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By admin: July 3, 2023

132nd Durand Cup tournament organized in Kolkata

Tags: Sports News

The "Trophy Tour" of the 132nd edition of Durand Cup, India's oldest football tournament, was flagged off on 30 June 2023 at a function held at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt.

Important Points:-

• It was flagged off by Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pandey, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary and President of All India Football Federation (AIFF) Kalyan Choubey.
• This tournament will be organized from 03 August to 03 September 2023 in Kolkata, Guwahati, Kokrajhar and Shillong. While its final will be held in Kolkata on September 3.

Foreign teams in Durand Cup:

• 24 teams including teams from Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh will participate in the 132nd edition of the tournament.
• Foreign teams are participating in the tournament after a gap of 27 years. The tournament is open to all club teams.
• It is organized by the Durand Football Tournament Society (DFTS) under the aegis of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
• Basically the tournament has always been a symbol of excellence, sportsmanship and high point of competitiveness in the field of sports.

Durand Cup Tournament:

• The Durand Cup, the world's third oldest and Asia's oldest football tournament, was first held in the year 1888 at Dagshai (Himachal Pradesh).
• It was named after Mortimer Durand, who was then the Foreign Secretary in charge of India.
• The tournament was initially held for British soldiers, but was later opened to civilians.
• Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are the most successful teams in the history of the Durand Cup having won it sixteen times.

Conference on Classification Regulations and Advanced Naval Technologies in New Delhi

Tags: Defence

A conference on Classification Regulations and Advanced Technologies for Naval Ships and Auxiliaries was held on 27-28 June 2023 at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, New Delhi.

An Overview of the news:

• The conference was organized by the Directorate of Naval Architecture, Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defense (Navy).
• The conference was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Material.
• The conference provided a technical platform to understand the progress in the role of the class society in promoting indigenous warship building and its maintenance at par with international standards.
• Senior representatives/subject experts from seven major International Classification Societies viz. ABS, BV, Klass-NK, DNV, IRAS, LR and RINA participated in the conference.

TS Singh Deo became the first Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh

Tags: Person in news

On June 28, 2023, TS Singh Deo has been appointed as the first Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. Singhdeo's appointment has been made after the discussion held on Chhattisgarh elections.

An Overview of the news:

• Ever since winning the election in 2018, there has been a tussle between Bhupesh Baghel and TS Singhdev over becoming the chief minister.
• The post of CM was fixed between Baghel and Singhdev for two and a half years each but it was not implemented.
• This year elections are to be held in November 2023 on all the 90 seats of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.
• In 2018, when the Congress made a comeback by winning 68 out of 90 seats in Chhattisgarh, both were vying for the top post.

Chhattisgarh:

• Capital: Raipur (Executive Branch)
• Governor: Vishwabhushan Harichandan
• Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel

Manoj Kohli appointed as senior advisor to Deloitte

Tags: Person in news

In June 2023, seasoned professional Manoj Kohli was appointed by Deloitte as Senior Advisor.

An Overview of the news::

• Kohli Recruitment has been the CEO and Managing Director of Airtel. In his illustrious career spanning 44 years, Kohli has held important positions like Country Head of SoftBank India.
• Kohli's extensive knowledge in the technology, telecom, renewable and digital sectors makes him a valuable asset in providing guidance on strategic initiatives, adapting to the evolving business landscape, innovation, improving customer experience and creating value for stakeholders.

Deloitte :

• Deloitte is a British multinational professional services network.
• Founded: 1845 by William Welch Deloitte in London.
• Headquarters: London, England;
• It is the world's largest professional services network by revenue and number of professionals.

NADA India signs MoU with SARADO in New Delhi

Tags: International News

National Anti-Doping Agency, India (NADA India) signed a MoU with South Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization (SARADO) on 3rd July 2023 in New Delhi.

An Overview of the News

• Ritu Sain, Director General and CEO, NADA India and Mohammad Mahid Sharif, Director General, SARADO signed the MoU on behalf of their organisations.

• It includes the anti-doping organisations of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Objectives of MoU

• It aimsto enhance regional cooperation in the field of anti-doping in sports.

• It focuses on a variety of areas including anti-doping education and prevention programs.

• To train and skill sample collection personnel and anti-doping education officers.

• To organise courses, seminars, workshops, research and exchange tours on anti-doping education.

• To facilitate exchange of experts and education officials in anti-doping education.

• The MoU supports anti-doping education activities and the production of literature.

About NADA

• It was established on 24 November 2005 as a registered society under the Societies Registration Act 1860 in India.

• Its headquarteris inNew Delhi, India.

• Its main objective is to ensure dope-free sports in India by operating in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

• NADA enforces anti-doping rules and regulations in India by following the WADA Code, which sets international standards for anti-doping in sports.

• NADA regulates and administers the dope control program in India. The program involves random and targeted drug testing of athletes to detect and prevent the use of banned substances in sports.

Tushar Mehta appointed as Solicitor General of India

Tags:

Tushar Mehta was reappointed as the current Solicitor General of India for a three-year term.

An Overview of the News

• The reappointment of Tushar Mehta was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).

• Reappointment ensures continuity in handling the country's complex legal matters.

• Tushar Mehta's role as Solicitor General involves representing the Government of India in legal matters.

• The government aims to maintain a strong legal framework in India and uphold justice through these appointments.

About Solicitor General of India (SGI)

• It is under the Attorney General of India.

• It is the second highest law officer in the country and assists the Attorney General.

• It is assisted by the Additional Solicitor General of India.

• The roles of SGIs and Additional SGIs are established by the Law Officers (Conditions of Service) Rules, 1972.

• The posts of Solicitor General and Additional Solicitor General are statutory, not constitutional, like Attorney General.

• Formation - 28 January 1950

• Report - Attorney General of India

• Appointed - Appointments Committee of the Cabinet

Important Points

• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) was constituted on 26 January 1950.

• Amit Shah is the Union Minister of ACC.

• Narendra Modi is the President of ACC.

• R. Venkataramani is the present Attorney General of India.

Ajit Pawar sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra

Tags: Person in news

NCP leader Ajit Pawar took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

An Overview of the News

• He joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government to take up this role.

• Ajit Pawar is the son of Sharad Pawar's elder brother Anantrao.

• He began his political career in 1982 when he was elected to the board of a sugar cooperative.

About Maharashtra

• It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.

• Capital - Mumbai

• Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde

• Governor - Ramesh Bais

• Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel

• Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon

• Official Dance - Lavani

India ranks 67th on WEF's Energy Transition Index

Tags: Reports

On 28 June, the World Economic Forum (WEF) published a report titled 'Fostering Effective Energy Transition 2023' which ranked 120 countries on the basis of energy transition.

An Overview of the news:

India in ETI Report:

• In this ranking, WEF has placed India at 67th position (a jump of 20 places) globally in the Energy Transition Index (ETI). Because in the year 2021, India was at 87th position among 115 countries.
• According to WEF, India is the only major economy where the pace of energy transition is accelerating in all dimensions.
• Despite sustained economic growth, India has successfully reduced the energy intensity of its economy and the carbon intensity of its energy mix, achieved universal energy access and managed electricity affordability effectively.
• The ETI benchmarks countries based on the performance of their energy systems and their readiness to secure sustainable energy systems.
• In a report published in collaboration with Accenture, the WEF noted that the global energy transition has stagnated amid the global energy crisis and geopolitical instability, but India is among the countries that have made significant improvements in the energy transition.
• According to ETI the top five countries in the world are Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland and Switzerland respectively.

World Economic Forum (WEF):

• Establishment : 1971 in Geneva (Switzerland)
• Headquarters: Cologny, Switzerland
• Founder : Klaus Schwab
• Chairman : Borge Brende

Major reports published by WEF:

• Global Gender Gap Report
• Energy Transition Index (published jointly by Accenture and WEF).
• Global Competitiveness Report
• Global Risk Report
• Global Travel & Tourism Report
• Global Information Technology Report (The report is published by WEF in association with INSEAD and Cornell University).

Vice Admiral Atul Anand takes over as Additional Secretary, DMA

Tags: Person in news

Vice Admiral Atul Anand assumed the role of Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs on 3 July 2023.

An Overview of the News

• Atul Anand succeeds Lt Gen Anil Puri, who retires on February 28, 2023.

• Vice Admiral Atul Anand was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy on 1 January 1988.

• He is an alumnus of National Defense Academy (71st Course, Delta Squadron), Defense Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur (Bangladesh) and National Defense College, New Delhi.

Career and Achievements

• Vice Admiral Atul Anand has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).

• He held several important appointments throughout his career, including command of Torpedo Recovery Vessel INTRV A72, Missile Boat INS Chatak, Corvette INS Khukri and Destroyer INS Mumbai.

• He served as Navigating Officer of IN Ships Sharda, Ranvijay and Jyoti and Direction Officer of Sea Harrier Squadron INAS 300.

• He also served as the Executive Officer of the destroyer INS Delhi.

Education and training

• Vice Admiral Atul Anand, 71st Course, belonging to Delta Squadron, graduated from the National Defense Academy.

• He completed training at the Defense Services Command and Staff College in Mirpur, Bangladesh and the National Defense College in New Delhi.

• He also attended the Advanced Security Cooperation course at the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii, USA.

Max Verstappen wins Austrian Grand Prix 2023

Tags: Sports News

Max Verstappen took a stunning victory in the Austrian Grand Prix 2023.

An Overview of the News

• The Austrian Grand Prix victory marked Verstappen's fifth consecutive victory and seven from nine races in the current season.

• The previous year's winner at this circuit, Charles Leclerc, finished second at the Austrian Grand Prix, crossing the finish line 5.2 seconds behind Verstappen.

• Sergio Pérez, driving for the Red Bull team, finished third, 17.2 seconds behind the race leader.

List of Previous Race Winners:

1. Canadian Grand Prix 2023: Winner - Max Verstappen

2. Spanish Grand Prix 2023: Winner - Max Verstappen

3. Monaco Grand Prix 2023: Winner - Max Verstappen

4. Bahrain Grand Prix 2023: Winner - Max Verstappen

5. Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023: Winner - Sergio Perez

6. Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2023: Winner - Sergio Perez

About Austria

• Chancellor - Karl Nehammer
• Capital - Vienna
• Currency - Euro

Startup20 Shikhar summit begins in Haryana's Gurugram

Tags: Summits

The two-day Startup20 Shikhar summit organised by Startup20 Engagement Group began on 2 July 2023 in Gurugram, Haryana under India's G20 chairmanship.

An Overview of the News

• The importance of education and awareness in nurturing a culturally sensitive startup ecosystem was emphasised during the conference.

• The Startup20 initiative aims to foster a conducive business environment in the G20 countries and support talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to drive commercialization, expansion and innovation.

About the G20

• It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.

• Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.

• The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.

About Haryana

• It is a state located in North India, which is bordered by New Delhi on three sides.

• The eastern boundary of Haryana is formed by the Yamuna River, which separates it from the state of Uttar Pradesh.

• It shares its western border with the state of Punjab.

• Haryana has Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, which is located in Chandigarh.

• Rock Garden is located in Chandigarh, which displays sculptures made using recycled materials.

Capital - Chandigarh

Governor - Bandaru Dattatreya

Chief Minister - Manohar Lal Khattar

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry - Som Prakash

World Sports Journalists Day - 2 July

Tags: Important Days

World Sports Journalists Day is celebrated across the world on 2 July every year.

An Overview of the News

• The day honours the achievements of sports media professionals and inspires them to put in more efforts to spread knowledge about sports among the general public.

• Many news companies organize special events to honor sports journalists on this special day.

• It aims to recognize the efforts of individuals involved in sports journalism.

History of World Sports Journalists Day

• It was established in 1994 by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) on 2 July to mark the establishment of AIPS as an organization on the occasion of the Summer Olympics in Paris.

• Since its inception, the day is dedicated to recognizing the contributions and achievements of countless sports media professionals.

• It serves as a platform to honour his outstanding work in the field of sports journalism.

• World Sports Journalists Day assumes great significance as it provides an opportunity to acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable contribution made by sports media professionals.

• These individuals play a vital role in reporting and analyzing sporting events, sharing the stories of athletes, and engaging audiences around the world.