1. Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy Launches Vriksharopan Abhiyan
Tags: National News
Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, has launched the Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 in Dhanbad.
An Overview of the News
This initiative is part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The event was held concurrently at around 300 locations across 47 districts in 11 coal/lignite-bearing states.
Environmental Goals and Achievements:
The Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 aims to plant trees on 15,350 hectares of land in the next five years.
Over the past five years, Coal/Lignite PSUs have successfully planted 24 million saplings on 10,942 hectares.
Current Targets and Innovative Techniques:
The target for the current fiscal year is to cover 2,600 hectares.
Innovative reforestation techniques being employed include the Miyawaki method, seed balls, and drone technology to improve planting efficiency.
Additional Information
Assam Unveils Amrit Brikshya Andolan 2.0 App to Boost 3 Crore Tree Planting Campaign
The Yogi Adityanath government announced the launch of 'Mitra Van' under the Tree Plantation Jan Abhiyan-2024.
2. Charaideo Maidam Becomes Northeast India’s First Cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site
Tags: State News National News
The Charaideo Maidam, a 700-year-old mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty in eastern Assam, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list under the 'cultural property' category.
An Overview of the News
The decision was made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) held in New Delhi.
Charaideo Maidam was India’s nomination for UNESCO’s World Heritage Site status in the cultural category for 2023-2024.
Out of 52 sites, Assam’s Charaideo Maidam was selected by the Government of India.
Announcement and Celebrations
Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced the inclusion, sparking celebrations in various parts of Assam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on July 21 that Charaideo Maidam would be India’s 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first in the northeast region in the cultural property category.
Significance of Charaideo Maidam
It is the first time a site from the northeast has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list under the cultural category.
It is Assam’s third World Heritage Site after Kaziranga and Manas National Parks.
The Charaideo Maidams are highly venerated, embodying the unique burial architecture and tradition of the Tai Ahoms.
Nomination Process
On January 16, the Assam government submitted the World Heritage Nomination Dossier for the Maidams to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for UNESCO's evaluation in the 2023 cycle.
Historical Context
Out of 386 Maidams explored, 90 royal burials at Charaideo are the best preserved, representative, and most complete examples of this tradition.
The Maidams enshrine the mortal remains of Ahom royalty.
Initially, deceased Ahoms were buried with their paraphernalia, but after the 18th century, the Ahom rulers adopted the Hindu method of cremation, later entombing the cremated bones and ashes in a Maidam at Charaideo.
400th Birth Anniversary of Lachit Borphukan
During the nation’s celebration of the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Borphukan, Prime Minister Modi viewed an exhibition showcasing a model of a Maidam, highlighting the unique burial architecture and tradition of the Tai Ahoms.
About UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised agency of the United Nations (UN).
It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UN SDG), a coalition of United Nations agencies and organisations that aims to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Headquarters:- Paris, France
Director General: Audrey Azoulay
Founded: 16 November 1945in London, United Kingdom
The organisation has -193 members and 11 associate members.
About Assam:
Formation (as a state) - 26 January 1950
Language: Assamese
Capital - Dispur
Chief Minister - Himanta Biswa Sarma
Governor - Gulab Chand Kataria
Rajya Sabha - 7seats
Lok Sabha - 14 seats
Official Dance - Bihu Dance
Official river - Brahmaputra
3. PM Modi Launches Construction of World's Highest Tunnel in Ladakh
Tags: State News National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually initiated the first blast for the Shinkun La Tunnel project in Kargil, Ladakh.
An Overview of the News
The event was held on the occasion of the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, where Modi also paid tribute to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1999 Kargil War by laying a wreath at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass.
Project Details:
The Shinkun La Tunnel is set to provide all-weather connectivity to Leh and is being constructed on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road.
The tunnel will be a 4.1 km long Twin-Tube tunnel, constructed at an altitude of around 15,800 feet, making it the highest tunnel in the world.
The construction will include cross-passages every 500 metres and is expected to take at least two years to complete.
Significance and Budget:
The Shinkun La Tunnel will enhance the movement of armed forces and equipment and promote economic and social development in Ladakh.
The project, with a budget of Rs 1,681 crore, was approved by the PM-led cabinet committee on security in February of the previous year.
About Ladakh
Union Territory Since: October 31, 2019
Capitals: Leh and Kargil
Districts: 2
Lieutenant Governor: B. D. Mishra
4. India Unveils SIMS 2.0 to Enhance Steel Import Monitoring and Boost Domestic Industry
Tags: National News
Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, H.D. Kumaraswamy, introduced the upgraded Steel Import Monitoring System (SIMS 2.0).
An Overview of the News
The launch event was attended by Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma (Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries), Nagendra Nath Sinha (Secretary, Ministry of Steel), and other senior officials.
Purpose and Significance of SIMS 2.0:
SIMS was originally introduced in 2019 to provide detailed steel import data.
SIMS 2.0 is an upgraded version aimed at improving monitoring of steel imports and fostering domestic steel industry growth.
Enhanced data availability supports policy-making and identifies production growth areas for the domestic industry.
Key Features of SIMS 2.0:
API Integration: Connects with multiple government portals for better quality control and efficiency.
Robust Data System: Ensures accurate and consistent data entry, promoting transparency.
Risk Management: Helps in identifying risks and managing imports, e.g., non-BIS licensed sources.
Development and Collaboration:
Developed with contributions from DGFT, BIS, and MSTC Ltd. (a CPSE under the Ministry of Steel).
Additional Release:
H.D. Kumaraswamy also released the second volume of “Safety Guidelines for Iron and Steel Sector.”
The new volume includes guidelines for 16 different processes, building on the 25 guidelines published in 2020.
5. 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
6. 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
7. China Launches Gaofen-11 05 Satellite
Tags: International News
On July 19, China launched the 'Gaofen-11 05', a high-resolution optical Earth Observation Satellite (EOS), into space.
An Overview of the News
The satellite was deployed aboard a Long March-4B carrier rocket from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (TSLC) in Shanxi Province, China.
This launch represents the 528th mission of the Long March rocket series and China's 33rd orbital mission of 2024.
Gaofen-11 05 Details:
Purpose: Conduct land surveys, urban planning, road network design, crop yield estimation, land ownership verification, disaster prevention, and mitigation.
It will also support the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and national defense modernization.
Gaofen-11 & CHEOS Overview:
The Gaofen-11 series is part of the China High-definition Earth Observation System (CHEOS), with the first satellite, Gaofen-11 01, launched in 2018.
Gaofen-11 satellites feature large apertures (over 1.5 meters) for optical remote sensing.
CHEOS is a state-sponsored program designed to create a near-real-time, all-weather global surveillance network that includes satellites, stratospheric airships, and aerial observation platforms.
About China
Capital -Beijing
Official language - Standard Chinese
Currency - Renminbi
Official language - Mandarin
President -Xi Jinping
8. China Unveils World's First Carbon Fiber-Only High-Speed Train
Tags: International News
China has unveiled the world's first carbon fiber-only passenger train, marking a significant advancement in high-speed rail technology.
An Overview of the News
This innovation positions China as a global leader in sustainable rail transportation.
The carbon fiber train is significantly lighter than traditional trains, contributing to reduced pollution.
It is designed to be more energy-efficient, consuming 7% less energy compared to conventional steel trains.
The train can reach speeds of up to 87 mph.
Environmental Impact
The new train aligns with broader environmental goals by decreasing energy consumption and lowering overall emissions.
High-speed rail is already recognized for being environmentally friendly, producing less noise, using less land, and emitting fewer pollutants compared to other forms of long-distance transportation.
Future Plans and Developments
Qingdao Sifang, the company behind the train, will conduct factory testing before the train's operational launch later this year in a coastal city.
China's extensive high-speed rail network, covering approximately 28,000 miles, is now fully managed by artificial intelligence, enhancing its efficiency and reliability.
9. BIS and IISc Bengaluru Establish BIS Standardization Chair Professor
Tags: National
On July 19, 2024, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to establish the 'BIS Standardization Chair Professor' position at IISc.
An Overview of the News
It objectives to integrate academic expertise in standards building and to incorporate Indian standards in the academic curriculum, with the aim of providing safer and more reliable products and services in India.
The BIS Standardization Chair Professor will promote collaboration between BIS and IISc, enhancing involvement in standardization and conformity assessment.
The initiative involves engaging academia in national and international standardization efforts through technical committees, supporting research and development, co-hosting events, exploring Centres of Excellence (CoE), and sharing knowledge and advanced laboratory facilities.
This MoU is part of BIS's broader strategy to partner with leading institutions across India, with similar agreements already in place with IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Madras, among others.
About BIS
Role: National Standards Body of India
Affiliation: Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Government of India
Established by: Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (effective from October 12, 2017)
Founded on: December 23, 1986
Founder: Parliament of India
Headquarters: Manak Bhawan, Old Delhi
About Indian Institute of Science (IISc)
A premier public research university in Bangalore, India.
Founder: Jamshetji Tata, an early Indian industrialist, with active support for its establishment.
Inspiration: Tata discussed his idea for a research institution with Swami Vivekananda in 1893, but Vivekananda declined to be involved.
Land and Funding: The Mysore government donated 371 acres and 50,000 rupees annually for its establishment.
Established: 1909
Initial Departments: General and Applied Chemistry, and Electro Technology.
First Director: Morris Travers
10. EAM Jaishankar Inaugurates India’s First Overseas Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Mauritius
Tags: International News
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated India’s first overseas Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Mauritius.
An Overview of the News
The event marked a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties between India and Mauritius.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth was also present at the inauguration.
Purpose and Goals
The Jan Aushadhi Kendra is a health partnership project aimed at supplying cost-effective, Made-in-India medicines.
It aims to enhance public healthcare and well-being in Mauritius.
This initiative fulfills a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this year.
Inauguration of the Mediclinic Project
Jaishankar also inaugurated the Mediclinic project at Grand Bois village in Mauritius.
The project is funded by Indian assistance and will provide secondary healthcare.
The Mediclinic project is expected to serve approximately 16,000 people living in the area.
About Mauritius
Capital - Port Louis
Currency - Mauritian Rupee
Official Language - English
Prime Minister - Pravind Jugnauth
