DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 28, 2024

Goa Launches 'Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan'

Tags: State News

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has launched the 'Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan' in Goa.

An Overview of the News

• 'Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan' scheme is in alignment with the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

• It aims to increase solar rooftop potential and empower residential homes to generate their own electricity.

Budget and Duration:

• Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana has a budget of Rs 75,021 crore.

• The scheme will run until the fiscal year 2026-27.

• Aims to boost solar energy adoption across India and reduce reliance on traditional power sources.

Financial Details:

• The Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan has an initial investment of Rs 35 crore.

• Central Financial Assistance will be provided.

• Goa Energy Development Agency will cover the balance cost of rooftop installations up to 5kW.

• This support is for consumers who have used 400 or fewer units in the past year.

About Goa

• Admission to Union: December 19, 1961

• Previous Name: Goa, Daman, and Diu

• Capital: Panaji

• Official Sport: Football

• Official Animal: Gaur

• Official Bird: Flame-throated bulbul

• Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant

• Governor: P.S. Sreedharan Pillai

Bengaluru's Covrzy Secures IRDAI License

Tags: National News

Covrzy, an Insurtech startup based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, has received a direct broking (general) license from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).

An Overview of the News

• Founded in 2023 by Ankit Kamra, who previously founded Karbon Cards and Veera Thota, and has experience with PayPal, Razorpay, and Amazon.

• Raised $400,000 in May 2023 from Antler and Shastra VC (formerly Veda VC).

• Covrzy's platform helps manage the entire insurance cycle, including product discovery, purchase, servicing, and claims.

Growth and Milestones:

• Covrzy has onboarded over 500 clients, including Redcliffe Labs, Orange Labs, Karbon Card, and Schbang.

• The startup aims to onboard and assist over 10,000 customers within the next 12 to 18 months.

• Plans to secure over one million businesses in the coming years.

Insurance Offerings:

• Partners with renowned insurers like ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Allianz, and IFFCO Tokio.

• Provides a range of insurance products including commercial general liability, fire and theft insurance, product liability, cyber insurance, stock insurance, and asset insurance.

Future Plans:

• The new license enables Covrzy to expand its customer base and enhance credibility.

• Committed to making business insurance simple, personalized, and accessible to SMEs and MSMEs across India.

India Assumes Chairmanship of ADPC for 2024-25

Tags: International News

India has assumed the chairmanship of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) for the 2024-25 term.

An Overview of the News

• Rajendra Singh, Member and Head of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has taken over as ADPC Chair from China.

• The transition occurred on July 25, 2024, in Bangkok, Thailand.

• ADPC is an autonomous international organization focused on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific region.

• India, along with Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, are founding members of ADPC.

• India also chaired the 5th Board of Trustees meeting of ADPC on July 25, 2024, in Bangkok.

About Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC)

• Founded in 1986, ADPC focuses on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific.

• Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand.

• Country offices: Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Myanmar.

India’s First Integrated Agri-Export Facility to be Established at Mumbai's JNPA

Tags: National News

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has approved the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority's (JNPA) project for the 'Development of an Export-Import and Domestic Agricultural Commodity-Based Processing and Storage Facility' at JNPA in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to be executed in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

An Overview of the News

• This Rs. 284.19 crore all-in-one agricultural facility is India's first integrated Agri-Export facility, designed to enhance the country's agricultural export and import capabilities.

• JNPA will establish a state-of-the-art agricultural facility covering 67,422 square meters.

• The facility aims to address logistics inefficiencies, reduce multiple handlings, and extend the shelf life of agricultural products.

• It will streamline logistics, reduce wastages, and provide better prices for agricultural products.

• The project will empower farmers and boost India’s agricultural sector.

Export Capabilities and Support

• The facility will cater to the export of items like non-basmati rice, maize, spices, onion, and wheat.

• It will support exporters of meat and marine products, especially from areas away from Mumbai.

• Small exporters will benefit from improved logistics, container booking, cold chain logistics, and export operations.

• The facility includes a frozen store (1,800 metric tonnes), a cold store (5,800 metric tonnes), and dry warehouses (12,000 metric tonnes).

Alignment with Government Vision

• The project aligns with the government’s vision of empowering farmers and fostering rural development.

• It sets a precedent for future infrastructure projects to support and enhance India’s agricultural capabilities.

• JNPA is a leading container port among the top 100 global ports as per Lloyds List Top 100 Ports Report.

Development of Vadhavan Port

• The Ministry of Ports and Shipping is developing Vadhavan Port on the Maharashtra coast with a total investment of about Rs 76,220 crore.

• Vadhavan Port will be an all-weather greenfield deep draft major port in Palghar district.

• The project will include core infrastructure, terminals, and commercial infrastructure in a public-private partnership mode.

• The port will handle 23 million TEUs or 254 million tons annually and accommodate larger container vessels of up to 20,000 TEUs.

• The project aims to rank among the world’s top 10 largest ports and serve as a significant green fuel hub.

Rashtrapati Bhavan Renames 'Durbar Hall' and 'Ashoka Hall' as Ganatantra Mandap and Ashoka Mandap

Tags: National News

Rashtrapati Bhavan, the office and residence of the President of India, represents national heritage and is dedicated to showcasing Indian cultural values.

An Overview of the News

• Efforts are ongoing to enhance the accessibility and cultural reflection of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• President Droupadi Murmu has approved the renaming of two significant halls in Rashtrapati Bhavan:

  • Durbar Hall is now renamed as Ganatantra Mandap.

  • Ashok Hall is now renamed as Ashok Mandap.

Reasons for Renaming:

• Ganatantra Mandap:

  • Durbar Hall was used for ceremonies and national awards.

  • The term "Durbar" refers to the courts of Indian rulers and British colonial assemblies.

  • "Ganatantra" means republic, reflecting India's democratic ethos, making it a fitting name.

• Ashok Mandap:

  • Ashok Hall was originally a ballroom.

  • The term "Ashok" symbolizes freedom from suffering and unity, associated with Emperor Ashok and the National Emblem of India.

  • The name "Ashok Mandap" aligns with Indian cultural and religious significance and removes traces of anglicisation.

Manu Bhaker Wins Bronze at Paris Olympics

Tags: Sports Sports News

Manu Bhaker has won a bronze medal in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol final at the Paris Olympics.

An Overview of the News

• Bhaker is the first Indian woman shooter to win an Olympicmedal. Bhaker scored 221.7 in the final event.

• This bronze medal isIndia’s first medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics.

• She showcased exceptional skill and composure against Korean shooters Kim Yeji and Oh Yeh Jin.

In tennis:

• Indian table tennis player Sreeja Akula advanced to the next round.

• She achieved a resounding victory over Sweden’s Christina Kallberg in the Round of 64 in the women’s singles event on 28 July.

Summer Olympics 2024

• The 2024 Summer Olympics are officially known as the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad.

• Branded as Paris 2024, the event is scheduled to take place from 24 July to 11 August 2024.

• The opening ceremony occurred on 26 July 2024.

• Paris is the main host city.

• Events will be held in 16 additional cities across Metropolitan France.

• There will also be one competition venue in Tahiti, French Polynesia.