Current Affairs - July 30, 2024 Current Affairs

Sinergium Biotech is spearheading a new initiative to develop mRNA vaccines for avian influenza (H5N1), supported by WHO and MPP. This project aims to build capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for better pandemic preparedness. The initiative focuses on preclinical development and plans to share technology and expertise globally, promoting equitable access and collaboration across nations.

India sent 9 tonnes of medical supplies to Haiti, including blood transfusion essentials, reagents for Immunohematology, rapid tests, and ELISA kits. This support aims to assist Haiti amid its severe health crisis and ongoing violence. The medical supplies were dispatched from New Delhi to Port-au-Prince following a tragic boat fire off Haiti's coast, highlighting the urgent need for international aid to address the country's critical situation.

The inaugural ceremony of ‘One DAE One Subscription’ (ODOS) was held on July 29 at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. This initiative by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) aims to provide comprehensive access to national and international research papers and scientific journals for all its units and subunits. ODOS is part of a larger national initiative, One Nation One Subscription (ONOS), which seeks to make knowledge widely accessible across India. The event highlighted the significance of making scientific knowledge more accessible to contribute to India's development.

The 54th International Physics Olympiad 2024 took place in Isfahan, Iran. This event was significant for the Indian delegation, as all five participants secured medals, including 2 gold and 3 silver. The Olympiad witnessed China securing the first position, followed by Russia and Romania. India and Vietnam share the fourth position, highlighting the competitive spirit and excellence of participants from these nations in the field of physics.

The Ideas4LiFE portal was launched at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi) by Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav. This portal aims to collect innovative ideas for promoting environment-friendly lifestyles and supporting the global Mission Life initiative. The event included participation from various dignitaries and over 1000 students, research scholars, and academic faculty. This initiative encourages contributions towards seven themes: Save Water, Save Energy, Reduce Waste, Reduce E-Waste, Say No to Single-Use Plastics, Adopt Sustainable Food Systems, and Adopt Healthy Lifestyles, fostering a collective effort towards environmental sustainability.

Manika Batra made history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the pre-quarterfinals of an Olympic singles event, achieving this milestone by defeating France's Prithika Pavade. Batra, ranked world number 24 in ITTF (as of May 2024), has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to Indian sports, receiving the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in 2020.

Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh achieved a historic bronze medal win in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team event at the Paris Olympics. This win marked India's second medal at the Games and was notable as Manu Bhaker became the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics since Independence. The pair's exceptional performance highlighted their skill and teamwork, contributing to their illustrious careers and bringing pride to India.

The Tech Leaders Forum of India (TELFI) was launched at the World Education Conference 2024 in Dubai. This initiative aims to support engineers through webinars, workshops, and training to enhance their professional growth and innovation. The conference also included the FEDA Appreciation Awards 2024, which honoured exceptional educators and advocates and awarded honorary doctorates to distinguished individuals in education.

In 2023, India became the second-largest user of anti-dumping measures globally, following the US. This marked a significant shift as India reduced its average tariffs to 17%, down from 18.1% in 2022, while simultaneously increasing its use of anti-dumping duties. India initiated 45 anti-dumping investigations and imposed duties in 14 cases, indicating its proactive stance on protecting domestic industries from unfair trade practices despite the overall reduction in tariff levels.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has announced that India will host the 2025 Men’s Asia Cup cricket tournament. This event will be held in the T20 format, aligning with the format of the T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026 in India. The strategic alignment of the Asia Cup's format with the upcoming World Cup has been in practice since 2016, providing teams with relevant format practice.

Project Tiger was launched in India on April 1, 1973, to promote the conservation of tigers. Initially, the project covered nine tiger reserves spanning 18,278 square kilometres. Since then, the initiative has expanded significantly, and India now has 55 tiger reserves covering more than 78,735 square kilometres, nearly 2.4% of the country's geographical area. The project was instrumental in increasing awareness and implementing measures to protect the tiger population in India, which stood at 3,682 in 2022, accounting for about 75% of the global wild tiger population.

The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on July 30th. This day is crucial for raising global awareness about human trafficking and reinforcing the commitment to combating this grave violation of human rights. In 2024, the theme focuses on protecting children, who are particularly vulnerable to trafficking, highlighting the need for inclusive efforts, enhanced resilience, and stronger protection mechanisms.

International Friendship Day is celebrated annually on July 30th. This day is significant as it highlights the importance of friendship in promoting peace and fostering understanding among different cultures and communities. In 2024, the day continues to emphasize the role of friendship in addressing global challenges and encouraging social harmony.

The book "Breaking Rocks and Barriers" focuses on the life and achievements of Sudipta Sengupta, a renowned geologist and mountaineer. Set to be released on July 24 by HarperCollins India, the book details her pioneering contributions to geology and her adventurous spirit in mountaineering. Notably, she was one of the first Indian women to set foot in Antarctica in 1983 and has been mentored by legendary mountaineer Tenzing Norgay. Her life is marked by numerous firsts, including participation in the first all-women expedition to Ronti Peak in 1967 and climbing an unexplored Himalayan peak.

Aditya Birla Group, under the leadership of Chairman Mr Kumar Mangalam Birla, announced the launch of its jewellery retail business named 'Indriya' on July 30. This move marks the Group's entry into the Indian jewellery market, leveraging its strong brand equity and market insights. Indriya aims to become one of the top three jewellery retailers in India over the next five years, with a significant investment of Rs 5,000 Cr. The brand's name and insignia are inspired by India's cultural heritage and symbolize beauty, grace, and empowerment.