IMPORTANT DAYS

National Watermelon Day observed on 3 August

• National Watermelon Day is observed on August 3.

• This day honors the watermelon, a fruit with origins dating back to Ancient Egypt.

• Watermelon cultivation began around 2000 B.C., with the first harvest about 5,000 years ago.

• Historically, watermelon seeds were traded through the Kalahari Desert in Africa.

• The fruit consists of 92% water.

• Over 1,200 varieties of watermelon exist.

• Watermelon Day celebrates the long history and refreshing qualities of this popular fruit.

NATIONAL NEWS

India is the 2nd largest aluminum Producer in the World

• India is the world's second-largest aluminum producer.

• It is also the third-largest lime producer and fourth-largest iron ore producer globally.

• For April-June FY 2024–25, primary aluminum production grew by 1.2% compared to the previous year.

• Iron ore production rose from 72 MMT in FY 2023–24 to 79 MMT in FY 2024–25.

• Limestone production increased from 114 MMT in FY 2023–24 to 116 MMT in FY 2024–25.

• Manganese ore production saw an 11% rise to 1.0 MMT in FY 2024–25.

• Iron ore and limestone together represent about 80% of total MCDR mineral production by value.

• In FY 2023–24, India produced 275 MMT of iron ore and 450 MMT of limestone.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE)

• The 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) was inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on August 3.

• This triennial event started on August 2 and will end on August 7.

• After 65 years, the ICAE is being hosted in India.

• The theme of this year's conference is "Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems."

• The conference aims to tackle global challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, rising costs, and conflicts affecting agriculture.

• ICAE 2024 provides a platform for young researchers and experts to present their research and connect with international peers.

• The event seeks to boost research collaborations, influence policy, and showcase advancements in Indian agriculture, including digital and sustainable practices.

• Approximately 1,000 delegates from 75 countries are attending the conference.

MISCELLANEOUS

Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has been selected as the lead astronaut for the Indo-US ISS mission

• Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force will lead the Indo-US mission to the ISS.

• The mission involves a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) between Axiom Space Inc., USA, and ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC).

• The National Mission Assignment Board has nominated Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair as the backup and Shubhanshu Shukla as the prime mission pilot.

• The Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP) will provide final approval for the crew's ISS mission.

• The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate human spaceflight by sending a three-person crew into a 400-kilometer orbit.

• The mission plans a 3-day stay in space, with a return to Earth involving a splashdown in Indian sea waters.

• Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight program, will be launched using an LVM3 rocket.

• India's future goals include sending an astronaut to the moon by 2040 and establishing a "Bharatiya Antariksha Station" by 2035.

In 2024, Rapido became the third startup to achieve unicorn status

• Rapido, a ride-hailing startup founded in 2015, achieved unicorn status in 2024.

• The startup raised $120 million in Series E funding led by WestBridge Capital.

• An additional $20 million is anticipated from global investors.

• Rapido aims to enhance its technology and expand into markets currently dominated by Ola and Uber.

• It joins Perfios and Krutrim AI as the third unicorn of 2024.

• The funding will support Rapido's growth and technology development.

• Rapido's valuation surpassed $1 billion following this funding round.