1. ACC Appoints Prabodh Seth and Ramesh Narain Parbat as New CBDT Members
Tags: Person in news
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has sanctioned the appointments of Prabodh Seth and Ramesh Narain Parbat.
An Overview of the News
Both Prabodh Seth and Ramesh Narain Parbat are Indian Revenue Service (IRS) Income Tax (IT) officers from the 1989 batch and will now serve as members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
Prabodh Seth:
Appointed as the Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (PCCIT), International Taxation in CBDT, Delhi. Replaces Sanjai Kumar Verma.
Has held various positions in the Income Tax Department, including Assistant Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, and Commissioner of Income Tax in Delhi.
Ramesh Narain Parbat:
Appointed as the Director General of Income Tax (DGIT), Investigation in CBDT, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Replaces Ravi Agrawal.
Ravi Agrawal has been promoted to Chairman of CBDT following the end of Nitin Gupta’s extended tenure on June 30, 2024.
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT):
Apex policy-making body of the Income Tax Department (ITD).
Functions under the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance (MoF).
Comprises the Chairman and six members who handle income tax and revenue, audit, and judicial matters.
Members are selected from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), the top management of the ITD.
Established: 1963
Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
Chairman: Ravi Agrawal
2. Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair Becomes First Woman DG Medical Services (Army)
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Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair became the first woman to be appointed as Director General Medical Services (Army) on August 1, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Before this, she was the first woman to hold the post of DG Hospital Services (Armed Forces) upon promotion to the rank of Air Marshal.
Background of Sadhna Saxena
Education and Training:
Graduated with distinction from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune.
Commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1985.
Holds a Post Graduate degree in Family Medicine, Diplomas in Maternal & Child Health and Health Care Management.
Completed a two-year Medical Informatics training program at AIIMS, New Delhi.
Trained in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Warfare with the Israeli Defence Forces.
Received training in Military Medical Ethics with the Swiss Armed Forces in Spiez.
Notable Positions:
First woman Principal Medical Officer of Western Air Command and Training Command, Indian Air Force (IAF).
Contributions:
Nominated as an expert member of the Dr. Kasturirangan Committee for drafting part of the medical education component of the National Education Policy.
Awards:
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command Commendation.
Chief of the Air Staff Commendation.
Vishisht Seva Medal awarded by the President of India.
3. Nita Ambani Re-elected as International Olympic Committee Member in Paris
Tags: Person in news Sports News
Nita Ambani has been unanimously re-elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from India at the 142nd IOC session in Paris.
An Overview of the News
Nita Ambani was first elected to the IOC in 2016during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Pioneering Role: As the first Indian woman to join the IOC, she has significantly contributed to promoting India's Olympic vision.
Contributions and Achievements
Hosting IOC Session: Played a pivotal role in India hosting its first IOC session in Mumbai in over 40 years, highlighting India's global sporting ambitions.
Future Ambitions: India is planning to bid for hosting the 2036 Olympics.
Reliance Foundation and Sports Initiatives
Foundation Leadership: As the founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, Nita Ambani focuses on empowering Indians through sports, education, health, art, and culture.
Impact: Reliance Foundation’s sports programs have reached over 22.9 million children and youth in India.
India House at Paris 2024
India House Initiative: Reliance Foundation is opening India House at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Purpose: India House will act as a "home away from home" for athletes, celebrate their achievements, and share India’s Olympic journey with the world.
International Olympic Day
International Olympic Day is celebrated annually on June 23.
The themefor Olympic Day 2024is 'Let's Move and Celebrate'.
This theme aims to inspire people worldwide to engage in daily physical activity and embrace the joy of movement.
International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Non-governmental sports organization
Based in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Governs National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
Oversees the worldwide Olympic Movement.
Formation - 23 June 1894
Founders - Pierre de Coubertin, Demetrios Vikelas
Headquarters - Olympic House, Lausanne, Switzerland
President - Thomas Bach
4. Dr. Sanjay Kapoor Unanimously Elected as FIDE India Zone President
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Dr. Sanjay Kapoor, former All India Chess Federation (AICF) President, has been unanimously elected as FIDE India Zone President (3.7).
An Overview of the News
The election took place during the AICF annual general meeting (AGM) in Ahmedabad.
Kapoor will serve as the Zone President for a 4-year term.
Dr. Kapoor's new role involves overseeing the growth and development of chess globally.
Background and Experience:
Dr. Kapoor played a key role in staging the 44th Chess Olympiad in India.
His experience with the Olympiad highlights his dedication to promoting chess.
International Chess Day (July 20):
World Chess Day (also known as International Chess Day) is celebrated globally on July 20 each year.
The day honors Chess, a game celebrated for its intellectual and cultural significance, and promotes fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect.
FIDE launched a Guinness World Record attempt for the most games played online and over-the-board in 24 hours.
Over 109 national federations and major online chess platforms participated in nearly 350 global events.
FIDE Centennial Celebration:
FIDE's 100th anniversary was celebrated with a central ceremony in Paris.
Attendees included FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, former world champions Viswanathan Anand, Zhu Chen, Alexandra Kosteniuk, and other notable players and officials.
About FIDE
Name: International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Abbreviation: FIDE (French acronym)
Role: Governs international chess competitions
Founded: 20 July 1924, Paris, France
Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
President: Arkady Dvorkovich
5. Shah Rukh Khan Becomes First Indian Actor to Receive Gold Coin from Grevin Museum
Tags: Awards Person in news
Shah Rukh Khan is the first Indian actor to be honoured with a customised gold coin by the Grévin Museum in Paris.
An Overview of the News
The Grevin Museum is located on the Grands Boulevards on the right bank of the Seine River in Paris. It is renowned for its wax statues of famous personalities from around the world.
The museum is a cultural landmark in Paris, attracting visitors who are keen to see lifelike representations of celebrities.
Shah Rukh Khan's inclusion in the museum with customized gold coins underscores his international impact.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Five Groundbreaking Accolades
UNESCO's Pyramide con Marni Award (2011):
He is the First Indian actor to receive UNESCO's Pyramide con Marni Award (2011) for philanthropic efforts in children's education.
Display on the Burj Khalifa:
Only actor to have trailers of his films ("Jawan," "Pathaan," and "Dunki" in 2023) displayed on the Burj Khalifa.
Featured on the Burj Khalifa after Kolkata Knight Riders, his IPL team, won the 2024 IPL.
Career Achievement Honour at the Locarno International Film Festival:
First Indian personality to receive the Pardo alla Carriere Ascona-Locarno Tourism at the Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland.
His film "Devdas" (2002) was also screened during the festival.
The Yale Chubb Fellowship:
Awarded one of Yale's highest honours, the Chubb Fellowship, recognizing his impact through films and philanthropy.
Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres:
One of the few Indian actors to receive this French government award for significant contributions to French cultural heritage.
6. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing Assumes Role of Acting President of Myanmar
Tags: Person in news International News
On July 22, 2024, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the Prime Minister of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), assumed the role of Acting President.
An Overview of the News
He succeeded Acting President Myint Swe, who was suffering from psychomotor retardation and malnutrition.
As Acting President, Min Aung Hlaing will also lead the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), an 11-member body responsible for security and defense matters in Myanmar.
He will oversee important national decisions, particularly those related to security and military affairs.
About Min Aung Hlaing
Chairman of SAC since February 2021 coup.
Appointed himself Prime Minister in August 2021.
Joined the military in 1974, became a senior general by 2013.
First DSA graduate to lead a coup and become Commander-in-Chief.
About Myanmar
Capital - Naypyidaw
Official Language - Burmese
President - Min Aung Hlaing (acting)
SAC President and Prime Minister - Min Aung Hlaing
SAC Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister – Soe Win
7. Kristen Michal Sworn in as Estonia's New Prime Minister
Tags: Person in news International News
On 23rd July 2024, President of Estonia Alar Karis swore in Kristen Michal, Chairman of the centrist Reform Party, as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Estonia.
An Overview of the News
Kristen Michal succeeded Kaja Kallas, who resigned as PM of Estonia on July 15, 2024 to become the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union (EU).
Kristen Michal previously served as the Minister of Climate since April 2023.
On 22nd July 2024, Riigikogu, the parliament of Estonia, authorized Kristen Michal to form a new government with 64 Members of Parliament (MP) at the 101-seat parliament voting in favor, with 27 opposed.
The new coalition agreement was triggered by the resignation of Kaja Kallas.
The new coalition, made up of the Reform Party, the Social Democratic Party (SDE), and Estonia 200, is a continuation of its predecessor, which had been in office since May 2023.
About Kristen Michal:
Kristen Michal is a first-time PM from the ruling Center-Right Reform Party.
He served as an advisor to then PM Siim Kallas in 2002 and as Secretary General of the Estonian Reform Party from 2003 to 2011.
He has been a member of the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Riigikogu (2004-2007, 2012-2015, and 2016-2021).
Previously, he also served as the Minister of Justice (2011-2012) and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure (2015-2016).
About Estonia
Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country located by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe.
Bordered by:
North: Gulf of Finland across from Finland
West: Sea across from Sweden
South: Latvia
East: Lake Peipus and Russia
Capital: Tallinn
Currency: Euro
Official language: Estonian
President: Alar Karis
8. Dr. Deepa Malik Becomes APC’s First Female Sub-regional Representative for South Asia
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Dr. Deepa Malik, India’s first woman Paralympic medallist, has been appointed as the Sub-regional Representative for South Asia by the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) at its 34th Executive Board meeting.
An Overview of the News
This appointment raises the number of female representatives on the APC Executive Board to 5, marking the highest female representation in the board’s history.
Kazuhiro Yagi from Japan has been appointed as the new Vice President of the APC. He is also the Deputy Secretary General of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee (AINAGOC), which is responsible for the Aichi Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games.
Notable Achievements of Deepa Malik:
First Indian woman to represent the country at international level sports in her disability category (F-53).
The first Indian paraplegic woman swimmer, biker, and car rallyist.
Won a Silver Medal in Shotput F53 at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games with a personal best performance of 4.61 meters.
Awards and Honors:
Arjuna Award (National Sports Award) in 2012.
Padma Shri for Sports in 2017.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2019.
Selected as the Sir Edmund Hillary Prime Minister’s Fellow for New Zealand in 2019 by then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
9. Shikhar Dhawan Named MotoGP Brand Ambassador by Eurosport India
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Eurosport India, part of Discovery Asia-Pacific, has appointed Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan as the Brand Ambassador for MotoGP in India.
An Overview of the News
Dhawan will promote MotoGP, the premier motorcycle racing championship, to Indian audiences.
In February 2024, Eurosport India extended its MotoGP broadcasting rights in India for an additional 3 years with Dorna.
This move underscores Eurosport India's commitment to providing high-quality sports content to Indian viewers.
New Campaign
The partnership introduces a new campaign titled 'Face Kar Race Kar.'
The campaign aims to boost the popularity of motorcycle racing in India by celebrating MotoGP's spirit of resilience and encouraging fans to tackle challenges with determination.
2024 MotoGP Season Update
The 2024 MotoGP season has featured 9 races so far, with 11 more scheduled across Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
The season will conclude with the BritishGP at Silverstone in August 2024.
Indian Grand Prix Update
The Indian Grand Prix, initially scheduled for September 2024, has been cancelled.
The MotoGP Indian Grand Prix will now be held at Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in March 2025.
About MotoGP
MotoGP, established by the Federation Internationale De Motocyclisme (FIM) in 1949, is the premier motorcycle world championship.
It is also known as Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing.
10. RBI Approves KV Subramanian as New MD & CEO of Federal Bank
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RBI has approved the appointment of Krishnan Venkat Subramanian as MD & CEO of Federal Bank.
An Overview of the News
His three-year term will start on September 23, 2024, succeeding Shyam Srinivasan.
Subramanian was the Joint Managing Director at Kotak Mahindra Bank until April 30, 2024.
Led divisions such as Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, Private Banking, and Asset Reconstruction.
Background Of Subramanian
Holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Varanasi.
Earned a postgraduate degree in Financial Management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.
Qualified as a Cost and Works Accountant.
Career Achievements
Began his career in the NBFC sector with Kotak Mahindra Finance Ltd.
Has extensive experience in Investment Banking.
Played a key role in upgrading technological infrastructure and enhancing transaction banking capabilities.
Oversaw Investment Banking and Institutional Equities, maintaining industry leadership.
Federal Bank Limited:
It is an Indian private sector bank headquartered in Aluva, Kochi, Kerala.
The bank operates 1,370 branches in various states of India.
Federal Bank has representative offices in Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Dubai.
The bank provides a wide range of financial services to its customers including retail banking, corporate banking, treasury operations and wealth management.
It emphasises a customer-centric approach and strives to provide efficient and convenient banking solutions.
Founder - K.P Hormis
Establishment - 23 April 1931, Nedumpuram
