Daily Current Affairs and GK | 19 July 2024

Topic: State News/ Punjab

1. President returned Punjab government bill seeking removal of Governor as Chancellor.

• The Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 has been returned by President Droupadi Murmu to the Punjab government.
• It has proposed to replace Punjab governor with the chief minister as the chancellor of the state universities.
• On Dec 6 last year, Governor Banwarilal Purohit had reserved three Bills passed by the Punjab assembly in June 2023.
• If the Governor does not want to give assent to any Bill, then he sends it to the President for assent.
• Punjab Universities Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023 and three others bills were passed by the Punjab Assembly in June 2023.
• Under Article 201, if the Governor reserves a Bill for President's consideration, the President may assent to or withhold assent from the Bill.

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

2. India’s Counter-Drone Market will register 28% annual growth over next five years.

• As per a report by financial services company Motilal Oswal, in the next five years, India’s counter-drone market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 28%.
• The counter-drone systems market will reach to Rs 120 billion (approximately $1.6 billion) over the next five years.
• This projection is based on the requirement for nearly 1,200 counter-drone systems, each costing between Rs 80 to 150 million.
• It will create an annual market opportunity of nearly Rs 24 billion.
• The military training simulators market in India is projected to reach between Rs 140 and 150 billion over the next five years.
• The broader defense electronics market in India is expected to reach $7 billion by 2030, growing at an annual rate of 15.7%.
• At present, 60% of electronic components are supplied by foreign manufacturers.
• The changing nature of warfare, including the increased use of drones for various purposes, is increasing the demand for anti-drone systems.

Topic: MoUs /Agreements

3. “The Voice Box” – an upskilling program will be launched in partnership by NFDC and Netflix.

• National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), has joined hands with Netflix India to launch “The Voicebox”, a skill upgradation program for voice-over artists in India.
• The Voicebox program will provide Recognition of Prior Learning Training (RPL) for voice-over artists, focusing on English, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Gujarati languages.
• As part of the program, structured workshops, including training (featuring guest lectures and mentoring sessions), will be conducted.
• This will be followed by assessments across seven major cities in India – New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi.
• Each batch will consist of 30 candidates, with 210 participants selected through preliminary screening. At least 50% of the participants will be women.
• Pearl Academy – India’s leading design institute will be on board as the training partner for this program.
• Seven top participants from each batch will be selected to contribute to Netflix's special project, “Azadi Ki Amrit Kahaniyaan”, where they will lend their voices to narrate stories depicting the Indian freedom movement.
• This Voicebox program is sponsored by the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity.
• It has dedicated US$100 million per year over five years to set up underrepresented communities for success in the TV and film industries through programs around the world.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: National News

4. “Lok Samvardhan Parv” inaugurated by Union Minister Shri Kiren Rijiju at Delhi Haat, New Delhi on 18th July.

• The Ministry of Minority Affairs is organizing Lok Samvardhan Parv as part of the 100 Days Program to publicize its schemes, programs, and achievements.
• This event will also showcase the activities being carried out in collaboration with partner organizations and highlight success stories under various schemes.
• It is a ten day festival held at Delhi Haat.
• On this occasion, Shri Kiren Rijiju also released the scheme for providing loan facility of more than 1 thousand crores by National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) to more than 2.5 lakh beneficiaries for the year 2024-24.
• During the inaugural ceremony, MoU was also signed between NMDFC and Indian Bank, Union Bank of India and Punjab Gramin Bank for implementation of various schemes of NMDFC by these banks.
• Lok Samvardhan Parv is showcasing and celebrating over 70 exquisite handicrafts and handloom products by 162 artisans belonging to minority communities from different states.
• These participants also include artisans promoted by NIFT, NID and other Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) through various schemes of the Ministry.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Infrastructure and Energy

5. MV Sea Change, world first commercial passenger ferry powered by 100% hydrogen, launched at the San Francisco Ferry Building.

• Started on July 19, the 70-foot catamaran can carry up to 75 passengers between Pier 41 and the downtown San Francisco ferry terminal.
• Unlike current diesel-powered boats, which emit pollutants, the hydrogen-powered Sea Change produces only heat and water vapor as byproducts.
• Under the pilot program, this service will be free for six months.
• Sea Change can travel approximately 300 nautical miles and operate for up to 16 hours before needing to refuel.
• Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen in an electrochemical reaction.
• The vessel was constructed at Bay Ship and Yacht in Alameda, California, and All-American Marine in Bellingham, Washington.
• The project was financed and managed by SWITCH Maritime.
• This technology can help clean up the shipping industry, which generates about 3% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions.

Topic: International Appointments

6. Georges Elhedery, the Chief Financial Officer, will become Group CEO, according to HSBC Holdings plc.

• Elhedery will replace outgoing chief Noel Quinn from September 2.
• Since 2020, Elhedery has been co-head of the Global Banking and Markets business, the division that houses HSBC's trading and investment banking advisory businesses.
• Elhedery began his career in banking as a rates trader before joining HSBC in 2005.
• He also served as CEO of HSBC's Middle East, North Africa and Turkiye region between July 2016 and February 2019.
• HSBC is a British bank and financial services group. It is headquartered in London, England.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

7. 2^nd phase of Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) initiative inaugurated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on 19 July 2024.

• He said the goal of KIRTI is to create an integrated talent identification architecture that is based on best practices from around the world and modern ICT tools.
• With the help of this initiative, grassroots talent identification will be streamlined and done on a single platform.
• By onboarding all states, the project aims to complete 20 lakh assessments in 2024–2025.
• Previously, on March 12, 2024, KIRTI's first phase was launched in Chandigarh. 
• Throughout 70 centres, 3,62,683 registrations were made during this phase.
• Evaluation of aspiring athletes was done in 11 disciplines.
• The disciplines were Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Football, Hockey, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
• Football and athletics have seen the most evaluations.

Topic: National News

8. India and Malaysia have decided to increase cooperation in the field of palm oil.

• Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met the Minister of Plantations and Commodities of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani in New Delhi.
• At the meeting, they discussed opportunities to deepen the bilateral agriculture cooperation between India and Malaysia.
• They also discussed the market access issues related to agriculture and allied products.
• They also discussed issues related to the application of digital technology in the plantation sector.
• Ministers also discussed the National Mission on Edible Oils.
• National Mission for Edible Oils - Oil Palm (NMEO-OP) was launched by Government of India in August 2021.
• It aims to increase Crude Palm Oil production to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26. It is currently operational in 15 states nationwide.
• Palm oil is used as edible oil and biofuel. Oil Palm has highest vegetable oil yielding capability per hectare.
• Major oil palm growing States are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. These states account for 98% of total production.

Topic: International News

9. Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) is set to get diplomatic status.

• The Indian government is likely to sign a headquarters agreement with the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).
• GBA's diplomatic status and recognition as an international organisation will be similar to the status given to the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
• After this agreement, GBA will be an independent and international legal persona that will carry out its functions in a more efficient manner at the international level.
• It will give immunities and privileges to the organization as an international organization. Its secretariat will also be set up in a country.
• Global Biofuels Alliance:
  • It is a multi-stakeholder alliance of governments, international Organizations and industries.
  • 24 countries and 12 international organizations have already agreed to join the alliance.
  • It was launched in New Delhi on September 9, 2023.
  • The aim of the global biofuel alliance will be to facilitate cooperation and intensify the use of sustainable biofuels.
  • It aims to make biofuels a key component of the energy transition and contribute to jobs and economic growth.

Topic: Reports and Indices/Ranking

10. "E-mobility R&D Roadmap for India” report has been released by the Principal Scientific Adviser.

• The R&D roadmap has been prepared after detailed horizon scanning of the global automotive sector and identifying future cutting-edge technological requirements.
• The official launch event of this report was attended by government officials, members of the Consultative Group on e-Mobility (CGeM), representatives from industry and think tanks, and members of the press and media.
• It categorizes research projects into four important areas: Energy Storage Cells, EV Aggregates, Materials and Recycling, Charging and Refueling, and provides clear pathways to attain global leadership by being Atmanirbhar in the next five years.
• e-mobility and EVs have occupied significant mind space in India among policymakers.
• Prof. Karthick Athmanathan indicated that the research projects have been identified by the experts on both technology deployment and market leadership as the primary objectives.
• India aims to achieve a 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030 and energy independence by 2047 to reach a net-zero commitment by 2070.
• The automobile sector in India is one of the largest contributors to the country's GDP.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Indian Polity

11. With the swearing-in of two judges, the number of members in the Supreme Court was complete.

• On July 18, Justice N Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, took oath of office and became the first judge from Manipur to be elevated to the Supreme Court.
• Acting Chief Justice of Madras High Court R Mahadevan was also sworn in as a Supreme Court judge.
• The oath of office was administered to both the judges by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud at a ceremony held at the Supreme Court premises.
• With the swearing-in, the number of judges in the apex court, including the Chief Justice of India, has increased to 34.
• With 34 judges, the Supreme Court will function until Justice Hima Kohli retires on September 1, 2024, followed by Chief Justice Chandrachud, who will retire on November 10 this year.
• On July 11, a five-member collegium headed by the Chief Justice had recommended the names of Singh and Mahadevan to the Centre for promotion to the Supreme Court.

Topic: Important Days

12. Nelson Mandela International Day 2024: 18 July

• It is observed each year on July 18 in commemoration of the birthday of Nelson Mandela.
• United Nations officially declared Nelson Mandela International Day in November 2009, and it was first celebrated on 18 July 2010.
• The theme of Nelson Mandela International Day 2024 is " Combating poverty and inequality is in our hands."
• On 10 May 1994, Mandela became the first democratically elected black President of South Africa and is known in South Africa as the 'Father of the Nation'.
• Throughout his life, Mandela fought for freedom and justice, which led to his being imprisoned for 27 years.
• In 1964 he was sentenced to life imprisonment for planning to overthrow South Africa's apartheid government.
• In 1990, he was released and worked tirelessly to end racism in the country.

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

13. Chandipura virus caused 15 deaths in Gujarat.

• The National Institute of Virology has confirmed the death of a girl from the Chandipura virus.
• As per the State Health Department’s figures, a total of 29 suspected cases have been reported from the State.
• Chandipura virus causes fever, with symptoms similar to flu, and acute encephalitis.
• This pathogen is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae.
• It transmits through vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and sandflies. It is believed that it spread through female Phlebotomine sandflies.
• Chandipura virus mainly affects children under 15 years of age in rural areas.
• The 2003 outbreak associated with the Chandipura virus in Andhra Pradesh caused the deaths of childrens between 9 months and 14 years.
• There is no specific antiviral agent to treat the Chandipura virus and there is no vaccine available.

Topic: Sports

14. Shaurya Bawa won the bronze medal at the World Junior Squash Championships 2024.

• Shaurya Bawa became the second Indian male squash player to win a medal at the Junior World Championships.
• In the Semi-finals, Shaurya Bawa lost to Egyptian Mohamed Zakaria in straight games (11-5, 11-5, 11-9) in 41 minutes.
• Shaurya Bawa had entered the quarter-finals after defeating Argentina’s Segundo Portabales.
• Kush Kumar was the last Indian to reach the semi-finals of this tournament back in 2014.
• Anahat Singh missed out on a medal in the women’s singles event.