IMPORTANT DAYS
International Day of Play 2024 celebrated on June 11
The first International Day of Play will be celebrated on June 11, 2024.
This day marks a pivotal effort to preserve, promote, and prioritize sports, ensuring that everyone, particularly children, benefits and achieves their full potential.
UN Declaration: The United Nations has officially designated June 11 as the "International Day of Play."
The day emphasizes the right to play for all children under the age of 18.
Impact on Wellbeing: Engaging in playful activities significantly enhances the wellbeing and mental health of children, parents, and caregivers.
Initiative in India: The Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj in India will organize sports activities for children at Gram Panchayat Awareness Centres to celebrate International Sports Day.
These centres will host various activities monthly as part of the ‘Light of Reading’ programme.
NATIONAL NEWS
New Portfolios Announced for Union Council of Ministers
A day after taking oath of office for a historic third consecutive term, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assigned portfolios to his 71 council of ministers.
Rajnath Singh: Continues as the Defence Minister.
Amit Shah: Retains his roles as the Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation.
Nirmala Sitharaman: Remains the Finance Minister.
Dr. S. Jaishankar: Continues as the External Affairs Minister.
Nitin Gadkari: Maintains his position as the Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
Piyush Goyal: Once again entrusted with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Dharmendra Pradhan: Retains his role as the Education Minister.
J.P. Nadda: Appointed as the new Health and Chemical and Fertilizers Minister.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, now the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Continues as the Rail Minister and additionally takes on the role of Minister of Information and Broadcasting.
Dr. Virendra Kumar: Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment
Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu: Minister of Civil Aviation
Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia: Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region
Shri Bhupender Yadav: Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat: Minister of Culture; and Minister of Tourism
Smt. Annpurna Devi: Minister of Women and Child Development
Shri Kiren Rijiju: Minister of Parliamentary Affairs; and Minister of Minority Affairs
Shri C R Patil: Minister of Jal Shakti
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya: Minister of Labour and Employment; and Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports etc.
SPORTS
Pooja Tomar created history by becoming the first Indian to win in UFC.
Pooja Tomar made history by becoming the first Indian to secure a victory in the UFC.
At UFC Louisville 2024, she triumphed over Brazil's Rayanne dos Santos, marking a significant milestone. Hailing from Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Pooja had previously made headlines in 2023 as the first Indian woman to earn a UFC contract.
In her debut fight in the women's strawweight division, she won by split decision, with scores of 30–27, 27–30, and 29–28.
India has a rich history of women excelling in combat sports, and since 2013, the UFC has provided a platform for female athletes to shine.
SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES
India took part in the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Russia.
India participated in the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting held in Russia.
The meeting commenced on June 10, 2024, in Nizhny Novgorod.
Dammu Ravi, the Secretary (Economic Relations) at the Ministry of External Affairs, led the Indian delegation.
This was the first foreign ministers' meeting since BRICS expanded in 2023 to include ten members.
The original members—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—were joined by Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia. Russia assumed the BRICS chairmanship on January 1, 2024.
APPOINTMENTS
First woman helicopter pilot was appointed in the Indian Navy.
The Indian Navy appointed its first woman helicopter pilot, Sub Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev, during the Passing Out Parade at Naval Air Station INS Rajali in Arakkonam, Ranipet district.
Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, awarded the prestigious "Golden Wings" to 21 officers.
The parade, held on June 7, celebrated the graduation of the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course.
The trainees completed an intensive 22-week program that included rigorous flying and ground training at Indian Naval Air Squadron 561.
The Helicopter Training School in Arakkonam has trained 849 pilots from the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and friendly foreign nations.
