Daily Current Affairs 01st August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

New UNESCO World Heritage Sites Added at New Delhi Meeting

At the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO, held in New Delhi from 21 to 31 July 2024, 24 new sites were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This marks the first time India has hosted the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The session concluded on 30 July 2024, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing $1 million in aid for conservation projects and capacity-building initiatives in developing countries.

States in News

Goa Launches ‘Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan’ Scheme

In a significant push towards sustainable energy, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has launched the ‘Goem Vinamulya Vij Yevjan’ scheme, aligning it with the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The initiative is aimed at enhancing solar rooftop installations in Goa, enabling residential households to generate their own electricity and reduce reliance on traditional power sources.

Appointments News

Sanjay Shukla Assumes Charge As M.D Of National Housing Bank

The National Housing Bank announced that Sanjay Shukla has officially taken on the role of managing director (MD) as of July 30, 2024. A seasoned chartered accountant with over three decades of experience in housing and retail asset finance, Shukla has a distinguished history of leading and transforming financial institutions.

Indian Armed Forces Gets The First Woman Director General Of Medical Service (ARMY)

Lieutenant General Sadhna Saxena Nair has become the first woman to be appointed the Director General of Medical Services. She was also the first woman to serve as the Director of General Hospital Services (Armed Forces) as well as the first woman to be the Principal Medical Officer of the Western Air Command.

Business News

Insurtech Startup Covrzy Secures IRDAI Broking License

Bengaluru-based insurtech startup Covrzy has recently achieved a significant milestone by obtaining a direct broking (general) license from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). This license permits Covrzy to function as a direct insurance broker, allowing it to offer a comprehensive range of business insurance solutions across India.

UGRO Capital and SIDBI Forge Co-Lending Partnership

UGRO Capital, a data-tech non-banking financial company (NBFC), has entered into a co-lending agreement with the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to provide timely and affordable credit to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This initiative aligns with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) co-lending framework, aimed at enhancing priority-sector lending by combining the strengths of banks and NBFCs.

Index of Eight Core Industries for June 2024

The Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) recorded a provisional increase of 4.0% in June 2024 compared to June 2023. Positive growth was noted in the production of Coal, Electricity, Natural Gas, Steel, Fertilizers, and Cement. The final growth rate for March 2024 stands at 6.3%, with a cumulative growth rate of 5.7% from April to June 2024.

ADB Provides $200 Million Loan for Solid Waste Management in India

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has committed a $200 million (approximately Rs 1,700 crore) loan to improve solid waste management and sanitation in 100 cities across eight states in India. This funding is part of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 – Comprehensive Municipal Waste Management in Indian Cities Program.

Summits and Conferences News

32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE-2024)

India will host the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE) in New Delhi from August 2-7, 2024, marking a 66-year hiatus since its last hosting in 1958. The conference, held every three years, will take place at the Pusa Institute and focus on “Transformation Towards Sustainable Agri-Food Systems.”

Books and Authors

P.M Receives Parimal Nathwani’s Book On Gir And Asiatic Lions

Rajya Sabha MP Parimal Nathwani on July 31, presented the first copy of his new book ‘Call of the Gir’ to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a small family get-together at the PM’s residence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appreciated the book Call of the Gir written by Rajya Sabha Member Parimal Nathwani.

Sports News

Swapnil Kusale Secures Bronze Medal in 50m Rifle 3 Positions at Paris Olympics

In a thrilling display of marksmanship, 28-year-old Swapnil Kusale has secured India’s third medal at the Paris Olympics. Kusale clinched the bronze medal in the 50m rifle 3 positions final on Thursday, adding to India’s growing tally in the shooting events.

Business News

India Elected Vice-Chair of IPEF’s Supply Chain Council

India has been elected as the Vice-Chair of the Supply Chain Council under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). This appointment highlights India’s critical role in developing a resilient supply chain in the Indo-Pacific region. The election, part of a larger agreement on supply chain resilience, establishes India alongside 13 other IPEF partners in shaping regional supply chain policies.

Summits and Conferences News

India Hosts Historic 46th World Heritage Committee Meeting

For the first time, India proudly hosted the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee Meeting, from 21st to 31^st July, 2024, organized at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This significant event marked a milestone in India’s longstanding association with the World Heritage Convention, which began in 1977. India’s active participation in the World Heritage Committee, serving four terms, underscores its dedication to international cooperation and capacity-building.

Important Days

World Breastfeeding Week 2024: August 1st to 7th

World Breastfeeding Week is a global healthcare event celebrated annually from August 1st to 7th. This week-long observance brings together international and local organizations to promote the importance of breastfeeding for both newborns and mothers. The campaign not only highlights the benefits of breastfeeding but also advocates for and defends women’s rights to breastfeed their babies anytime and anywhere. The theme for World Breastfeeding Week 2024 is “Closing the gap: Breastfeeding support for all.”

World Lung Cancer Day 2024: Raising Awareness and Closing the Care Gap

Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent and deadly forms of cancer worldwide, claiming over a million lives annually. As we approach World Lung Cancer Day 2024, it’s crucial to understand the significance of this observance and its potential impact on global health. The theme for World Lung Cancer Day 2024 is “Close the care gap: Everyone deserves access to cancer care.”

World Wide Web Day 2024: Celebrating the Digital Revolution

World Wide Web Day, observed annually on August 1st, is a global celebration that commemorates the creation of the World Wide Web (WWW) and its profound impact on human connectivity. This day honours the groundbreaking invention of Tim Berners-Lee, an English scientist who conceptualized and developed the WWW in 1989 while working at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).

National Mountain Climbing Day 2024: Celebrating Adventure and Achievement

National Mountain Climbing Day, observed annually on August 1st, is a day dedicated to honouring the spirit of adventure and the remarkable achievements of mountaineers. This special day was established to commemorate the accomplishments of Bobby Matthews and Josh Madigan, who successfully scaled all 46 peaks of the Adirondack Mountains in Northeastern New York. Their final ascent of Whiteface Mountain on August 1, 2015, marked the completion of this impressive feat and inspired the creation of this national day of recognition.

World Ranger Day 2024: Honoring Nature’s Guardians

World Ranger Day, observed annually on July 31st, is a global commemoration dedicated to honouring the brave individuals who tirelessly work to protect wildlife and natural habitats. These park rangers and conservationists play a crucial role in safeguarding endangered species and fragile ecosystems. Their unwavering commitment and dedication to the cause of preservation deserve our utmost respect and appreciation.