civilian employees working with Service personnel in Integrated Service Headquarters, HQ Intergated Defence Staff, and 24 Inter-Services Organisations of MoD.

History:

• AFHQ cadres foundation laid on August 01, 1942.

• Initially organized decentralized civilian posts/cadre operations under various Service Headquarters and Ministry of Defence and Finance (Defence) Secretariat, controlled by Chief Administrative Officer.

Swapnil Kusale Wins Bronze at Paris 2024 Olympics

Tags: Sports

Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions final.

An Overview of the News

• This is India's first-ever Olympic shooting medal in the 50m 3P event.

• It is the third medal for India in rifle shooting at the Olympics:

  • Abhinav Bindra’sgold in men’s 10m air rifle at Beijing 2008.

  • Gagan Narang's bronze in the same event at London 2012.

Competition Details:

• Venue: National Shooting Center in Châteauroux.

• Kusale was sixth after the first 15 shots in kneeling positions with a score of 153.3.

• Consistent shooting in prone and standing positions helped him climb to third at the end of stage 1.

• In stage 2, Kusale maintained his position in the top three with shots of 10.5, 9.4, and 9.9.

• A final shot of 10.0 secured the bronze but not enough for gold contention.

Medalists:

• Gold: Liu Yukun (People’s Republic of China) with a score of 463.6.

• Silver: Serhiy Kulish (Ukraine) with a score of 461.3.

• Bronze: Swapnil Kusale (India) with a score of 451.4.

Qualifiers:

• Kusale finished seventh in the qualifiers with a total of 590.

• Fellow Indian shooter Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar finished 11th and missed the cut.

India’s Performance in Shooting at Paris 2024

• Total Medals in Shooting: Three

  • Manu Bhaker: Bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol individual event.

  • Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh: Bronze in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.

  • Swapnil Kusale: Bronze in the men’s 50m rifle 3 positions.

• Women’s 50m Rifle 3P Event:

  • Anjum Moudgil and Sift Kaur Samra did not progress to the final.

  • Moudgil finished 18th with a score of 584.

  • Samra finished 31st with a score of 575.

World Ranger Day - 31 July 2024

Tags: Important Days

Annually observed on 31 July to commemorate Rangers killed or injured in the line of duty.

An Overview of the News

• Celebrates the critical work of Rangers in protecting the world's natural and cultural treasures.

• 2024 Theme: "30 by 30," aligning with the global goal of the 2022 UN Convention on Biological Diversity's 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) held in Montreal, Canada.

Background of World Ranger Day:

• World Ranger Day is an initiative of the International Ranger Federation (IRF).

• Promoted together with The Thin Green Line Foundation, the first charity solely dedicated to supporting rangers and their families.

• The first World Ranger Day was observed on 31 July 2007, marking the 15th anniversary of the founding of the IRF.

International Ranger Federation (IRF):

• Founded: 1992

• President: Chris Galliers

International Day of Friendship - 30 July

Tags: Important Days

The United Nations' International Day of Friendship, also known as World Friendship Day, is observed globally on July 30 each year to honor the bonds of friendship.

An Overview of the News

• The day is celebrated with various activities, acknowledging the importance of friendship despite differing dates observed worldwide.

• 2024 marks the 13th anniversary of International Friendship Day.

Background of International Day of Friendship:

• In 2011, during the 65th UN session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/65/L.72, proclaiming July 30 of each year as the International Day of Friendship.

• The first International Friendship Day was observed in 2011.

United Nations (UN):

• Established: October 24, 1945

• Headquarters: New York City, United States of America (USA)

• Secretary-General: António Guterres

Note: In India, Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in August.