DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 18, 2024

Indian Scientists Prahlad Chandra Agrawal and Anil Bhardwaj Honored with COSPAR Awards

Tags: Awards

Indian Scientists Prahlad Chandra Agrawal and Anil Bhardwaj Honored with COSPAR Awards at 45th COSPAR Assembly in Busan, July 13-21, 2024. 

An Overview of the News

• Prahlad Chandra Agrawal received the COSPAR Harrie Massey Award.

• Anil Bhardwaj was honored with the Vikram Sarabhai Medal, a joint award from COSPAR and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

Anil Bhardwaj

• He is the Director of the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, since 2017.

• His expertise includes planetary space sciences and solar system exploration.

• He has significantly contributed to ISRO's missions, including Chandrayaan, Mangalyaan, and Aditya-L1.

• This is the 2nd time the Vikram Sarabhai Medal has been awarded to an ISRO scientist; (Late) Prof. U. R. Rao received it in 1996.

Prahlad Chandra Agrawal:

• Former Senior Professor, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).

• Awarded a medal, citation, and a minor planet named (20064) Prahladagrawal by IAU.

• Noted for contributions to X-ray astronomy and was Principal Investigator for India's AstroSat (2015).

• Member of ISRO's Lunar Task Force for the Chandrayaan-1 mission.

COSPAR Harrie Massey Award:

• Named after Sir Harrie Stewart Wilson Massey, an Australian mathematical physicist.

• Recognizes outstanding contributions and leadership in space research.

About COSPAR Awards:

• Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) presents various medals and awards annually, recognizing exceptional contributions to space research across all fields covered by COSPAR.

• Some awards are presented jointly with other institutions or space agencies.

• Award recipients are honored by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) with the attribution of minor planets designated by the IAU Working Group on Small Bodies Nomenclature.

• COSPAR is the world's first scientific body for global cooperation in space research.

  • Established: 1958

  • Headquarters: Paris, France

  • President: Pascale Ehrenfreund

India Releases First Tranche of USD 2.5 Million to UNRWA for Palestinian Refugees

Tags: Economy/Finance

On 16 July 2024, the Government of India (GOI) released the first tranche of USD 2.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

An Overview of the News

• This payment is part of India’s annual contribution of USD 5 million for the fiscal year 2024-25.

• India has contributed a total of USD 35 million to UNRWA’s core programs up to 2023-24. 

• These programs include education, healthcare, relief, and social services for Palestinian refugees.

• At the UNRWA Pledging Conference 2024 in New York, the USA and India pledged to provide medicines as per UNRWA’s specific requests.

About UNRWA

• UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) supports Palestinian refugees' relief and development.

• It covers Palestinians displaced during the Nakba, the 1948 Palestine War, and later conflicts, along with their descendants and legally adopted children.

• As of 2019, over 5.6 million Palestinians are registered with UNRWA.

• Formation - 8 December 1949

• Headquarters - Amman (Jordan) Gaza, Palestine

• Deputy commissioner-general - Leni Stenseth

BBVA Colombia and IFC Unveil World’s First USD 70 Million Biodiversity Bond

Tags: Economy/Finance

On July 12, 2024, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) Colombia and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) launched the world's first biodiversity bond, totaling USD 70 million.

An Overview of the News

• The first tranche of USD 15 million was issued by BBVA Colombia.

• BBVA Colombia is the issuing bank, while IFC is the structurer, investor, and advisor for the bond.

Purpose and Funding

• Projects Supported: The bond proceeds will finance projects in reforestation, forest regeneration, mangrove conservation, climate-smart agriculture, and wildlife habitat restoration.

• IFC’s Involvement: IFC will assist in setting eligibility criteria, reporting indicators for biodiversity projects, and enhancing technical capabilities.

Previous Efforts

• 2023 Financing: In 2023, BBVA Colombia allocated over 214.8 billion Colombian pesos to biodiversity-related areas, including land use, ecotourism, smart agriculture, and marine habitat conservation.

• Blue Bond: BBVA Colombia also issued a USD 50 million blue bond in 2023, with IFC as structurer and investor, to support freshwater and coastal ecosystem conservation.

Environmental and Social Impact

• Climate Change: Climate change impacts on biodiversity and communities may create up to 10 million refugees in Colombia by 2050.

• Colombia’s Biodiversity: Colombia is the most biodiverse country per square kilometer, hosting 14 percent of known plant species globally.

About International Finance Corporation (IFC)

• Established: 20 July 1956

• Affiliation: Member of the World Bank Group

• Purpose: Provides financing for private enterprise investment in developing countries

• Focus: Economic development and poverty reduction

• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States

• Managing Director: Makhtar Diop

Nelson Mandela International Day - 18 July 2024

Tags: Important Days

Nelson Mandela International Day is observed annually on July 18 to honor Nelson Mandela, the first black president of South Africa.

An Overview of the News

• Mandela became South Africa’s first democratically elected president on May 10, 1994, and is celebrated as the 'Father of the Nation.'

Theme for 2024:‘Combating poverty and inequality is in our hands.’

• Objective: Emphasizes collective responsibility in addressing poverty and inequality.

Background of Nelson Mandela

• Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for his fight against the apartheid regime, with 18 of those years spent on Robben Island.

• Mandela was released in 1990 and dedicated his efforts to ending racism, leading to his election as president in 1994.

• His presidency focused on reconciliation, healing, and promoting equality, uniting South Africa.

History of the Day

• Nelson Mandela International Day was established by the United Nations in 2009 to commemorate his life and work.

• Thefirst observance of Nelson Mandela International Day took place on July 18, 2010.

Dehradun Opens State’s First Bird Gallery Near Jolly Grant Airport

Tags: State News

The state’s first bird gallery was recently opened in Dehradun near Jolly Grant airport by the research wing of the forest department.

An Overview of the News

• The gallery aims to enlighten visitors about the region’s rich avian biodiversity and the critical role birds play in the delicate Himalayan ecosystem.

• The gallery is a part of the Nature Education Centre, an important component of the forest department’s research efforts.

• Visitors can view over 250 photographs of the state’s bird species.

• The gallery also features recorded chirping sounds from Uttarakhand’s forests.

• The bird species are categorized into ten groups.

About Uttarakhand

• Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami

• Governor: Gurmit Singh

• Capital: Dehradun

• Wildlife Sanctuaries:

  • Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Benog Wildlife Sanctuary

• Festivals:

  • Kangdali Festival

  • Uttarayani Mela or Uttarayani Fair

Additional Information:-

• On July 18, Uttarakhand's first Signature Bridge, under construction at Narkota near Rudraprayag on the Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway, collapsed.

• Uttarakhand is the first state in India to implement the Uniform Civil Code.

• Justice Ritu Bahri was sworn in as the first female Chief Justice of the Uttarakhand High Court.

Manvi Madhu Kashyap Becomes India's First Transgender Sub-Inspector

Tags: State News

Manvi Madhu Kashyap, from a small village in Bhagalpur, Bihar, has become India's first transgender sub-inspector.

An Overview of the News

• This marks the first time in India that a transgender individual has been appointed as a sub-inspector.

• Bihar Police has appointed three transgender individuals as sub-inspectors.

• The newly appointed sub-inspectors include two trans men and one trans woman.

• The results of the Bihar Police Sub-Inspector exam were declared on July 16.

About Bihar

• It is a state in East India, bordering Nepal.

• The River Ganges divides the state and floods its fertile plains.

• Bodhgaya's Mahabodhi Temple, with the Bodhi Tree, is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site.

• The state capital, Patna, has the Mahavir Mandir temple, revered by Hindus.

  • Formation Date: 22 March 1912

  • Governor: Rajendra Arlekar

  • Chief Minister: Nitish Kumar

• Representation:

  • Rajya Sabha: 16 seats

  • Lok Sabha: 40 seats

Notable Achievements of Transgender Individuals in India

• First Transgender Police Officer: Prithika Yashini

• First Transgender Lawyer: Sathyasri Sharmila

• First Transgender Judge: Joyita Mondal

• First Transgender College Principal: Manabi Bandopadhyay

• First Transgender to Contest Elections: Mumtaz

• First Transgender MLA: Shabnam Mausi

• First Transgender Soldier: Shabi

• First Transgender Medical Assistant: Jiya Das

• First Transgender Doctor in Government College (MS in Orthopaedics): Prachi Rathore

• First Openly Transgender IAS Officer: Aishwarya Rituparna Pradhan

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Unveils ‘Ladla Bhai Yojana’ for Boys

Tags: State News

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced the ‘Ladla Bhai Yojana’for boys on Ashadhi Ekadashi at the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur.

An Overview of the News

• The scheme aims to provide financial aid and skill development to the youth of Maharashtra.

• Monthly Grant:

  • Graduate boys: Rs 10,000 per month

  • Boys pursuing diploma: Rs 8,000 per month

  • Boys who have passed the 12th standard: Rs 6,000 per month

• Financial Support: Designed to support education and reduce financial burdens on young men.

• Apprenticeship Program:

  • One-year factory-based apprenticeship

  • Practical work experience

  • Job-ready exposure

  • Stipends provided during the apprenticeship period

• Skill Development and Employment: Aims to enhance skills and employability of young men, contributing to a skilled workforce in Maharashtra and across the country.

• Historic Initiative: CM Shinde described it as a unique and extensive scheme for boys, focusing on employment and skill development.

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