Current Affairs - July 9, 2024 Current Affairs

India is set to host the 28th Malabar naval exercise in October, partnering with the United States, Japan, and Australia. This exercise aims to enhance military coordination and interoperability among the participating nations, focusing on advanced anti-submarine warfare and strategic naval manoeuvres. The exercise underscores India's strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region amidst escalating tensions, particularly concerning China's assertive actions in regional waters.

The Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) initiative aims to increase telecom connectivity in rural areas, replacing the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). It focuses on promoting telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas, funding research, supporting pilot projects, and introducing new telecom services and technologies. This initiative underscores the government's commitment to bridging the digital divide by targeting underserved groups and enhancing connectivity across India's diverse geographic regions.

Maharashtra has been awarded the Best Agriculture State Award for 2024 by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee. This recognition highlights Maharashtra's significant achievements in agriculture, including sustainable development policies, the country’s largest bamboo mission, and extensive irrigation projects. These efforts underscore Maharashtra's commitment to enhancing rural prosperity and environmental sustainability in the agricultural sector.

The AI Audit Tool collaboration between ICAI and MeitY aims primarily to monitor corporate performance and detect fraud in corporate India. Additionally, as part of this initiative, over 9 lakh CA students will benefit from an AI-based GPT tool for exam preparation. This tool will provide access to questions spanning 75 years of accounting standards, facilitating comprehensive research and efficient preparation for examinations while advancing technological integration in professional education within the accounting domain.

Gautam Gambhir has been unanimously recommended by the Cricket Advisory Committee as the Head Coach of the India Men’s Team (Senior Men). He will assume the role starting from the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, succeeding Rahul Dravid. Gambhir, a former Indian cricketer known for his tenacity and leadership, is entrusted with continuing India's cricketing success and nurturing young talent, following Dravid's notable tenure marked by victories in major ICC tournaments and bilateral series achievements.

Tata Power has launched the 'Ghar Ghar Solar' initiative in Uttar Pradesh, starting from Varanasi, to promote rooftop solar solutions among residents. This initiative offers substantial subsidies, state-of-the-art technology, and financial savings on electricity bills, aiming to drive widespread adoption of clean energy and support sustainable development goals in the region.

India's employment growth rate in FY24, as per the RBI report, surged to 6% from 3.2% in FY23. This increase reflects the creation of 46.7 million jobs, bringing total employment to 643.3 million by March 2024. Despite this growth, concerns about rising unemployment rates highlight ongoing challenges in the labour market amidst varying economic assessments and projections.

India provided a $2.5 million line of credit to Guyana for the installation of a solar photovoltaic power plant at Cheddi Jagan International Airport. The agreement, facilitated by the Export-Import Bank of India, stipulates that at least 75% of the project's contract value will be sourced from Indian suppliers. This initiative underscores India's commitment to promoting renewable energy infrastructure in partner countries, enhancing energy security, and fostering bilateral relations through strategic investments in sustainable development projects.

The Asian Squash Doubles Championship 2024 took place at the Arena Emas in Johor, Malaysia. Indian squash players Abhay Singh and Velavan Senthilkumar clinched the men’s doubles title by defeating Malaysia's Ong Sai Hung and Syafiq Kamal. This victory underscores Malaysia's role as the host nation for this prestigious championship and highlights the competitive prowess of the participants on Malaysian soil.

Uttar Pradesh has implemented a policy granting a 100% waiver on the registration fee for strong hybrid vehicles. This initiative aims to promote the adoption of hybrid technology and reduce the financial burden on customers purchasing such vehicles. Manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Honda Cars benefit from this policy, alongside potential savings for customers amounting up to ₹3.5 lakh on vehicle purchases.

India ranks fifth in Generative AI (GenAI) innovations, having accumulated 1,350 patents from 2014 to 2023. Despite being behind China, the US, the Republic of Korea, and Japan, India exhibits the highest annual growth rate in GenAI patent publications, indicating significant potential for future advancements in artificial intelligence technologies.

Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCLTech, received France's highest civilian honour, the "Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur," for her exemplary contributions to business, sustainability initiatives, and fostering economic relations between France and India. The award, presented by the French Ambassador to India, recognizes her outstanding service across these domains, highlighting her leadership and impact on international business and diplomatic fronts.