1. ACC Reappoints Ajit Doval as NSA and PK Mishra as Principal Secretary to PM Modi
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The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the reappointment of Ajit Kumar Doval as the National Security Advisor (NSA) and Pramod Kumar (PK) Mishra as the Principal Secretary to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, effective June 10, 2024.
An Overview of the News
Ajit Doval has been serving as the NSA since May 30, 2014, and this marks his third consecutive appointment to the position.
PK Mishra has been serving as the Principal Secretary to the PM since September 2019.
Both Ajit Doval and PK Mishra will hold the rank of Cabinet Minister in the Table of Precedence during their term.
Their appointments are co-terminus with the term of the Prime Minister or until further orders.
About Ajit Kumar Doval
Serving as NSA since May 30, 2014, and this is his third consecutive term.
Former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1968 batch of Kerala cadre.
Actively involved in anti-insurgency operations in Punjab and Mizoram, earning the title 'Indian James Bond'.
Served as Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) from 2004 to 2005.
Appointed as Chairman of the Strategic Policy Group (SPG) in October 2018.
About PK Mishra
Serving as Principal Secretary to the PM since September 2019.
Former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the 1972 batch of Gujarat cadre.
Served as Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture from 2006 to 2008.
Held the position of Additional Principal Secretary to the PM from 2014 to 2019.
Extensive expertise in policy making and administration, including roles as Secretary of Agriculture and Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Chairman of the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC), and in disaster management.
Additional Appointments by ACC
New Advisors to the PM:
Amit Khare: Retired IAS officer appointed as Advisor to the PM.
Tarun Kapoor: Retired IAS officer appointed as Advisor to the PM.
Appointment Details:
Both advisors have been appointed in the rank and scale of Secretary to the Government for a period of two years, effective from June 10, 2024, or until further orders.
These appointments are on a contract basis as per usual terms and conditions.
About ACC
Chairperson: Narendra Modi
Headquarters: New Delhi, Delhi
2. Tesam Pongte Unanimously Elected as Speaker of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
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Tesam Pongte, MLA from Changlang North, has been elected unanimously as the Speaker of the 8th Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
An Overview of the News
The special session of the Assembly commenced with the election of the Speaker.
Pro-tem speaker Ninong Ering announced Tesam Pongte's election as Speaker, as no other nominations were received.
Kardo Nyigyor, MLA from Likabali, was also elected unopposed as the Deputy Speaker of the 8th State Legislative Assembly.
About Arunachal Pradesh
It is a state located in the northeastern region of India. It shares its borders with the countries of Bhutan, China and Myanmar.
Establishment:- 20 February 1987
Capital:- Itanagar (Executive Branch)
Chief Minister:- Pema Khandu
Official flower:- Rhynchostylis retusa
Official Animal:- Gayal
3. Mohan Charan Majhi Sworn in as Odisha's First BJP Chief Minister
Tags: Person in news State News
Mohan Charan Majhi was sworn in as the first BJP Chief Minister of Odisha in a grand ceremony in Bhubaneswar.
An Overview of the News
Alongside Majhi, two Deputy Chief Ministers, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, also took the oath.
Thirteen ministers were sworn in as part of the new government.
The oath was administered by Odisha Governor Raghubar Das.
The ceremony was attended by notable dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Nitin Gadkari, Jual Oram, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Bhupinder Yadav.
Many chief ministers from BJP-ruled states, BJD supremo and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik, and other dignitaries were also present.
About Odisha
Formation - 1 April 1936
Capital - Bhubaneswar
Governor - Raghubar Das
Chief minister - Mohan Charan Majhi
Rajya Sabha - 10 seats
Lok Sabha - 21 seats
4. Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev First Woman Helicopter Pilot in Indian Navy
Tags: Defence Person in news
Sub-Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev has made history as the Indian Navy's first female helicopter pilot.
An Overview of the News
She completed her training at INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, where she graduated from the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course (HCC).
Anamika is now qualified to pilot Sea Kings, ALH Dhruvs, Chetaks, and MH-60R Seahawks.
Lieutenant Jamyang Tsewang: First Naval Officer from Ladakh
Lieutenant Jamyang Tsewang became the first Commissioned Naval Officer from Ladakh.
He also completed his helicopter pilot training at INS Rajali as part of the 4th Basic Helicopter Conversion Course (BHCC).
Both Anamika and Jamyang were among the 21 officers awarded the Golden Wings at the passing out parade.
Significance of the Graduation Ceremony
The passing out parade marked the completion of Stage I training for the 4th BHCC.
It celebrated the graduation of the 102nd HCC, signifying a new cohort of trained helicopter pilots for the Indian Navy.
Historical Context
In 2018, Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian woman to fly a fighter aircraft solo.
5. Appointment of Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi as Chief of Army Staff
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Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi will assume the role of Chief of Army Staff from 30th June.
An Overview of the News
General Manoj C Pande will step down as Chief of the Army Staff on the same date.
Background of Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi:
Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi was born on 1st July 1964.
Commissioned into the Infantry (Jammu and Kashmir Rifles) of the Indian Army on 15th December 1984.
Has served for nearly 40 years in various capacities.
Career Highlights:
Served as Director General Infantry.
Held the position of General Officer Commanding in Chief, Headquarters Northern Command from 2022 to 2024.
Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff.
Education:
Alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa.
Holds an M Phil in Defence and Management Studies.
Holds two Master’s Degrees in Strategic Studies and Military Science.
Awards:
Decorated with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
Awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
Received three GOC-in-C Commendation Cards.
6. Harsh Malhotra Takes Charge as Minister of State for Corporate Affairs in New Delhi
Tags: Person in news National News
Harsh Malhotra has taken up the role of Minister of State for Corporate Affairs in New Delhi on June 12.
An Overview of the News
Upon assuming office, Malhotra received a briefing on the major initiatives and policy matters within the Ministry and its associated bodies.
He was informed about the current ongoing issues and the anticipated hurdles ahead.
Malhotra is a representative from the East Delhi Lok Sabha constituency.
About Harsh Malhotra
Malhotra, aged 60, is a first-time Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) from East Delhi in the 18th Lok Sabha.
Malhotra holds a science degree from Hansraj College, Delhi University.
Career Highlights in Public Service
Elected Councillor from Welcome ward in 2012
Mayor of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) in 2015
General Secretary of BJP's Delhi unit
7. Former Football Coach T.K. Chathunni Passes Away at 80 in Kerala
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Former India international TK Chathunni passed away on June 12 at the age of 80 in a private hospital in Kerala.
An Overview of the News
Chathunni was known for molding I.M. Vijayan into a renowned football player.
He significantly impacted the lives and careers of many other footballers.
Playing Career
Position: Defender
International Representation: Played for India in the 1973 Merdeka Cup in Kuala Lumpur and other tournaments.
Domestic Representation: Played in the Santosh Trophy for Services and Goa.
Coaching Career
Prominent Coach: Rose to prominence as one of India’s top football coaches.
Notable Achievements:
Mohun Bagan: Guided the team to its first National League title in the 1997-98 season.
Kerala Police: Coached the team to their first Federation Cup title in 1990.
Coaching Teams:
Goa Clubs: Salgaocar, Dempo, Churchill Brothers.
Kerala Clubs: FC Kochin, Viva Kerala, Josco FC.
Santosh Trophy: Kerala’s coach in 1979.
Influence and Recognition
Mentorship: Played a pivotal role in the development of players like U. Sharafali, V.P. Sathyan, C.V. Pappachan, and P.P. Thobias.
Early Training: Influenced I.M. Vijayan at a young age during a three-year camp in Thrissur.
Early Career and Clubs
Premier Tyres: Recruited as one of the first batch of players in 1972.
Other Clubs: Played for EME (Secunderabad) and Orkay Mills (then Bombay).
8. Mumbai Cricket Association President Amol Kale's Passing
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Amol Kale, President of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), has passed away due to a cardiac arrest in New York.
An Overview of the News
Kale had recently traveled to the United States and attended the India vs Pakistan match at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium alongside MCA secretary Ajinkya Naik and apex council member Suraj Samat.
Election and Tenure:
In 2022, Kale was elected as the MCA president, winning against World Cup champion Sandeep Patil.
During his tenure, the domestic cricket circuit saw significant success, and Mumbai secured the Ranji Trophy under his leadership.
About MCA
It serves as the governing body for cricket in Mumbai and surrounding areas such as Thane, Palghar district and Navi Mumbai.
Located at the Cricket Centre in Churchgate, Mumbai, the MCA administers cricket activities in the region.
It oversees the operations of the Mumbai cricket team.
The MCA is responsible for organizing and sanctioning cricket tournaments within the Mumbai district.
Founded:- 1930
Headquarters:- Cricket centre, Wankhede Stadium, Churchgate, Mumbai
Men's coach:- Omkar Salvi
9. Gautam Adani Reclaims Title of Asia's Richest Man
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Gautam Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, has reclaimed the title of Asia's richest person.
An Overview of the News
Adani's net worth: $111 billion (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).
Adani Group shares rallied up to 14% on 31 May, boosting Adani's net worth.
Adani overtakes Reliance Industries' Mukesh Ambani.
Ambani's net worth: $109 billion, ranking 12th globally.
Ambani had previously overtaken Adani after a share crash due to the Hindenburg report.
2024 Wealth Growth
Adani's net worth increase in 2024: $26.8 billion.
Ambani's net worth increase in 2024: $12.7 billion.
Challenges in 2023
Adani Group faced challenges due to the Supreme Court-ordered probe following the Hindenburg report.
Adani's ranking dropped rapidly after the report, from the third richest globally.
Global Rankings
Bernard Arnault: Richest in the world, $207 billion.
Elon Musk: Second, $203 billion.
Jeff Bezos: Third, $199 billion.
10. Sameer Bansal Appointed New MD and CEO of PNB MetLife India
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PNB MetLife India Insurance has appointed Sameer Bansal as the new Managing Director and CEO, effective July 1.
An Overview of the News
Bansal succeeds Ashish Srivastava, who has been appointed Managing Director for MetLife Inc’s global shared services team in India, based in New York.
Regulatory Approval: The appointment is pending necessary regulatory approvals.
Promoters: The company is promoted by MetLife International Holdings and Punjab National Bank.
Experience: Bansal brings over 25 years of experience in financial services, including expertise in bancassurance, agency, digital, employee benefits, and direct marketing business models.
About PNB MetLife India
PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) was established in 2001.
It is one of the leading life insurance companies in India.
Headquarters:- Mumbai
