DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 10, 2024

Gagan Narang Named Chef-de-Mission for Paris 2024 Olympics

Tags: Person in news

Gagan Narang, a four-time Olympian and 2012 Olympic Games bronze medalist, appointed as Chef-de-Mission for the Indian contingent at Paris 2024 Olympics.

An Overview of the News

• Gagan Narang replaces MC Mary Kom in this crucial administrative role.

• PV Sindhu, star shuttler and India's two-time Olympic medalist, selected as the female flag bearer.

• Achanta Sharath Kamal, prominent table tennis player, chosen as the male flag bearer.

• They will lead the Indian contingent during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

Role of Chef-de-Mission

• The Chef-de-Mission oversees athlete welfare, manages their needs, and coordinates with the organizing committee to ensure a smooth participation for the Indian contingent.

Indian Olympic Association

• President: P. T. Usha 

• Founded: 1927.

• Headquarters: New Delhi, India.

India to Sign BBNJ Agreement for High Seas Biodiversity Protection

Tags: Environment

The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved India's signing of the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.

An Overview of the News

• Aimed at conserving and sustainably using marine biodiversity in 'High Seas', beyond national jurisdiction.

• Ministry of Earth Sciences to spearhead India's efforts in implementing the agreement.

Minister's Commitment to Environmental Conservation

• Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Earth Sciences, reaffirmed India's commitment to global environmental conservation and sustainable development.

• Emphasized signing and subsequent ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, aligning with scientific progress and international collaboration.

Key Features of the BBNJ Agreement

• International Treaty: Under UNCLOS, focuses on protecting marine biodiversity through global cooperation.

• Provisions: Prohibits sovereign rights over high seas resources, promotes equitable benefit-sharing, and advocates ecosystem-based management.

• Benefits for India: Includes strategic presence in high seas, enhanced marine conservation efforts, and opportunities for scientific research and technology transfer.

UNCLOS:

• Foundation: Adopted in 1982, in force since 1994, regulates maritime boundaries, rights to marine resources, and environmental protection.

• BBNJ Agreement: Becomes the third implementation agreement under UNCLOS, alongside those for mineral resources and fish stocks management.

• Global Participation: Over 160 countries have ratified UNCLOS, ensuring equitable and orderly use of the world's oceans.

PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal Named Flag Bearers for Paris 2024 Olympics

Tags: Sports

PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal have been confirmed as India’s flag bearers for the Paris Olympics 2024.

An Overview of the News

• The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has decided to maintain the tradition of selecting two flag bearers, as seen in Tokyo 2020.

PV Sindhu - Female Flag Bearer

• PV Sindhu, a standout in badminton, has been selected as India’s female flag bearer.

• She holds a silver medal from Rio 2016 and a bronze from Tokyo 2020, becoming the first Indian woman to win two individual Olympic medals.

Sharath Kamal - Male Flag Bearer

• Sharath Kamal, a veteran table tennis player and Padma Shri awardee, will represent India as the male flag bearer.

• His achievements include 13 Commonwealth Games medals and participation in four Olympic Games from 2004 to 2020.

Role of Flag Bearers: 

• Flag bearers assume the leadership of their country’s delegation during the opening ceremony parade.

• They proudly showcase the national flag, embodying pride for the entire nation.

• Their appointment serves as an inspiration to younger athletes and underscores the achievements of the country’s sporting heroes.

• Flag bearers represent their nation in international media coverage during the opening ceremony, carrying diplomatic significance.

Indian Olympic Association

• President: P. T. Usha 

• Founded: 1927.

• Headquarters: New Delhi, India.

UP Government Waives Registration Tax on Strong Hybrid Cars

Tags: State News

The Uttar Pradesh government has implemented a policy to waive registration tax on strong hybrid cars, effective immediately as per a July circular.

An Overview of the News

• This initiative offers a 100 percent waiver on registration fees, potentially saving customers up to Rs 3.5 lakh.

• Manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Honda Cars India are set to benefit from this decision.

• Maruti Suzuki offers models like the Grand Vitara and Invicto hybrids, Toyota sells the Hyryder and Innova Hycross, and Honda has the City hybrid in its lineup.

Tax Structure and Impact:

• Uttar Pradesh currently levies an 8 percent road tax on vehicles below Rs 10 lakh and 10 percent on vehicles above Rs 10 lakh, which will be waived for hybrid cars.

• Despite the waiver, the impact on state revenues is expected to be minimal due to relatively low sales of hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid Vehicle Market Dynamics:

• Hybrid vehicle sales are on the rise due to advantages such as ease of ownership without dedicated charging infrastructure, better mileage compared to petrol cars, and lower acquisition costs.

• This move follows the state's previous initiatives, including a three-year exemption from tax and registration fees for electric vehicles (EVs), and a five-year exemption for EVs manufactured within 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

India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana Win ICC Player of the Month Awards for June 2024

Tags: Awards

India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana emerged victorious as the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month for June 2024, respectively.

An Overview of the News

• The ICC Men's and Women's Players of the Month for June 2024 were chosen on 9 July following a global vote.

Achievements of Jasprit Bumrah

• Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, held in the USA and West Indies.

• India won the tournament, with Bumrah playing a crucial role.

• He showcased excellent control and consistency, taking key wickets and tightening the bowling effort against all opposition.

• Notable performances:

  • Key wickets of Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed in a win over Pakistan.

  • Three wickets for seven runs against Afghanistan.

  • Two wickets for 13 runs against Bangladesh.

  • Two wickets for 12 runs in the semi-final against England.

• In the final against South Africa, Bumrah's fast bowling, including the wicket of Marco Jansen, helped India secure victory by seven runs.

• Over the tournament, he took 15 wickets at an average of 8.26 and an economy rate of 4.17.

• Bumrah expressed delight and gratitude for the award, acknowledging the support of his family, teammates, coaches, and fans, and praised the team’s overall performance.

Achievements of Smriti Mandhana

• Mandhana won her first ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for outstanding batting against South Africa.

• She scored 117 runs in the first ODI, 136 runs in the second, and 90 runs in the final match.

• Accumulated 343 runs at an average of 114.33 and a strike rate over 100.

• Earned the Player of the Series award.

• Expressed happiness over her and the team’s performances, aiming to continue contributing to India's victories.

Voting Process

• The winners were determined through a vote conducted among global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

• Jasprit Bumrah topped the men’s vote, surpassing compatriot Rohit Sharma and Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

• Smriti Mandhana won the women’s vote, overcoming competition from England’s Maia Bouchier and Sri Lanka’s Vishmi Gunaratne.

Additional Information:-Gudakesh Motie from West Indies and Chamari Athapaththu from Sri Lanka were awarded the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for May 2024.

Sanath Jayasuriya Appointed Interim Head Coach of Sri Lanka Men's Cricket Team

Tags: Person in news International News

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Sanath Jayasuriya as the interim head coach of the men’s national team.

An Overview of the News

• Jayasuriya will hold the position until the completion of the upcoming tour of England.

• Sanath Jayasuriya steps in to replace Chris Silverwood, who resigned following Sri Lanka's disappointing performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

• The team finished third in Group D, managing only one win in four games during the T20 World Cup.

Jayasuriya's Background

• Prior to the T20 World Cup, Jayasuriya was part of Sri Lanka's contingent as a Cricket Consultant.

• He has previously served Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) as a selector.

• Jayasuriya currently holds the role of full-time Cricket Consultant for SLC.

• Sanath Jayasuriya has played 586 matches for Sri Lanka across all formats.

• He accumulated an impressive 21,032 runs and took 440 wickets in his career.

Chris Silverwood's Tenure

• Chris Silverwood’s coaching tenure included a T20 Asia Cup triumph in 2022.

• Under Silverwood, Sri Lanka also secured a runner-up position in the 50-over Asia Cup in 2023.

• The team achieved several victories in bilateral series during his tenure.

Upcoming England Tour

• Sri Lanka will travel to England for a three-match Test series.

• The first Test will be played in Manchester, starting on 21 August.

• The second and third Tests will be held in London, at Lord's and The Oval respectively.

Gautam Gambhir Appointed as Head Coach of Team India (Senior Men)

Tags: Sports Person in news

Gautam Gambhir has been appointed as the Head Coach of Team India (Senior Men).

An Overview of the News

• The Cricket Advisory Committee (Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjpe, and Sulakshana Naik) unanimously recommended his appointment.

• Gambhir will take charge starting from the upcoming away series against Sri Lanka on July 27, 2024.

Background

• Previous Head Coach: Rahul Dravid's term ended after the ICC T20 World Cup, 2024.

• Application Process: The BCCI invited applications for the position on May 13, 2024, to appoint Dravid’s successor.

Rahul Dravid’s Tenure Highlights

• Under Dravid's guidance, Team India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024.

• The team finished as runners-up in the ICC 50-over World Cup, 2023, hosted in India.

• Team India was also the runners-up in the ICC World Test Championship, 2023, hosted in England.

• The team showcased dominance in bilateral series at home.

Gautam Gambhir’s Profile

• Gambhir is a former Indian opener with significant contributions to Indian cricket.

• He played crucial roles in India’s victories in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.

• As captain, he led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.

• In 2024, he served as a mentor for KKR, helping them secure their third IPL title.

• Skills: He is known for his exceptional batting prowess and strategic acumen.

Responsibilities as Head Coach

• Gambhir will oversee the development and performance of the Indian cricket team.

• He aims to cultivate a culture of excellence, discipline, and teamwork.

• Nurturing young talent will be a key focus.

• He will prepare the team for future challenges on the global stage.