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By admin: Aug. 13, 2024

DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous GAURAV Glide Bomb from Su-30 MK-I

Tags: Defence Science and Technology

DRDO conducted a successful maiden flight test of the Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), named GAURAV.

An Overview of the News

• The test was carried out from an Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) off the coast of Odisha.

Key Features of GAURAV

• GAURAV is a1,000 kg class air-launched glide bomb capable of striking targets at long distances.

• The bomb uses a hybrid navigation system, combining INS and GPS data, to steer towards the target with high accuracy.

Indigenous Development

• GAURAV was designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad.

• The project involved collaboration with Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, serving as Development cum Production Partners.

Accurate Target Hit and Data Collection

• The glide bomb hit its target with pinpoint accuracy during the test.

• Complete flight data was captured using Telemetry and Electro Optical tracking systems along the coastline.

About DRDO

• It serves as the Research and Development (R&D) arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

• Founded:- 1958

• Chairman:-  Dr. Samir Venkatpati Kamat

• HQ:- New Delhi, Delhi

Vinay Mohan Kwatra Takes Charge as Indian Ambassador to the US

Tags: Person in news

Vinay Mohan Kwatra has officially taken over as the Indian Ambassador to the United States.

An Overview of the News

• Kwatra succeeds Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the former envoy and BJP leader.

• The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the appointment in a statement on 19 July.

• Kwatra has nearly 32 years of experience in various positions within India's missions abroad and domestically.

Kwatra’s previous roles include:

• Joint Secretary at the Ministry of External Affairs and the Prime Minister’s Office.

• Minister (Commerce) at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C. (May 2010 - July 2013).

• Head of the Policy Planning & Research Division and the Americas Division in the Foreign Ministry.

• He served as the 34th Foreign Secretary of India from May 2022 until July 14, 2024. 

• Kwatra previously held the positions of Ambassador of India to France and Nepal.

The Indian Foreign Service (IFS)

• It is a central civil service and diplomatic service of the Government of India.

• It operates under the Ministry of External Affairs.

• The head of the IFS is the Foreign Secretary.

• Vikram Misri is the 35th and current Foreign Secretary.

• Formed - 9 October 1946

• Headquarters - South Block, New Delhi

Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh Appointed SBI Managing Director

Tags: Person in news

Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh has been appointed as the Managing Director (MD) of State Bank of India (SBI), overseeing the Risk Compliance and Stressed Assets Resolution Group (SARG) departments.

An Overview of the News

• The ACC has also authorized Singh’s promotion to MD, with his term set to continue until his retirement on June 30, 2027.

About Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh

• He has 30 years of experience with expertise in Retail Banking, Credit, Human Resources, and International Banking, having held various positions across different locations in the Bank.

• Previous Key Positions:

  • Deputy Managing Director (HR) & Corporate Development Officer at Corporate Centre

  • Chief General Manager at Chandigarh Circle

  • Chief Executive Officer, State Bank of India, Frankfurt Branch, Germany

• Education and Certifications:

  • Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers

  • MBA (PGEMP) from S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research, Mumbai

  • Leadership Development Programme at Harvard Business School and Indian School of Business, Hyderabad

Other Appointments

• Gajendra Singh Rana, former Chief General Manager of the Mumbai circle,has been appointed as the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) for Retail and Real Estate at SBI, succeeding Singh.

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved CS Settyas the new SBI Chairman for a three-year term, effective after the current chairman Dinesh Khara's term ends on August 28.

About State Bank of India:

• Origin: Began as the Bank of Calcutta in 1806, renamed Bank of Bengal in 1809. Followed by the Bank of Bombay (1840) and the Bank of Madras (1843).

• 1921: Merged to form the Imperial Bank of India.

• 1955: Nationalized and renamed State Bank of India (SBI) following the Gorwala Committee's recommendation.

• Current Status: SBI is the largest commercial bank in India.

  • Chairman: Challa Sreenivasulu Setty

  • Managing Director:  Rana Ashutosh Kumar Singh

  • Headquarters: Mumbai

  • Tagline: "The Banker To Every Indian"

Gus Atkinson and Chamari Athapaththu Clinch ICC Player of the Month Titles for July 2024

Tags: Sports News

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Gus Atkinson of England and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka as the ICC Players of the Month for July 2024.

An Overview of the News

Gus Atkinson

• Spearheaded England’s bowling attack in ICC World Test Championship series against West Indies.

• Took 22 wickets at an average of 16.22 across the 3-0 series win.

• Achieved 7 for 45 at Lord’s on debut, the second-best Test haul for an England bowler in a home debut.

• First English ICC Men’s Player of the Month since Chris Woakes in July 2023.

Chamari Athapaththu

• Led Sri Lanka to their first Women’s Asia Cup title.

• Scored 304 runs at an average of 101.33 and a strike rate of 146.85.

• Key innings: Unbeaten 119 against Malaysia, crucial half-centuries in the semi-final and final.

• Third player to win ICC Women’s Player of the Month three times, joining Ashleigh Gardner and Hayley Matthews.

About the International Cricket Council (ICC)

• Established - 15 June 1909

• Headquarters - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

• Chairman - Greg Barclay

• CEO - Geoff Allardyce

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

Paul Kagame Takes Oath for Fourth Term as Rwanda's President

Tags: International News

On August 11, 2024, Paul Kagame began his fourth term as President of Rwanda. Kagame won the election with more than 99% of the vote.

An Overview of the News

• The inauguration ceremony took place in a crowded stadium in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. Many prominent African leaders attended the ceremony.

Kagame’s Political Background

• Kagame has been in power since shortly after the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.

• He officially became President in 2000.

• Kagame first took on a leadership role after the genocide.

Kagame’s Leadership and Contributions

• Kagame is credited with improving Rwanda’s economy and infrastructure.

• Kagame is a strong supporter of gender equality.

• Rwanda has the highest percentage of women in its parliament of any country in the world.

The Rwandan Genocide (1994)

• Historical Background:

  • The Rwandan Genocide occurred from April to July 1994.

  • Approximately 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis, were killed by Hutu extremists.

  • The genocide lasted about 100 days.

• International Response:

  • The international community, including the United Nations, failed to take strong action to stop the violence.

• Post-Genocide Recovery:

  • Rwanda has made a remarkable recovery since the genocide.

  • The country is often seen as a model for reconciliation.

About Rwanda

• Capital - Kigali

• Official Languages - Kinyarwanda, French, English, Swahili

• Currency - Rwandan Franc

• Prime Minister - Édouard Ngirente

Madhya Pradesh Becomes First State to Offer Cash for Sanitary Napkins

Tags: State News

Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in India to provide cash to girl students for purchasing sanitary napkins.

An Overview of the News

• Unlike states such as Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Delhi, which distribute free sanitary napkins, Madhya Pradesh is offering financial aid instead.

Details of the Sanitation and Hygiene Scheme

• Under the Sanitation and Hygiene Scheme, ₹300 has been transferred to the accounts of each girl student for one year.

• This initiative has benefited approximately 19 lakh students from classes 7 to 12.

• During a recent program, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan announced that Rani Durgavati would be included in the curriculum of government schools in the state.

About Madhya Pradesh

• In terms of area, it is the second largest state of India after Rajasthan.

• National Parks - Panna National Park, Pench National Park

• Wildlife Sanctuaries - Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary, Ghatigaon wildlife sanctuary

• Chief Minister - Dr. Mohan Yadav

• Governor - Mangubhai C. Patel

• Capital - Bhopal