1. Folk singer and activist Gaddar passed away at the age of 74
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Noted folk singer and activist Gaddar passed away at the age of 74 after battling a serious heart ailment. He was undergoing treatment at Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad for the last 10 days after cardiac arrest.
An Overview of the News
People's Singer and Activist:
Gaddar, also known as Gummadi Vitthal Rao, gained popularity by his stage name.
His songs highlighting various issues faced by the common people earned him the sobriquet "The People's Singer".
He also showcased his acting skills in films like "Maa Bhoomi" and "Rangula Kala".
Early Life and Background:
Gaddar was born in 1949 in a Dalit family in Medak district of Telangana. His life experiences influenced his commitment to address social issues through his art.
Association with the People's War Group:
In the 1980s, Gaddar himself went underground and joined the People's War Group, an underground Communist Party of India.
Establishment of Jan Natya Mandali:
Gaddar founded Jan Natya Mandali, a theatre company in Delhi, which later became the cultural wing of the Naxalite organisation.
This demonstrated his dedication to using art for social and political purposes.
List of Awards:
Gaddar received recognition for his artistic contributions, including the 1995 Nandi Award for Best Lyricist for the song "MallethigaKu Pandiri Vole" and the 2011 Nandi Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Jai Bolo Telangana".
About Telangana
Formed (by split) - 2 June 2014
Capital - Hyderabad
District - 33
Governor - Tamilisai Soundararajan
Chief Minister - K Chandrasekhar Rao (BRS)
Council - (40 seats)
Legislative Assembly - (119 seats)
Rajya Sabha - 7 seats
Lok Sabha - 17 seats
2. Shohini Sinha appointed as special agent in charge of the FBI's Salt Lake City field office
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Indian-American Shohini Sinha has been appointed by FBI Director Christopher Wray as the new special agent in charge of the Salt Lake City field office.
An Overview of the News
Prior to this appointment, Sinha served as Executive Special Assistant to the Director at FBI Headquarters in Washington, DC.
Sinha's journey with the FBI began in 2001 when he started as a special agent. His initial assignment was in the Milwaukee Field Office, where he focused primarily on counterterrorism investigations.
Throughout his career, he gained valuable experience through various temporary assignments including Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, the FBI Legal Attache Office in London, and the Baghdad Operations Center.
About the FBI
It was founded on July 26, 1908 in the United States of America.
Its jurisdiction primarily covers activities and investigations within the United States.
Charles Joseph Bonaparte is credited as the founder of the FBI.
The headquarters of the FBI is located in Washington, D.C., United States of America.
3. James Ferguson 'Jim' Skea elected new IPCC chairman in Nairobi
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On July 26, 2023, James Ferguson 'Jim' Skea of the United Kingdom was elected as the new chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in Nairobi, Kenya.
An Overview of the News
James Ferguson 'Jim' Skea was elected during the 59th session of the IPCC at the headquarters of the United Nations Environment Program in Nairobi.
James Ferguson 'Jim' Scaia, Professor of Sustainable Energy at Imperial College London, won the election by a 90–69 vote against Brazil's Thelma Krug, vice-chair of the IPCC and a former researcher at Brazil's National Space Institute.
With nearly 40 years of experience and expertise in climate science, James Ferguson 'Jim' Skea will lead the IPCC through its seventh assessment cycle.
IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change):
It was established in 1988 through a collaboration between the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Its main headquarters is located in Geneva.
Nisha Biswal:
Indian-American policy expert Nisha Biswal assumed the role of Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the US International Development Finance Corporation (US IDFC).
His appointment to this post was confirmed by the US Senate.
With over three decades of experience, Biswal has held key roles in various sectors including the US Foreign Policy and International Development Program, the US Congress and the private sector.
4. Naveen Patnaik holds the record for being India's second longest serving chief minister
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Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik holds the distinction of being the second longest serving Chief Minister in India.
An Overview of the News
Patnaik held the office of Chief Minister for an impressive period of 23 years and 138 days, assuming office on 5 March 2000.
In achieving this feat, he surpassed the previous record holder, former Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu, who served for 23 years and 137 days from June 21, 1977 to November 5, 2000.
The title of longest-serving Chief Minister is held by former Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling, who held the post for an even longer period of 24 years and 166 days.
Patnaik's journey in politics has been remarkable, and his turning point came when he was called on to lead the newly formed Biju Janata Dal on 17 April 1997, following the death of his father, former Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik.
He began his political journey by winning the election from the Aska Lok Sabha constituency in his home district of Ganjam, marking the beginning of his successful leadership tenure.
Naveen Patnaik:
In 1998, Naveen Patnaik joined the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government at the Center as the Minister of Steel and Mines. However, he later decided to return to the state and contest the assembly elections in 2000.
Under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has achieved an impressive record of being undefeated in all elections including Lok Sabha, Assembly and Panchayat elections.
In 2000, Naveen Patnaik successfully formed a coalition government with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha and became the 14th Chief Minister of the state on 5 March.
One of the most significant challenges Naveen Patnaik faced was in 2009 when communal violence in Kandhamal ended his alliance with the BJP.
In 2012, Naveen Patnaik faced an alleged political coup attempt organised by his advisor Pyari Mohan Mohapatra, which he successfully foiled.
5. Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay appointed as Chief Justice of Bombay High Court
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The Central Government appointed Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay as the new Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
An Overview of the News
Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyay will replace Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar, the current Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court.
Justice Upadhyay has been a sitting Judge of the Allahabad High Court for the past 11 years, and has gained significant experience in administering justice in one of the largest High Courts in India, with a total strength of 160 judges.
The Supreme Court Collegium found him suitable for elevation to the rank of Chief Justice.
Justice Upadhyay was born on June 16, 1965 and completed his law degree in 1991 from Lucknow University. He became a registered advocate on May 11, 1991 and specialized in handling civil and constitutional matters at the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court.
He was elevated as Additional Judge on 21 November 2011 and later, on 6 August 2013, he was appointed as a permanent Judge.
Justice Dheeraj Singh Thakur appointed as Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court
Justice Dheeraj Singh Thakur, a sitting judge of the Bombay High Court, has been designated as the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
Justice Thakur served as a judge in the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir in 2013 before being transferred to the Bombay High Court in June 2022, where he has earned a distinguished reputation.
Important Points
The 50th and current Chief Justice of India is Dhananjay Yashwant Chandrachud.
Minister of Law and Justice in India - Arjun Ram Meghwal
6. Tata Steel re-appoints TV Narendran as MD & CEO for five years
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Tata Steel has reappointed TV Narendran as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director for a period of five years from September 19, 2023 to September 18, 2028. The decision was taken on the basis of the recommendation of the 'Nomination and Remuneration Committee'.
An Overview of the News
TV Narendran has an impressive career span of 34 years in the mining and metals industry and has held various key positions in Tata Steel.
He has been a member of the board of Tata Steel Limited and has served as the chairman of both Tata Steel Europe and Tata Steel Long Products Limited.
In addition to his role as CEO and MD of Tata Steel, Narendran holds important chairmanship positions in other subsidiaries and associates of Tata Steel.
He serves as the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Tata Steel Europe, Tata Steel Netherlands BV, Tata Steel Long Products Limited and Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited.
Apart from his corporate achievements, Narendran is actively involved in the field of education and serves as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of XLRI Jamshedpur.
Tata Steel Limited:
It is an Indian multinational steel making company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
The main operational base of the company is located in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.
As a proud member of the renowned Tata Group, Tata Steel has been recognized as one of India's Best Workplaces in Manufacturing in 2022 by Great Place to Work for the fifth time in a row.
Tata Steel's business is spread across 26 countries, including significant operations in India, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The iconic Tata Group, which includes Tata Steel, was founded by Jamsetji Tata.
7. Phangnon Konyak became the first woman to chair the Rajya Sabha from Nagaland
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Phangnon Konyak, the first woman member from Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha, presided over the House.
An Overview of the News
On 17 July 2023, Phangnon Konyak became the first woman member to be appointed to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons.
Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar nominated four women members (50% of the total) to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons to promote gender equality.
All the nominated women members are first time MPs.
The reconstituted panel now comprises a total of eight members, half of whom are women, a first in the history of the Upper House.
The nominated women members are as follows:
PT Usha: Renowned athlete and Padma Shri awardee, nominated to Rajya Sabha in July 2022.
S. Phangnon Konyak: First woman elected as Rajya Sabha member from Nagaland (April 2022) and serves on various committees.
Dr. Fauzia Khan: Nominated to Rajya Sabha in April 2020, Member of various committees.
Sulta Dev: Elected to Rajya Sabha in July 2022, served on various committees.
8. Former Australian and New South Wales wicketkeeper Brian Taber passed away at the age of 83
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On 22nd July 2023, Former Australia and New South Wales wicketkeeper Brian Taber passed away at the age of 83.
An Overview of the News
He represented Australia in 16 Tests from 1966 to 1970, making his debut against South Africa in Johannesburg. During his debut match, he achieved an impressive feat of seven catches and one stumping.
Throughout his career, Taber played against strong opponents such as England, India and the West Indies. His highest Test score was 48 against the West Indies at Sydney in 1969, where Australia won by 382 runs.
In domestic cricket, he played over 100 games for New South Wales and was honoured with a place in the state's Hall of Fame.
After retiring from active play, Tabor contributed to the sport in various capacities, serving as coach and selector for New South Wales and managing the Australian under-19 men's team.
In recognition of his significant contribution to cricket, Brian Tabor has been elected to the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame in 2021.
Known for his affable personality, he was regarded as one of the best men in Australian cricket, earning him a reputation as a "wonderful team man", as described by former Test captain Brian Booth.
In 2014, a book detailing Tabor's life was published, highlighting his remarkable journey and achievements in the world of cricket.
9. Lokesh M appointed as new CEO of Noida Authority
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Lokesh M, a 2005-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the new CEO of the Noida Authority, replacing Ritu Maheshwari, who is now the Divisional Commissioner, Agra.
An Overview of the News
Key priorities of CEO Lokesh M: Focusing on industrial development and setting up a better public hearing system.
Scheme to address the issues of allottees, farmers and citizen grievances.
They aim to make Noida a "City Beautiful" and improve the living conditions for the residents.
Emphasis was laid on efficient delivery of services to the citizens.
Background of Lokesh M:
He is originally from Karnataka.
He completed his training in the year 2006 at Aligarh.
From 2009 to 2016, he served as District Magistrate and Collector in various districts including Mainpuri, Kushinagar, Etah, Ghazipur, Amroha and Kaushambi.
After his deputation to Karnataka, he served there from 2016 to 2021.
Later he became the Divisional Commissioner of Saharanpur.
On 31 May he was appointed Agra Commissioner.
Prior to joining as the CEO of Noida Authority, he served as the Kanpur Commissioner.
10. Julius Robert Oppenheimer: Father of the Atomic Bomb
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Christopher Nolan's film "Oppenheimer", now showing in cinemas globally, is based on the life of Julius Robert Oppenheimer, widely known as the "father of the atomic bomb".
An Overview of the News
Early Life and Education:
Julius Robert Oppenheimer was born in New York in 1904 and displayed exceptional academic talent from an early age.
He attended New York's Ethical Culture School and excelled in various subjects including physics and languages.
Oppenheimer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Harvard University in 1925.
He did his PhD in Physics from the University of Göttingen in Germany.
Scientific Career:
Returning to the United States, Oppenheimer became a faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley.
During the 1930s, he made important contributions to theoretical physics, focusing on quantum mechanics and spectroscopy.
Manhattan Project:
In 1942, with World War II looming, he was appointed as the scientific chief of the top-secret Manhattan Project, which was tasked with developing the first nuclear weapon.
Leading a team of talented scientists and engineers, Oppenheimer played a key role in the successful creation of the first atomic bomb.
Trinity test and results:
In July 1945, the world's first atomic bomb was detonated in New Mexico, marking the culmination of the Manhattan Project.
The successful test signalled the beginning of the nuclear age.
Post-War Conflicts:
After World War II, Oppenheimer faced difficulties when his security clearance was revoked due to suspicions of his past association with left-wing organisations and alleged ties to communist sympathisers.
This led to the end of his direct involvement in government science initiatives in 1954.
Later Years:
In the latter part of his life, Oppenheimer focused on teaching and research.
He returned to academia and lectured at the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton.
Despite facing criticism, he continued to make important contributions to theoretical physics and guide a new generation of scientists.
Death:
Robert Oppenheimer died in 1967, leaving behind a complex and enduring legacy that continues to be the subject of study and debate.
