DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Aug. 12, 2024

India and New Zealand Sign Customs Cooperation Agreement

Tags: International Relations International News

India and New Zealand signed a Bilateral Customs Cooperation Arrangement to strengthen trade between the two countries.

An Overview of the News

• The agreement was formalized in Wellington on August 8, 2024, during President Droupadi Murmu's official visit to New Zealand.

President Murmu’s Three-Nation Tour:

• President Draupadi Murmu was on an official visit to Fiji, New Zealand and Timor Leste.

• Her visit to New Zealand occurred on August 8 and 9, 2024.

Diplomatic Engagements:

• President Murmu received a traditional Maori greeting in Wellington.

• She was welcomed by New Zealand's Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro, and met with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters.

• Discussions focused on exchanging best practices in traditional medicine through the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

India-New Zealand Relations:

• India established a Trade Mission in New Zealand in 1950, later becoming a High Commission. 

• As of June 2023, India is New Zealand's 15th largest trading partner, with trade valued at US$1.56 billion. 

• New Zealand exports wool, edible fruits and nuts, and forest products to India, while India exports precious metals and gems, textiles, motor vehicles, pharmaceuticals, and non-knitted apparel to New Zealand.

About New Zealand

• Independence: From the UK in 1947

• Head of State: UK Monarch, King Charles III

• Capital: Wellington

• Currency: New Zealand Dollar

• Unique Species: Flightless bird Kiwi

• Prime Minister: Christopher Luxon

T.V. Somanathan Appointed as India's New Cabinet Secretary

Tags: Person in news

T.V. Somanathan, a 1987-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Cabinet Secretary of India by the Appointments Committee of the Union Cabinet.

An Overview of the News

• Somanathan will replace Rajiv Gauba, who is the country's longest-serving Cabinet Secretary and had received a one-year extension last year.

• Somanathan will assume office on August 30 and serve a two-year tenure. He will first discharge duties as Officer on Special Duty in the Cabinet Secretariat until he formally takes over as Cabinet Secretary.

Current and Previous Roles

• Somanathan is currently serving as the Finance Secretary of India.

• Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs (2010-2011).

• Joint Secretary/Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister (2015-2017).

Contributions in Tamil Nadu

• Held senior positions like Deputy Secretary (Budget) and Secretary to the Chief Minister.

• Founding MD of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), led the Rs. 14,600 crore Chennai Metro Rail Project.

World Bank Tenure

• Joined World Bank in 1996 as Financial Economist.

• Became one of the World Bank’s youngest Sector Managers in 2000.

• Served as World Bank Director (2011-2015).

Paris Olympics 2024 Concludes: India Finishes 71st with 6 Medals

Tags: Sports News

India secured 6th place at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a total of 71 medals, while the USA topped the medal tally with 126 medals.

An Overview of the News

• The Paris Olympics 2024 concluded with a grand closing ceremony at Stade de France.

India's Flag-Bearers

• PR Sreejesh and Manu Bhaker are India's flag-bearers for the Parade of Nations.

• Sreejesh retires from hockey after securing a bronze medal.

• Manu Bhaker becomes the first Indian to win two medals in one Olympic edition.

• The Olympic Flame will be extinguished, and the flag will be passed to Los Angeles for the 2028 Games.

India's Performance:

• India finished 71st in the overall medal tally.

• The country secured a total of 6 medals: 1 silver and 5 bronze.

• This is a decline from their 48th-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where India won 7 medals (1 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze).

Indian Medalists at Paris 2024

• Manu Bhaker: Bronze (Women's 10m Air Pistol Shooting)

• Manu Bhaker & Sarabjot Singh: Bronze (Mixed Team 10m Air Pistol Shooting)

• Swapnil Kusale: Bronze (Men's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Shooting)

• Indian Hockey Team: Bronze (Men's Hockey)

• Neeraj Chopra: Silver (Men's Javelin Throw)

• Aman Sehrawat: Bronze (Men's 57kg Wrestling)

Overall Medal Tally:

• The United States topped the medal count with 126 medals, including 40 gold.

• China also won 40 gold medals but finished second with a total of 91 medals.

• Japan secured third place with 45 medals, including 20 gold.

• Australia finished fourth with 53 medals, including 18 gold.

2028 Summer Olympics:

• The next Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, marking the third time the city has hosted the Games (previously in 1932 and 1984).

• Baseball and softball will return to the Olympics, and new sports like flag football, cricket, lacrosse, and squash will be introduced.

Om Prakash Mathur Sworn in as 18th Governor of Sikkim

Tags: Person in news State News

Om Prakash Mathur was sworn in as the 18th Governor of Sikkim on 31st July at Raj Bhavan, Gangtok.

An Overview of the News

• Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, Justice Biswanath Somadder, administered the oath of office and secrecy.

• The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Cabinet Ministers, and other dignitaries.

Ceremonial Events

• The Governor was given a ceremonial guard of honour by the Sikkim Armed Police.

• The event was attended by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, DGP, former legislators, Chairpersons, Heads of Departments, and officials from the Army and Central Government agencies.

Plantation Drive

• After the swearing-in, the Governor and Chief Minister participated in a plantation drive at the Raj Bhavan premises.

• Under the "Ek Ped Maa Ki Naam" (Plant for Mother) initiative, they planted Rhododendron saplings.

About Sikkim 

• It is a state in northeast India.

• Bordered by Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal.

• Founded - 16 May 1975

• Capital - Gangtok

• Governor - Om Prakash Mathur

• Chief minister - Prem Singh Tamang (SKM)

President Droupadi Murmu Honored with Timor-Leste’s Highest Civilian Award

Tags: Awards

President José Ramos-Horta conferred the Grand-Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste, the country’s highest civilian award, upon President Droupadi Murmu.

An Overview of the News

• The award recognized her achievements in public service, dedication to education, social welfare, and women's empowerment.

• President of India, Droupadi Murmu, reached Dili, Timor-Leste on August 10, 2024, marking the final leg of her State Visit to Fiji, New Zealand, and Timor-Leste.

• This visit is historically significant as it is the first-ever visit by an Indian Head of State to Timor-Leste.

• President Murmu appeared as a special guest on the “Horta Show,” hosted by President José Ramos-Horta on RTTL.

About Order of Timor-Leste

• Established: 2009

• Purpose: Highest honor awarded by East Timor

• Scope: Broader than previous orders, recognizing significant contributions to East Timor, its people, or humanity

• Recipients: Both East Timorese and foreign nationals

About Timor-Leste (East Timor)

• Capital: Dili

• Official languages: Tetun, Portuguese

• Prime minister: Xanana Gusmão

Indrani Bridge in Sikkim Reconstructed by BRO, Reconnecting Northern Region to the Rest of India

Tags: State News

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) successfully reconstructed the Indrani Bridge in Sikkim, reconnecting the northern region of the state to the rest of India.

An Overview of the News

• The bridge was severely damaged by flash floods in October 2023, necessitating the reconstruction effort.

• The project was led by the 764 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) under Project Swastik.

• A 300-foot Bailey Suspension Bridge was constructed as part of the reconstruction.

• The project involved ajoint survey with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

• Founded: 7 May 1960

• Headquarters: New Delhi

• Director General: Lt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE)

• Founded: 1884

• Headquarters: India

• Key Person: Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.) (Chairman & MD)

About Sikkim

• It is a state in northeast India.

• Bordered by Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal.

• Founded - 16 May 1975

• Capital - Gangtok

• Governor - Om Prakash Mathur

• Chief minister - Prem Singh Tamang (SKM)

World Elephant Day - 12 August 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Elephant Day is observed globally on August 12.

An Overview of the News

• World Elephant Day aims to raise awareness about critical issues facing elephants, such as habitat loss, illegal ivory trade, and human-elephant conflicts.

• The official theme for 2024 is “Personifying prehistoric beauty, theological relevance, and environmental importance.”

• The theme emphasizes the need to preserve natural habitats to ensure elephants' survival.

History of World Elephant Day

• World Elephant Day was co-founded on August 12, 2012, by Patricia Sims from Canada and the Elephant Reintroduction Foundation of Thailand.

• The foundation was an initiative of HM Queen Sirikit of Thailand.

• Patricia Sims has led World Elephant Day since its inception, building partnerships with 100+ conservation organizations globally.

• The day has gained the support of millions worldwide, reflecting a shared commitment to elephant conservation.

Establishment of the World Elephant Society

• The World Elephant Society was established in November 2015 as a nonprofit tax-exempt 501(C)(3) public charitable organization.

• Its main purpose is to support the annual World Elephant Day campaign.

• Patricia Sims serves as the President and Executive Director of the organization.

• The Society aims to expand its educational outreach each year as a key part of its mission.