NATIONAL NEWS
NITI Aayog Launches ‘Sampoornata Abhiyan’
• NITI Aayog initiated the Sampoornata Abhiyan to achieve saturation in 12 key social sector indicators across 500 aspirational blocks and 112 aspirational districts.
• The campaign targets health, nutrition, agriculture, social development, and education.
• Running until September, it includes awareness activities such as Gram Sabhas, Nukkad Natak, Paushtik Aahar Mela, health camps, exhibitions, and competitions.
• Activities involve district and block officials, elected representatives, and community members.
• The campaign saw participation from regions including Jammu and Kashmir and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Significant participation was noted in health and nutrition activities in districts like Ratlam, Singrauli, Udham Singh Nagar, Nuh, and Annamayya.
• The launch events actively involved officials, frontline workers, and local representatives.
AWARDS
Maharashtra bags the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024
• Maharashtra wins Best Agriculture State Award for 2024.
• Award announced by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.
• Committee headed by Justice P Sathasivam, former Chief Justice of India and Governor of Kerala.
• Announcement made by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.
• Maharashtra Chief Minister, Eknath Shinde, to receive the award.
• Award ceremony to be held in New Delhi on 10 July 2024.
SPORTS
Dhruv Sitwala wins his third Asian Billiards Title at Riyadh
• Dhruv Sitwala defeated Pankaj Advani to win the 2024 Asian Billiards Championship.
• Championship held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• Championship organised by the Asian Confederation of Billiard Sports (ACBS).
• Event dates: 27th June to 5th July 2024.
• Championship Included Men’s Snooker Team, Men’s Billiards, and Women’s Snooker Championships.
• This win marks Dhruv Sitwala's third Asian billiards title.
• Previous titles won by Dhruv Sitwala in 2015 and 2016.
India wins two titles at the Asian Squash Doubles Championship 2024
• Indian Squash players won two titles at the 2024 Asian Squash Doubles Championship in Johor, Malaysia.
• India secured the men’s doubles and mixed doubles titles.
• The Indian men's team previously won the 2022 Asian Team Championship in Cheongju, South Korea.
• In mixed doubles, Abhay Singh and Joshna Chinappa defeated Hong Kong China's Tong Tsz Wing and Ming Hong Tang 2-1 in the finals.
• The mixed doubles final took place on 7 July 2024 at the Arena Emas in Johor, Malaysia.
• In men’s doubles, Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar defeated Malaysia's Ong Sai Hung and Syafiq Kamal in straight sets.
APPOINTMENTS
Masoud Pezheshkian to be Iran's new president
• Reformist leader Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran's presidential election.
• He defeated hardline leader Saeed Jalili on 6 July 2024.
• Pezeshkian's victory came over the radical candidate Saeed Jalili.
• During his campaign, Pezeshkian promised to implement the mandatory headscarf law.
• This law was introduced following years of restrictions and protests in the Islamic Republic.
• The election results were announced on 6 July 2024.
• Pezeshkian's commitment to the headscarf law was a key part of his campaign.
STATE NEWS
Five and a half crore trees will be planted in Madhya Pradesh under the One Tree Maa Ki Naam campaign launched by PM Modi
• Five and a half crore saplings will be planted in Madhya Pradesh under the 'Ek Tree Maa Ki Naam' campaign.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the campaign, which was inaugurated by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
• The campaign coincides with the birth anniversary of Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
• In Bhopal district, the target is to plant 20 lakh saplings over 480 hectares.
• 12 lakh saplings are already being planted in various locations within Bhopal district.
• Indore aims to plant 51 lakh saplings, making it a significant part of the campaign.
• The 'Ek Tree Maa Ke Naam' campaign is being conducted across all cities and villages in the state until July 15.