20th July, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
Madhya Pradesh Tops in PM SVANidhi Scheme as Best Performing State

• Madhya Pradesh has been recognized as the ‘Best Performing State’ under the Prime Minister SVANidhi scheme, which supports urban street vendors with collateral-free loans up to 50,000. The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry announced this accolade, with Assam securing the second position in the ‘Best Performing States – Innovation and Best Practices Award’ category.
• The PM SVANidhi program aligns with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, focusing on financial inclusion and empowerment of street vendors. The scheme supports over 28 lakh vendors, promotes online shopping, and emphasizes community development through a dedicated application portal.

Govt To Launch Second Phase Of KIRTI Initiative In New Delhi

• Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the second phase of the Government’s Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) initiative in New Delhi.
•  The Ministry said that KIRTI has been envisioned to develop an integrated talent identification architecture based on modern ICT tools and global best practices.
• This initiative aims to streamline the process of grassroots talent identification on a single platform. The project aims to achieve 20 Lakh assessments in 2024-25 by onboarding all states. Earlier, the first phase of KIRTI was launched in Chandigarh on 12th March this year.
•  In this phase, 3,62,683 registrations across 70 centers were made. Evaluation of aspiring athletes happened in 11 disciplines. These were Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Football, Hockey, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.

India Targets $500 Billion in Electronics Manufacturing by 2030: NITI Aayog

• India should set an ambitious target of achieving $500 billion in electronics manufacturing by 2030, as stated in a recent NITI Aayog report. This goal includes $350 billion from finished goods manufacturing and $150 billion from component manufacturing. Currently, India’s electronics production totals $101 billion, with $86 billion from finished goods and $15 billion from components.
• The report, titled “Electronics: Powering India’s Participation in Global Value Chains,” also forecasts that India’s electronics exports could reach $240 billion, with domestic value addition expected to surpass 35%.
• As of FY23, India’s electronics sector has reached $101 billion, up from $48 billion in FY17. The sector is driven primarily by mobile phone production, which constitutes 43% of total electronics production. India’s electronics manufacturing primarily involves the final assembly of electronic goods, with significant room for growth in components and design capabilities.
• The global electronics market, valued at $4.3 trillion, is dominated by countries like China, Taiwan, the US, South Korea, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

RPF rescued 84,119 Children Under Operation Nanhe Farishtey

• Over the past seven years, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been at the forefront of an operation named ‘Nanhe Farishte’. During last seven years (2018- May 2024), RPF has rescued 84,119 Children who were at risk in stations and trains, preventing them from falling into harm’s way.
• Nanhe Farishte is a mission dedicated to rescuing children in need of care and protection across various Indian Railway Zones. Nanhe Faristey is more than just an operation; it is a lifeline for thousands of children who find themselves in precarious situations. The data from 2018 to 2024 illustrates a story of unwavering dedication, adaptability, and resilience. Each rescue is a testament to the RPF’s commitment to safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.

Also Read: Top 30 MCQs on Ministries and Their Portfolios 2024: Who handles the Ministry of Heavy Industries?

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INTERNATIONAL
Vinay Kwatra Appointed as India’s New Ambassador to the U.S.

• Former Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to the United States, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday. Kwatra will assume his new role shortly, filling the position that has been vacant since Taranjit Sandhu’s retirement in January 2024.
• Kwatra’s previous roles include serving as Ambassador to France (August 2017 – February 2020) and Nepal (March 2020 – April 2022). His extensive experience in dealing with major global regions, including the U.S., China, and Europe, underscores his suitability for this high-profile diplomatic assignment.

Ivory Coast Joins UN Water Convention as 10th African Nation

• Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) has recently become the 53rd Party to the 1992 UN Water Convention, officially known as the Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes. This accession marks Ivory Coast as the 10th African nation to join the treaty. The move highlights a growing trend among African nations to enhance cooperative water management amidst increasing water stress and climate change impacts.
• Adopted in Helsinki in 1992 and entering into force in 1996, the Convention promotes the sustainable management of shared water resources, conflict prevention, and regional integration. It requires Parties to cooperate on transboundary waters, prevent negative impacts, and use water resources equitably.
• At least three more African nations—Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Zimbabwe—are expected to join the Convention soon. Sierra Leone has confirmed its intention to accelerate the accession process, while Zambia and Zimbabwe are in advanced stages of joining. These additions are set to be discussed at the 10th session of the Meeting of the Parties to the Convention in October 2024 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Belarus Introduces 90-Day Visa-Free Regime for 35 European Countries

• Belarus has announced a new visa-free regime allowing citizens from 35 European countries to stay in the country for up to 90 days per year. This policy, effective from July 19, 2024, is seen as an attempt by Minsk to ease tensions with the West, following recent geopolitical shifts and ongoing sanctions.
• Under this new policy, citizens from Germany, Britain, France, and other listed nations can enter Belarus without a visa and stay for up to 90 days annually.
• The visa-free access applies through road and rail checkpoints, further enhancing Belarus’s connectivity with Europe. The policy is valid until December 31, 2024, and aims to foster better relations and promote tourism and business exchanges between Belarus and the European countries involved.

Von der Leyen Re-elected as EU Commission President

• European Parliament lawmakers re-elected Ursula von der Leyen to a second five-year term as President of the European Union’s executive commission. Von der Leyen secured a comfortable majority, preventing a potential leadership vacuum.
• Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the result, to which von der Leyen responded with raised fists in victory. She described her re-election as a triumph for “pro-European, pro-Ukraine, and pro-rule of law” lawmakers.
• EU leaders approved von der Leyen’s candidacy at a recent summit. The European People’s Party, the largest group in the EU Parliament, backed her bid. Antonio Costa of Portugal and Estonia’s Kaja Kallas were also nominated for key EU positions, with Kallas needing parliamentary approval.

FICCI Projects 7% GDP Growth for India in 2024-25

• FICCI’s Economic Outlook Survey projects a robust 7% GDP growth for India in the fiscal year 2024-25. The survey, conducted in July 2024, reflects optimism among participating economists about the country’s economic prospects, though caution is advised due to global headwinds and inflationary pressures.
• The survey forecasts an annual median GDP growth of 7% for 2024-25. Notably, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also raised its GDP growth projection to 7.2% for this fiscal year. For Q1 and Q2 of 2024-25, median GDP growth is estimated at 6.8% and 7.2%, respectively.
• Agriculture and Allied Activities: Projected to grow at 3.7% in 2024-25, a significant increase from the 1.4% recorded in 2023-24.
• Industry and Services Sectors: Expected to grow by 6.7% and 7.4%, respectively, in the current fiscal year.
• An increase in the target is possible, but significant deviation from the ₹11.1 trillion figure in the interim Budget for FY25 is not expected.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
European Union to push at COP29 for followup on deal to curb fossil fuels

• The European Union will pressure other countries at this year’s COP29 climate summit to follow through on their pledge to transition away from fossil fuels.
• This year's United Nations climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November, is set to focus on finance, with large economies like the 27-country EU under pressure to agree to commit more money to help poorer nations cope with climate change.
• However, it showed Brussels will also have other demands - including that countries significantly step up their efforts to cut emissions by following through on the deal struck at last year's COP28 summit in Dubai to "transition away from fossil fuels".
• All countries should work on new national climate pledges "aligned with the 1.5°C target and the energy transition goals that were agreed in Dubai, notably transitioning away from fossil fuels, while tripling renewable energy capacity and doubling annual energy efficiency gains by 2030", the draft said.
• Countries face an early 2025 deadline to submit new national climate pledges to the UN.

SPORTS
AIFF awards 2024, Chhangte, Indumathi Win Top Male and Female Awards

• The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding achievements in Indian football for the 2023-24 season. The top honours went to LallianzualaChhangte and Indumathi Kathiresan, who were named the male and female Players of the Year respectively.
• LallianzualaChhangte, the 27-year-old winger from Mumbai City FC, secured the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year award for the second consecutive time. This achievement makes him only the fifth player to win the award multiple times.
• LallianzualaChhangte, the 27-year-old winger from Mumbai City FC, secured the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year award for the second consecutive time. This achievement makes him only the fifth player to win the award multiple times.

AWARDS
Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum Receives Prestigious Gandhi Mandela Award 2020

• Rigoberta Menchú Tum, the renowned Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Guatemalan human rights activist, has been honored with the Gandhi Mandela Award 2020. This prestigious accolade recognizes her lifelong commitment to advocating for Indigenous rights and promoting peace and social justice.
• The Gandhi Mandela Award was conferred on Rigoberta Menchú Tum on July 18, 2023, coinciding with Nelson Mandela’s 106th birth anniversary. This date holds special significance, aligning with the values of peace and equality that both Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi championed throughout their lives.
• The Gandhi Mandela Award was established by the Gandhi Mandela Foundation to honor individuals who embody the principles of Gandhi and Mandela. It serves as a recognition of those who have made significant contributions to peace, social justice, and human rights.

Published date : 22 Jul 2024 11:30AM