PREFACE
It gives us great pleasure to release the monthly edition of the PRAVAHINI – Monthly e-Compendium & Weekly e-Periodicals of Current Affairs. The magazine’s members have shown considerable cooperation as well as devotion. We at successmantra.in work tirelessly to create this magazine and bring it to you with a great sense of gratitude.
The PRAVAHINI July-2022 eBook covers the current events that happened in the month of July. Current Affairs is a crucial component of any competitive exams including CLAT, AILET, DU-LLB, HM, CAT, IAS, PCS, SSC, Banking, MBA and various other competitive examinations.
Current Affairs play the bigger role in many competitive and government exams. It holds the power of making or breaking your chance of success. Therefore, the candidates should cover the Current Affairs thoroughly and smartly.
The PRAVAHINI July-2022 eBook is divided into different sections keeping in mind the need of various exams. The sections covered namely International, National, Economy, Ecology and Environment, Science & Technology, Legal Affairs, Sports, States News Makers and few others.
We would also be pleased to receive any suggestion that could assist us with the upcoming editions.
Success Mantra (GTB Nagar, Delhi)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- National Affairs
- International Affairs
- Economic Affairs
- Appointments
- Important Dates & Sports
- Reports And Indexes
- Science & Technology
- Miscellaneous
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
FLASH FLOODS IN AMARNATH
Recently, flash floods caused landslips near the Baltal base camp in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal area. At least 13 people, mainly Amarnath pilgrims, have died and dozens went missing after flash floods.
What do we need to know about Amarnath?
Amarnath Temple is a Hindu shrine located in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m, about 100 km from Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, reached through Pahalgam town.
What do we know about the Amarnath Flash Flood?
Flash Flood: These are sudden surges in water levels generally during or following an intense spell of rain. These are highly localised events of short duration with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood.
The flood situation worsens in the presence of choked drainage lines or encroachments obstructing the natural flow of water.
WHAT IS NATURAL FARMING CONCLAVE?
Recently, the Prime Minister Addressed a Natural Farming Conclave, where he urged farmers to take up Natural Farming.
What is Natural Farming?
It is defined as a “chemical- free farming and livestock based”. Soundly grounded in agro-ecology, it is a diversified farming system that integrates crops, trees and livestock, allowing the optimum use of functional biodiversity.
It holds the promise of enhancing farmers’ income while delivering many other benefits, such as restoration of soil fertility and environmental health, and mitigating and/or reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
This farming approach was introduced by Masanobu Fukuoka, a Japanese farmer and philosopher, in his 1975 book The One-Straw Revolution.
Internationally, Natural Farming is considered a form of regenerative agriculture—a prominent strategy to save the planet.
In India, Natural farming is promoted as Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati Programme (BPKP) under Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
BPKP is aimed at promoting traditional indigenous practices which reduce externally purchased inputs.
SECTION 69 (A) OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACT
The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) issued orders under Section 69 (A) of the Information Technology Act, 2000 to take down certain posts from Twitter (Microblogging Site).
Twitter has moved to Karnataka High Court, claiming that many of the blocking orders are procedurally and substantively deficient under Section 69 (A) of the Act.
What is the Current Issue?
The Ministry said under Section 69 (A) of the IT Act, the company has “failed to comply with the directions on multiple occasions”.
Twitter submitted a list of over 80 accounts and tweets that it had blocked based on a request from the government in 2021.
What is Section 69 (A) of the Information Technology Act?
About: It confers on the Central and State governments the power to issue directions “to intercept, monitor or decrypt any information generated, transmitted, received or stored in any computer resource”.
INDIA'S LARGEST FLOATING SOLAR POWER PLANT
India’s largest floating solar power plant was made fully operational by NTPC at Ramagundam, Telangana.
About the floating solar power plant
The capacity of the solar plant is 100 MW. It is powered with advanced technology and environment friendly features. The project spreads over 500 acres of its reservoir.
The project is divided into 49 blocks. Each block has a capacity of 2.5MW and each block comprises one floating platform and a matrix of 11,200 solar modules.
The floating platform comprises a transformer, inverter and a HT breaker. The solar modules are kept on floaters which are manufactured with HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) material.
NITI AAYOG REPORT 'HARNESSING GREEN HYDROGEN'
Government’s think tank NITI Aayog published its report titled “Harnessing Green Hydrogen- Opportunities for Deep Decarburization in India”. This report has been prepared in collaboration with Delhi-based think tank RMI India.
In its report, NITI Aayog has recommended to reduce or exempt the GST & Custom duties on production of green hydrogen, in order to boost the production in India.
It also proposed to set up green hydrogen corridors as well as offer grants to start-ups that are working on green hydrogen solutions domestically. According to it, the government should focus on bringing a cost reduction pathway for green hydrogen production in the country.
Present Green Hydrogen Policy
As per report, the present Green Hydrogen policy provides for adequate measures, which focuses on inter-state transmission (ISTS) charges waiver as well as open access for green ammonia and green hydrogen production. Its production can be further improved by reducing or exempting tax and duties.
INDIA'S LARGEST FLOATING SOLAR POWER PROJECT
NTPC Ltd has declared the Commercial Operations Date (COD) of the last part capacity of 20 MW out of 100 MW Ramagundam Floating Solar PV Project in Telangana.
Ramagundam Floating Solar PV Project is India’s largest Floating Solar Plant commissioned by NTPC. Now the total commercial operation of Floating Solar Capacity in the Southern Region has reached 217 MW.
Prior to this, NTPC declared Commercial operation of 92 MW Floating Solar at Kayamkulam (Kerala) and 25 MW Floating Solar at Simhadri (Andhra Pradesh).
According to the ministry, the total installed capacity of the company is 69,134.20 MW having 23 coal based, seven gas based, one Hydro, 19 renewable energy projects.
Under the JV, NTPC has nine coal based, four gas based, eight hydro and five renewable energy projects.
RPF LAUNCHED OPERATION NARCOS
The Railway Protection Force (RPF) recently recovered narcotics products worth Rs. 7.40 Crore under its “Operation NARCOS”.
What is Operation NARCOS?
The RPF launched the operation NARCOS in the month of June 2022, for bringing attention to the menace of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
It was a month-long pan India drive, launched against smuggling of narcotics through rail.
RPF, in coordination with the Narcotics Control Bureau, intensified its checks in trains and at identified black spots across the country. Other law Enforcement Agencies was also a part of the operation, in a bid to target drug peddlers involved in illegal trade of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance.
About Railway Protection Force
The Railway Protection Force is an Armed Force of the Union of India. It is a security force under Indian Railways of Ministry of Railways. Its history dates back to 1882, when several railway companies appointed their own guards to protect railway property. It was declared a statutory force in 1957 through an act of parliament and in 1985 it was declared an Armed Force of the Union of India.
PM MODI INAUGURATED DIGITAL INDIA WEEK 2022
On July 4, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the “Digital India Week 2022”. The event was inaugurated in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
On the occasion, the PM highlighted the conditions of 8-10 years ago. During the event, he praised the role of digital technology in changing people’s lives.
India has removed the long queues for services like birth certificate, ration, admissions, bill payments, results and banks, by going online.
Government’s flagship programme Digital India has provided relief to the poor from corruption. The Digital India Week 2022 is being organised from July 4 to July 9, 2022.
About Digital India programme
The Digital India programme was launched by the government with a vision of transforming India into a knowledge economy and digitally empowered society.
In India, e-governance initiatives took a broad dimension in the mid-1990s for wider sectoral applications and emphasised on citizen-centric services.
Important ICT initiatives of the government included land record computerisation, railway computerization, focusing primarily on development of information systems. Later, several states started individual e-governance projects with the aim of providing electronic services to citizens.
RAJASTHAN GOVT. ANNOUNCED RIGHT TO HEALTH BILL
The Rajasthan government is soon likely to introduce in the Assembly the Right to Health Bill, “the first of its kind in India”, which aims to commit to quality and affordable health care services through government and private health care providers.
In January, the government prepared a draft bill that defines the rights of patients, their attendants and health care providers, as well as a system for addressing grievances of the stakeholders.
Important points of the bill:
The right to health bill is part of the Rajasthan government’s bid to expand and strengthen medical services in the state.
Recently, the chief minister approved Rs 117 crore towards expansion of the facilities in Mahila Chikitsalaya (women’s hospital) at Sanganeri Gate in Jaipur. The state has also ensured health security of every family by providing free treatment up to Rs 10 lakh to the people through Mukhyamantri Chiranjeevi Swasthya Bima Yojana.
AMIT SHAH UNVEILED 'STATUE OF PEACE'
Union home minister, Amit Shah virtually unveiled the ‘Statue of Peace’ of Swami Ramanujacharya in Srinagar, located in a temple in the Sonwar region.
Saint Ramanujacharya, also known as Ramanuja, is considered to be a great thinker, philosopher and social reformer, a south Indian Brahmin born in Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur.
About the Ramanuja:
Ramanuja is known to have revolted against the discrimination of untouchability and played a role in bringing a big change in society. He is a follower of Vaishnavism and taught people the principles of salvation.
He wrote many books, including Sri Bhashya, Vedartha Sangraha and Bhagavad Gita Bhasya, based on his belief that is different from the teachings of Adi Shankaracharya.
The saint is known for judging people not by their caste at birth, but by their character. He is believed to be the first Hindu acharya to initiate women into ‘sanyasa’ (renunciation of the world).
He is also known for blending Vedanta methodology with ‘bhakti’. After Ramanuja’s demise, the female community of ‘sanyasinis’ faded away.
WHAT IS PM SVANIDHI SCHEME?
On the occasion of second anniversary of the Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbharNidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme, the Housing and Urban affairs Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri launched the ‘SVANIdhi Mahotsav,’ which will be celebrated from 9th to 31st of July.
The festival will be organized in 75 cities across all states and Union Territories, and showcase various cultural activities, digital training activities and loan melas. It will also have functions for felicitation of distinguished Street vendors.
The festival aims to celebrate 75 years of independence with the nano-entrepreneurs and it is the first of its kind for the financial inclusion of street vendors.
The PM SVANidhi programme was launched by the Modi government in July 2020 to provide financial assistance through loans to street vendors who were reeling under the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
PM MODI LAUNCHED AKHIL BHARTIYA SHIKSHA SAMAGAM
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam on the National Education Policy in Varanasi.
The Prime Minister told the audience that “our education system and young generation carry a large role of realising the vows of the “Amrit Kaal.”
PM claimed that the high level of talent displayed by the students with whom he interacted is a sign of the work required to develop such talent.
The National Education Policy‘s fundamental tenet is to liberate education from constrictive thinking and integrate it with contemporary concepts.
The Prime Minister emphasised that private actors are now opening up a new world for young people in fields like space technology where previously only the government used to do everything. Women are increasingly exhibiting their talent in fields that were previously off-limits to them.
The Shiksha Samagam is being put on by the Ministry of Education. Eminent academics, policymakers, and academic leaders will have a forum to deliberate, exchange their experiences, and discuss the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 implementation roadmap.
More than 300 Academic, Administrative, and Institutional Leaders from Universities (Central, State, Deemed, and Private), and Institutes of National Importance (IIT, IIM, NIT, IISER) from around the nation are participating in the event as part of improving their capacities.
ONLY INDIAN STATE TO HAVE 13 EXPRESSWAYS
Uttar Pradesh‘s largest expressway network now has a foundation thanks to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The state will soon have better highway connectivity from many other nations throughout the world.
The state now boasts 13 expressways, making it the first state in the nation to do so. Six of the 13 expressways totaling 3200 km are in use while the other seven are under construction.
On July 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially open the 296 kilometre long Bundelkhand Expressway, which will link Bundelkhand and Delhi. In the last five years, CM Yogi has drastically altered the state’s infrastructure.
A network of roadways linking other states and other nations has been established, starting from the hamlet and continuing through the streets to block and district offices. In 70 years, just 1.5 expressways were constructed.
The NCR and western UP population’s long-standing request has been met by the double engine government. Taking the Delhi-Meerut Expressway as an illustration.
Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the cornerstone for the 594 kilometre long Ganga Expressway.
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
2022 NATO SUMMIT CONCLUDED IN MADRID
The 2022 NATO Madrid Summit was held in Madrid, Spain, from June 28 to 30, 2022. This was the 32nd edition of the summit, since the first summit meeting held in Paris in 1957.
The Summit was chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The heads of state and heads of government of NATO member and partner countries participated in the three-day Summit.
NATO summit meetings are a platform for member countries to evaluate and provide strategic direction for Alliance activities.
Key points of the Summit: During the Summit, 22 NATO members agreed to launch the NATO Innovation Fund. It is a multi-sovereign venture capital fund that will invest 1 billion euros ($1.05 billion) in startups and other venture capital funds that develop emerging technologies for both civilian and military use.
YAIR LAPID BECAME 14TH PRIME MINISTER
Leader of the Yesh Atid Party, Yair Lapid has officially become the 14th prime minister of Israel, after replacing Naftali Benett.
He is a former journalist who has served as PM of Israel since 1 July 2022. Yair Lapid’s term could be the short one as he takes over the caretaker government ahead of Israel’s election which was scheduled to take place on November 1.
Who is Yair Lapid?
Yair Lapid is an Israeli politician and a former journalist. He also previously served as the Alternate Prime Minister of Israel and the Prime Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2021 to 2022. Before entering politics, Yair Lapid was an author, TV presenter, and news anchor.
ADOPTION OF LISBON DECLARATION
On July 1, 2022, the Lisbon Declaration on ocean conservation was adopted by all the 198 members of the United Nations.
On the last day of UN Ocean Conference 2022, member nations committed to follow innovative and science-based actions on an urgent basis.
They recognised that developing countries, specifically least developed countries and small island developing states, need assistance with capacity building.
They also agreed to work on controlling, reducing and preventing marine pollution.
Marine pollution includes- Nutrient pollution, Solid waste discharges, Hazardous substances, untreated wastewater, Emissions from maritime sector and Anthropogenic underwater noise.
SHINZO ABE 'FORMER PM OF JAPAN' ASSASSINATED
Shinzo Abe, Former Japan’s Prime Minister, who was shot during an election campaign in western Japan’s Nara city, has passed away.
The Nara fire department had earlier said that the 67-year-old Abe was in cardiopulmonary arrest before he was taken to the hospital. They said that he had been wounded on the right side of the neck and the left clavicle.
Abe, the country’s longest-serving prime minister until he resigned in 2020, was flown to hospital by helicopter after the attack.
It was the first assassination of a sitting or former Japanese premier since the days of prewar militarism in the 1930s.
POLITICAL CRISIS IN UNITED KINGDOM
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, recently announced his resignation. He will continue the office, until the Conservative Party finds his successor.
Why did he resign?
Boris Johnson resigned because his close allies abandoned him, due to scandals that was shaking his government.
His resignation will start a leadership battle within Conservative Party as MPs are in process to put them at the centre stage of the race of becoming Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, India maintained that his resignation will not impact its relationship with UK. His resignation is an internal development and India is closely monitoring.
Who will be the next Prime Minister of UK?
After the resignation of PM Boris Johnson, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced to stand for the office of next prime minister.
Rishi Sunak had resigned from the post of Chancellor recently. His resignation resulted in a wave of resignations, which forced Boris Johnson to resign.
Apart from Sunak, three other top leaders have expressed their interest in becoming the Prime Minister.
Background: In July 2022, out of 179 government ministers, trade envoys and parliamentary private secretaries, 63 resigned in the Second Johnson ministry.
This forced the Prime Minister to announce his resignation on July 7. After the Chris Pincher Scandal, Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resigned as Exchequer’s Chancellor and Secretary of state for Health & social care, respectively. This was followed by the resignation of several other members.
INDIA'S HIGHEST EVER DEFENCE EXPORTS
India’s defence exports for 2021-22 were estimated at Rs 13,000 crore, the highest ever. The U.S. was a major buyer, as also nations in Southeast Asia, West Asia and Africa.
The private sector accounted for 70% of the exports, while public sector firms accounted for the rest. Earlier, the private sector used to account for 90% but now the share of defence public sector units has gone up.
While India’s defence imports from the U.S. have gone up significantly in recent years, Indian companies have been increasingly becoming part of the supply chains of U.S. defence companies.
What steps have been taken recently to boost defence exports?
In January 2022, India signed a USD 374.96-million deal with the Philippines, its single biggest defence export order, for the supply of three batteries of shore-based anti-ship variants of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
India has imposed a phased import ban on 310 different weapons and systems during the last two years, which helped boost export.
These weapons and platforms will be indigenised in phases over the next five to six years. The increased partnership with the private sector has led to a substantial rise in defence exports.
INDIA-AUSTRALIA PARTNERSHIP FOR CRITICAL MINERALS
Recently, India and Australia decided to strengthen their partnership in the field of projects and supply chains for critical minerals.
Australia confirmed that it would commit USD 5.8 million to the three-year India-Australia Critical Minerals Investment Partnership.
What are Critical Minerals?
About: Critical minerals are elements that are the building blocks of essential modern-day technologies and are at risk of supply chain disruptions.
Examples: Based on their individual needs and strategic considerations, different countries create their own lists.
However, such lists mostly include graphite, lithium and cobalt, which are used for making EV batteries; rare earth that is used for making magnets and silicon which is a key mineral for making computer chips and solar panels.
India’s Department of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, drafted the Critical Minerals Strategy for India in 2016, with a focus on India’s resource requirements till 2030.
The Indian Critical Minerals Strategy has identified 49 minerals that will be vital for India’s future economic growth.
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
ICG LAUNCHED 'PADMA' CENTRALISED PAYMENT SYSTEM
Payroll Automation for Disbursement of Monthly Allowances (PADMA), an automated Pay & Allowances module for the Indian Coast Guard was inaugurated by Shri Rajnish Kumar, Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), and Ministry of Defence.
The CGDA emphasized that the Government has campaigned for Digital India to ensure dedicated services and reduce manual intervention at every level & to promote E-Governance in a big way.
Launch of PADMA will strengthen the Digital India concept. Also, it is an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative as the entire module has been designed and developed by Indian entrepreneurs assisted by domain experts.
About the PADMA: PADMA is an automated platform leveraging latest technology which will provide seamless and timely disbursal of Pay & Allowances to around 15,000 Indian Coast Guard personnel.
This module has been developed under the aegis of Defense Accounts Department and will be operated by Pay Accounts Office Coast Guard, Noida.
The launch marked the beginning of the Centralized Pay System (CPS), the foundation of which is being laid down by the Defence Accounts Department Headquarters to provide one stop pay accounting solutions for all organisations under the Ministry.
APPOINTMENTS
FIRST BLACK WOMAN JUDGE TO SERVE US SC
The United States of America made history on June 30, 2022, as Ketanji Brown Jackson was sworn in as the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court.
The appointment of 51-years old Ketanji Jackson by Democratic President Joe Biden means that white men are not in majority on the nation’s highest court for the first time in 233 years.
The appointment of Ketanji Brown Jackson, who became the first black woman judge of US Supreme Court, was termed by the US President Joe Biden as historic representing a profound step for the nation, for all the young, black girls who now see themselves reflected on the country’s highest court, and for all of us as Americans.
Ketanji Jackson, a federal judge since 2013, will join the three other women, Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Amy Coney Barrett. It will be the first time that four women will serve together on a nine-member court.
KK VENUGOPAL RE-APPOINTED AS ATTORNEY GENERAL
Attorney General (A-G), K.K. Venugopal has been re-appointed as the country’s top law officer for a period of three months. Mr. Venugopal, whose current one-year term ends on June 30, agreed to a short tenure following a request from the government.
In July 2017, Mr. Venugopal, 90, was appointed by the President of India to succeed Mukul Rohatgi as the A-G. The government’s top law officer enjoys tenure of three years.
However, when Mr. Venugopal’s first term as A-G was to end in 2020, he requested the government to give him a one-year tenure keeping in mind his advanced age. Last year too, he was reappointed for one year.
Career of K.K. Venugopal: An eminent advocate of the Supreme Court, who served as the Additional Solicitor General of India between 1979 and 1980, Mr. Venugopal was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2002 and Padma Vibhushan in 2015.
T. RAJA KUMAR APPOINTED AS PRESIDENT OF FATF
T. Raja Kumar of Singapore was recently appointed as the president of anti-money laundering watchdog, Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Raja Kumar has replaced Marcus Pleyer. He will discharge his service for next two years.
He will focus on:
Improving asset recovery
Enhancing the effectiveness of global anti-money laundering & counter-terrorist financing measures.
He has been working against global terror financing since long time.
As soon as he took over the charge, he presented his objectives for the Plenary period July 2022 -June 2024, for strengthening the FATF.
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
The Financial Action Task Force is also known as Groupe d’action financière (GAFI) in French. It is an intergovernmental organisation.
It was founded in 1989, as an initiative of G7 for developing policies to combat money laundering. In 2001, its mandate was expanded by including terrorism financing.
AMITABH KANT AS INDIA'S NEW SHERPA FOR G20
Former CEO of Government’s think tank NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant, has been selected as the India’s new Sherpa for the G-20.
He will replace Piyush Goyal as G-20 Sherpa. He was appointed as G-20 Sherpa in September 2021. Amitabh Kant has been appointed, as India is scheduled to assume the G-20 presidency in 2022,
India will take over G20 presidency during December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023.
In the context of India’s term of G-20 presidency, there was a need for full-time Sherpa. Reason being this, Amitabh Kant has replaced Piyush Goyal. Other Sherpas for G-20 include Shaktikanta Das, Suresh Prabhu and Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
About Amitabh Kant
Extended term of Amitabh Kant as NITI Aayog CEO was completed in June 2022. He heading this position for about six years. He is a retired 1980-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre.
He assumed charges as NITI Aayog CEO in 2016. He has also been the chairman of Empowered Group-3, which is one among the 11 groups set up by central government for controlling the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
SPORTS
FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 IN QATAR
FIFA‘s aim is to regulate and grow football worldwide. The organisation has been swiftly evolving since 2016, into a body that can better serve our game for the benefit of everyone on the planet.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 is set to be the 22nd edition of the quadrennial international men’s football championship, which will be contested by national teams from FIFA member countries.
It will take place in Qatar from November 21 to December 18, 2022. This will be the first World Cup to be held in the Arab world, and the second World Cup to be held fully in Asia, following the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan.
In addition, the tournament will be the last to feature 32 teams, with a 48-team tournament set for the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026.
France is the current World Cup champion.
NEERAJ CHOPRA WINS SILVER IN DIAMOND LEAGUE
At the renowned Diamond League competition in Stockholm, Olympic champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won his first-ever medal after breaking his own national mark twice in a month.Chopra had a tremendous throw of 89.94 metres and placed second at the Stockholm Diamond League.
Anderson Peters, the current world champion, won the competition with a best throw of 90.31 metres. Chopra beat his own national record of 89.30m, which he had established earlier this month at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku.
Chopra’s greatest competition before the World Championships in Eugene, USA, next month is the prestigious one-day meet in the Swedish capital.
Chopra is the first Indian to take home an Olympic gold medal in athletics.
About Diamond League Competition:
The Diamond League is an annual collection of the top fourteen invitational athletics meetings for track and field competitions.
The World Athletics (formerly known as the IAAF) one-day meeting contests place the series at the top of the standings. The first season began in 2010.
IMPORTANT DAYS AND DATES
GOODS & SERVICES TAX (GST) DAY: 1ST JULY
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Day is observed annually on July 1, in India.
GST Day is observed to commemorate the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST Day was first observed on July 1, 2018 marking the one-year anniversary of implementation of the new tax regime.
When was GST launched?
GST was launched on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1, 2017, in a ceremony held in the central hall of Parliament. GST had replaced the old indirect tax regime in India. It was introduced with the idea of “One Nation- One Market- One Tax”. Year 2022 marks the fifth anniversary of GST.
What is GST?
GST is an indirect, multi-stage, consumption-based tax system. It subsumes several domestic indirect taxes like service tax, purchase tax, value-added tax, excise duty, and others under one head.
However, items including petroleum, liquor, and stamp duty have not been added to GST. These items follow the old tax system.
NATIONAL DOCTOR'S DAY OBSERVED ON JULY 1ST
National Doctor’s Day is celebrated in India every year on July 1 to express gratitude to the medical staff all over the country for their dedicated services.
National Doctor’s Day 2022 also holds a special significance considering the fact that the doctors and the physicians are working round the clock in a fight against the widespread COVID-19 pandemic as well as various other health crises and deadly diseases.
National Doctor’s Day 2022 honours their significant contribution to the well-being of society and the irreplaceable services. Doctor’s Day in India is celebrated on the birth anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, an eminent physician, freedom fighter, academician, and politician.
In his memory, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) had also instituted B.C. Roy National Award to recognize the eminent people in the field of medicine.
The theme of National Doctor’s Day in India 2022 is ‘Family Doctors on the Front Line’. This year’s theme highlights the contribution of the doctors for their service and dedication to humanity.
WORLD UFO DAY (WUD) OBSERVED ON 2ND JULY
The World UFO Day (WUD) is held on July 2 every year globally. It is a day dedicated to the undoubted existence of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) by World UFO Day Organization (WUFODO).
WUD aims to raise awareness about the existence of UFOs and encourage people to think about the possibility of us not being alone in the Universe. The World UFO Day provides an opportunity to these explorers and enthusiasts to discuss, decode, and deduce multiple theories related to UFOs.
History: The World UFO Day commemorates two important days which are the first widely reported UFO sightings in the world. The first sighting was reported on June 24, 1947, when an aviator named Kenneth Arnold claimed to have seen what looked like a flying saucer. This sighting shaped the narrative of the UFO with a disk being the widely accepted appearance.
INTERNATIONAL PLASTIC BAG FREE DAY
The International Plastic Bag Free Day is held on July 3 around the world to spread awareness that a plastic bag free world is possible and that sound environmental alternatives to single use plastic bags are available.
2022 is the 13th edition of the celebrations. The day is an initiative by Bag Free World for the purpose of getting rid of the single-use of plastic bags around the world and promoting environmental conservation by encouraging us all to stay away from the use of plastic bags and instead look for more eco-friendly alternatives.
International Plastic Bag Free Day 2022:
The main goal of the day is to raise awareness of the growing harm that the use of this non-biodegradable substance is causing to the environment.
It is concerning to learn that a plastic bag takes 1,000 years to disintegrate in a landfill, despite the fact that collective efforts over the past 10 years have drastically decreased the impact thus far.
International Plastic Bag Free Day: History
The first International Plastic Bag Free Day was observed on July 3, 2008, when Rezero, a member of Zero Waste Europe (ZWE), initiated it.
The holiday was only observed in Catalonia in its inaugural year. However, a year later, ZWE introduced the International Plastic Bag Free Day to the European Union.
WORLD ZOONOSES DAY OBSERVED ON 6TH JULY
World Zoonoses Day is celebrated on July 6, across the world annually.
The World Zoonoses Day is celebrated to spread awareness on infectious diseases, which are collectively called zoonotic diseases.
It is celebrated in the honour of Louis Pasteur. He was a French biologist. He administered the first Rabies Vaccine to Joseph Meister on July 6, 1885.
What are Zoonotic Diseases?
Zoonotic diseases originate among animals and infect humans as well. Infections occur via contact of bodily fluid or bites of the infected animal. Such diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans naturally and vice versa. It is also called zoonosis.
The disease is caused due to fungi, virus, bacteria, parasites or prions. Some of the common zoonotic diseases include Rabies, Ebola, Swine flu, Zika & Ebola viruses, plague, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and Covid-19. Such diseases are endemic to tropical regions.
NATIONAL FISH FARMERS DAY OBSERVED ON JULY 10TH
National Fish Farmers Day is observed on July 10, annually in India.
The day is celebrated to exhibit solidarity with fish farmers, fisher folks, and concerned stakeholders across India. Year 2022 marked the 65th National Fish Farmers Day.
The day was celebrated in virtual mode by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and National Fisheries Development Board in Hyderabad.
Why is this day celebrated?
The National Fisheries day is celebrated every year, to commemorate the contribution of Professor Dr Hiralal Chaudhuri and his colleague Alikunhi in successfully inducing the breeding of major carps.
He induced breeding of major carps on July 10, 1957 at Angul in Odisha. This was done for the first time in India, by administering the pituitary hormone extract of carp in breeding of major carps.
This method was later standardised and synthetic hormones were started being developed for quality seed production in India.
WORLD POPULATION DAY OBSERVED ON JULY 11TH
World Population Day is celebrated on July 11 annually, across the world. The day seeks to raise awareness on global population issues.
Theme of World Population Day 2022
The World Population Day 2022 was celebrated under the theme “A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future for all – Harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all”.
Aim of the World Population Day: The World Population Day aims to raise awareness on the issue of population as well as to address those issues urgently.
History of the day: United Nations development Programme started observing the “World Population Day” in 1989.
This decision was taken after the global population reached 5 billion-mark on July 11, 1987. It is being celebrated for more than three decades. Now this day seeks to spread awareness on population control measures.
United Nations General Assembly has recognized this day in December 1990, under its resolution 45/26. This resolution aims to raise awareness about increasing population along with population issues like fundamental rights, equality, development, poverty, and environment.
REPORTS AND INDEXES
WORLD DRUGS REPORT 2022
The World Drugs Report 2022 was recently released by the UN Office on Drugs and Crimes.
As per report, legalization of Cannabis has increased its daily use and related health impacts. The report highlights the expansion of synthetic drugs in new markets, increase in manufacturing of cocaine, and the gaps in availability of drug treatments.
As per report; around 284 million people worldwide, in the age group of 15-64, used drugs in 2020. Drug uses witnessed an increase of 26 per cent as compared to last decade.
Young people are using more drugs. Level of drug use among young people was higher than with the previous generation.
In Africa and Latin America, the majority of the people aged under 35 are being treated for drug use disorders.
2 million people globally were injecting drugs. About half of this number suffered with hepatitis C, 1.4 million with HIV, and 1.2 million with HIV & hepatitis C.
STATES START-UP RANKING 2021
The department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) released the third edition of “States’ Start-up Ranking 2021”, on July 4, 2022.
In terms of developing the ‘start-up ecosystem for entrepreneurs’, Gujarat and Karnataka emerged as the Best Performers among states including NCT of Delhi. Meghalaya was ranked first among UTs and North-eastern (NE) states.
Gujarat has been recognised as the best performer for the third consecutive year. Kerala, Orissa, Maharashtra, and Telangana were Top Performers among states.
Jammu & Kashmir was ranked as Top Performer, among UTs and NE states.
Assam, Punjab, Tamil Nādu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh emerged as winners in “Leaders’ category” among states.
Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa emerged as winners in “Leaders’ category” among UTs and NE states.
STATES RANKING INDEX FOR NFSA
State Ranking Index for National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2022 was released by Central government recently. In the index, Odisha has emerged as number one state in India.
Odisha’s Ranking: Odisha was ranked first, for bringing resilient food systems in state, in a bid to optimise the delivery of benefits.
This announcement was made by Union Food Minister Piyush Goyal during a Food & Nutrition Security Conference of Food ministers.
Odisha received an index score of 0.836. Ranking of other States. Uttar Pradesh has been ranked second, with an index score of 0.797. Andhra Pradesh has been third, with a score of 0.794.
GLOBAL LIVEABILITY INDEX 2022 LAUNCHED BY EIU
The Global Liveability Index 2022 was published by the “Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), recently.
The Global Liveability index ranks cities across the globe for their “liveability quotient”, on the basis of certain criteria.
In the latest index, top 10 world’s most liveable city list is dominated by Western European countries.
Indian cities have performed poorly this year.
Cities Ranking
Vienna has topped the ranking.
It is followed by Copenhagen, at second position.
Among the least 10 liveable cities, Tehran, Karachi, Dhaka and Lagos have been listed.
Indian cities
Bengaluru have been ranked at 146th position. It is the least liveable city in India.
Delhi has been placed at 140th
Mumbai has been placed at 141st
For the first time, Chennai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad have been included to the list.
Chennai is at 142nd and Ahmedabad is at 143rd
Before this year’s index, only Delhi and Mumbai got featured among 173 cities that are ranked in the index.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
THREE SINGAPOREAN SATELLITES LAUNCHED BY ISRO
Three Singaporean satellites were successfully launched by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as part of a commercial mission for the New Space India Limited.
This was the space agency’s second l aunch of the year; its first had put an Indian Earth Observation Satellite in orbit.
The space agency also carried six in-orbit experiments mounted on the fourth stage of the rocket on the current mission in addition to the commercial satellites.
The nation’s workhorse rocket, PSLV-C53, launched from Sriharikota and put the three satellites into precise orbits about 18 minutes later.
Its first small commercial satellite, weighing 155 kg, is called NeuSAR. It can transmit images in all weather conditions, day or night.
The third satellite was the 2.8 kg Scoob-1 from Nanyang Technical University, the first in a series of student satellites designed to provide practical training for the university’s satellite research centre.
PSLV ORBITAL EXPERIMENTAL MODULE (POEM)
On June 30, 2022 the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the “PSLV Orbital Experimental Module” (POEM) successfully.
The PSLV Orbital Experimental Module is a platform which will perform in-orbit experiments through the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket.
It is a four-stage rocket in which the first three spent stages will drop into the ocean and the final stage will end up as space junk after launching the satellite into orbit.
However, in PSLV-C53 mission, spent final stage will be used as a “stabilised platform” for performing the experiments.
INDIA'S 1ST AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION FACILITY
On July 4, 2022 Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, inaugurated India’s first Autonomous Navigation facility called TiHAN.
TiHAN was inaugurated at the campus of IIT Hyderabad. Union Ministry of Science and technology has developed the navigation facility with an outlay of Rs. 130 crores.
About TiHAN
TiHAN stands for “Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation”. It is a multidisciplinary initiative that has been launched to make India a global player in ‘smart mobility’ technology for future generations.
This platform will provide for high quality research facilities between industry, academia and R&D labs at local and global levels.
MISCELLANEOUS
WHO IS ALLURI SITARAMA RAJU?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 125th birth anniversary celebration of the legendary freedom fighters Alluri Sitarama Raju in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh.
The occasion was facilitated by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh Shri Biswabhusan Harichandan, Chief Minister Shri Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, and Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy.
Prime minister Narendra Modi announced that the 125th birth anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju and the 100th anniversary of Rampa Kranti will be celebrated throughout the year.
To make everyone aware of the legendary contribution of our freedom fighters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the restoration of Alluri Sitarama Raju and Rampa Kranti’s birthplace at Pandrangi, renovation of Chintapalli police station, and construction of Alluri Dhyana Mandir at Mogallu.
He also mentioned that Alluri Sitarama Raju Garu is not only a legendary freedom fighter but a symbol of India’s culture, tribal identity, valor, ideals, and values, and his sacrifice and life journey are an inspiration to all of us.
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THE HINDU DAILY ARTICLES' ANALYSIS BY SUCCESS MANTRA SMART COACHING
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