Today's Current Affairs 8th July 2023

INTERNATIONAL

67th TAAI Convention held in Colombo

• The highly anticipated 67th Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Convention commence begin on July 8 in Colombo. The three-day convention’s inaugural ceremony promises to be a star-studded affair with the esteemed presence of Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremasinghe, and High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay among others.
• The convention presents numerous trade opportunities for Indian and Sri Lankan travel industry stakeholders. With 500 participants and 50 Indian media personnel, the event solidifies its position as a premier travel event in the region. The convention’s agenda features a range of thought-provoking sessions, including discussions on India’s tourism vision for 2047, the rise of experiential travel, the growing significance of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and the ever-expanding digital opportunities in the travel industry.
• As the convention unfolds, industry leaders and travel professionals from both India and Sri Lanka are expected to exchange knowledge, explore new partnerships, and foster mutual growth.
• The convention aims to strengthen ties between India and Sri Lanka, and serves as a platform to envision a prosperous future for tourism in the region. India has been the largest source market for tourism in Sri Lanka last year.

NATIONAL

Defence ministry, HAL sign ₹458 cr contract for two upgraded Dornier aircraft for coast guard

• The Ministry of Defence on Friday signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of two Dornier aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) along with an associated engineering support package at an overall cost of ₹458.87 crore.
• The aircraft will be procured under the ‘Buy (Indian) Category’, the ministry said in a statement. It added that the aircraft will be fitted with several advanced equipment including a glass cockpit, maritime patrol radar, electro-optic infrared device, and mission management system.
• “The addition will further bolster the aerial surveillance capability of maritime areas of responsibilities of the ICG," the ministry said.
• “The Dornier aircraft are being indigenously manufactured at HAL (Transport Aircraft Division), Kanpur and will significantly contribute in achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence, in consonance with the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the government," it added.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh launches a single window NCC Integrated Software for Cadets

• In a major step towards promoting digitisation and in sync with Digital India mission, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched an NCC Integrated Software in New Delhi on 07 July 2023. The NCC Integrated Software, developed in partnership with Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo Informatics (BISAG), is a single window interactive software for Cadets, designed on the ‘Entry to Exit Model’.
• The NCC Integrated Software is based on the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Once a Cadet always a cadet”, and will digitalize the entire process from the stage of enrolment as a cadet in NCC till exit registration as alumni. This will enable seamless issue of certificates, creation of an all India database of NCC cadets at the time of their employment.
• During this event, the NCC and State Bank of India (SBI) also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the presence of Raksha Mantri to open zero balance accounts of all NCC Cadets with debit card, chequebook & passbook facility under SBI’s “Pahli Udaan” scheme. About 5 lakh cadets will be benefitted by this MoU every year.
• The account will remain functional till completion of training or attaining 18 years of age whichever is later. This will not only introduce the cadets to the national banking system but also provide them with a ready platform to avail benefit of other govt schemes through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) of funds into their accounts.

Shravani Mela inaugurated in Deogha Jharkhand

• Shravani Mela, one of the largest religious congregations in the country’s eastern region, was inaugurated in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district on Monday. State Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh inaugurated the fair at Kanwariyapath in Dumma, bordering Bihar. Usually, the mela is organised for a month during the month of ‘Shravan’, according to the Saka Calendar. This year, the fair will be organised for two consecutive months from July 3 to August 31.
• Devotees from various parts of the country and abroad visit Deoghar during the month of ‘Shravan’ and offer prayers at Baba Baidyanath Dham temple. The journey ends with the pilgrims pouring the holy water on the ‘shivalingam’ at the Baba Baidyanath Dham temple. This year, the number of devotees may double compared to previous years. The government as well as the Deoghar administration has made proper arrangements for the pilgrims,
• To accommodate the vast number of attendees, the Deoghar administration has made significant arrangements. Facilities such as drinking water, toilets, electricity, and cleanliness have been prioritized to ensure the well-being of the pilgrims. In addition, the establishment of 27 police outposts enhances crowd management and maintains a secure environment within the fair premises.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated development projects worth over 6000 crore rupees in Warangal, Telangana

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi will layed the foundation stone of several infrastructure projects in Warangal, Telangana this morning July 8. He will arrive at Hakimpet Airport Station by a special flight from Varanasi to reach Warangal. After visiting famous Bhadrakali Temple, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of infrastructure works worth over 6000 crore rupees in a virtual mode. He will also address a public meeting from the Arts College Grounds, Hanmakonda.
• Prime Minister also layed the stone for the hundred and eight -km long Mancherial-Warangal section of the Nagpur-Vijayawada Corridor, which will reduce the distance by about 34 km on two national highways. He will also lay the stone for the upgradation of the 68-km long Karimnagar-Warangal section from the existing two-lane to four-lanes. This will help in improving connectivity to Hyderabad-Warangal Industrial Corridor, Kakatiya Mega Textile Park, and the special economic zone at Warangal. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone to the Railway Manufacturing Unit at Kazipet, which will improve the manufacturing capacity and also job opportunities to the local youth. The Prime Minister’s visit assumes significance as Telangana state is going for Assembly polls in the next few months.

OBITURY

Legendary artist, illustrator and sculptor Namboothiri passes away at 97

• The famous illustrator, sculptor and line sketch artist, KM Vasudevan Namboothiri, passed away at the age of 97. KM Vasudevan took his last breath at a private hospital in Kottakkal on Friday, where he was going through treatment for his age-related ailments.
• During his decades-long career, Namboothiri illustrated many popular characters for literary publications in the state. He has done some really popular literary works, which include characters of doyens of Malayalam literature like Jnanpith laureates M T Vasudevan Nair, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and S K Pottakkad and legends like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
• Namboothiri early life - Namboothiri was born in 1925 in Kerala's Ponnani. He entered the world of painting and sculpture in his childhood as he was influenced by a temple near his house. He was the disciple of prominent artist K C S Paniker and he was also inspired by renowned painters like Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhury and S Dhanapal.
• Namboothiri studied painting at the Madras School of Fine Arts.
• He also tried his hands at art direction and worked as an art director in a few films, such as Uttarayanam, which won him Kerala State Award for the best art director.
• In his long career of more than fifty years, he has done illustrations for almost all important literary works.

Major Bakhtawar Singh Brar, one of oldest Army veterans, passes away at 109

• Major Bakhtawar Singh Brar (retd), one of the oldest veterans of the Kumaon Regiment in the Indian Army, passed away on Monday in the US. He was 109. The news about Major Brar’s death was tweeted by author Jai Samota and confirmed by Colonel NN Bhatia (retd), a veteran of the Kumaon Regiment who is well-versed in the history of the regiment
• Born in November 1913 in Faridkot district, Major Brar served in the Faridkot State Forces and then joined the 6 Kumaon Regiment, before retiring in 1963.
• In 1934, Major Brar joined the State Forces of Maharaja of Faridkot. He was awarded the Mention-in-Despatches by the King of England in 1942 for leading his company against the Pathans in Waziristan
• Major Brar was commissioned into the 6 Kumaon Regiment in 1945 and saw action in World War II in Burma. On November 8, 1957, he was tasked with snow clearance in the rescue operation in Baltal and was again awarded Mention-in-Despatches.
• In 1959, he led a contingent of 6 Kumaon at the Republic Day Parade. He also received the Chief of Army Staff ‘Commendation Card’ for his service in Jammu and Kashmir in 1960. In March 1960, he was posted to the 111 Infantry Battalion (TA).

 APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

RBI appoints P. Vasudevan as new executive director

• The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Thursday appointed P. Vasudevan as executive director. His appointment is effective from July 03, 2023.
• The Reserve Bank in a statement said Vasudevan will look after Department of Currency Management, Corporate Strategy and Budget Department (Areas other than that of Budget & Funds) and Enforcement Department.
• Prior to being promoted as executive director, Vasudevan was the Chief General Manager-in-charge of the Department of Payment and Settlement Systems.
• The apex bank said Vasudevan has, over a span of nearly 30 years in the Reserve Bank, served in supervision of banks and non-banking financial companies, payment and settlement systems and other areas in the Reserve Bank, including a stint as Member of Faculty in Bankers’ Training College.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

National Water Mission Inks MoU with Indian Plumbing Association To Improve Water Use Efficiency

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between Bureau of Water Use Efficiency (BWUE), National Water Mission (NWM), Ministry of Jal Shakti and Indian Plumbing Association (IPA) for a Water Positive India by awareness creation & promotion of rain water harvesting structures, low flow fixtures & sanitary ware, treatment of grey & black water, water audit of built environment. The MoU was signed by Ms. Archana Varma, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, on behalf of National Water Mission, Ministry of Jal Shakti and Shri Gurmit Singh Arora, National President, Indian Plumbing Association based in Okhla, New Delhi.
• Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Archana Varma, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, National Water Mission asserted that today is the historic day for Bureau of Water Use Efficiency as the IPA has been actively promoting fixtures that are water sensitive and consume less water and the MoU would help in promoting its objective of increasing water use efficiency.
• Shri Gurmeet Arora, National President, Indian Plumbing Association added that his organization would give full cooperation for increasing water use efficiency in domestic sector by 50-60% (reducing water use from 135 lpcd to 60 lpcd). He further stressed water audit for built environments (residential buildings, hotels etc.) to achieve the target of Net Zero Water Buildings.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

NLC bags GeM award in "Timely Payments (CPSEs)" category for 2023

• NLC India Limited (NLCIL), a Navratna company under the Ministry of Coal, bagged GeM award in the category "Timely Payments (CPSEs)" for the year 2023 for its outstanding contribution in improving the reliability of e-market practices in line with the vision of GeM. NLC India Limited registered and on-boarded in the GeM portal in the year 2017.
• NLC India Limited's growth in GeM procurement started from a small value of Rs 2.21 crore during the year 2018-19 and the company has registered an impressive growth of Rs 984.93 crore during the year FY 2022-23. Government e-Marketplace (GeM) is a dedicated e-Market service platform, a National public procurement portal, governed by Government of India for marketing different goods and services.
• To promote the power market in line with GEM's vision of transparent, inclusive and efficient public procurement in India, awards are being presented by the Government of India.