Daily Current Affairs July 17, 2024
- Haryana Government’s Quota for Agniveers:
- The Haryana government recently announced a 10% quota for Agniveers in various government job positions, including constables, mining guards, forest guards, jail wardens, and special police officers123.
- Additionally, the government will provide a subsidy of ₹60,000 per annum to industrial units that employ Agniveers with a monthly salary of ₹30,000.
- Asian Development Bank’s GDP Growth Forecast:
- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) maintained India’s GDP growth forecast at 7% for the current financial year (FY2024) due to expectations of a rebound in agriculture, driven by above-normal monsoon projections456.
- This projection aligns with the International Monetary Fund’s upward revision of India’s GDP growth to 7% from the earlier 6.8% estimate.
- Reserve Bank of India’s Growth Forecast:
- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) revised its growth forecast for FY2024 to 7.2% (up from the earlier 7%) based on strong manufacturing, construction, and investment activity789.
- The Indian economy is expected to grow by 7% in FY2024 and 7.2% in FY2025, as projected in the Asian Development Outlook (ADO).
- Tim Walker’s Novel “The Prisoner of Bhopal”:
- Tim Walker’s historical fiction novel, “The Prisoner of Bhopal,” commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy.
- The book follows Amil, who discovers a magical First World War journal that reveals the truth about his family and their ability to read the wind1011.
- ASMITA Project for Indian Language Literature:
- The ASMITA project aims to develop 22,000 books in Indian languages over the next five years.
- It is a collaborative effort between the UGC and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, promoting Indian languages in higher education121314.
- This initiative aligns with the National Education Policy’s emphasis on multilingual education and preserving India’s linguistic heritage.
- Roberta Metsola’s Historic Second Term as President of the European Parliament:
- Roberta Metsola, a prominent Maltese politician, has achieved a historic second term as President of the European Parliament. Notably, she is the first woman to accomplish this feat in the EU assembly’s history. Metsola received significant support from EU politicians, securing 562 out of 623 votes.
Daily Current Affairs July 17, 2024
- Asia’s Inaugural Health Research “Pre-clinical Network Facility” at THSTI:
- Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated Asia’s first health research-related “Pre-clinical Network Facility” at Faridabad’s Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI). This facility, selected by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), is the ninth globally to handle BSL3 pathogens. It includes one of India’s largest small animal housing capacities, supporting research on immune-compromised mice and various species. Additionally, the “Genetically Defined Human Associated Microbial Culture Collection (Ge-HuMic) Facility” aims to foster national and international collaborations in microbial research.
- Uttarakhand’s Integration of eSwasthya Dham Portal with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission:The Uttarakhand government successfully integrated its eSwasthya Dham portal with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). This integration is a significant step toward enhancing digital healthcare infrastructure. It improves health monitoring and management for pilgrims undertaking the revered Char Dham Yatra, aligning with India’s broader digital health initiatives.
- IMF’s Revised GDP Growth Forecast for India:In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF increased India’s GDP growth forecast for the ongoing fiscal year to 7%. This upward revision reflects improved consumption prospects, particularly in rural areas, supporting India’s economic trajectory. However, the IMF retained a slower growth rate of 6.5% for the following fiscal year.
- Manoj Saunik’s Appointment as Chairman of Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA):Manoj Saunik, former Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, has been appointed as the next Chairman of MahaRERA. He will succeed Ajoy Mehta, whose term ends in September 2024.
- President Paul Kagame’s Decisive Victory in Rwanda’s 2024 Presidential Election: President Paul Kagame secured a decisive victory in Rwanda’s 2024 presidential election, capturing 99.15% of the votes. This marks his fourth consecutive term in office, as reported by the National Electoral Commission.
- Indore’s Guinness World Record for Tree Planting:
- On July 14, Indore achieved a remarkable Guinness World Record by planting more than 11 lakh saplings in 24 hours. This mega plantation drive involved over 60,000 participants from different walks of life, making Indore the cleanest city in India and the economic capital of Madhya Pradesh123.
- SBI’s “Amrit Vrishti” 444-Day Term Deposit Scheme.State Bank of India (SBI) launched the “Amrit Vrishti” scheme, offering a 7.25% interest rate on deposits for 444 days. Senior citizens receive an additional 0.50% interest, bringing the total rate to 7.75% annually. The scheme is available to both domestic and non-resident Indian customers456.
- Supreme Court Appointments: President Droupadi Murmu approved the appointments of Justice N Kotiswar Singh and Justice R Mahadevan to the Supreme Court. Justice Kotiswar Singh, currently Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, becomes the first judge from Manipur to be elevated to the Supreme Court789.
- Subhash Dandekar’s Legacy and Camlin: Subhash Dandekar, the founder of Camlin, passed away at the age of 86. His vision transformed the stationery and art supplies industry in India. Camlin, originally founded in 1931, expanded from basic stationery items to a household name in art products under his leadership101112.
- World Day for International Justice (July 17, 2024):On July 17, the global community observes the World Day for International Justice. This day commemorates the adoption of the Rome Statute, which led to the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It emphasizes combatting impunity for serious crimes and supporting victims’ rights131415.