DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 17, 2024

Sumant Sinha Named Co-Chair of Global CEO Climate Leaders Alliance

Tags: Person in news

Sumant Sinha, Chairman and CEO of ReNew Energy Global PLC, has been appointed as co-chair of the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders worldwide.

An Overview of the News

• He has been serving as Co-Chair of the India chapter of the Alliance since 2022.

• Founded by World Economic Forum (WEF): Launched in 2014, the Alliance of CEO Climate Leaders is the largest CEO-led climate alliance globally.

Membership and Impact:

• Comprises 130 CEOs from 12 industries across 26 countries.

• Represents USD 4 trillion in revenues and 5.2 Gigatonnes (GT) of carbon emissions, approximately 10% of global emissions.

Objectives and Initiatives:

• Purpose: To create a powerful network of business leaders committed to climate action.

• Goals:

  • Set ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions.

  • Foster public-private collaboration in the global energy transition.

Key Figures and Collaborations:

• Eminent Members: Includes leaders such as Ester Baiget (CEO of Novonesis) and Jesper Brodin (CEO of Ingka Group Ikea).

• Strategic Leadership: Sinha's involvement includes being a founding member of the Forum's First Movers Coalition and serving as Board Chair of the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) in the USA.

BranchX Launches India’s First ONDC-Powered Personal Loan

Tags: Economy/Finance

BranchX, based in Bangalore, launches India’s first personal loan via ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce).

An Overview of the News

• Aiming to enhance financial access for India’s 1.4 billion people, focusing on the middle class, young professionals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs.

• Emphasizes a paperless and transparent loan process using ONDC framework for digital-first lending solutions.

Features of BranchX's Personal Loan Product:

• Offers a seamless, paperless application and disbursement process, leveraging digital technologies.

• Enhances affordability and financial literacy through voice AI Banking, providing educational resources and personalized financial guidance.

• Plans to extend services with an SME lending product in the future.

Commitment to Financial Inclusion and Growth:

• CEO Rajesh Johnny highlights BranchX's dedication to using technology for the benefit of underserved communities in India.

• Focuses on driving economic growth by expanding access to credit and simplifying the lending process.

• Already serves over 100,000 customers with a significant Gross Transaction Value (GTV) of $50 million.

Innovation in Financial Products:

• Known for innovative financial products like the Raja Rani card for family expense management.

• Offers micro-saving products linked to gold investments and jewelry, catering to diverse financial aspirations.

• Dedicated to fostering an inclusive financial future through AI-driven solutions and leveraging digital infrastructure.

India and Marshall Islands Strengthen Ties with MoU on Community Projects

Tags: International News

On July 15, 2024, India and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) signed an MoU at the Embassy of India in Tokyo, Japan.

An Overview of the News

• The agreement is part of India's strategic Pacific outreach efforts.

• It aims to strengthen bilateral ties under the Forum of India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).

Key Signatories and Attendees:

• Signatories included Kalani R. Kaneko, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of RMI, and Sibi George, India's Ambassador to Japan and RMI.

• RMI President Dr. Hilda C. Heine was present during the signing.

• The RMI delegation included officials like Alexander Carter Bing and Isabela Silk, while Indian officials included Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

Focus Areas and Projects:

• The MoU covers four Community Development Projects (CDPs) in RMI.

• Projects include a community sports center in Ailuk Atoll, an airport terminal on Mejit Island, and community centers at Arno and Wotje Atolls.

• Focus areas of cooperation include healthcare, affordable medicines, education, capacity building, renewable energy, and clean water facilities.

About Marshall Islands

• The Marshall Islands are a vast archipelago of volcanic islands and coral atolls located in the central Pacific Ocean, situated between Hawaii and the Philippines.

• Bikini Atoll, in the northwest, once used as a ship graveyard post-World War II, is now renowned as a popular site for wreck diving.

• Majuro Atoll, the capital and largest settlement of the islands, is located nearby.

• Kalalin Pass, near Majuro Atoll, features a vibrant coral reef teeming with diverse marine life.

  • Capital - Majuro

  • Currency - United States Dollar

  • Continent - Oceania

  • Official languages - Marshallese, English

Supreme Court Appoints Justice N Kotiswar Singh, First Judge from Manipur

Tags: Person in news

The Supreme Court of India is set to appoint two new judges: Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice R Mahadevan.

An Overview of the News

• The SC Collegium recommended their elevation on July 1, highlighting the importance of diversity on the bench.

• The Centre approved their elevation on July 16.

Justice N Kotiswar Singh:

• Currently the Chief Justice of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

• Originally from Manipur, he will be the first Supreme Court judge from Manipur.

• He was set to retire on February 28, 2025, but will now serve in the Supreme Court until February 28, 2028 (retirement age is 65 for SC judges).

• Oversaw key cases in Manipur, including intervention in the functioning of Manipur University during 2018 protests.

Justice R Mahadevan:

• Justice R. Mahadevan, currently serving as a Judge at the Madras High Court, will assume office as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India upon assuming charge.

• Judge at the Madras High Court since 2013 and currently its Acting Chief Justice.

• Belongs to a backward community from Tamil Nadu.

• This will be his first position outside the Madras High Court.

• Part of a bench that set aside conditions on the RSS’ proposed statewide march in February 2023.

Once both Justices assume office, the Supreme Court will be at full strength with 34 judges.

World Snake Day - 16 July 2024

Tags: Important Days

World Snake Day is celebrated on July 16 across the world to raise awareness about the diverse species of snakes.

An Overview of the News

• Aims to raise awareness about snakes, educate the public, dispel myths, and promote conservation.

• Encourages discovery and fascination with the approximately 3,500 snake species.

Snake Diversity:

• Around 3,500 snake species exist globally.

• Only about 600 species are venomous.

• Approximately 200 venomous species pose a significant risk to human life (World Health Organization).

Notable Snake Species:

• Smallest Snake: Barbados thread snake, measuring about 4 inches.

• Longest Snake: Reticulated python.

• Heaviest Snake: Green anaconda.

• Distinctive Viper: Atheris hispida (bush viper), with a scaled head resembling mythical dragons.

Social Media Hashtag:

• #WorldSnakeDay promotes sharing information and raising awareness about snakes.

National Parks of India:

• There are currently 106 national parks in India.

• The largest national park in India is the Hemis National Park (Ladakh).

• The smallest national park in India is South Button National Park (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).

• The first national park of India is Jim Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), which was established in 1936.

• Cheetah was introduced to Kuno National Park in India for the first time after independence.

• The maximum number of tigers in India is located in Madhya Pradesh, followed by Karnataka.

• The state of Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of national parks in India, with a total of 11 national parks.

Indian Team Shines at 35th International Biology Olympiad 2024: One Gold and Three Silver Medals

Tags: Sports

The Indian team participated in the 35th International Biology Olympiad (IBO) 2024 and achieved remarkable success.

An Overview of the News

• One student won a GOLD medal and three students secured SILVER medals.

• Vedant Sakre from Mumbai, Maharashtra won a gold medal.

• Ishan Pednekar from Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, Shrijith Sivakumar from Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and Yashashwi Kumar from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, each won a silver medal.

• The 35th IBO was held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from July 7 to July 13, 2024.

• The team was led by two distinguished leaders: Prof. Sasikumar Menon from TDM Lab, Mumbai, and Dr. Mayuri Rege from Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE), TIFR.

• Two Scientific Observers accompanied the team: Dr. Rajesh Patkar from IIT Bombay and Dr. Devesh Suthar from M. S. University, Baroda.

About IBO

• The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is a prestigious competition for students under 20 years old, focusing on biology.

• It began in 1990 in Czechoslovakia and occurs annually.

• Over 75 countries from five continents participate.

• Each country sends their top four winners from national biology olympiads.

• Two adults from each country accompany the students as part of the international jury during the competition.

Asia's First Pre-Clinical Network Facility Inaugurated in Faridabad

Tags: National News

Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated Asia's first health research-related "Pre-clinical Network Facility" under CEPI at THSTI, Faridabad.

An Overview of the News

• CEPI selected BRIC-THSTI for its BSL3 pathogen handling capabilities, making it Asia's first and the 9th globally.

• The facility includes a large experimental Animal Facility accommodating 75,000 mice and other species.

• Dr. Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary DBT, Dr. K. Shrinath Reddy, and Dr. Kathikeyan, Director THSTI, were present at the event.

Inauguration of G-HUMIC Facility

• The Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (G-HUMIC) facility was also inaugurated.

• G-HUMIC is designed to support research institutions, universities and industries with genetically characterized pathogen-free animal and microbial cultures.

THSTI and its Role

• THSTI, part of BRIC under the Department of Biotechnology, fosters collaborations for vaccine development and research in diseases like Nipah and Influenza.

• It supports fundamental and translational research, biomarker identification, and research collaborations across sectors.

About Haryana

• Capital: Chandigarh

• Chief Minister: Nayab Singh Saini

• Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya

• Formerly: Part of Punjab

• State Bird: Black francolin

• Demonym: Haryanvi

• Districts: 22 (organized into 6 divisions)

First In Haryana

• First Governor: Dharambir

• First Chief Minister: Bhagwat Dayal Sharma

• The first newspaper to be published in Haryana: Haryana Jhajjar

• Haryana is the first state to form educated Panchayats

• In 1970, Haryana became the first state to provide electricity to all villages

• Haryana was the first state to introduce VAT

• Haryana implemented the first crop insurance scheme in the state

• Haryana ranks first in the country in mushroom production

• Prominent Women Satyagrahi of Haryana: Chandbai

• Haryana was the first state to start an old age pension scheme

• Haryana launched the Apni Beti Apna Dhan Yojana

• Haryana is second only to Punjab in milk production