Daily Current Affairs and GK | 28 August 2024

Topic: Indian Economy

1. SEBI banned Rana Sugars' promoters and others from the securities market for two years.

• 14 entities including, Rana Sugars promoters and other related entities have been debarred by the markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for two years.
• A ₹63-crore fine was also imposed on charges of diversion of funds.
• The regulator also prohibited Inder Pratap Singh Rana (promoter), Ranjit Singh Rana (chairman), Veer Pratap Singh Rana (MD), and Gurjeet Singh Rana from holding any position as director or key managerial person of any other listed company for two years.
• SEBI imposed penalties of ₹3 crore to 7 crore on Rana Sugars, its promoters, and other related entities.
• SEBI also directed Rana Sugars to recover ₹607 crore from related entities including ₹339 crore in receivables and ₹268 crore in interest dues.
• The regulator directed Rana Sugars to take all necessary steps to recover dues from these entities and advised them to appoint an independent law firm to take effective steps to recover.

Topic: National Appointments

2. Jay Shah has been elected as independent chair of ICC.

• Jay Shah, the current BCCI honorary secretary, has been elected unopposed.

• Shah was the sole nominee for the position. He will assume position on 1st December 2024.
• He will be youngest person ever to occupy the position at 35.
• Current ICC Chair Greg Barclay steps down after his term in November 2024.
• On 20 August 2024, it was declared that Greg Barclay would not seek a third term.
• International Cricket Council (ICC):
  • The International Cricket Council is the global governing body of cricket.
  • It was established in 1909. It is headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Topic: Sports

3. Paralympics Games 2024 commenced in Paris from 28 August until 8 September.

• This is France's first summer Paralympics. Previously, the 1992 Winter Paralympics were held in Tignes and Albertville, France.
• 84 Indian para athletes will compete in Paralympics Games 2024.
• This is India’s largest contingent in Paralympic history.
• India will participate in 12 of the 22 sports at Paralympics Games 2024.
• India will make debut in para cycling, para judo, and para rowing at Paralympics Games 2024.
• The Paris 2024 Paralympics will conclude on September 9 with the Closing Ceremony.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. The Spices Board of India has launched the SPICED scheme.

• "Sustainability in Spice Sector through Progressive, Innovative and Collaborative Interventions for Export Development" is the official name of this scheme.
• The scheme aims to improve cardamom productivity, raise the post-harvest quality of spices for export, and increase the export of spices and value-added spice products.
• With a total approved budget of ₹422.30 crore, the scheme will be implemented throughout the remaining period of the 15th Finance Commission cycle, till 2025–2026.
• The Board is introducing elements like "Enhancing capacities for market expansion, Trade promotion, and Technological interventions" to further boost value-addition in the spice sector.
• Starting on September 20, applications for assistance under the various programs of the SPICED scheme will be submitted online.
• Spices Board of India is an organisation for development and promotion of Indian spices. It was constituted in 1987. It is headquartered in Kochi, Kerala.

Topic: Summit/Conference/Meeting

5. On 28 August, India and Chile co-chaired the 2nd Joint Commission meeting in New Delhi.

• On August 27, Chile's Foreign Minister Alberto Van Klaveren reached New Delhi.
• Mr. Klaveren co-chaired the 2nd India-Chile Joint Commission Meeting with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.
• The guest distinguished person also attended the Chile-India Business (Agricultural) Summit on August 28 and left for Mumbai.
• Chile is a key partner of India in the Latin American region.
• Minister Klaveren's visit gave both sides an opportunity to review progress in bilateral relations and find new avenues of cooperation, to further strengthen bilateral relations.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

6. A new smart sensor developed by Indian medical scientists to accommodate drug doses for management of Parkinson's disease.

• This sensor is a smartphone-based fluorescence turn-on system that is affordable and user-friendly.
• This sensor is created by coating a silk-fibroin protein nanolayer from Bombax Mori Silk Cocoon on the surface of graphine oxide nanokanas.
• The Institute of Advanced Studies in Science and Technology said that the sensor will help in accurate detection of L-Dopa concentrations in the body.
• This will help determine the necessary doses for effective control of the disease.
• Parkinson's disease is marked by a continuous decrease in neuron cells, leading to a significant decrease in the level of dopamine (a neurotransmitter) in our body.
• L-Dopa is a chemical that is converted into dopamine in the human body and acts as an anti-Parkinson’s drug.
• Although excessive amounts of L-dopa can cause severe side effects, such as dyskinesia, gastritis, psychosis, paranoia, and orthostatic hypotension, too little can lead to the return of Parkinson's symptoms.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Biotechnology and Diseases

7. Bharat Biotech International Ltd launched Hillchol (BBV131) on August 27, 2024.

• Hillchol (BBV131) is a novel single-strain oral cholera vaccine (OCV).
• Bharat Biotech has developed it under licence from Hilleman Laboratories (funded by Merck, USA and Wellcome Trust, UK).
• Around the world, there is a lack of OCVs. There is now just one manufacturer supplying OCVs all over the world.
• Currently, there is an annual shortage of about 40 million doses.
• Every year, more than 100 million doses of the vaccine are required worldwide.
• Large-scale manufacturing facilities have been set up by Bharat Biotech in Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad.
• The facilities can generate 200 million doses of Hillchol.
• Hyderabad facility has a 45 million dose capacity, with the remaining portion will be in Bhubaneswar.
• The oral Hillchol vaccination is given in two doses on Days 0 and 14.
• Children older than a year old can use it. It will be offered as a respule with a single dose. The recommended storage range is plus 2 to 8°C.
• Hillchol is presented in a mono-multidose format. This is one of the first such presentations for vaccines.

Topic: National Appointments

8. Satish Kumar has been appointed as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board.

• He has become 1st Dalit chairman and CEO of Railway Board.
• He is an Indian Railway Management Service officer. He is presently serving as a Member (Traction & Rolling Stock).
• He will succeed Jaya Varma Sinha. His tenure will begin from 1 September.
• Jaya Varma Sinha is the first woman to be appointed as the CEO of the board. Jaya Varma Sinha is superannuating on August 31.
• In an order on July 29, Jaya Varma Sinha was appointed as an administrative member in the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT).

Topic: National Appointments

9. Government appointed B Srinivasan as the new NSG director general.

• An Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, B Srinivasan, has become the new director general of the National Security Guard (NSG).
• B Srinivasan is appointed after Nalin Prabhat has been deputed as Jammu and Kashmir's Special Director General of Police.
• The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Srinivasan as Director General, NSG, until August 31, 2027.
• National Security Guard (NSG):
  • The National Security Guard (NSG) is an elite counter-terrorism unit under the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
  • It was founded on 22 September 1986 under the National Security Guard Act, 1986.
  • National Security Guard personnel are referred to as the Black Cats.
  • Its headquarters are in New Delhi.

Topic: State News/Himachal Pradesh

10. Himachal Pradesh government has launched 'Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana’.

• Himachal Pradesh government has allocated Rs 53.21 crore annually to the 'Mukhya Mantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana’.
• It is a scheme to provide financial assistance to widows, destitute women, divorced women, and disabled parents to support the education and well-being of their children.
• The main aim of the initiative is to prevent issues such as child abuse, trafficking, teenage marriages and drug abuse by strengthening child protection at the family level.
• This scheme has two specific target age groups:
  • For children under 18 years, eligible women and disabled parents will receive a monthly grant of Rs 1,000 to cover educational, health, and nutritional expenses.
  • Children who secure admission to undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma or vocational courses will receive financial aid from the government to bear tuition and hostel costs.

Topic: Geography

11. Japan is on high alert as Typhoon Shanshan gets closer.

• Japan is on high alert as Typhoon Shanshan approaches and may possibly make landfall in western Japan between August 27 and August 28.
• Japan's Meteorological Agency issued a warning, urging residents to prepare for strong winds, high waves, and heavy rain.
• The typhoon is currently passing over the sea near the Japanese island of Amami Oshima and could strengthen into a very powerful typhoon by the end of this week, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).
• The approaching typhoon is expected to bring extremely strong winds to Japan, with maximum wind speeds of up to 162 kilometres per hour expected in Kyushu and Amami, while waves up to 9 meters high are expected in Kyushu, Shikoku, and Amami.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Important Day

12. World Water Week 2024: 25-29 August

• World Water Week 2024 is being organized from August 25 to 29.
• The theme of World Water Week 2024 is ‘Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future’.
• The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) organizes World Water Week on an annual basis.
• The aim of World Water Week 2024 is to be an inclusive, practical conference for those who want to use water as a tool to change the world and to promote opportunities for effective water cooperation.
• In the years 2023–2027, World Water Week provides an opportunity to implement commitments made at the UN 2023 Water Conference.

Topic: National News

13. Centre issued new guidelines for public grievance redressal within 21 Days.

• The Center has issued comprehensive guidelines for time-bound handling of public grievances filed by citizens on the CPGRAMS portal.
• The timeline for grievance redressal has been reduced to 21 days from 30 days.
• The guidelines aim to empower citizens to get grievance redressal time-bound, accessible, and meaningful.
• Nodal Officers for Public Grievances will be appointed in all Ministries/ Departments to address grievances promptly.
• The role of the Nodal Officer will be effective categorisation, monitoring pendency, and examining the feedback process.
• Dedicated Grievance Cells will be set up in every Ministry or Department with sufficient resources and knowledge of schemes and activities.
• A grievance redressal assessment index for ranking ministries and departments will be issued monthly.
• During 2022–24, the CPGRAMS portal has redressed nearly 60 lakh Public Grievances.

Topic: Personality in News

14. Teghbir Singh became the youngest Asian to conquer Mt Kilimanjaro.

• Five-year-old Teghbir Singh from Ropar has become the youngest person in Asia to scale the 5,895-metre Mount Kilimanjaro.
• Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa, located in Tanzania.
• Teghbir started the climb on August 18 and reached Uhuru peak on August 23.
• He received the mountain climbing certificate issued by the conservation commissioner of Tanzania National Parks.
• He equals the world record of conquering Mt Kilimanjaro at the age of five by Serbian boy Ognjen Zivkovic on August 6, 2023.