NATIONAL NEWS

World’s Largest Floating Solar Power Plant in MP

• The World's largest Floating solar energy project is to be constructed at Omkareshwar dam on Narmada River in Madhya Pradesh.
• It will be operational by 2023 and the project is estimated to be worth over Rs 3000 crores.
• The plant would be located on Omkareshwar dam in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh
• The panels are capable to adjust their position automatically when the water levels of the dam are low.
• Three agencies namely International Finance Corporation, World Bank and Power Grid would be providing aid for the project.
• India has completed the primary feasibility study of the project in collaboration with the World Bank.

Various Projects of Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in Gujarat

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various projects of the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission worth more than Rs 300 crore at Dharampur in Gujarat.
• The initiatives by the Shrimad Rajchandra Mission in the field of rural healthcare have strengthened the Vision of ‘Healthy India’.  
• The modern healthcare facilities started by the Mission will benefit the rural, poor and tribal people of South Gujarat.
• The PM also laid the foundation stone of the 150-bed Shrimad Rajchandra Animal Hospital.
• The PM also laid the foundation stone of the Shrimad Rajchandra Center of Excellence for Women on the occasion.

10 More Indian Wetlands Get Ramsar Tag

• The Union environment ministry announced that India has added 10 more wetlands, taking the total Ramsar sites to 64.

• The 10 new sites include: six in Tamil Nadu and one each in Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.

• The sites are Koothankulam Bird Sanctuary, Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Vembannur Wetland Complex, Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary and Udhayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary all in Tamil Nadu, Satkosia Gorge in Odisha, Nanda Lake in Goa, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka and Sirpur Wetland in Madhya Pradesh.
• It encompasses an area of 1,51,842.41 hectares, bringing India’s total wetland area to 1.2 million hectares.
• With 10 new protected wetlands, India equals China in having most Ramsar Sites.
• Ramsar wetlands now comprise around 10% of the total wetland area in the country.

National Anti-Doping Bill 2021 Passed

• Parliament has passed the National Anti-Doping Bill 2021.
• The Bill prohibits athletes, athlete support personnel and other persons from engaging in doping.
• Under the new legislation, violation of anti-doping rules may result in disqualification of results including forfeiture of medals, points and prizes, ineligibility to participate in a competition or event for a prescribed period, etc.

Centre Launches State University Research Excellence Scheme

• The government launched State University Research Excellence scheme to enhance the research capabilities in a structured way to create a robust Research and Development ecosystem in state and private universities and colleges.
• The new scheme will help bring the university system into mainstream research and enable the young faculty to participate in cutting-edge research.
• He also emphasized the need to train the faculty of the universities on how to write and submit proposals, procurements and management of projects.

Amazon Partners with Indian Railways

• Amazon India has partnered with the Indian Railways to boost its delivery services in the country.
• Through this partnership, Amazon will transport customer packages in more than 110 inter-city routes, ensuring one-to-two-day delivery for its customer.
• It became the first online delivery company to work with the Indian Railways to build an express transportation product through rail in 2019.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Mega Military Exercise in Uttarakhand

• India and the US will conduct a fortnight-long mega military exercise in Uttarakhand’s Auli in October 2022.

• The 18th edition of exercise “Yudh Abhyas” is scheduled to take place from 14 October to 31 October.
• A number of complex drills are being planned for the mega exercise.
• The exercise is aimed at enhancing understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the two armies.
• The last edition of the exercise took place in October last year in Alaska in the US.
• The two countries have also inked key defence and security pacts over the past few years, including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA).
• The agreement that allows militaries of two countries to use each other’s bases for repair and replenishment of supplies as well as provides for deeper cooperation.

IOCL Signs MoU with Bangladesh

• The Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) signed an MoU with the Bangladesh Roads and Highways department in Dhaka.

• It has been signed for the emergency supply of petroleum goods through Bangladesh territory to India.

• This is an interim set up to facilitate urgent supply of petroleum products due to damage caused by the flood in Assam.

• The IOCL will bear all the administrative fees, charges and local taxes including road usage fee for use of the Bangladeshi territory.

BANKING

Union Bank of India Launched EmpowerHim

• Union Bank of India launched an Industry-first, dedicated, men-focused Committee ‘EmpowerHim’ as part of its flagship HR initiative ‘Prerna’.
• It was launched by A Manimekhalai, MD and CEO of Union Bank of India.
• The main objective is to promote the employees career trajectory and improve diversity in the Bank by picking out and resolving individual as well as common existing challenges.
• It is also to understand local problems, highlight the importance of gender equity and focus on sensitization at work.

SPORTS

Deandra Dottin has Announced Her Retirement

• Star all-rounder Deandra Dottin has announced her retirement from West Indies women’s cricket team as she was no longer able to adhere to the team culture and environment.

• The 31-year-old is the fastest centurion in women’s T20 Internationals.

• Dottin, however did not indicate whether she would also retire from Barbados, a side she is representing at the ongoing Commonwealth Games here in Birmingham.
• Dottin is West Indies’ most-capped international cricketer having played 124 T20Is and 143 ODIs since her debut in June 2008.

RANKS, INDICES & REPORTS

Russia Becomes India's Third-Largest Coal Supplier

• Russia became India's third-largest coal supplier in July 2022.
• Russia has historically been the sixth-largest supplier of coal to India, behind Indonesia, South Africa, Australia and the United States, with Mozambique and Colombia alternatingly featuring in the top five.
• According to the data from Indian consultancy Coalmint, Russia became India's third-largest coal supplier in July, with imports rising by over a fifth compared with June to a record 2.06 million tonnes.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

CMD of Oil India

• Dr. Ranjit Rath, took over as the new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Oil India Limited (OIL), India’s second largest National Exploration and Production Company.
• He succeeded Sushil Chandra Mishra.
• Ranjit Rath is a Geoscientist with experience and expertise of more than 25 years in the field of geosciences.
• Prior to this, he was the CMD of Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd.
• He also held the positions of the CEO of Khanji Bidesh India Ltd and Managing Director of Bharat Gold Mines.

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Ministry of Culture Releases the Third Comic Book

• Ministry of Culture has released the third comic book on stories of 20 Tribal Freedom Fighters.

• It recalls the sacrifices of some of the bravest men and women who inspired their tribes and gave up their lives to fight British rule.
• Ministry of Culture as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav has released pictorial books on 75 freedom fighters in collaboration with Amar Chitra Katha (ACK).

IMPORTANT DAYS

U.S. Coast Guard Day

• U.S. Coast Guard Day is celebrated every year on 04 August.

• Since 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing a critical role in national security.

• The day honors the establishment of the U.S. Coast Guard and the courageous work of the service members of the Coast Guard.

• The United States Coast Guard was established on 4 August 1790 by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and was later on known as the Revenue Marine.