IMPORTANT DAYS

Kargil Vijay Diwas observed on July 26

• Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed annually on July 26 to honor the soldiers who fought in the Kargil War.

• This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War.

• The day also celebrates India's victory over Pakistan in the 1999 Kargil War and the successful completion of Operation Vijay.

• The Kargil War lasted over 60 days, ending with India regaining control of all its territories.

• The conflict occurred from May 3 to July 26, 1999, along the Line of Control (LOC).

• India lost more than 500 soldiers during the Kargil War.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Drass in Ladakh on July 26 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

NATIONAL NEWS

Rashtrapati Bhavan's Durbar Hall and Ashok Hall have been renamed.

• President Droupadi Murmu has renamed Rashtrapati Bhavan's Durbar Hall to ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and Ashok Hall to ‘Ashok Mandap’.

• The renaming aims to reflect Indian cultural values and ethos in the ambience of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

• Rashtrapati Bhavan serves as the official residence of the President of India.

• ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ is the new name for Durbar Hall, where significant ceremonies like the presentation of National Awards are held.

• Historically, "Durbar" refers to the courts and assemblies of Indian rulers and the British.

• ‘Ashok Hall’, originally a ballroom, has been renamed ‘Ashok Mandap’ to ensure language uniformity.

• The term Ashok signifies ‘free from all sufferings’.

AWARDS

Shah Rukh Khan, First Indian Actor, Honored with Gold Coins

• Shah Rukh Khan has been honored with a customized gold coin by the Grevin Museum in Paris.

• He is the first Indian actor to receive a coin in his name at the Grevin Museum.

• The Grevin Museum is renowned for its wax figures of celebrities, including a wax statue of Shah Rukh Khan.

• Shah Rukh Khan is the second Indian, after Mahatma Gandhi, to be honored with a coin at the Grevin Museum.

• He will also receive the Career Achievement Award from the Locarno Film Festival for his prolific career of over 100 feature films.

• The 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival is set to take place from August 7 to 17 in Locarno, Switzerland.

• The award will be presented to Shah Rukh Khan on August 10 at the open-air venue Piazza Grande.

DEFENCE

Indian Army contingent to participate in joint military Ex Khaan Quest 2024 in Mongolia

• The Indian Army is taking part in the 21st multinational military exercise Khan Quest in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from July 27 to August 9, 2024.

• Khan Quest started in 2003 as a bilateral exercise between U.S. and Mongolian armed forces and became a multinational exercise in 2008.

• The Indian contingent consists of 40 personnel from the Madras Battalion, including three women soldiers (one officer and two soldiers).

• India and Mongolia maintain strong defense ties, with regular joint exercises like Nomadic Elephant.

• The 16th edition of the Nomadic Elephant exercise was held in July 2024 in Meghalaya, India.

• Khan Quest now involves multiple nations and focuses on enhancing military cooperation.

• The participation highlights India's ongoing commitment to strengthening international military relations.

MISCELLANEOUS

Goa Shipyard launches advanced Talwar class frigate 'Triput'

• The first indigenously built Talwar Class frigate, 'INS Triput', was launched by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) on July 24, 2024, for the Indian Navy.

• India and Russia agreed in 2016 to acquire four Admiral Grigorovich-class stealth frigates, with two built in Russia and two in India under a technology transfer arrangement.

• Goa Shipyard Limited signed a $500 million agreement with Russia's Rosoboronexport in 2018 for technology transfer and assistance in building two frigates in India.

• The frigate is equipped with BrahMos missiles and the Shtil-1 air defense system, measures 125 meters in length, and can reach speeds of up to 28 knots with Zorya gas-turbine engines.

• The Talwar-class frigates, including the newly launched 'INS Trikand', feature advanced weaponry and sensors, such as BrahMos or Klub anti-ship missiles and the Shtil-1 air defense system.

• The delivery of these frigates faced delays due to COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

• 'INS Triput' marks a significant milestone in India's naval capabilities with indigenous construction.