current affairs-July 3

current affairs-July 3

1. Launch of NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme: On July 1, 2024, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the NTR Bharosa pension scheme, fulfilling a key election promise and bringing hope to millions across the state. The launch event took place at 6 a.m. in Penumaka village, Tadepalli block, Amaravati, with the first pension delivered there. Key participants included Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and various cabinet members and MLAs of the ruling alliance.

About the NTR Bharosa Pension Scheme:

1. What is it?: A social security program aimed at providing financial support to vulnerable groups in Andhra Pradesh.
2. Key Features:
   1. Increased pension amounts:
      • Old-aged people, widows, weavers, etc.: Rs 4,000 per month (up from Rs 3,000)
      • Disabled and leprosy patients: Rs 6,000 per month (up from Rs 3,000)
      • Severely disabled: Rs 15,000 per month (up from Rs 5,000)
      • Chronic disease patients: Rs 10,000 per month (up from Rs 5,000)
   2. Wide coverage:
      • 6.531 million beneficiaries
      • 28 different categories
   3. Doorstep delivery of pensions

Impact of the Scheme:

1. Financial Support: Total amount distributed on launch day was Rs 4,408 crore.
2. Beneficiary Groups: Old-aged people, widows, weavers, toddy tappers, fishermen, single women, traditional cobblers, transgenders, artists, disabled individuals, and chronic disease patients.

Additional Announcements:

1. Chief Minister Naidu also announced the introduction of Amma canteens in the state, offering meals at just Rs 5.

The Legacy of N T Rama Rao:

1. The scheme is named after Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao (NTR), a significant figure in Andhra Pradesh’s history, who was a famous Telugu film actor and producer, founder of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982, three-time Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and father-in-law of the current Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.

Why This Day is Important:

1. Fulfillment of Promises: The TDP government, sworn in on June 12, 2024, quickly acted on its election promise.
2. Social Welfare: The scheme aims to improve the lives of millions of vulnerable citizens.
3. Political Legacy: It honors the memory of NTR while continuing his vision of social welfare.
4. Statewide Participation: The involvement of all cabinet members and MLAs in the launch demonstrates the government’s commitment to the scheme.

current affairs-July 3

India-Thailand Maitree Exercise: On July 1, 2024, the Maitree Exercise, a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army, commenced at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province, Thailand. This two-week exercise, running until July 15, 2024, is a significant step in strengthening military ties between the two nations.

United Nations Conference on Afghanistan: On June 30 and July 1, 2024, the third United Nations Conference on Afghanistan took place in Doha, Qatar. This event marked the first time the Taliban participated in such talks since taking control of Afghanistan.

International Plastic Bag Free Day: Celebrated annually on July 3, International Plastic Bag Free Day aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of plastic bags and encourages the use of eco-friendly alternatives.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Career Achievement Award: Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan is set to receive the Locarno Film Festival’s career achievement award, the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera. The festival announced on July 2 that the award will celebrate Khan’s remarkable career in Indian cinema.

Nomadic Elephant Joint Military Exercise: The 16th edition of the Joint Military Exercise ‘Nomadic Elephant’ between the armies of India and Mongolia will be conducted in Meghalaya’s Umroi from July 3-16. The exercise aims to enhance interoperability between the two armies in carrying out semi-conventional operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.

ICICI Bank’s Student Sapphiro Forex Card: ICICI Bank has introduced the ‘Student Sapphiro Forex Card’, a premium prepaid card designed for students heading abroad for higher education. Powered by Visa, this card offers exclusive benefits and convenience for managing education-related expenses such as admission fees, course fees, and daily expenses like travel, dining, and groceries.

China’s New Presidential Palace in Vanuatu: China has built a new presidential palace in Vanuatu, symbolizing the strengthening ties between the two nations. Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, inaugurated the building, which is part of a larger project that includes a new finance ministry and renovations to the foreign affairs department.

New Horned Frog Species in Arunachal Pradesh: Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of forest-dwelling horned frog in Arunachal Pradesh. Named Xenophrys apatani, this species was found in the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in the Lower Subansiri district and is named in honor of the Apatani community for their conservation efforts.

current affairs-July 3

Inauguration of Weapon Systems School by IAF: The Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, inaugurated the Weapon Systems School (WSS) in Hyderabad. This school aims to provide advanced training to officers of the newly formed Weapon Systems (WS) branch, integrating ground-based and specialist weapon system operators to enhance the IAF’s war-fighting capabilities.

Hungary’s EU Council Presidency: Hungary has taken over the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for the next six months. Under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Hungary plans to focus on EU competitiveness, defense policy, migration control, and agricultural reform. The presidency’s motto, “Make Europe Great Again,” emphasizes unity and proactive global engagement.

Global IndiaAI Summit 2024: The ‘Global IndiaAI Summit 2024’ has begun in New Delhi, hosted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. This two-day event aims to position India as a leader in AI innovation while promoting ethical and inclusive AI development. Sessions will cover IndiaAI’s strategic pillars, including compute capacity, datasets platform, innovation centers, and skills development.

Puma India’s New Brand Ambassadors: On July 1, 2024, Puma India announced Riyan Parag and Nitish Kumar Reddy as their new brand ambassadors. This move highlights Puma’s commitment to supporting young talent and engaging with India’s youth.

Costa Rica’s Pineapple Exports: Costa Rica is the world’s largest exporter of pineapples, exporting 2,059,352 tons. The country’s success is attributed to its ideal climate, modern farming techniques, and significant agricultural investments. Costa Rican pineapples are renowned for their high quality, making them popular in major markets like the United States and Europe. This industry plays a crucial role in boosting Costa Rica’s economy by providing jobs and supporting rural communities.

Inauguration of DMF Gallery: Union Minister of Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, along with Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey, inaugurated the District Mineral Foundation (DMF) Gallery at Shastri Bhawan in New Delhi on July 2, 2024. The gallery showcases products from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) formed under the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana and those supported by mining companies under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

current affairs-July 3

In India, brinjal cultivation has seen a modest increase of 0.29%, covering 6.77 lakh hectares (16.72 lakh acres) and yielding a total production of 127.79 lakh tonnes. This growth highlights the resilience and gradual expansion of brinjal farming nationwide, making a significant contribution to agricultural output and food security initiatives. Notably, West Bengal, as India’s leading brinjal producer, contributes 23.72% to the country’s overall production. The state capitalizes on favorable climatic conditions and year-round cultivation practices, ensuring a consistent supply of brinjal throughout the year. These strategic advantages underscore West Bengal’s crucial role in sustaining India’s agricultural output of this versatile vegetable.