Current Affairs - State

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.

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly passed the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on July 30. This bill increases the punishment for forced conversions, including life imprisonment for marrying or converting a woman under deceitful circumstances. The amendment classifies such actions as serious offences with stringent penalties, reflecting the state's effort to curb unlawful religious conversions.

The two new flower fly species, Mesembrius bengalensis and Mesembrius quadrivittatus were reported for the first time in Kerala. These species were identified in the Kole wetlands and Vilagan Kunnu hillocks in Thrissur district by researchers from Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL), Christ College, Irinjalakuda. Prior literature documented 59 flower fly species in Kerala, highlighting the significance of this new discovery for understanding the region's biodiversity.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal of Rajasthan announced a 10% reservation for Agniveers in recruiting positions for police, forest guard, and jail guard roles. This decision aligns with similar announcements made by other BJP-ruled states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Uttarakhand. The Agnipath scheme, launched in 2022, involves recruiting youth for a four-year contract in the Army, Navy, and Air Force, and the reservation aims to provide these individuals with additional opportunities in state government jobs.

The 500th Community Radio Station in India, named "Apna Radio 90.0 FM", was inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) in Aizawl, Mizoram. This significant milestone in India’s community radio landscape was marked by the presence of Mizoram’s Chief Minister, Lalduhoma. The station is set to provide vital information in local languages, catering specifically to the needs of the local community, including daily weather updates, government schemes, and agriculture-related information, thus playing a crucial role in regional development.