NATIONAL:
1. West Bengal ‘Foundation Day’
Why in news - West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose marked the state’s ‘Foundation Day’ at the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata on June 20.
Key Points –
• It was opposed by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
• June 20, 1947 –
(a) Bengal Assembly saw two separate meetings of legislators. One set voted to stay in India while the other to go with Pakistan.
(b) A day of much sorrow and bloodshed for the people of the state.
• Calcutta and Noakhali were the worst hit by communal violence.
• There was a long chain of migrations and displacement creating a large refugee population.
Value Addition –
• Radcliffe Line (Sir Cyril Radcliff) - to carve out separate and contiguous districts with Hindu and Muslim majority during Partition.
• The partition of Bengal that was done by Curzon in 1905 was entirely different.
• Sind was separated from Bombay and made a separate province in 1935.
2. Balidaan Stambh
Why in news - Amit Shah Laid the foundation stone of 'Balidaan Stambh' (martyr’s memorial) in Srinagar.
Key Points –
• It is a tribute to the martyrs' who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
• He also inaugurated the ‘Vitasta Festival’.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. PM Modi in Egypt
Why in news - PM Narendra Modi concluded his two-day State Egypt visit.
Key Points –
• First bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Egypt in 26 years.
• Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi conferred Modi with “Order of the Nile” award, Egypt’s highest state honor.
• PM Modi visited the historic 11th-century Al-Hakim Mosque in Cairo, restored with the help of India’s Dawoodi Bohra community.
• Cairo’s Heliopolis (Port Tewfik) War Cemetery – He paid tributes to Indian soldiers who fought World War I in Egypt and Palestine.
• Agreement to elevate 'strategic partnership' signed.
• Dawoodi Bohra Muslims (origin - Egypt) are a sect of followers of Islam who adhere to the Fatimi Ismaili Tayyibi school of thought.
ECONOMY:
1. UK's National Employment Savings Trust (NEST)
Why in news - The UK-based NEST has chosen Tata Consultancy Services to digitally revamp its scheme administration services.
Key Points –
• Deal worth - $1.9 Billion.
• 10 years contract.
• Earlier, TCS secured contracts with Marks & Spencer, Phoenix Group and Teacher’s Pension Scheme.
RANKS & INDICES:
1. 11th THE Asia Rankings 2023
Why in news - Times Higher Education’s (THE) Asia university rankings for 2023 was released recently.
Key Points –
• India has one university in the top 50, four universities in the top 100, and 18 universities in the top 200.
• Top 3 in India –
(a) Indian Institute of Science (48th) (fallen 6 positions compared to 2022).
(b) JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (68th)
(c) Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences (77th).
• An upward trend was noticeable in IIIT Hyderabad’s performance (moved up from the 174th rank to 106 this year).
SCIENCE – TECH:
1. Raman-I Engine
Why in news - Skyroot successfully tested the Raman-I engine designed to help the Vikram-I rocket.
Key Points –
• Aim – It is intended for roll attitude control in the Vikram-I rocket. It manages a rocket's rotation and orientation
• It is the first-ever test conducted at the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) of ISRO by a private company.
Value Addition –
• Skyroot Aerospace became the first Indian private company to launch a rocket with Vikram-S.
• The indigenous Vikram-S was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.
• It marked India's entry into commercial space exploration.
2. Cloud Seeding
Why in news - Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur has successfully conducted a test flight for cloud seeding.
Key Points –
• Aim - to induce artificial rain via cloud seeding to clear smog in Delhi.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) partnered with IIT Kanpur to provide Dornier aircraft and their pilots to provide logistical support to the project.
• It enhances the probability of rain.
About Cloud Seeding –
• A weather modification technology to create artificial rainfall.
• It works only when there are enough pre-existing clouds in the atmosphere.
• Cloud seeding make available chemical ‘nuclei’ around which condensation can take place.
• Chemical agents used - iodides of silver or potassium, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), or liquid propane.
IMPORTANT DAYS:
1. International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking 2023
Why in news - It is celebrated on June 26.
Key Points –
• Theme - People First: stop stigma and Discrimination, strengthen Prevention.
• December 7, 1987 - UN General Assembly decided to observe the day.
• The day is a way to honor Lin Zexu who was the main force behind the destruction of the opium trade in Guangdong, China.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Prof. Kothapalli Jayashankar Award
Why in news - Acharya N. Gopi has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Award.
Key Points –
• He is a renowned poet, literary critic, and recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award.
• The award was instituted by Bharat Jagruthi, a cultural organization affiliated with Bharat Rashtra Samithi.
2. Bal Sahitya Puraskar
Why in news - The Sahitya Akademi has announced Bal Sahitya Puraskar (22 recipients) and Yuva Puraskar (20 winners) for 2023.
Key Points –
• Few Bal Sahitya Puraskar Awardee’s Name –
(a) English - Sudha Murty (Book - Grandparents’ Bag of Stories).
(b) Hindi - Suryanath Singh (Book - Kotuk App).
(c) Maithili - Akshay Anand ‘Sunny’.
• Few Yuva Puraskar Awardee’s Name –
(a) English - Anirudh Kanisetti (Book - Lords Of The Deccan: Southern India From Chalukyas To Cholas).
(b) Hindi - Atul Kumar Rai (Book - Chandpur ki Chanda)
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Ruby Sinha
Why in news - Ruby Sinha has been appointed as the President of BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry Women's Vertical (BRICS CCI WE) for 3 years.
Key Points –
• She took over from Shabana Nasim, who has become the Executive Director of BRICS CCI and Chief Patron of BRICS CCI WE.
• Ruby Sinha is the founder of SheAtWork, a knowledge hub for women entrepreneurs.
About BRICS CCI (2012) –
• Promotes commerce and industry in the BRICS and other friendly nations.
• Not-for-profit and non-governmental organisation.
• Registered body under the Societies Registration 'Act 1860 and empanelled with Niti Aayog.
STATES/UTs:
1. Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS)
Why in news - Uttar Pradesh launched the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System (LADCS) for a period of 2 years.
Key Points –
• Aim - to provide legal services (free legal aid) to eligible individuals in criminal cases.
• Eligibility - individuals with an annual income of less than ₹3,00,000.
Value Addition –
• The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) was constituted under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 to provide free Legal Services to the weaker sections of the society and to organize Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes.
• Article 39A (42nd Amendment Act, 1976) – State to provide free legal aid to ensure access to justice for all citizens.
BIHAR:
1. Special Olympics World Games, Berlin
Why in news - Gajendra Kumar has won a bronze medal in the Special Olympics World Games, Berlin.
Key Points –
• Game - Shot put.
• He hails from Jehanabad.
POINTERS:
• Who has inaugurated the Seafarers Club at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority - Shripad Naik.
• Which state government has announced to give co-branded health cards to 12 crore people soon under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and Jyotiba Phule Arogya Yojana – Maharashtra.
• India and which country have signed a mutual recognition arrangement for AEO (Authorized Economic Operators) of both the countries - United Arab Emirates.
• India and which country have resolved six trade disputes at the World Trade Organization (WTO) through mutually agreed solutions – USA.
• Who has bagged the prestigious 'Most Preferred Workplace for 2023-24' title – NTPC.
• Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO) has recently tied up with which country for the export of Nano Liquid Urea – USA.
• Who is the first Indian Prime Minister to address a joint session of the US Congress twice - Narendra Modi.
• Which state's hockey team won the Hockey India Junior Men's National Championship 2023 - Madhya Pradesh.
• 8th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit 2023 was organized in which city – Mumbai.
• Who has been appointed as the new Health Secretary - Sudhansh Pant.