National News

President Droupadi Murmu Awarded Honorary Doctorate in Algeria.

• President Droupadi Murmu has been honored with an Honorary Doctorate in Political Science from Sidi Abdellah Science and Technology Pole University in Algiers, Algeria.
• The prestigious degree was presented to her by Kamal Baddari, Algeria’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
• This recognition underscores her contributions to political discourse and leadership.

  About Algeria:

• Capital: Algiers
• Currency: Algerian Dinar
• Continent: Africa
• President: Abdelmadjid Tebboune

Union Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar Launches Art Exhibition.

• Union Minister for External Affairs, Dr. S. Jaishankar, inaugurated the second edition of the art exhibition titled "Silent Conversation: From Margins to the Centre" in New Delhi.
• The four-day exhibition has been organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in collaboration with the Sankala Foundation, the National Human Rights Commission, and the International Big Cat Alliance.
• During the event, a book titled "Hidden Treasures: India’s Heritage in Tiger Reserves" and a magazine called "Big Cats" were also launched.
• The evening featured a cultural program attended by Dr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, highlighting the importance of art in promoting conservation and cultural awareness.

Ministry of Rural Development Signs MoU with Ten Banks to Boost Financing for Women Entrepreneurs.

• The Ministry of Rural Development has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY NRLM) with ten banks, including nine Public Sector Banks and one Private Bank.
• The participating banks are Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, UCO Bank, and IDBI Bank Limited.
• This collaboration aims to promote individual financing for women entrepreneurs, offering specially designed loan products that enable them to secure larger loans for scaling their enterprises.
• This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of empowering women through the "Lakhpati Didi" goal.
• Since its inception, the DAY NRLM program has seen significant growth, with over Rs. 9.5 crore in loans disbursed to self-help groups, fostering economic development in rural areas.
• This partnership is a crucial step toward enhancing financial inclusion and supporting women's entrepreneurship in India.

Mera Hou Chongba Festival Celebrated in Manipur to Promote Unity Among Indigenous Communities.

• The Mera Hou Chongba festival was observed in Imphal, Manipur, aimed at fostering unity between the indigenous communities living in the hills and those in the valleys.
• The main event took place at the sacred site of Kangla, where leaders from various hill districts joined valley residents to celebrate this unique festival, symbolizing harmony and cultural exchange.
• This festival is significant as it is the only occasion where both hill and valley indigenous communities come together, reinforcing their bonds and promoting mutual respect and understanding.
• The celebration highlights the rich cultural heritage of Manipur and the importance of unity among its diverse communities.

   About Manipur:

• Capital: Imphal
• Chief Minister: Biren Singh
• Governor: Anusuiya Uikey

Government and Meta Launch "Scam se Bacho" Campaign to Combat Online Scams.

• The Government of India and Meta have teamed up to launch the "Scam se Bacho" campaign, aimed at addressing the rising threat of online scams and cyber fraud.
• The campaign was inaugurated in New Delhi, with Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju emphasizing its importance in protecting citizens from the increasing risk of online fraud.
• This collaborative initiative involves the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.
• It focuses on raising awareness and providing resources to help the public identify and avoid scams in the digital space.

    Recent Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)

• BHP and SAIL: BHP signed an MoU with SAIL to explore pathways for steel decarbonization, aiming for more sustainable production methods.
• Bharat Forge and US Defense Companies: Bharat Forge has partnered with US defense giants to develop next-generation artillery systems.
• IIT Delhi and IAF: IIT Delhi has joined forces with the Indian Air Force for AI-powered research focused on aviation textiles.
• BPCL and Mumbai Port Authority: BPCL is collaborating with the Mumbai Port Authority to launch India's first green fuel ecosystem, promoting sustainable energy solutions.
• Amazon and Ministry of Labour: Amazon has partnered with the Ministry of Labour and Employment to enhance job opportunities through the National Career Service (NCS) portal.
• Rubber Research Institute and Indian Oil: The Rubber Research Institute of India signed an MoU with Indian Oil to advance research on Rubber Process Oils, benefiting both tyre and non-tyre rubber products.

Indian Railways Reduces Advance Booking Period from 120 Days to 60 Days.

• The Indian Railway Board has announced a significant change to its ticket booking policy, reducing the advance booking period for train tickets from 120 days to 60 days.
• This new guideline will come into effect on November 1.
• Passengers who have already made reservations under the current 120-day advance reservation period (ARP) before October 31 will retain the validity of their bookings.
• Additionally, cancellations for tickets booked beyond the new 60-day limit will still be permitted.
• It's important to note that this change does not affect certain daytime express trains, including the Taj Express and Gomti Express, which have different advance reservation policies.
• Furthermore, the option for foreign tourists to book tickets up to 365 days in advance will remain unchanged.

India and Mauritania Strengthen Ties with MoUs.

• During President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Mauritania, four MoUs were signed to enhance bilateral relations.
• This visit marks the first high-level engagement since Mauritania's independence in 1960.
• The agreements include training for diplomats, cultural exchange, visa exemptions, and foreign office consultations.

  About Mauritania:

• Capital: Nouakchott
• Currency: Ouguiya
• President: Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani

Mauritius Becomes First Recipient of Rupee Loan Under IDEAS from India.

• India has officially extended a Line of Credit amounting to INR 487.60 crores to the Government of Mauritius for a crucial water pipeline replacement project.
• This marks the first-ever ?-denominated Line of Credit offered by India for project financing under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS).
• The loan, facilitated through the State Bank of India (SBI), is designated for replacing approximately 100 kilometers of outdated water pipelines in Mauritius.
• This initiative underscores India's commitment to enhancing infrastructure in partner countries through financial support.

  What is IDEAS?

• The Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS) was launched by the Government of India as part of its Development Initiative.
• Initially announced in the 2003-2004 budget by then Finance Minister Jaswant Singh, IDEAS was allocated Rs 200 crore and later renamed to reflect its broader objectives.

  About Mauritius

• Capital: Port Louis
• Currency: Rupee
• Prime Minister: Pravind Jugnauth

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud Inaugurates AROHA-2024 Conference on Ayurveda.

• Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, has officially inaugurated the international conference "Advancements of Research and Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda" (AROHA-2024) in New Delhi.
• This three-day event is designed to highlight Ayurveda as a fundamental aspect of global health and wellness.
• Organized by the All India Institute of Ayurveda, an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Ayush, AROHA 2024 focuses on the theme of advancements in research and the global opportunities for holistic practices in Ayurveda.
• Delegates from several countries, including Japan, Colombia, Australia, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Argentina, are participating in this significant conference, which aims to promote collaboration and innovation in Ayurvedic research and practices.

                      International News

Om Birla Addresses 149th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Geneva.

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla delivered a significant address at the 149th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) held at its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
• He emphasized the critical importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges.
• The IPU serves as a platform for national parliaments worldwide to collaborate on pressing issues.
• The Indian delegation, led by Om Birla, included notable figures such as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh and other members from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• The theme of this year’s assembly focused on "Harnessing Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for a More Peaceful and Sustainable Future," highlighting the role of technological advancements in global governance.

S Jaishankar Attends 23rd SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting.

• External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar represented India at the 23rd Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Heads of Government, hosted in Islamabad, Pakistan.
• This two-day meeting marked the first visit by an Indian minister to Pakistan since 2015, when former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj attended the Heart of Asia Conference.

   About the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

• Founded: June 15, 2001
• Headquarters: Beijing, China
• Member Countries: 10 (Iran, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus)
• Founding Members: China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
• Membership Timeline: India and Pakistan joined in 2017, and Iran became a member in 2023. Belarus, previously an observer, was upgraded to full member status in 2024.
• Observer Members: Afghanistan and Mongolia

                          Appointment

Sourav Ganguly Appointed Director of Cricket at JSW Sports.

• Former Indian cricket captain and ex-BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the Director of Cricket at Jindal South West (JSW) Sports.
• In this pivotal role, Ganguly will oversee all cricketing operations for the organization, including the management of major franchises such as the Delhi Capitals’ men’s and women’s teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League (WPL), as well as the Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 League.
• For the next two years, the GMR Group will handle the operations of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, while JSW Sports will focus on managing the WPL team.
• In 2027, these responsibilities will switch, with JSW Sports taking over the management of the men’s team.

  Recent Appointments in Indian Governance

• Chief Minister of Haryana: Nayab Singh Saini (second term)
• Chief Minister of Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir: Omar Abdullah
• Deputy Chief Minister of Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir: Surinder Kumar Choudhary
• Managing Director and CEO of Indian Railways Financial Corporation (IRFC): Manoj Kumar Dubey
• Chairman of Tata Trusts: Noel Tata (succeeding Ratan Tata)
• CEO of Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Portal: L. Satya Srinivas (additional charge)

                            Awards

Nikita Porwal Crowned Femina Miss India 2024.

• Eighteen-year-old Nikita Porwal from Madhya Pradesh has been crowned Femina Miss India 2024 at a spectacular event held at Famous Studios in Mumbai.
• This marks the 60th edition of the prestigious beauty pageant, celebrating talent and beauty from across the nation.
• Nikita was followed by Rekha Pandayy, who represented the Union Territories as the first runner-up, while Ayushi Dholakia from Gujarat secured the second runner-up position.
• Nikita, who began her career as a TV anchor, received her crown from last year’s titleholder, Nandini Gupta.
• The event also featured Neha Dhupia, who proudly adorned Nikita with the Miss India sash.
• Despite her involvement in a film, many are still discovering Nikita's journey and achievements.
• Nikita Porwal succeeds Nandini Gupta, who held the Femina Miss India title since 2023.
• This crowning is expected to elevate Nikita's presence in the entertainment industry, highlighting her potential and aspirations.

                        Defence

Indian Coast Guard Conducts 2nd Edition of 'Sagar Kavach' Exercise 2024.

• The Indian Coast Guard has successfully executed the 2nd edition of the coastal security exercise ‘Sagar Kavach’ along the coasts of Gujarat and the Union Territory of Daman & Diu.
• This exercise aims to enhance coastal security and foster collaboration among various maritime agencies.
• The first edition of 'Sagar Kavach' for 2024 took place on July 11 and 12, along the coast of Andhra Pradesh.
• This latest iteration was coordinated by the Indian Coast Guard’s North West Regional Headquarters located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• The exercise saw participation from multiple agencies responsible for India’s coastal security, including the State Police, Indian Navy, Marine Police, Border Security Force (BSF), National Security Guard (NSG), Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and port authorities.
• Under the leadership of Director General Paramesh Sivamani, the Indian Coast Guard continues to strengthen its capabilities and collaboration to ensure maritime safety and security along India's vast coastline.