Remembering P.V. Narasimha Rao: Architect of Modern India

• Tributes poured in nationwide on the birth anniversary of former PM P.V. Narasimha Rao.

• PM Modi lauded Rao’s pivotal leadership during a crucial phase of India’s progress.

• Born on 28 June 1921 in present-day Telangana, Rao served as India’s 9th Prime Minister (1991–1996).

• He is credited with launching the 1991 economic reforms that reshaped India’s economy.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed him as a visionary statesman and intellectual.

• Congress President Kharge highlighted his role in strengthening India’s nuclear and foreign policy.

• Rao’s reforms helped expand the middle class and laid the path for a self-reliant India.

• He was the first South Indian and second non-Hindi speaker to become Prime Minister.

Parag Jain Appointed as New R&AW Chief

• Parag Jain, a 1989-batch IPS officer from Punjab cadre, has been appointed as the new R&AW chief for a two-year term.

• He will assume charge on July 1, 2025, succeeding Ravi Sinha, who retires on June 30.

• Jain currently heads the Aviation Research Centre and led the successful Operation Sindoor against terror targets in Pakistan.

• He played key roles during Punjab’s militancy phase and in J&K during the 2019 abrogation of Article 370.

• R&AW, India’s external intelligence agency, was established in 1968 after the 1962 and 1965 wars.

• Its core duties include foreign intelligence gathering, counter-terrorism, and supporting India’s strategic interests.

• The agency reports directly to the Prime Minister, and its chief holds the rank of Secretary (Research) in the Cabinet Secretariat.

• R&AW’s motto is “Dharmo Raksati Raksitah,” and it is headquartered in New Delhi.

Launch of New DEVI E-Buses and Narela Depot in Delhi

• CM Rekha Gupta flagged off 105 new orange DEVI electric buses on 27 July in Delhi.

• A new depot in Sector A9, Narela, was inaugurated; it was built in a record 90 days.

• The initiative is part of the government’s push to fully electrify Delhi’s public transport by 2027.

• The newly introduced nine-metre buses feature AC, panic buttons, and real-time monitoring systems.

• These buses replace paper tickets with smart cards for better efficiency and transparency.

• With seating for 23 and space for 17 standing passengers, the buses are ideal for Delhi’s narrow roads.

• This marks the first fleet of orange DEVI buses, adding to the existing green electric buses.

• CM also criticized the previous government for mismanagement in women’s free ride scheme and ineffective safety measures.

Zou Jiayi Appointed as Next AIIB President

• Zou Jiayi, ex-Chinese vice finance minister, has been named the next President of AIIB.

• Her five-year term will start in January 2026, succeeding founding head Jin Liqun.

• She becomes the second AIIB President and the first woman to lead the bank.

• AIIB was launched in 2016 as China’s alternative to Western-led financial institutions.

• The bank was initiated under the leadership of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

• It currently has 110 member countries, including India, the UK, Russia, and Germany.

• The bank focuses on infrastructure financing and sustainable development.

• AIIB’s headquarters is based in Beijing, China.

Jahnvi Dangeti Set to Become First Indian on Titans Space Mission

• Jahnvi Dangeti, 21, from Palakollu, Andhra Pradesh, will be the first Indian on the Titans space mission in 2029.

• She has been chosen for the 2025 astronaut class of the Titans space program.

• Her first orbital mission is scheduled for March 2029.

• Jahnvi is the first Indian to complete NASA’s International Air and Space Program (IASP).

• The mission will complete two orbits of Earth, witnessing two sunrises and two sunsets.

• Nearly three hours of zero gravity will enable advanced scientific and spaceflight research.

• The experience aims to push boundaries in human space exploration and technology.

• William McArthur Jr., ex-NASA astronaut and retired U.S. Army Colonel, will lead the mission.

• Jahnvi’s selection marks a major milestone for India in global space missions.

Winners of Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards 2024 Announced

G.R. Indugopan won Best Novel for Aano, while Anitha Thampi bagged the Poetry Award for Muringa Vazha Kariveppu.

• V. Shynilal was honoured in Short Story for Garisappa Aruvi, and Sasidharan Naduvil won the Drama Award for Pithalashalabham.

• Awards for Literary Criticism and Scholarly Literature went to G. Dileepan (Ramayanathinte Charithrasanchaarangal) and Deepak P. respectively.

• K. Rajasekharan Nair won in Biography/Autobiography, and K.R. Ajayan received the Travelogue Award.

• Chinju Prakash was awarded for Translation, and E.N. Sheeja won in Children’s Literature.

• Niranjan received the Humour Award, while K.V. Ramakrishnan and Ezhacheri Ramachandran were chosen for Fellowships with cash, gold locket, and citation.

• Lifetime Achievement Awards were given to six senior writers for their contribution to Malayalam literature.

• Special category winners include M. Swaraj (C.B. Kumar Award), S.S. Sreekumar (Kuttippuzha Award), Soumya K.C. (G.N. Pillai), Salim Sharif (Geetha Hiranyan), and Durgaprasad (Young Poetry).

• No winner was found suitable for the Vilasini Award, which honours literary studies on novels or novelists.

India's First Butterfly Sanctuary Declared in Kerala's Western Ghats

• Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala has been renamed Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, becoming India’s first dedicated butterfly reserve.

• Spanning 55 sq km, the sanctuary hosts over 266 butterfly species—more than 80% of Kerala’s butterfly population.

• This designation follows 25 years of research and conservation efforts by local wildlife experts.

• The sanctuary witnesses vibrant butterfly migrations between October and February, offering a stunning visual treat.

• Species like the Common Albatross are often seen fluttering among orchids and wildflowers.

• Established in 1984, Aralam is a biodiversity hotspot attracting researchers and conservationists.

• Annual butterfly counts are jointly conducted by the Forest Department and Malabar Natural History Society.

• Apart from butterflies, the forest is home to elephants, leopards, giant squirrels, and many bird species.

• The renaming highlights Kerala’s commitment to insect conservation and ecological education.

Green Data Centre Project Launched in Sahibabad, Uttar Pradesh

• CM Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh laid the foundation for a ₹1,000 crore Green Data Centre in Sahibabad.

• The 30 MW facility is being built through a collaboration between Central Electronics Limited (CEL) and ESDS.

• Designed for sustainability, it will run on renewable energy with smart cooling, rainwater harvesting, and reflective roofing.

• The data centre will host 200 high-density server racks per floor for advanced computing needs.

• It will feature a 40 Gbps fibre ring network with dual 10 Gbps connections for cloud and disaster recovery.

• CEL, a CSIR-affiliated PSU under the Ministry of Science & Technology, introduced India’s first solar cell in 1977.

• Dr. Singh also announced a new Biotechnology Industrial Park in Lucknow and a post-Independence Day Startup Conclave in UP.

• He highlighted atomic energy-based faecal sludge treatment planned for the upcoming Kumbh Mela.

India Declines to Sign SCO Defence Meet Declaration Over Terrorism Concerns

• India refused to endorse the joint declaration at the SCO Defence Ministers’ meet in Qingdao, China.

• The decision stemmed from the document’s failure to mention Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s move led to the absence of a unified SCO communique.

• As per the SCO Charter, consensus is mandatory—any dissent blocks adoption.

• Singh urged SCO members to take a firm, non-hypocritical stance against terrorism, radicalisation, and extremism.

• He underlined SCO’s global relevance, representing 30% of the world’s GDP and 40% of its population.

• The Defence Minister also welcomed Belarus as the latest full member of the SCO.

• The SCO, formed in 2001, now includes 10 members; China chairs it in 2025 under the theme “Upholding the Shanghai Spirit.”

India to Host 2029 World Police & Fire Games in Gujarat

• India has been selected to host the 2029 World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) after a successful bid in the USA.

• The event will take place across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Ekta Nagar in Gujarat.

• WPFG is one of the world’s largest sporting events for police, firefighters, and emergency responders.

• Participants from over 70 countries are expected to compete in the 2029 edition.

• The bid was presented to the WPFG Federation in Birmingham, USA, by Indian and Gujarat officials.

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs actively supported India’s hosting bid.

• WPFG is held every two years and is open to both active and retired law enforcement and fire personnel.

• The games are organized by the WPFG Federation, part of the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF), a US-based non-profit.