Daily Current Affairs and GK | 24 August 2024

Topic: National Appointments

1. M. Suresh has assumed the additional charge of Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

• M. Suresh currently serves as a member (Air Navigation Services) in the AAI.
• He will hold the charge in addition to his current responsibilities for a period of three months or until further orders.
• He has been a member of the Airports Authority of India since September 2, 2021.
• He has vast experience as Regional Executive Director (North East Region) and Airport Director at Goa, Jammu, and Madurai Airports.
• He is an Air Navigation Service technical expert and has vast experience in the planning, provision, operation & maintenance of CNS facilities.

Topic: Space and IT

2. India launched its 1st reusable hybrid rocket, 'RHUMI-1'.

• ‘RHUMI-1, India’s first reusable hybrid rocket, has been developed by the Tamil Nadu-based start-up Space Zone India with Martin Group.
• It has been launched from Thiruvidandhai in Chennai.
• The rocket carried 3 cube satellites and 50 PICO satellites. It has been launched into a suborbital trajectory through a mobile launcher.
• These satellites will be used to collect data for research purposes on global warming and climate change.
• The RHUMI Rocket is equipped with a generic fuel-based hybrid motor and an electrically triggered parachute deployer. It is 100% pyrotechnic-free and 0% TNT.
• The RHUMI mission is led by Anand Megalingam, the founder of the Space Zone.
• The RHUMI-1 rocket used both liquid and solid fuel propellant systems to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.
• Space Zone India is an aero-technology company that is working to provide low-cost and long-term solutions in the space industry.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

3. National Medical Register Portal was launched by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in New Delhi.

• On August 23, the National Medical Register portal launched by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in New Delhi for the registration of all MBBS doctors eligible for registration in India.
• This portal will be a comprehensive and dynamic database of all Allopathic (MBBS) registered doctors in the country.
• The National Medical Register is a much-awaited step in this direction, which will strengthen the digital healthcare ecosystem and ensure quality healthcare for people.
• The government will also launch a similar register for paramedics and other health professionals.
• The National Medical Commission is authorised under the NMC Act, which states that the Board of Ethics and Medical Registration shall maintain a National Register in electronic form.
• This shall contain the name, address and all recognised qualifications of the licensed medical practitioner.

Topic: Agriculture and Allied Sector

4. Food business operators ordered by FSSAI to remove all claims related to A1 and A2 types of milk.

• Food business operators (FBOs) and e-commerce FBOs have been asked by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to remove all claims about A1 and A2 types of milk and milk products from all packaging.
• FSSAI issued this direction after it found that several FBOs were selling milk and milk products such as ghee, butter and curd under A1 and A2 classification using the FSSAI licence number.
• The A1 and A2 differentiation of milk is essentially linked to differences in the protein structure, and hence, any A2 claim on milk fat products is misleading and not in conformity with the provisions of the FSS Act 2006 and its regulations.
• The milk standards specified in the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 do not mention or recognise any differentiation of milk based on A1 and A2 types.
• FSSAI asked e-commerce FBOs to immediately remove all claims related to A1 and A2 proteins from their websites.

Topic: National Appointment

5. Rajesh Nambiar named President-designate of NASSCOM.

• On August 21, IT industry body National Association of Software Services Companies (NASSCOM) announced the appointment of Rajesh Nambiar as its president-designate.
• Nambiar, who resigned as chairman and managing director of Cognizant India, will replace Debjani Ghosh at Nasscom, whose term will complete in November 2024.
• Nambiar is an industry veteran, having worked with and led global teams at TCS, IBM, Ciena, and Cognizant.
• He was a member of the NASSCOM Executive Council before being elected President in 2023.
• His leadership and strategic initiatives have been instrumental in establishing India's tech sector as a global leader.

Topic: Sports

6. Indian women won the team title for the first time at the Under-17 Wrestling World Championships in Jordan.

• Indian women continued their dominance at the ongoing Under-17 World Wrestling Championship in Amman, Jordan, winning the team title for the first time with 185 points.
• With 146 points, Japan finished second and Kazakhstan finished third with 79 points.
• Kajal became the fifth wrestler from the country to win a gold medal.
• Kajal won her bout in the 69kg weight category by defeating Oleksandr Rybak of Ukraine 9-2.
• However, in the 46kg weight category, Shrutika Patil had to settle for a silver medal after losing to Japanese wrestler Yuu Katsume.
• Raj Bala won the bronze medal in the 40kg category with a 11-5 win over Japan's Monaka Umekawa.
• Muskan, on the other hand, added an additional medal to India's kitty by defeating USA's Isabella Gonzales on the basis of technical superiority in the 53kg bronze play-off.
• Indian women won eight medals including five gold, one silver and two bronze.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/Karnataka

7. On August 25, Kaanu will be launched at the Tribal Health Resource Centre (THRC) at BR Hills, Karnataka.

• Kaanu is going to be an Adivasi Knowledge Centre for South India.
• Kaanu means evergreen forest in both Kannada and Soliga language.
• Kaanu aims to become the first-ever knowledge hub about the history, culture, and customs of South Indian Adivasis.
• The three branches of Kaanu are listed below.
  • A library featuring literature by and on the Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka indigenous communities
  • Kaanu annotated bibliography with more than 1,200 historical and modern works about the South Indian Adivasi world
  • A book coauthored by researchers who are Adivasis and non-Adivasis from South India
• The creators of this initiative include a group of academics and leaders from several Adivasi communities in South India, as well as non-Adivasi researchers.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. Agreements in the fields of agriculture, medicine, and cultural cooperation have been signed by India and Ukraine.

• Under the direction of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, four important documents that will improve bilateral ties in various sectors were signed.
• A framework for cooperation in the food industry and agriculture is part of the agreements.
• A MoU was signed in the area of medical product regulation by the State Service of Ukraine on Medicines and Drugs Control and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation of India.
• Another MoU lays out the framework for Indian humanitarian grant support for high-impact community development initiatives in Ukraine.
• A Program of Cultural Cooperation spanning the years 2024–2028 was also signed.
• The goal of this program is to strengthen cultural links between Ukraine and India.

Topic: Indian Economy

9. US emerged as India's top trading partner during this year’s January-June.

• Exports to the US increased from $37.7 billion in January-June 2023 to $41.6 billion in January-June 2024, a growth of 10.5%.
• India recorded the highest trade deficit of $41.6 billion with China during the period.
• India exports goods to 239 countries, of which 126 showed positive growth in exports.
• India’s merchandise exports increased 5.41% to $230.51 billion during the first half of 2024.
• India’s exports to Italy, Belgium, Nepal, and Hong Kong have declined.
• Imports from Russia grew to $34.4 billion from $30.8 billion, an 11.65% increase.
• China remained the largest import supplier as imports increased from $46.2 billion to $50.1 billion.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

10. Central government launched a centralized portal for construction workers.

• The government launched a portal named Building and Other Construction Workers (BoCW) Management Information System (MIS) for construction workers.
• It was launched during a review meeting chaired by labour secretary Sumita Dawra.
• This portal will function as the centralized data management system for the compilation and analysis of the data obtained from the BoCW welfare boards of the states.
• States/UTs have to register on the portal and update details including fund utilisation and registration of workers under various Central and State schemes.
• This portal will also provide information on social security benefits, insurance, health benefits, and housing schemes, among others.
• Around 57 million workers registered with the building and construction workers welfare boards of various states & UTs.
• The boards have spent more than Rs 66,000 crore on providing benefits under various welfare schemes to these workers.

Topic: Banking System

11. Anil Ambani banned from capital markets for five years by SEBI.

• Market regulator SEBI has barred Anil Dhirubhai Ambani from capital markets for five years and imposed a fine of Rs 25 crore on him for siphoning off funds from Reliance Home Finance.
• SEBI has banned key officials of Reliance Home Finance and 27 other entities from the capital markets.
• Anil Ambani will not be able to hold any position such as directorship or key managerial role in any listed company or any intermediary registered with SEBI for a period of five years.
• The market regulator imposed a total fine of Rs 6 lakh on Reliance Home Finance and also barred it from the securities market for six months.
• SEBI has asked the entities to pay the fine within 45 days of receiving the order.
• Noticee No. 1 (RHFL) is prohibited from accessing the securities market and from buying, selling, or dealing in securities, directly or indirectly, for 6 months from the date this order takes effect.
• Additionally, RHFL is barred from any association with the securities market in any manner during this period.
• RHFL offers home loans, loan against property, construction finance etc. as a part of its business.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

12. Innovative Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) Project unveiled in Varanasi by strategic alliance between NMCG, IIT (BHU) and Denmark.

• The Green Strategic Partnership between the Governments of India and Denmark has fostered significant collaboration, resulting in the establishment of the Smart Laboratory on Clean Rivers (SLCR) in Varanasi.
• This alliance is a unique tripartite initiative between the Government of India (Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation), Indian Institute of Technology – Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) and the Government of Denmark.
• It aims to bring excellence in conservation and management of small rivers.
• SLCR aims to conserve the Varuna River using a sustainable approach by leveraging expertise from both countries.
• Its objectives also include creating a collaborative platform for government bodies, knowledge institutions and local communities to share knowledge and develop solutions for clean river water.
• The initiative involves setting up a hybrid lab model at IIT-BHU and an on-field living lab on the Varuna River to virtually test and benchmark solutions.
• The Indo-Danish Joint Steering Committee (JSC) is the apex forum for SLCR which provides strategic guidance and reviews progress.
• The Project Review Committee (PRC) comprising members from National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), Central Water Commission (CWC), Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), IIT-BHU and Danish Urban Sector Consultant will oversee quality control at the project level.
• The SLCR Secretariat will receive an initial funding of Rs 16.80 crore from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and an additional grant of Rs 5 crore from Denmark to provide support in long-term sustainability and project development.

Topic: International News

13. India and Poland have elevated their relations to “strategic partnership.”

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on an official visit to Poland from August 21–22, 2024.
• Both countries have elevated their bilateral relations to the status of a “Strategic Partnership”.
• This new strategic partnership between India and Poland aims to unlock the full potential of their relationship.
• A joint statement and an action plan for the years 2024–2028 were also finalized.
• Both countries’ leaders agreed to deepen bilateral, regional, and international cooperation to create a more stable, prosperous, and sustainable world.
• Both sides acknowledged the necessity of cooperation in the fields of defence and security.
• Both sides agreed to fully utilize the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation to explore new areas of collaboration.
• Both countries leaders also reiterated their stance against the use of nuclear weapons and stressed the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Topic: Sports

14. Diana Pundole became the first female national racing champion from India.

• Diana Pundole won the national championship title in the saloon category at the MRF Indian National Car Racing Championship 2024 in Chennai.
• She is a mother of two children and a teacher in Pune.
• She was one of 200 women selected from across India to undergo rigorous trials as part of a national talent hunt.
• Her approach to studying data and refining her driving techniques has been instrumental in her success on the track.
• She is the first and only female participant in the prestigious Indian Touring Cars mixed category.