India announces 400 million dollar currency swap for Sri Lanka

1.Maldives celebrates 55th Independence Day

Maldives is celebrating its 55th Independence day on 26 July.President Ramnath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended their greetings to the neighbouring country on the occasion.Indian government has also provided 6.2 tonnes of essential medicines under operation Sanjeevani and 600 tons of essential food items to Maldives amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.This year also marks 55 years of establishment of diplomatic ties between India and the Maldives.The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1965.

2.Trump administration eases drone export standards over MTCR commitments

The Donald Trump administration in the US on relaxed standards for exporting drones to friendly countries.Under the new policy, drones that fly at speeds below 800 km per hour are no longer subject to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).The United States remains a committed member of the MTCR and holds it as an important non-proliferation tool to curb the spread of high-end missile technologies to countries such as North Korea and Iran.

3.India announces 400 million dollar currency swap for Sri Lanka

Reserve Bank of India has signed necessary documents for extending a 400 million dollar currency swap facility with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.This currency swap arrangement will remain available till November 2022.The agreement followed talks between the two sides over past weeks to find ways of enhancing economic cooperation between the two neighbours.

4.Kargil Vijay Diwas: 26 July

On July 26, 2020, India marked Kargil Vijay Diwas.The day marks India’s victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war.On July 26, 1999, Indian Government culminated “Operation Vijay” and declared victory after a three-month long battle in Kargil.The Kargil War is an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place along Line of Control.

5.MyGov initiative completes 6 years

Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the efforts of everyone who have enriched MyGov endeavour of the government by their maximum and active participation.MyGov initiative completed 6 years.It was launched on 26 July 2014.It is a citizen engagement platform founded by the Government of India to promote the active participation of Indian citizens in their country’s governance and development.

6.5th phase of ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ to begin from 1st August

The fifth phase of the Vande Bharat Mission will begin from 1 August to rescue Indians stranded abroad.It will continue till 31st August this year.The detailed schedule of the mission will be shared soon.Evacuation and outbound travel of every stranded Indian is a priority and no one will be left behind.Over eight lakh 14 thousand people have returned since 6th May this year through various means under the Vande Bharat Mission.

7.Central govt issues certificate of GI registration for Saffron grown in Kashmir Valley

The Union Government has issued a certificate of GI registration for Saffron grown in the Kashmir Valley.With the GI tag, Kashmir Saffron will acquire more prominence in the export market and would help the farmers get a better remunerative price.The GI certification establishes specific geographical origin and certifies certain unique qualities of the product and enables those who have the right to use sign in order to prevent third parties using the sign.The GI certification would also stop the prevalent adulteration of Kashmir Saffron and thereby authenticated Saffron will fetch much better prices.

8.President Ram Nath Kovind completes three years in office

President Ram Nath Kovind has completed three years in office.Kovind hosted  nine state visits by Presidents and Heads of State from July last year to July this year.He hosted Heads of State from the US, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Brazil, Sweden, Mongolia, Netherlands, Portugal, and Myanmar and received 15 global leaders from five continents.13 Ordinances were promulgated by the President and 11 Governors of states were appointed.Ram Nath Kovind is the 14th and current President of India since 25 July 2017.Previously he had served as the 26th Governor of Bihar from 2015 to 2017 and was a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha from 1994 to 2006.

9.UNADAP Goodwill Ambassador for the Poor highlights various welfare measures taken by govt in her video address to UN conference

Ms Netra, who had been selected as Goodwill Ambassador for the Poor and the Downtrodden by the United Nations Association for Development and Peace, has highlighted the various welfare measures taken by the government in her video address to the UN conference held in New York.She reiterated her commitment to continue her efforts at improving the living circumstances of the poor.Netra, a native of Madurai, Tamilnadu, had been mentioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat programme for her admirable decision of donating 5 lakh rupees saved for her higher education, to Covid-19 relief measures in Madurai.Later she was elected as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Association for Development and Peace, an affiliated organisation of the UNO.

10.TRIFED enters into partnership with IIT, Delhi for Unnat Bharat Abhiyan

Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India, TRIFED, under Tribal Affairs Ministry, has entered into a partnership with IIT, Delhi for the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA) which is a flagship national programme of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.Tribal entrepreneurs under TRIFED’s Van Dhan Programme will now be able to get access to the expertise of the entire network of over 2,600 academic and research institutions under Unnat Bharat Abhiyan.This partnership can help promote enhancing livelihoods through the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras established under the Van Dhan Yojana.With this  partnership, the tribal forest dwellers engaged in Minor Forest Produces will get an exposure to newer processing technologies, product innovation, mentorship, transformational digital systems and handholding.

11.Amit Shah distributed 100 electric potter wheels under KVIC’s Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana

Union Home Minister Amit Shah distributed 100 electric potter wheels among as many trained artisans in Gujarat under the ”Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana” of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).The initiative would go a long way in strengthening the marginalised potters community by incorporating technology to improve productivity while also reviving the traditional art of pottery.Shah appreciated the efforts of the KVIC in providing sustainable employment opportunities to the weaker sections through its schemes.Kumbhar Sashaktikaran Program is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) for empowerment of the potters community in the remotest of locations in the country.It was launched in 2018.

12.Haryana to host 4th Khelo India Youth Games

Haryana will host the 4th Khelo India Youth Games.The Khelo India Youth Games is scheduled to take place after the Tokyo Olympics next year.The Games will be held at Panchkula in Haryana.Usually the Khelo India Youth Games take place in January every year.This time owing to the pandemic they have been postponed.