1. Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri killed in US drone strike
Tags: International News
U. S. President Joe Biden said on August 1 that the United States killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone air strike in Kabul.
Important facts
The killing of Zawahiri is seen as the biggest blow to the terrorist group since its founder Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011.
Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian surgeon who later became one of the world's most wanted terrorists.
He was considered as the mastermind of the attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001.
About 3 thousand people died in that terrorist attack.
The US had placed a $25 million bounty on Zawahiri.
The drone strike is the first known US attack inside Afghanistan since US troops and diplomats left the country in August 2021.
Zawahiri was earlier hiding in Pakistan but after the Taliban government came to power, he reached Kabul.
Who was Ayman al-Zawahiri?
Born into a middle-class family in Egypt, Zawahiri grew up to become a doctor.
He graduated from Cairo University's Al Qasr Al Ain Medical School in 1974.
Ideologically he opposed secular governments, and was arrested in 1981 after the assassination of former Egyptian President Mohamed Anwar al-Saadat for carrying weapons without a license.
He served three years as a surgeon in the Egyptian Army.
In 1993, he took over the leadership of Islamic Jihad in Egypt and became a key figure in the mid-1990s campaign to overthrow the government and establish a pure Islamic state.
He was found to be involved in the murder of more than 1,200 Egyptians.
In 2011 he took on al-Qaeda when a team of Navy SEALs killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
He and bin Laden co-opted the 9/11 attacks and was one of America's "Most Wanted Terrorists".
He was listed as one of the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists, and had a $25 million reward for his capture.
2. Culture Ministry organizes 'Tiranga Utsav' on the occasion of 146th birth anniversary of Pingali Venkaiah
Tags: National National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the 'Tiranga Utsav' being organised by the Ministry of Culture in New Delhi on 2 August.
Important facts
The event is being organized on the occasion of the 146th birthday of freedom fighter Pingali Venkaiah who designed the national flag and made a huge contribution to the nation.
In this program a commemorative postage stamp was issued in his honour for his invaluable contribution to the freedom struggle and his family was honoured.
The Home Minister launches the “Har Ghar Tiranga” anthem and video during the 'Tiranga Utsav'.
The program featured live performances by masters like Kailash Kher and Kailasa, Harshdeep Kaur and Dr. Ragini Makkhar.
On the completion of 75 years of independence, the central government is running the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign.
Who was Pingali Venkayya?
He was born on August 2, 1876, at Bhatlapenumarru, near present-day Machilipatnam town in Andhra Pradesh.
He was sent to South Africa to fight in the war as a soldier of the British Indian Army.
He was impressed by the feeling of nationalism inspired by the Union Jack among British soldiers in South Africa.
He was the designer of India’s national tricolour.
In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi approved the tricolor designed by him at a meeting of the Indian National Congress in Vijayawada.
The tricolor version presented by Venkayya to Mahatma Gandhi had two stripes (green and red) and a Gandhian spinning wheel in the centre.
On Gandhi's suggestion, Venkayya added a white stripe at the top, and it became the original tricolor.
This flag was used informally in all Congress meetings from 1921 onwards.
During the Congress session of 1931, the Congress adopted the tricolor with a color scheme – saffron, white and green and the spinning wheel in the centre.
The flag became the standard of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent freedom movement.
A postage stamp was issued in his honor in 2009.
In 2014, the Vijayawada station of All India Radio (AIR) was also named after him.
He died in 1963 in poverty and oblivion.
3. Culture Ministry organizes 'Tiranga Utsav' on the occasion of 146th birth anniversary of Pingali Venkaiah
Tags: National National News
Union Home Minister Amit Shah participated in the 'Tiranga Utsav' being organised by the Ministry of Culture in New Delhi on 2 August.
Important facts
The event is being organized on the occasion of the 146th birthday of freedom fighter Pingali Venkaiah who designed the national flag and made a huge contribution to the nation.
In this program a commemorative postage stamp was issued in his honour for his invaluable contribution to the freedom struggle and his family was honoured.
The Home Minister launches the “Har Ghar Tiranga” anthem and video during the 'Tiranga Utsav'.
The program featured live performances by masters like Kailash Kher and Kailasa, Harshdeep Kaur and Dr. Ragini Makkhar.
On the completion of 75 years of independence, the central government is running the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' campaign.
Who was Pingali Venkayya?
He was born on August 2, 1876, at Bhatlapenumarru, near present-day Machilipatnam town in Andhra Pradesh.
He was sent to South Africa to fight in the war as a soldier of the British Indian Army.
He was impressed by the feeling of nationalism inspired by the Union Jack among British soldiers in South Africa.
He was the designer of India’s national tricolour.
In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi approved the tricolor designed by him at a meeting of the Indian National Congress in Vijayawada.
The tricolor version presented by Venkayya to Mahatma Gandhi had two stripes (green and red) and a Gandhian spinning wheel in the centre.
On Gandhi's suggestion, Venkayya added a white stripe at the top, and it became the original tricolor.
This flag was used informally in all Congress meetings from 1921 onwards.
During the Congress session of 1931, the Congress adopted the tricolor with a color scheme – saffron, white and green and the spinning wheel in the centre.
The flag became the standard of Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent freedom movement.
A postage stamp was issued in his honor in 2009.
In 2014, the Vijayawada station of All India Radio (AIR) was also named after him.
He died in 1963 in poverty and oblivion.
4. 5G spectrum auction ends with record bids worth over ₹1.5 lakh crore. Jio top bidder
Tags: Economics/Business National News
The biggest ever spectrum auction in India ended on August 1. The seven-day auction saw record sale of 5G telecom spectrum worth over Rs 1.5 lakh crore.
Important facts
In this auction, billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani's company Jio made the highest bid to consolidate its leading position.
As per provisional figures, a total of Rs 1,50,173 crore bids were placed.
This auction amount of 5G spectrum capable of offering extremely high-speed mobile internet connectivity is almost double the Rs 77,815 crore 4G spectrum sold last year.
This amount is three times as against Rs 50,968.37 crore received from 3G auction in 2010.
Reliance Jio made the highest bid for radio waves offering connectivity at speeds nearly 10 times faster than 4G.
It was followed by Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea Limited.
Adani Group has bought 26 MHz spectrum to set up a private telecom network.
What is Electromagnetic Spectrum?
Signals are needed to connect cell phones and wireline telephone equipment from one end to the other.
These signals are carried over the airwaves, which are required to be sent on specified frequencies to avoid any kind of interference.
The central government owns all publicly available assets, including airwaves, within the geographical boundaries of the country.
What is 5G technology?
The fifth generation mobile network is called 5G.
The 5G network will operate in the millimetre-wave spectrum (30-300 GHz) which can send huge amounts of data at very high speeds.
It is the newest upgrade in Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile broadband networks.
Internet speeds in the high-band spectrum of 5G have been tested to exceed 20 Gbps (gigabit per second).
5. Ex- Philippines President Fidel Ramos dies at 94
Tags: Person in news International News
Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos died on 31 July at the age of 94 due to complications of COVID-19.
Important facts
Ramos, the 12th President of the Republic of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998, was said to be the driving force behind investor confidence in the country.
It was during his time that the Philippines was recognized as an emerging economy.
It was during his time that the Philippines was identified as a booming "tiger economy", The Manila Times reported.
Prior to becoming president, Fidel Ramos also served as Chief-of-Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the government of then-President Corazon Aquino.
Apart from this, he was also the Defence Secretary.
Ramos, a former military general, trained in the US, also participated in the Korea and Vietnam Wars.
Ramos led a national police force and was instrumental in bringing down the notorious Marcos regime.
About Philippines
The Philippines is a country located in Southeast Asia.
It got complete independence on 4 July 1946 after the Second World War.
It is the country with the fifth longest coastline in the world.
The Philippines is the second largest producer of geothermal energy in the world, after the United States.
Capital - Manila
Currency - peso
6. Centre forms task force to monitor Monkeypox situation in country
Tags: National News
The Central Government has constituted a task force to monitor and provide guidance on expansion of diagnostic facilities in the wake of monkeypox cases in India and to explore the possibility of vaccination for it in the country.
Important facts
The decision was taken during a meeting on 1 August which was attended by the Cabinet Secretary, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Additional Secretary (PMO) and other senior officials.
The team will be headed by Dr V K Paul, who is the member (Health) of NITI Aayog.
So far, four cases of monkeypox have been reported in India, three in Kerala and one in Delhi.
A young man with monkeypox-like symptoms died in Kerala last week, prompting state Health Minister Veena George to launch a high-level investigation.
Aa per the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 18,000 cases of monkeypox have been reported from 78 countries.
According to the WHO, monkeypox is a viral zoonosis – a virus that spreads from animals to humans.
The symptoms of Monkeypox usually present with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes and can lead to a variety of medical complications.
Kindly also see the post dated 15th and 25th July 2022.
7. India, Vietnam 3rd edition army exercise “Ex VINBAX 2022” begin at Chandimandir in Haryana
Tags: Defence International News
The third edition of the Vietnam-India bilateral military exercise "EX WINBEX 2022" is being held at Chandimandir from August 1 to 20, 2022.
Important facts
It is a sequel to the bilateral exercise conducted earlier in Vietnam in 2019 and marks a major milestone in the strengthening of bilateral ties between India and Vietnam.
Both the countries share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership.
Vietnam is an important partner in India's Act East policy and Indo-Pacific vision.
India has a rich legacy of deploying troops in UN missions and has excellent capabilities to provide UN peacekeeping training, including best practices for training potential UN peacekeepers at tactical, operational and strategic levels.
The joint exercise will also provide an opportunity to the soldiers of both the countries to learn about each other's social and cultural heritage.
The Indian Army is represented by soldiers from 105 Engineer Regiment.
The theme of Ex VINBAX - 2022 - employment and deployment of an Engineer Company and a Medical Team as part of United Nations Contingent for Peacekeeping Operations.
India and Vietnam
The two countries signed a "Joint Vision" document to "significantly increase the scope and scale" of bilateral ties by 2030 during the recent visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Vietnam.
Both countries are listed among the fastest growing economies in Asia and both aim to enhance peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through multi-faceted cooperation.
As emerging economies and important countries, there is a broad convergence of interests with regard to creating alternative supply chains in Asia.
They are equally concerned about China's aggressive and expansionist policies in the Indo-Pacific.
The two countries have also shared a comprehensive strategic partnership since 2016 and defence cooperation is a key pillar of this partnership.
The two countries have also cooperated in UN peacekeeping, ship visits and bilateral exercises.
The two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Logistics Support, the first of its kind that Vietnam has signed with any country.
8. Point 5140 at Dras sector named as Gun Hill
Tags: Defence National News
Point 5140 in Dras, Kargil Sector has been renamed as Gun Hill, to celebrate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces and to pay tribute to the supreme sacrifice of the Gunners in "Operation Vijay".
Important facts
The Artillery Regiment of the Indian Army, with lethal and precise firepower, was able to make an impressive impact on the enemy troops including Point 5140, which was a key factor in the early completion of the operation.
Captain Vikram Batra captured 'Gun Hill' on 20 June 1999 on the strength of the valour of his comrades and hoisted the Indian tricolour.
The Army has now renamed Point 5140 hill in Dras sector as 'Gun Hill' in memory of the decisive role of Bofors-like cannon and gunners in the victory of Kargil war.
Operation Vijay (Kargil War)
The Kargil War, popularly known as 'Operation Vijay', began on 3 May 1999 and ended on 26 July 1999.
It was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place in the Kargil district of Ladakh and other places along the Line of Control (LoC).
It was fought for over 60 days (between May and July 1999) and finally India regained control of all its territories.
In the 60-day long struggle, the victory of Tiger Hill was one of the significant achievements.
9. HCL’s Roshni Nadar Malhotra is richest woman in India
Tags: National News
According to the recently released Hurun Rich List 2021, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, chairperson of the country's top IT company HCL Technologies, has become the richest woman in India.
Important facts
Roshni Nadar's assets have increased by 54% and with this increase, his net worth has gone up to Rs 84,330 crore.
Falguni Nair- Falguni Nair, founder and CEO of beauty brand Nyka is second in this list. Her wealth has increased by 963% and with this increase her net worth has gone up to Rs 57,520 crore.
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw - Founder and CEO of Biocon Kiran Mazumdar Shaw is at number three in the list, her net worth is Rs 29,030 crore.
Neelima Motaparti - Director of the Commercial Department of Divi's Laboratories is at number four in this list, her total assets have gone up to Rs 28,180 crore.
Other things in the report
The Kotak Private Banking-Hurun list included 100 women who were born or raised in India and actively managing their own businesses.
Delhi-NCR has the highest number of 25 women in the list. It is followed by Mumbai (21) and Hyderabad (12).
Talking about industries, 12 of the top 100 richest women in India are from the pharmaceutical sector, 11 from the health care sector and nine from the consumer goods sector.
Kanika Tekriwal (33 years) of Bhopal-based JetSetGo is the youngest woman on the list.
The total assets of these 100 women included in the list increased by 53 percent to Rs 4.16 lakh crore in 2021 from Rs 2.72 lakh crore in 2020.
These women contribute two percent to India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
10. PM launches Power Sector’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme
Tags: National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Power Ministry’s flagship Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme on 30 July.
Important facts
PM Modi also unveiled the scheme ‘Ujjwal Bharat Ujjwal Bhavishya - Power @2047’ through video conferencing.
During the programme, the Prime Minister dedicated and also laid the foundation stone for various green energy projects of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Limited worth over Rs 5,200 crore.
He inaugurated the 100 MW Ramagundam Floating Solar Project in Telangana and the 92 MW Kayamkulam Floating Solar Project in Kerala.
Modi also laid the foundation stone for the 735 MW Nokh Solar Project in Rajasthan, Green Hydrogen Mobility Project in Leh and Kawas Green Hydrogen Blending Project with Natural Gas in Gujarat.
He launched the National Solar Rooftop Portal, which will enable online tracking of the process of installation of rooftop solar plants.
About the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme
It aims to improve operational efficiency and financial stability of Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) and power departments.
It is being implemented with an outlay of over Rs 3 lakh crore over a period of five years from the financial year 2021-22 to 2025-26.
The scheme envisages providing financial assistance to DISCOMs for modernization and strengthening of distribution infrastructure with a focus on improving the reliability and quality of supply to the end consumers.
