Daily Current Affairs July 20, 2024
- Historic Wagh Nakh Weapon:
- The historic wagh nakh, a tiger claw-shaped weapon, was reportedly used by Maratha warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to kill Bijapur Sultanate general Afzal Khan in the 1659 Battle of Pratapgarh.
- Recently, it has been put on display at the Satara Museum for the next seven months. The weapon was brought to India from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum on July 17 to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Maratha ruler’s ascension to the throne1.
- UPSC Chairman Manoj Soni’s Resignation:
- UPSC Chairman Manoj Soni has submitted his resignation citing personal reasons. His resignation has not been accepted yet. This decision comes five years before the termination of his tenure and a year after taking charge. His tenure is slated to end in 2029.
- Telangana’s “Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhayahastam” Scheme:
- Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy launched the “Rajiv Gandhi Civils Abhayahastam” scheme.
- Under this scheme, UPSC aspirants from Telangana who have already cleared the Prelims examination will receive financial assistance of ₹1 lakh for their Mains exam preparation.
- The scheme aims to support about 400 candidates from the Telangana region who qualify for the Mains every year. Eligible candidates include those from SC, ST, OBC, Women, and Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) categories, with family annual income below ₹8 lakhs. Applicants must be permanent residents of Telangana.
- Centre of Excellence for 6G Technology at IITM Research Park, Chennai:
- Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), inaugurated a centre of excellence on “Classical and Quantum Communications for 6G” at IITM Research Park, Chennai.
- This sub-center of Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCoE)-India will spearhead the development and deployment of 6G technology, promising unprecedented speeds, ultra-low latency, and enhanced connectivity.
- Ram Charan at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024:
- Ram Charan, known for his stellar performance in the global blockbuster “RRR,” will be the guest of honor at the prestigious Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2024.
- He will be awarded the title of Ambassador for Indian Art and Culture at IFFM 2024.
- Merger of DoT Training Institutes into National Communications Academy (NCA):
- Three training institutes of DoT – National Telecommunications Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training (NTIPRIT), the National Institute of Communication Finance (NICF), and the Wireless Monitoring Training & Development Centre (WMTDC) – have been merged into a single administrative entity named ‘National Communications Academy’ (NCA) with immediate effect.
- Taxnet 2.0 Project Awarded to Bharti Airtel:
- The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has awarded the Taxnet 2.0 project to Bharti Airtel Ltd.
- This project aims to provide advanced network connectivity, facility management services, and video conferencing services to the Income Tax Department (ITD).
- Bharti Airtel was chosen through an open tender process for this critical project, which aims to enhance the digital infrastructure of the ITD by providing secure, reliable, and seamless connectivity services.
Daily Current Affairs July 20, 2024
- Madhya Pradesh Recognized as Best Performing State under PM SVANidhi Scheme:
- Madhya Pradesh has been recognized as the ‘Best Performing State’ under the Prime Minister SVANidhi scheme.
- This scheme supports urban street vendors with collateral-free loans up to ₹50,000.
- Assam secured the second position in the ‘Best Performing States – Innovation and Best Practices Award’ category.
- Vinay Kwatra as India’s New Ambassador to the U.S.:
Former Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has been appointed as India’s new Ambassador to the United States. This significant role had been vacant since January 2024, and Mr. Kwatra is expected to take up the assignment shortly. His responsibilities include assessing the upcoming U.S. Presidential elections, engaging with the new administration, and preparing for the Quad Summit that India will host later this year.
- IISR’s Innovative Technology Award:
The Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) has received the Best Technology award for its groundbreaking work in horticultural sciences. Their technology, titled ‘Process for instant soluble turmeric enriched spice-flavoured milk powder,’ has already been commercialized. Two products—Golden Milk and Golden Milk Mix—have been successfully produced and marketed.
- BIS Standardization Chair Professor at IISc:
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, to establish the ‘BIS Standardization Chair Professor.’ This collaboration aims to integrate standardization topics into academic programs, engage academia in national and international standardization efforts, and promote research and innovation in standardization.
- Gandhi Mandela Award for Rigoberta Menchú Tum:
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum, a 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.
- IRCTC’s Milestone Achievement:
The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has achieved a significant milestone by advancing to the Scheduled ‘A’ category of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). This upgrade from ‘Schedule B’ was announced by the Ministry of Railways, marking a remarkable achievement in IRCTC’s 25th year of incorporation.
- RBI’s Committee on White-Label ATMs:
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has established a committee to review the fee structure of white-label ATMs (WLAs). The panel aims to evaluate current policies and recommend a balanced and sustainable model for all stakeholders.
- International Moon Day and International Chess Day:
On July 20th, we celebrate International Moon Day, commemorating humanity’s achievements in lunar exploration. It’s also a day to appreciate the ancient game of chess, as we observe International Chess Day.
- International Chess Day, celebrated annually on July 20th, is a worldwide commemoration that honors the ancient chess game.
