DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Sept. 3, 2024

India’s Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar Win Bronze at Paris 2024 Paralympics

Tags: Sports

Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar secured a bronze medal in the Mixed Team Compound Open Archery event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

An Overview of the News

• They equalled the Paralympic record with 156 points, showing exceptional skill and composure.

Sheetal Devi's Journey

• Born with Phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder without arms on January 10, 2007, in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir.

• The world’s first and only active female archer to compete without arms.

• Currently ranked first in the world in the compound open women’s category.

• Discovered by the Indian Army in 2019 and mentored by coach Kuldeep Vedwan.

• Achievements include gold medals at the 2023 Asian Para Games and silver at the 2023 World Archery Para Championship.

• Received the Arjuna Award 2023 from President Droupadi Murmu.

• From a small village with a farming background; first encountered a bow and arrow at 15.

Rakesh Kumar's Path

• Born on January 13, 1985, in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir, and paralysed from the waist down after a 2010 accident.

• Took up archery in 2017 at the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Sports Complex, mentored by coach Kuldeep Kumar.

• Notable wins include a gold medal in the Mixed Team event at the 2023 World Archery Para Championship.

Suhas L. Yathiraj Clinches Silver at Paris 2024 Paralympics

Tags: Sports

Suhas Yathiraj won the silver medal in the Men’s Singles SL4 category at the 17th Summer Paralympic Games.

An Overview of the News

• SL4 category is for athletes with impairment in one or both lower limbs and minimal impairment in walking or running balance.

Performance in Final

• Suhas competed against France’s Lucas Mazur in a fiercely contested final.

• This marks Suhas’s second consecutive silver medal following his performance at Tokyo 2020.

Historical Significance

• Suhas is the only Indian shuttler to win a medal at both the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics.

• His achievement further cements his legacy in para-badminton.

• Balancing Public Service and Sports

Current Ranking

• Suhas is ranked World No. 1 in Men’s Singles SL4 category (as of September 3, 2024).

Professional Background

• Suhas is an IAS officer of the 2007 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre and has served as the District Magistrate of Gautam Buddha Nagar.

• Suhas has been honored with the Arjuna Award for his exceptional achievements in para-badminton.

List of medals of Suhas L. Yathiraj

• Asian Para-Badminton Championships 2016 - Gold medal in Men’s Singles

• Asian Para Games 2018 - Bronze medal

• Tokyo 2020 Paralympics - Silver medal in Men’s Singles

• Asian Para Games 2022 - Gold medal

• 2024 World Championships - Gold medal in Men’s Singles

• Paris 2024 Paralympics - Silver medal 

Philips Appoints Bharath Sesha as New Managing Director

Tags: Person in news

Philips has appointed Bharath Sesha as Managing Director for the Indian subcontinent, effective September 1, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Bharath will lead Philips' growth strategy in India, focusing on customer satisfaction and operational excellence. 

• He will oversee the Healthcare business based in Gurgaon and manage Philips' operations in India, including:

  • Philips Innovation Campus (PIC) in Bangalore

  • Healthcare Innovation Centre (HIC) in Pune

  • Global Business Services (GBS) in Chennai

Predecessor: 

• Bharath succeeds Daniel Mazon, who was Vice Chairman and Managing Director until April 1, 2024, and now holds a global role at Philips' headquarters in the Netherlands.

Background of Bharath Sesha: 

• Bharath Sesha has over 20 years of global experience with a strong understanding of the Indian market, particularly in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. 

• Before joining Philips, he was Managing Director at Heubach Colorants India Ltd. 

• He holds a Master's degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and an MBA from the Institute for Technology & Management (ITM).

Philips' Investments: 

• Philips' investments in India, including the 2023 launch of the Philips Innovation Campus in Bangalore and the 2024 announcement of a new R&D campus at the Healthcare Innovation Center in Pune, have bolstered the company's position as a leading Healthtech innovator and strengthened its operational presence in the country.

About Philips:

• Founded: 1891

• Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

• Industry: Health technology and consumer electronics

• CEO - Roy Jakobs

• MD for India - Bharath Sesha

West Bengal Assembly Passes Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill

Tags: National News

The West Bengal Assembly passed the Aparajita Bill, an anti-rape bill, on 3 September during a special session.

An Overview of the News

• The bill received unanimous support, with the Opposition, including BJP MLAs and the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, backing the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC government.

• 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,' was introduced by West Bengal Law Minister Moloy Ghatak.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

• Capital Punishment: The bill proposes capital punishment for individuals convicted of rape if the victim dies or is left in a vegetative state.

• Life Imprisonment: It mandates a life sentence without parole for those convicted of rape and gang rape. Repeat offenders may face life imprisonment or death penalty, plus financial fines.

• Amendments: Changes to sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) 2023 regarding rape, gang rape, repeat offenders, and victim identity disclosure. Removal of age-based punishment sections.

• Expedited Investigation: Rape investigations must be completed within 21 days, with a 15-day extension possible with valid reasons.

• Special Task Force: Creation of the 'Aparajita Task Force' at the district level, led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police, to handle these cases.

• Specialized Courts: Proposal for 52 special courts to handle rape and sexual offences, designed to reduce victim trauma.

• Penalties for Publishing Proceedings: Unauthorized publication of court proceedings will result in 3 to 5 years imprisonment and fines to protect victim privacy.

Context and Urgency:

• The special session of the Assembly was convened following the rape-murder of a woman medic at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

• The Assembly met for two days to urgently address issues related to crimes against women and to fast-track punishments for perpetrators.

RIL Becomes First Indian Company to Surpass Rs 10 Lakh Crore in Annual Revenue

Tags: Economics/Business

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) became the first Indian company to achieve an annual revenue exceeding Rs 10 lakh crore.

An Overview of the News

• For the fiscal year 2023–24, RIL recorded a consolidated turnover of Rs 10,122 crore (USD 119.9 billion).

• The company reported a net profit of Rs 79,020 crore (USD 9.5 billion) and an EBITDA of Rs 1,78,677 crore (USD 21.4 billion).

• RIL's exports amounted to Rs 2,99,832 crore (USD 35.9 billion), representing 8.2% of India's total merchandise exports.

Significant Investments and Contributions

• Over the past three years, RIL has invested more than Rs 5.28 lakh crore (USD 66.0 billion) to expand its operations.

• In FY 2023–24, the company paid Rs 1,86,440 crore (USD 22.4 billion) in taxes and duties, continuing to be the largest contributor to India's national exchequer.

• RIL has contributed over Rs 5.5 lakh crore (USD 68.7 billion) to the exchequer over the last three years, the highest among Indian corporates.

Commitment to Social Responsibility

• RIL increased its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending by 25%, reaching Rs 1,592 crore (USD 191 million) in the previous year.

• The company has spent more than Rs 4,000 crore (USD 502 million) on CSR activities over the last three years, making it the largest corporate contributor in India.

• RIL created over 1.7 lakh new jobs last year, bringing its total workforce to nearly 6.5 lakh employees.

Future Financial Moves

• Reliance Industries announced plans to explore the issuance of 1:1 bonus shares at its board meeting on September 5, 2024.

• This means that investors would receive an additional share for each share they currently own, effectively doubling their holdings.

Air Marshal Tejinder Singh Assumes Role as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff

Tags: Person in news

Air Marshal Tejinder Singh took over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force in New Delhi.

An Overview of the News

• After assuming his new role, he paid homage at the National War Memorial by laying a wreath to honor the bravehearts.

Background:

• Alumnus: National Defence Academy.

• Commissioned: Into the fighter stream of the IAF on 13 June 1987.

• Flying Experience: Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor with over 4500 hours of flying.

• Education: Alumnus of Defence Service Staff College and National Defence College.

Command Experience:

• Commanded a Fighter Squadron.

• Led a Radar Station and a premier Fighter Base.

• Served as Air Officer Commanding in Jammu and Kashmir.

Awards:

• Vayu Sena Medal (2007).

• Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2022).