Current Affairs - August 5, 2024 Current Affairs

American sprinter Noah Lyles clinched the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter sprint at the 2024 Paris Olympics, ending a 20-year drought for American sprinters in this event. Lyles won with a razor-thin margin of 0.005 seconds over Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson, finishing with a time of 9.784 seconds. His victory marks the first time an American has won the 100-meter gold since Justin Gatlin in 2004.

India's fiscal deficit for the first quarter of FY25 stood at 8.1% of the full-year estimate, a notable decrease from 25.3% during the same period the previous year. This reduction is due to increased tax collections and higher surplus payments from the RBI. The fiscal deficit amounted to Rs. 1.36 lakh crore by the end of June 2024, indicating effective fiscal management and robust revenue growth.

Manu Bhaker, a two-time Olympic bronze medallist, has been selected as India's flagbearer for the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics. Bhaker earned two bronze medals in Paris and set several records, marking a significant comeback after her gun malfunctioned during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Her achievements in Paris have made her the first athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.

India is set to host the 3rd Voice of the Global South Summit on August 17, 2024. This summit will be led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and aims to address significant global issues such as conflicts, development, and climate change. The event is intended to strengthen cooperation among developing nations from Latin America, Africa, and Asia, continuing the themes of unity and growth from previous summits. India's role in hosting this summit underscores its commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration among emerging economies.

The "VIRAASAT" exhibition, dedicated to celebrating the 10th National Handloom Day, began on August 3, 2024, at Handloom Haat in Janpath, New Delhi. Organized by the National Handloom Development Corporation Ltd (NHDC) under the Ministry of Textiles, this event highlights the rich tradition of handloom and handicrafts in India. The exhibition will run until August 16, 2024, offering various activities, stalls, and workshops to connect handloom weavers and artisans with the market.

Daljit Singh Chawdhary, who is the Director General of Sahastra Seema Bal (SSB), took over the additional charge of the Director General Border Security Force (BSF) on August 3, 2024. Chawdhary, an Indian Police Service officer of the 1990 batch from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, has had a distinguished career, including central deputation roles and significant accolades such as 4 police medals for Gallantry, the police medal for meritorious service, the President’s police medal for distinguished service, and the Ati Utkrisht seva medal. His extensive experience and accomplishments have prepared him for this significant leadership role in the BSF.

India has restarted the import of Tur dal (Pigeon pea) from Mozambique following a disruption caused by an “anti-India” group. Mozambique was a significant supplier, contributing 2.64 lakh tons of Tur/Pigeon peas to India's total import of 7.71 lakh tons in 2023-24. This resumption is part of a broader strategy to secure pulse imports, with Mozambique and Malawi being key suppliers under respective MoUs. The resumption highlights Mozambique's critical role in India's pulse supply chain.

The Mukhyamantri Maiyaan Samman Yojana is a welfare initiative announced by the government of Jharkhand and led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. This scheme, set to be launched on August 16, 2024, aims to empower women by providing financial assistance, enhancing educational access, improving health and nutritional standards, and fostering economic self-reliance among women in Jharkhand. The scheme is an evolution of a previous program and highlights the government's focus on women's welfare in the state.

The 14th Indian Organ Donation Day is observed on August 3, 2024. This day is a significant event in India's healthcare calendar, dedicated to raising awareness about organ donation, honouring the contributions of deceased donors and their families, and dispelling myths associated with the practice. Initially commemorated on November 27, the observance was moved to August 3 2022 by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation. The event aims to educate the public, recognize the altruistic decisions of donors and their families, and motivate more individuals to pledge their organs and tissues for donation.

On August 5, 2024, the Government of India released commemorative postage stamps to celebrate the Paris Olympics. This event, held at Rang Bhawan, All India Radio in New Delhi, was intended to honour the spirit of the Olympics and symbolize India's support for the global sporting event. The issuance of these stamps reflects the Department of Posts' goal to inspire young athletes and celebrate significant global events through philately. This gesture underscores India's commitment to recognizing and supporting international sporting achievements.

Dinesh Karthik has been appointed as the league ambassador for the SA20 League, marking a significant milestone as he is the first Indian player to be associated with this South African tournament. Having retired from all forms of cricket earlier this year, Karthik brings a wealth of experience from his 16-year IPL career, during which he played for six teams, scored 4,842 runs, and achieved notable statistics including an average of 26.32 and a strike rate of 135.66. His appointment highlights his continued influence in the cricketing world.

On August 2, 2024, the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the construction of eight new national high-speed road corridor projects. This initiative is part of a larger effort to modernize and expand India's road network. The approved projects will cover a total of 936 kilometres and involve a significant investment of Rs 50,655 crore. Additionally, these projects are expected to generate around 4.42 crore mandays of employment, providing a significant boost to the job market and local economies.

Novak Djokovic, a tennis legend from Serbia, clinched his first Olympic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He defeated Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the men's singles final, held at Roland Garros. This victory is particularly significant as it not only marks his first Olympic gold in his fifth appearance but also adds to his collection of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. Furthermore, Djokovic's win enabled him to join an elite group of players who have achieved the Career Golden Slam, and at 37, he became the oldest man to win singles gold since tennis rejoined the Olympics in 1988.

Germany has recently joined the U.S.-led United Nations Command (UNC) in South Korea, becoming the 18th member of this coalition. The UNC plays a crucial role in policing the border with North Korea and defending South Korea in the event of war. Germany's inclusion underscores its commitment to global security and enhances the capabilities and expertise of the UNC. This development reflects the ongoing expansion of international alliances aimed at strengthening regional security amid rising global tensions.

Himachal Pradesh experienced severe devastation due to a cloudburst that caused flash floods, resulting in numerous fatalities and extensive damage to infrastructure. Cloudbursts, characterized by sudden and intense rainfall over a short period, are particularly destructive in mountainous regions like Himachal Pradesh due to the orographic lift effect, where moisture-carrying air rises and forms heavy rain clouds. The event significantly disrupted local life and infrastructure, including buildings, bridges, and roads.