Current Affairs - August 1, 2024 Current Affairs

World Wide Web Day is observed annually on August 1st to celebrate the creation of the World Wide Web (WWW) and its significant impact on global connectivity. This day honours Tim Berners-Lee, the English scientist who developed the WWW in 1989 while working at CERN. The WWW has fundamentally transformed how we communicate, access information, and interact digitally. Celebrating this day allows us to reflect on the history, significance, and continuous evolution of the web, which remains a pivotal element in our daily lives and global communication.

The theme for World Ranger Day 2024 is '30 by 30,' which stems from the 2022 United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). During this convention, global leaders and decision-makers agreed on a Global Biodiversity Framework. This initiative aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and ocean areas by 2030, highlighting the vital role rangers play in conservation efforts. World Ranger Day, observed annually on July 31st, honours these dedicated individuals who protect wildlife and natural habitats, emphasizing their contributions and the challenges they face.

In June 2024, the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) experienced a 4% increase compared to June 2023. This growth reflects positive performance across various key sectors, including Coal, Electricity, Natural Gas, Steel, Fertilizers, and Cement. The percentage increase indicates a solid expansion in the core industries, which is essential for understanding the broader economic activity and industrial growth trends in the country.

Lieutenant General Sadhna Saxena Nair has made history by becoming the first woman to be appointed as the Director General of Medical Services in the Indian Armed Forces. Her distinguished career includes being the first woman to serve as the Director of General Hospital Services (Armed Forces) and as the Principal Medical Officer of the Western Air Command. With a robust academic and professional background, including training in Medical Informatics and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Warfare, she has significantly contributed to military medicine and armed forces' healthcare services.

India’s first multinational air exercise, ‘Tarang Shakti 2024’, will be hosted in Sular, Tamil Nadu. Scheduled to begin on the 6th of the upcoming month, the exercise will involve nearly 30 countries, with ten participating with fighter aircraft. This event is a significant milestone for India, aimed at demonstrating its defence capabilities and enhancing interoperability among participating nations. It will also feature Indian Air Force aircraft including the LCA Tejas, Mirage 2000, and Rafale, and will support India's goals of achieving greater self-reliance in defence.

India will host the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) in New Delhi from August 2-7, 2024, marking its first time hosting since 1958. The conference, organized by the International Association of Agricultural Economists (IAAE) and other key institutions, will focus on “Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems.” This event will gather around 1,000 delegates, including leading agricultural economists from 75 countries, and aims to address global agricultural issues and sustainable food systems. Prime Minister will inaugurate the conference, highlighting India's significant role in this international event.

Sanjay Shukla has assumed the role of Managing Director (MD) of the National Housing Bank (NHB) as of July 30, 2024. With a career spanning over three decades in housing and retail asset finance, Shukla has held notable positions, including business head at ING Vysya Bank and founding MD of Centrum Housing Finance Limited. His extensive experience and leadership have significantly impacted the financial institutions he has led, contributing to his appointment as MD at NHB.

Swapnil Kusale won the bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions event at the Paris Olympics. His performance was marked by a total of 451.4 points, securing him the third spot on the podium. This achievement contributed to India's medal tally in shooting, showcasing Kusale's precision and skill in the sport. His success in this event follows India's tradition of strong performances in shooting at the Olympics, reinforcing the nation's growing prominence in the discipline.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $200 million loan to enhance solid waste management and sanitation across 100 Indian cities as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0. This initiative will fund infrastructure improvements such as waste processing facilities and community sanitation projects. The loan agreement, signed by Juhi Mukherjee and Mio Oka, aims to bolster urban waste management systems and support India's broader goals for environmental and public health improvement.

India has become the 2nd largest aluminium producer globally, achieving a 1.2% growth in production to 10.43 lakh tons in Q1 FY 2024-25. This accomplishment highlights India's significant advancement in the aluminium industry, trailing only behind China, which remains the largest aluminium producer in the world. Other key minerals, such as iron ore and limestone, also saw substantial growth in production, with iron ore reaching 79 MMT and limestone 116 MMT.

Goa's 'Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan' scheme, launched by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, focuses on enhancing solar rooftop installations for residential users. This initiative aims to enable households that consume 400 or fewer units of electricity annually to generate their own electricity, thereby reducing their reliance on traditional power sources. The scheme aligns with the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and includes significant financial support to cover the cost of installations, promoting sustainable energy practices within the state.

India has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the Supply Chain Council under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), alongside the USA as Chair. This appointment emphasizes India's pivotal role in enhancing supply chain resilience across the Indo-Pacific region. The IPEF, launched in 2022, aims to mitigate economic disruptions, improve crisis coordination, and reduce dependency on specific countries, such as China, by strengthening supply chains in critical sectors. The council includes 14 members and focuses on trade, supply chain resilience, clean economy, and fair economy.

World Lung Cancer Day is observed annually on August 1st. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about lung cancer, one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer worldwide. The theme for 2024, “Close the care gap: Everyone deserves access to cancer care,” highlights the need for equitable access to lung cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Established in 2012 by the Forum of International Respiratory Societies (FIRS) and the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC), this observance aims to educate the public and promote healthier lifestyle choices.