1 Indian shooter Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal
On August 1, India got its third medal in the Paris Olympics . Shooter Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal in the men’s category of 50 meter rifle . India has got all three medals in this Olympics in shooting events only. Before Swapnil, Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh won bronze in shooting. Swapnil Kusale has won the gold medal in the 50 meter rifle prone 3 event in the Asian Shooting Championship held in Kuwait in 2015. He defeated shooters like Gagan Narang and Chain Singh in the 59th National Shooting Championship. 28-year-old Swapnil has been participating in international shooting events since 2012. Swapnil Kusale was born on August 6, 1995 in Pune, Maharashtra.
2 Supreme Court allows sub-classification within SC and ST for reservation
On August 1 , the Supreme Court overturned its 20-year-old decision on reservation quota . A bench of seven judges in the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, ruled that sub-classification within Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) by the state legislature is allowed . The Supreme Court rejected the 2004 EV Chinnaiya decision by a six to one vote. EV Chinnaiya had said in his decision that sub-classification of reservation of Scheduled Castes is not acceptable in recruitments and government jobs. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud cited historical evidence in his decision. He said that Scheduled Tribes are not upper castes. The Chief Justice said that its sub-classification is not a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution. Articles 15 and 16 do not prevent a state from sub-classifying a caste. Earlier on February 8 this year, the Supreme Court had reserved its order after hearing arguments of Attorney General R Venkataramani, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, senior advocate Kapil Sibal and other jurists. The central government has admitted that it is in favor of classification into Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In 2004, EV Chinnaiya had said in his decision that only Parliament, and not the state assemblies, can exclude castes considered Scheduled Castes from the President’s list under Article 341 of the Constitution.
3 Kashmir is the fourth Indian city to receive the World Crafts City certificate
The city of Kashmir received the certificate of World Crafts City from World Crafts Council International at a ceremony held in Srinagar, the capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, on 31 July 2024. The ceremony was attended by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha , World Crafts Council International Chairman Hani Al-Qaddumi Saad and other prominent personalities of the council. Earlier in June 2024, World Crafts Council International announced its decision to include Kashmir in its World Crafts City list. Kashmir is the fourth Indian city to be included in the World Crafts City list of World Crafts Council. Jaipur in Rajasthan and Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu were included in this list in 2015 and Mysore in Karnataka in 2018. While Jaipur, Mamallapuram and Kashmir have received the tag of World Crafts City, Mamallapuram has been recognized for its stone crafts (World Crafts City for stone carving).
4 Vikas Lakhera took over as Assam Rifles DG
On August 1, Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera took over as Director General (DG) of Assam Rifles . Vikas is the second Uttarakhand officer to be appointed to this post after General TPS Rawat. Vikas was earlier handling the responsibility of Inspector General (North) in Assam Rifles. In July 2024, Vikas Lakhera was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal. Earlier, he has been awarded the Army Medal, Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card and two GOC-in-C Commendation Cards. He was commissioned into the Indian Army’s Kik Light Infantry on 9 June 1990. He has also served as Deputy Military Advisor to the Army Chief.
5 Ukraine receives first F-16 fighter jet
On July 31, the US handed over the first F-16 fighter jet and a new air defense system to Ukraine . Ukraine will use this fighter jet and defense system in the war against Russia . Ukraine has received the F-16 fighter jet for the first time. The F-16 Fighter Falcon is an American multi-role fighter jet, built by General Dynamics of America . The F-16 is considered one of the most reliable fighter jets in the world. Apart from the US, Belgium and Pakistan use them a lot. Its speed is 2,414 kilometers per hour and range is up to 4,220 kilometers. It has an advanced radar system and is equipped with advanced weapons. The F-16 can reach a height of about 50 thousand feet in a minute. All NATO member countries including Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium and Norway will hand over more than 60 jets to Ukraine. Ukraine needs more than 130 F-16 jets in the ongoing war against Russia.
6 Shomita Biswas became the first woman Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Maharashtra
Indian Forest Service officer Shomita Biswas has become the first woman Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in Maharashtra . She took additional charge of the post in Nagpur. Forest Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar congratulated her and said that it is a matter of pride that women are working as Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and now Principal Chief Conservator of Forests in the state. Shomita Biswas is currently working as Chief Executive Officer of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority in Nagpur. She has previously worked in many important positions in the central and state administration.
7 Sanjay Shukla takes charge as MD of National Housing Bank
Sanjay Shukla has assumed charge as Managing Director of National Housing Bank (NHB) on July 30, 2024. According to the National Housing Bank, Sanjay Shukla took charge after his name was approved by the Government of India.
8 India and Vietnam signed nine agreements to strengthen comprehensive strategic partnership
India and Vietnam today signed nine agreements to strengthen comprehensive strategic partnership and enhance cooperation in the fields of customs, agriculture, legal, radio and television broadcasting, culture and tourism. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary East in New Delhi said . He said the two leaders agreed to enhance economic, strategic and cultural ties. Vietnam is a fast growing economy and India-Vietnam bilateral trade has reached $15 billion. He said the two countries stressed on increasing bilateral trade.
