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By admin: July 9, 2024

World Kiswahili Language Day - 7 July 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Kiswahili Language Day is observed annually on July 7 to promote Kiswahili, a widely used African language.

An Overview of the News

• July 7, 2024, marked the 3rd observance of World Kiswahili Language Day.

• The theme for the 2024 event was "Kiswahili: Education and Culture of Peace."

Background:

• In November 2021, UNESCO's 41st General Conference in Paris adopted resolution 41 C/61, proclaiming July 7 as World Kiswahili Language Day.

• The first World Kiswahili Language Day was observed on July 7, 2022.

• Kiswahili is the first African language to be recognized by the UN.

Kiswahili Language:

• Kiswahili, or Swahili, is a widely spoken lingua franca in East, Central, and Southern Africa, and the Middle East.

• It ranks among the top 10 most spoken languages globally, with over 230 million speakers. It's an official language of the AU, SADC, and EAC.

• Kiswahili is a Bantu language of the Niger-Congo family, known for its complex Bantu structure.

• It's the only African language in the UN's Directorate of Global Communications, where the Kiswahili language unit of UN Radio was established in the 1950s.

About the UNESCO

• Director-General : Audrey Azoulay

• Headquarters: Paris, France

• Establishment: 1945

• Membership: Consists of 194 Members and 12 Associate Members

PM Modi Set to Receive Russia's Highest Civilian Honor for Exceptional Service

Tags: Awards

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called on 9 July at the Moscow Kremlin's St Catherine's Hall.

An Overview of the News

• The award, established in 1698 by Tsar Peter the Great, honors exceptional civilian or military service.

• It was bestowed upon PM Modi in 2019 for his significant role in enhancing the strategic partnership and friendly relations between Russia and India.

• Named after Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Russia, the Order is highly prestigious and recognizes outstanding contributions to bilateral relations.

• The Russian Embassy in India announced PM Modi's decoration in 2019, highlighting his efforts in fostering strategic ties.

Prime Minister Modi's Two-Day Visit to Russia

• Order of St Andrew Presentation: Formal award ceremony at St Catherine’s Hall.

• Annual Summit: 22nd India-Russia summit to enhance bilateral relations.

• Tribute Ceremony: Wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

• Bilateral Discussions: Talks with President Putin on key global and regional issues.

India-Russia Partnership:

• Russia has been a longstanding and trusted partner for India, with ties deepening significantly since the 2000 "India-Russia Strategic Partnership" declaration.

• The partnership spans various domains, including political, security, defence, trade, technology, and culture, and was elevated to a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" in 2010.

• Institutionalized dialogues, such as the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission and the 2+2 Dialogue, ensure regular high-level engagement. 

• Bilateral trade reached an all-time high of $65.70 billion in FY 2023-24, with significant cooperation in defence and technology, including joint projects like the S-400 system and Kudankulam Nuclear Plant.

• The relationship remains strong, with both countries committed to expanding cooperation in new areas, supporting a multipolar world order.

Tata Power Solar Launches 'Ghar Ghar Solar' Initiative in Uttar Pradesh

Tags: State News

Tata Power Solar Systems Limited launched 'Ghar Ghar Solar, Tata Power ke Sang' initiative in Uttar Pradesh.

An Overview of the News

• The initiative aims to provide rooftop solar solutions to every home in Uttar Pradesh starting from Varanasi.

• CEO and MD Praveer Sinha emphasized the mission to drive a sustainable energy future.

• The initiative promises substantial financial savings and environmental benefits through state-of-the-art Rooftop Solar Solutions (RTS).

• Features include advanced technology like bifacial solar panels for higher efficiency, easy financing options, and a quick turnaround of seven days from inquiry to installation.

• Residents can benefit from local government subsidies, making solar adoption more attractive.

• A typical household investing in a 3 kW solar rooftop system could save up to INR 27,000 annually on electricity bills, with an initial investment offset by available subsidies.

Tata Power Solar Systems Limited:

• Tata Power Solar Systems Limited, formerly Tata BP Solar, is an Indian company focusing on solar energy services.

• They manufacture solar modules, cells, and provide EPC services for solar power projects.

• In February 2017, Tata Power Solar became the first Indian company to ship over 1 GW of solar modules globally.

• Their manufacturing unit in Bangalore has a capacity of 400 MW for modules and 300 MW for cells.

• Founded - 1989

• Headquarters - Noida, Uttar Pradesh

About Uttar Pradesh

• On 24 January 1950 itself, United Provinces or United Provinces was renamed as Uttar Pradesh.

• In 2017, the state government announced to celebrate January 24 every year as Uttar Pradesh Day.

• It was celebrated for the first time in 2018.

• First in the state

  • The first Chief Minister of the state – Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant

  • First Deputy Chief Minister of the state - Chaudhary Narayan Singh

  • The first woman Chief Minister of the state and the country - Sucheta Kriplani

  • The first woman governor of the state and the country - Sarojini Naidu

• Current Chief Minister - Yogi Adityanath

• Current Governor – Anandiben Patel

Maharashtra Wins Best Agriculture State Award 2024

Tags: Awards State News

Maharashtra has been awarded the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024 by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.

An Overview of the News

• The announcement was made by the committee chaired by Justice P. Sathasivam, former Chief Justice of India and Governor of Kerala.

• Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will accept the award at a ceremony in New Delhi on July 10, 2024.

• The award recognizes Maharashtra's innovative agricultural and rural initiatives.

Initiatives and Policies of Maharashtra :

• Maharashtra was acknowledged for its sustainable development policies focusing on environmental protection and food security.

• The state launched India’s largest bamboo mission, covering 21 lakh hectares.

• Plans were announced in the recent budget for a 1.20 lakh-acre green belt in Nandurbar district in collaboration with the Central and state governments.

• Maharashtra aims to enhance irrigation capabilities across approximately 17 lakh hectares through 123 projects.

Agriculture Leadership Award

• Established in 2008 by Agricultural Today magazine.

• Recognizes leadership in agriculture by government, individuals, and organizations.

• Past winners include Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and former Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal.

About Maharashtra

• It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.

  • Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde

  • Governor - Ramesh Bais

  • Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel

  • Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

  • Official Dance - Lavani

Roshni Nadar Malhotra Receives France's Highest Honor: Knight of the Legion of Honour

Tags: Awards

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCLTech, was honored with the "Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur" (Knight of the Legion of Honour) by H.E. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, at a special ceremony at the Residence of France. 

An Overview of the News

• Roshni Nadar Malhotra Honored with France's Top Civilian Award for Business, Economic Ties, and Social Commitment. 

Leadership and Achievements

• Roshni Nadar Malhotra made history as the first woman to lead a listed IT company in India when she assumed the role of Chairperson at HCLTech. 

• Under her leadership, HCLTech, with a turnover of $13.3 billion and a workforce of over 227,480 professionals across 60 countries, has expanded its global presence and solidified its reputation for excellence in technology and innovation.

HCLTech in France

• During the period from 2020 to 2023, HCLTech, supported by Business France and IFCCI, achieved significant growth in France. 

• The company secured major digital transformation contracts, positioning itself among the top IT service providers in the country.

Social and Environmental Initiatives

• Beyond her corporate achievements, Nadar Malhotra is deeply committed to environmental sustainability, wildlife conservation, and social causes. 

• She established The Habitats Trust in 2018 and drives transformative education initiatives through the Shiv Nadar Foundation. 

• Since 2020, HCLTech and Apprentis d’Auteuil in France have partnered to enhance middle school coding education.

• Over 200 students in Saint-Paul-sur-Isère and Bagneux have learned programming languages through creative, project-based learning.

Additional Information:-

• On February 20, 2024, Shashi Tharoor was bestowed with France's highest civilian honor, the "Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur" (Knight of the Legion of Honour), by Gerard Larcher, President of the French Senate. The award ceremony was held at the French Embassy.

India Ranks Fifth in GenAI Innovations

Tags: INDEX

India ranks fifth in Generative AI (GenAI) innovations, trailing behind China, the US, Republic of Korea, and Japan.

An Overview of the News

• India has filed 1,350 patents related to Generative AI from 2014 to 2023.

• The country ranks fifth globally in total number of GenAI patents, following China (38,210), the US (6,276), Republic of Korea (4,155), and Japan (3,409).

• India has surpassed the UK (714 patents) and Germany (708 patents) in the number of GenAI patents published.

Leading Companies in GenAI Patents:

• Chinese companies Tencent, Ping An Insurance Group, and Baidu have published the most GenAI patent families in the last decade.

• No Indian entities are in the top 20 GenAI patent owners.

• Notable Indian patents include a retail AI assistant solution by RN Chidakashi Technologies (Miko Robotics) and an AI tool for contract lifecycle management by Tata Consultancy Services.

Innovation Growth in India:

• India has recorded the highest annual growth rate in GenAI patent publications, averaging 56% growth.

• Despite this rapid growth, India holds only 3% of the total GenAI patents globally.

• China, with a high base, has a 50% growth rate in GenAI patents.

Global GenAI Patent Trends:

• A total of 54,358 patent families were published in GenAI between 2014 and 2023.

• 89% of these patents (48,398) were considered active by the end of 2023.

• Advances in AI and deep learning, including the introduction of transformer models in 2017 and the advent of popular apps like ChatGPT in 2022, have significantly increased GenAI patent activity.

• The share of GenAI patent publications among all AI patents rose from 4.2% in 2017 to 6.1% in 2023.

• Over 25% of all GenAI patents and over 45% of all GenAI scientific papers were published in 2023 alone.

Jurisdictional Insights:

• WIPO data shows the relative maturity of China's patent regime compared to other countries.

• Over 40,000 of China's GenAI patents were filed within the country from 2014 to 2023.

• The US saw over 10,700 patents filed within its own jurisdiction.

• 98% of India's 1,350 patents were filed within its own jurisdiction.

Important Points

• India Ranked 72nd in the AI Preparedness Index 2024

• India Ranked 63rd in the Global Energy Transition Index 2024 

• India Ranked 3rd in the Global Unicorn Index 2024

• India Ranked 159th in the World Press Freedom Index 2024

• India Ranked 129th in the Global Gender Gap Index 2024

• India Ranked 39th in WEF's Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024

• India Ranked 126th in the World Happiness Report 2024

Ukraine and Poland Solidify Defense Partnership with New Security Agreement

Tags: International Relations International News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk finalized a long-term security agreement in Warsaw.

An Overview of the News

• The agreement solidifies Poland's strong support for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.

Strategic Alliance:

• The agreement marks a strategic alliance between Poland and Ukraine amid ongoing geopolitical challenges in Eastern Europe.

• Discussions focused on defense cooperation and Poland's support for Ukraine's integration into Europe.

Humanitarian Support:

• Poland, a key advocate within the EU, has provided significant humanitarian aid and refuge to Ukrainian war refugees.

• Approximately one million refugees currently seek shelter in Poland, emphasizing its role as a haven amidst the crisis.

Geopolitical Context:

• Zelenskyy's visit aimed to strengthen international solidarity and support for Ukraine's defense against Russian aggression.

• The visit coincided with a serious escalation in hostilities, including a missile strike on a children's hospital in Kyiv.

India-Poland Relations:

• India and Poland enjoy a long-standing political relationship dating back to 1954, marked by regular high-level visits and strong diplomatic ties. 

• Economically, Poland is India's largest trading partner in Central & Eastern Europe, with bilateral trade reaching $2.73 billion in 2020. 

• Both countries collaborate extensively in sectors such as mining, IT, pharmaceuticals, and textiles, supported by multiple bilateral agreements. 

• Cultural ties are strengthened through Indology studies at Polish universities and widespread practice of yoga in Poland. 

• Consular relations have improved with facilities like e-visas and the establishment of an honorary consulate in Wroclaw, reflecting growing people-to-people contacts and a vibrant Indian community in Poland.

India-Russia Partnership:

• Russia has been a longstanding and trusted partner for India, with ties deepening significantly since the 2000 "India-Russia Strategic Partnership" declaration. 

• The partnership spans various domains, including political, security, defence, trade, technology, and culture, and was elevated to a "Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership" in 2010. 

• Institutionalized dialogues, such as the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission and the 2+2 Dialogue, ensure regular high-level engagement. 

• Bilateral trade reached an all-time high of $65.70 billion in FY 2023-24, with significant cooperation in defence and technology, including joint projects like the S-400 system and Kudankulam Nuclear Plant. 

• The relationship remains strong, with both countries committed to expanding cooperation in new areas, supporting a multipolar world order.