IMPORTANT DAYS

CRPF Raising Day celebrated on 27 July

• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is celebrating its Raising Day on 27 July 2024.

• CRPF was established as Crown Representative Police on this day in 1939 by the British rulers of India.

• It is the largest paramilitary force under the central government.

• CRPF is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India.

• The other CAPFs include Assam Rifles, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Police Force (ITBP), National Security Guard (NSG), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

• CRPF plays a crucial role in maintaining internal security.

• The force is dedicated to various tasks, including crowd control, counter-insurgency, and anti-terrorism operations.

• CRPF's contribution to India's internal security is significant and extensive.

SUMMIT AND CONFERENCES

4th BIMSTEC Security Chiefs meeting

• The 4th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Security Chiefs meeting took place in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on 27 July 2024.

• India was represented by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.

• Ajit Doval participated in the meeting as part of the Indian delegation.

• During his visit, Doval also met Myanmar's Prime Minister, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

• During the BIMSTEC meeting, Doval called on member countries of the grouping to strengthen cooperation in counter-terrorism; combating drug trafficking, arms smuggling and organized crime.

9th governing council meeting of NITI Aayog is chaired by PM Narendra Modi.

• The 9th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, aims to transform India into a developed nation.

• The theme for this year’s meeting is "Viksit Bharat@2047," focusing on long-term development goals.

• The Vision Document on Viksit Bharat was a key topic discussed at the meeting.

• The meeting emphasizes participative governance and enhancing collaboration between the Centre and State Governments.

• Detailed discussions were held on the role of states in achieving the Viksit Bharat objectives.

• NITI Aayog, chaired by the Prime Minister, was established on January 1, 2015.

• Suman Bery is the current Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog.

• The Governing Council meeting seeks to foster effective governance and state involvement in national development goals.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The first sweeping climate change law passed by South Africa

• South Africa has passed its first comprehensive Climate Change Act, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

• The law will impose limits on large emitters and mandate adaptation plans for every city and town.

• The act aims to help South Africa meet its emissions reduction commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement.

• As one of the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters, South Africa is struggling to meet these targets due to its reliance on coal for electricity.

• Emissions targets will be set for high-emitting sectors such as industry, transportation, and agriculture.

• Each relevant ministry will be required to implement measures to meet these emissions targets.

• The law is a significant step in addressing South Africa's status as the world's most carbon-intensive major economy.

NATIONAL NEWS

India has assumed the Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC).

• India has taken over as the Chair of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC).

• Rajendra Singh, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority, represents India in this role.

• He succeeded China as ADPC Chair for the 2024-25 term in Bangkok, Thailand.

• ADPC is an autonomous international organization focused on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience in Asia and the Pacific.

• Established in 1986, it started as a regional disaster preparedness center at the Asian Institute of Technology in Bangkok.

• ADPC's headquarters are located in Bangkok, Thailand.

• India and eight neighboring countries are founding members of ADPC.

• The founding countries include Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

Shinkun La Tunnel construction launched by PM Modi.

• PM Modi inaugurated the Shinkun La Tunnel construction marking the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas anniversary.

• The Shinkun La Tunnel will be the world's highest, situated at approximately 15,800 feet above sea level.

• Spanning 4.1 km with twin tubes, the tunnel will be built on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha road.

• The project, costing Rs 1,681 crore, will be executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

• Estimated to be completed in two years, the tunnel will feature cross-passages every 500 meters.

• The tunnel aims to enhance economic development in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh and support military operations near the China border.

• The route is snow-covered for about five months annually, highlighting the tunnel's strategic importance.

• The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the tunnel project in February 2023.

SPORTS

Paris Olympics 2024 started in France on July 26 2024.

• The Paris Olympics 2024 commenced in France on July 26 and will run until August 11.

• This marks the 33rd edition of the Summer Olympic Games.

• The Phrygian caps are the official mascots for Paris 2024.

• For the first time, athletes will sail through a river to enter the Olympics ceremony event.

• PV Sindhu and Sharath Kamal led the Indian contingent as flag bearers at the opening ceremony.

• India's team at the Paris 2024 Olympics includes 117 athletes (70 men and 47 women) competing in 16 sports.

• In the previous Olympics, India achieved its best performance with 7 medals, including a gold from javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra.

• Paris, hosting the Games for the third time (previously in 1900 and 1924), joins London as the only cities to host the Summer Olympics three times.

AWARDS

‘Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman’ has been awarded to PSUs located in Visakhapatnam

• The ‘Rajbhasha Gaurav Samman’ was awarded to PSUs in Visakhapatnam by the Town Official Language Implementation Committee (TOLIC) for the year 2023-24.

• This award recognizes exceptional performance in implementing the Official Language.

• Hindi Officers and Coordinators of the organizations received the ‘Nagar Rajbhasha Samman’.

• In category-I, HPCL-Visakha Refinery secured 1st place, followed by NTPC Simhadri and Airport Authority of India in 2nd and 3rd places, respectively.

• For category-II, GAIL received the 1st prize, HPCL-Visakha Regional Office the 2nd, and SAIL – Branch Transport & Shipping Office the 3rd prize.

• MSTC, HPCL LPG, and ECGC (Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India) won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd positions in category-III.

• The awards highlight the commitment to promoting and implementing the Official Language within these organizations.

• The ceremony celebrated the achievements in enhancing the use of Hindi in official capacities across various public sector units.