1 Shri Rakesh Pal appointed as 25th Director General of Indian Coast Guard
Shri Rakesh Pal has been appointed as the new Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) . He is the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. He is an alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy and had joined the Indian Coast Guard in January 1989. He has received professional expertise in gunnery and weapon systems from the Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi. Along with this he has done Electro-Optics Fire Control Solution course from United Kingdom. He has the distinction of being the first gunner of ICG.
2 Ms. Nivruti Rai has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Invest India
Ms. Nivruti Rai has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of Invest India . He told Ms. Manmeet K. Joint Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) . Nanda , who assumed the additional charge of MD & CEO in the interim in March 2023. Ms. Rai was also conferred with the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar for her outstanding contribution in the field of technology . Ms. Nivruti Rai Intl has joined Invest India after providing 29 years of illustrious service as a global business and technology leader. She was leading Intel India as Country Head for the last 07 years and spearheaded Intel’s growth and investments in the country. Invest India’s Stakeholders identified by Make in India, Startup India, National Single Window System, Project Monitoring Group and Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council This is done for its concrete contribution and important role in implementing the major initiatives of the government including. Invest India leverages experts from the private sector to deliver on the government’s vision, which includes high standards of transparency, ethics and corporate governance. The Chairman of the Board of Invest India is Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, DPIIT.
3 Surat Diamond Bourse became the world’s largest office building
Although the city of Surat in Gujarat is known for its diamond business , but now another achievement has been added to the name of Surat. The largest diamond exchange in Surat has left behind America’s Pentagon . America’s Pentagon was till now considered the world’s largest executive building. But now Surat’s Diamond Exchange (Surat diamond bourse) has got this title. 65000 Diamond employees will work in this building. These include diamond professionals, cutters, polishers and traders. The floor space of this building is 7.1 million square feet. It took 4 years for this building to be ready. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially inaugurate this building in November. (PM Narendra Modi) will be done. Tell that 90 percent of the world’s diamonds are cut in Surat.
4 Universal Postal Union to evaluate UPI for cross-border remittances using global postal network
Universal Postal Union (UPU) integrates Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with cross-border remittances using the global postal network announced plans to evaluate the integration of The objective of this assessment is to explore the potential of UPI in facilitating international money transfers efficiently and securely. UPI offers secure, convenient and real-time payments which makes it a promising platform for cross border remittances. By leveraging the global postal network with wide reach and infrastructure, the reach of UPI-enabled remittances can further expand. Integration of UPI with postal channels can provide citizens with a reliable and accessible remittance solution, especially in remote areas where traditional banking services are limited. This initiative is in line with the UPU’s goal of promoting efficient and inclusive postal services globally.
5 Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Recently, delegates from around the world gathered at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy for the 19th session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA). The five-day session will focus on three key themes: review of work on biodiversity, nutrition and human health; Access and benefit-sharing in food and agriculture; Digital sequence information for food and agriculture. The CGRFA is a specialized agency of the FAO of the United Nations. It is the main intergovernmental body that deals with all matters related to biodiversity for food and agriculture. Its goal is to conserve and use it for food security, human welfare and development in the world.
6 Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region
Recently Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (Organic Value Chain Development) The review was done with a focus on how to clear the committed liability of Phase III as well as prepare a roadmap for the implementation of Phase IV of the plan starting from the year 2023-24. Realizing the potential of organic farming in the North-Eastern region of the country, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has launched “Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North-Eastern Region” for implementation in the states of Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya in the 12th plan period. It is a Central Sector Scheme aimed at developing certified organic produce in a value chain mode to link producers with consumers for processing, marketing and brand building initiatives, from inputs, seeds, certification to collection,
7 India-Russia Vande Bharat deal
The India-Russia Vande Bharat joint venture contract was recently renewed after two Russian businesses Locomotive Electronic Systems and Metrowagonmash signed a share purchase agreement with Kinnet Railway Solutions Ltd, a subsidiary of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) . The JV aims to manufacture 120 Vande Bharat train sets. The joint venture aims to develop two prototype trains by June 2025, followed by annual production of 12 to 18 trains. Under this, maintenance services will be provided for 35 years with a total investment of US$ 1.8 billion for train supply and US$ 2.5 billion for maintenance.
8 26 Opposition parties form Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance
26 opposition parties have formed the Indian National Development Inclusive Alliance – India to contest the Lok Sabha elections against the National Democratic Alliance-NDA. Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge in Bengaluru It was announced after the meeting of the opposition parties. Talking to reporters, Mr. Kharge said that in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the India Alliance will compete with the NDA. Giving information about the resolutions of the meeting, he said that the next meeting of this alliance will be held in Mumbai, in which it will be decided to form a coordination committee of 11 members. The next Lok Sabha elections will be fought under this committee only. A coordinator will be chosen from among these members. A secretariat will be set up in Delhi to prepare the campaign strategy and common minimum program for the alliance. The meeting of opposition leaders was attended by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Nitish Kumar, Sharad Pawar, Uddhav Thackeray and Lalu Prasad, among others.
9 Two-day Library Festival 2023 to be organized on August 5 at Pragati Maidan
A two-day Library Festival 2023 will be organized on August 5 at Pragati Maidan . President Draupadi Murmu will inaugurate the festival . Briefing reporters in New Delhi, Union Minister of State for Culture, Arjun Ram Meghwal said that both libraries and digital libraries will be promoted in the festival. He said that the importance of the library will always remain. Shri Meghwal said that the development of libraries is the priority of the government.
10 Asian Development Bank has retained India’s growth forecast for the current financial year at 6.4 percent
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has maintained India’s economic growth at 6.4 per cent for the current financial year and has projected a growth of 6.7 per cent for the next financial year. The bank has said that strong domestic demand will continue to aid economic recovery. In the new edition of the Asian Development Outlook, the ADB said that inflation is expected to continue declining, returning to pre-pandemic levels, fuel and food prices easing. The Asian Development Bank has projected inflation of 3.6 percent this year and 3.4 percent in 2024 for developing countries in Asia. The Indian economy grew by seven point two percent in the 2022-23 financial year ending March 2023.
11 Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to inaugurate the Global Food Regulatory Summit 2023 in New Delhi
Union Health Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the Global Food Regulatory Summit 2023 in New Delhi . The two-day meeting aims to create a global regulatory platform for the development of food safety systems and regulatory framework through collaboration. This meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange policies for ensuring food security. The meeting will evolve an appropriate approach on food safety policy keeping in view the emerging food hazards, new technologies and changing needs of the consumers. The summit will host a number of technical sessions including Global Regulatory Framework, Global Food Security Challenges and Solutions and Impact of Animal Feed on Food Security and Human Health.
12 Neeraj Akhouri elected president of Cement Manufacturers Association
The Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) , the apex body of India’s major cement manufacturers, unanimously elected Neeraj Akhoury, MD, Shree Cement, as the President and Parth Jindal , MD, JSW Cement , as the Vice-President. Akhoury took over from KC Jhanwar, Managing Director, UltraTech Cement Limited.
13 Fourth Employment Working Group meeting in Indore, Madhya Pradesh under India’s G-20 Chairmanship
A presentation was made on the world’s largest database of unorganized workers e-Labour and National Career Service Portal at the 4th Employment Working Group meeting under India’s G-20 Presidency at Indore , Madhya Pradesh . Representatives of Indonesia and Brazil also made statements in the inaugural session. The draft ministerial declaration and outcome documents were discussed in other sessions during the day. Earlier, morning yoga session was also organized for the international delegates.
14 Indian Army launches all-women tri-service motorcycle rally from New Delhi to Drass to celebrate 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas
Indian Army marches ‘ Women Empowerment Women ‘ of all three wings of the Army from National War Memorial, Delhi to Kargil War Memorial, Drass (Ladakh) to mark 24 years of victory over Pakistan in 1999 Kargil War and to highlight the indomitable spirit of women Motorcycle Rally ‘ launched. Army Chief General Manoj Pandey flagged off the All Women Motorcycle Rally from National War Memorial, New Delhi on 18 Jul 23. Mrs. Archana Pandey, President, Army Wives Welfare Association was also present on the occasion. Several military and civilian dignitaries including the Business Head – Premium of TVS Motor Company and other sponsors were present to unfurl the flag at the National War Memorial.
15 Treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
A collaborative effort between doctors from Tamil Nadu , India, and scientists from Japan has resulted in the development of a disease-modifying treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) . This treatment uses a food additive called beta-glucan , which is derived from the N-163 strain of the yeast Aureobasidium pullulans . The six-month long clinical study involved 27 children with DMD, 18 in the treatment group and 9 in the control group. All victims (age >3) in the study were given beta-glucan as a food supplement in addition to regular treatment. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare genetic disease that refers to the inability of the muscles to produce dystrophin . It is an enzyme that aids in the breakdown of muscle as well as in its regeneration. It only affects boys. Absence of dystrophin causes muscle damage resulting in muscle weakness and wheelchair dependence in early adolescence, which can lead to premature death.
16 New diarrhea-causing parasite: Entamoeba moshkovskii
A recent three-year study by the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (ICMR-NICED) revealed the emergence of Entamoeba moshkovskii (E. moshkovskii) as a major pathogen causing diarrhea in Kolkata . A previously non-pathogenic amoeba, Entamoeba moshkovskii has now become the primary cause of amoebic infections, overtaking the once dominant pathogen E.histolytica . The study found that more than 3% of patients with diarrhea were infected with E.moshkovskii, making it the leading cause of amoebic infections in Kolkata. Infections caused by the previously dominant amoeba pathogen E.histolytica have decreased, while E.moshkovskii cases have increased.
17 Nokia and TSSC launch 5G Skill Development Center in Gujarat
In partnership with Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC) and Kaushalya – The Skill University , Nokia has announced the setting up of a 5G Skill Development Center in Gujarat . The Center of Excellence (CoE) at ITI Kubernagar will set up a skill lab dedicated to training individuals in 5G technology skills.
18 META and Microsoft launch AI language model ‘Lama-2’
Meta and Microsoft have announced an expansion of their artificial intelligence partnership by jointly introducing their new large language model (LLM) called Llama 2. This state-of-the-art language model is now available for both research and commercial use, making it a potential competitor to ChatGPT (OpenAI) and Bard (Google) . Offering Llama 2 free of charge increases its accessibility and usability across a variety of domains. The Lama 2 comes in three different sizes: 7B, 13B, and 70B. This new language model (LLM) demonstrates better performance than other open-source LLMs in various external benchmarks, excelling in reasoning, coding proficiency, and knowledge tests.
19 Communist leader N. Shankaraiah to be conferred with honorary doctorate
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced that veteran communist leader N. Sankaraiah conferred with honorary doctorate from Madurai Kamaraj University will be given. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin along with veteran communist leader N. Shankaraiah, who dedicated his life to the poor and needy. Sanakariya, born on 15 July 1921, is a Communist Party of India politician and independence activist. Shankaraiah celebrated his 102nd birthday on 15 July 2023. He is the last living freedom fighter of India. In 1931, when Shankaraiah was just nine years old, he participated in a rally condemning the hanging of Bhagat Singh—his first political activity. Sankaraiah studied history at the American College in Madurai. He was the secretary of the Madurai Students’ Organisation, and in that capacity he invited Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to deliver a lecture. For this he was arrested in 1941, Just 15 days before their graduation course exams. After spending 18 months in jail, Sankaraiah was released in June 1942. After release, he became a full-time Communist Party worker. Tamil Nadu government in 2021 N. Sankaraiah was honored with the award of “Thagasal Thamizhar”.
