NATIONAL:
1. Chandra Shekhar Azad (1906-1931)
Why in news - PM Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Chandra Shekhar Azad on his birth anniversary on July 23, 2023.
Key Points –
• On being presented before a magistrate (arrested during Non-Cooperation Movement), he gave his name as "Azad" (The Free).
• Azad joined Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) (Other members - Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Ram Prasad Bismil, Roshan Singh).
• Kakori Conspiracy (August 9, 1925 by HRA, Lucknow) – Plan was executed by Chandra Shekhar Azad and others.
• Hindustan Socialist Republican Army (HSRA, 1928) - established at Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi by Chandra Shekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Bhagat Singh etc.
• Also, involved in the shooting of J. P. Saunders at Lahore in 1928 to avenge the killing of Lala Lajpat Rai.
• On February 27, 1931, he shot himself in Alfred Park Allahabad.
2. Rice Export Ban
Why in news - Centre prohibited the export of Non-Basmati White Rice.
Key Points –
• Aim - to ensure adequate availability of Non-Basmati White Rice and to allay the rise in prices in the domestic market.
• Non-Basmati White Rice constitutes about 25% of total rice exported from the country.
• However, there is no change in Export policy of Non-Basmati Rice (Par Boiled Rice) and Basmati Rice.
• By - Directorate of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Value Addition –
• India is the world's largest rice exporter (40% of the global rice trade).
• India is the 2nd largest rice producer after China.
• Top 3 producer in India - West Bengal (1st), Uttar Pradesh (2nd), Punjab (3rd).
• Wheat prices jumped after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal.
3. Film Certification
Why in news – People are upset with CBFC over their nod to the Hollywood film Oppenheimer.
Key Points –
• Reason - Cillian Murphy reads out verses from the Bhagavad Gita during an intimate scene.
About Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) –
• CBFC hq - Mumbai
• Statutory body.
• Under - Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).
• Mandate - Regulate the public exhibition of films under the provisions of the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
• Films can be shown in India only after they have been certified by the Board.
• CBFC has 9 Regional Offices.
• Certificates –
(a) unrestricted public exhibition (U)
(b) parental guidance for children below age 12 (U/A)
(c) adult (A)
(d) viewing by specialised groups (S).
• All members and a Chairperson are appointed by Central Government.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Twitter’s Logo
Why in news - Twitter’s logo has changed to “X” from its iconic Bluebird symbol.
Key Points –
• In April 2023, Twitter’s blue bird logo was replaced by the logo of Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency. (later replaced by the original logo).
• Musk’s Twitter faces tough competition from Meta’s Thread (Twitter-like platform).
2. Algeria in BRICS
Why in news - Algeria has submitted an application to join the BRICS group.
Key Points –
• It also made a request to become a shareholder member of the BRICS Bank with a contribution of $1.5 billion.
• Algeria is a country in North Africa.
• More than 40 states have indicated interest in joining the BRICS group e.g., Argentina, Iran, Saudi Arabia etc.
About BRICS –
• Members - Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Makes up around 26% of the world’s GDP and more than 40% of the world’s population.
GOVERNMENT SCHEMES:
1. STAR-C Initiative
Why in news - India may expand its Solar Technology and Application Resource Centres (STAR -C) initiative to Pacific Island countries.
Key Points –
• Aim - to boost solar power ecosystems in the poorest countries
• Initiative of - International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
• Funded by – France.
• ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France on the side-lines of UNFCCC COP-21 in Paris in 2015.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Ludwigia Peruviana
Why in news - An invasive weed, Ludwigia Peruviana, is threatening the elephant habitats in Valparai, Tamil Nadu.
Key Points –
• Popularly called primrose willow.
• Native of Central and South America.
• It is an aquatic plant challenging the existence of local vegetation in swampy areas (wetlands).
• It was probably introduced as an ornamental plant for its tiny yellow flowers.
• It is among the 22 priority invasive plants in Tamil Nadu.
• Invasive species - Plant or animal that is not indigenous to a particular area and causes economic or environmental harm.
SECURITY:
1. INS Kirpan
Why in news- India handed over missile corvette INS Kirpan to Vietnam.
Key Points –
• It is the first-ever instance of India offering a fully operational missile corvette to Vietnam.
• Indigenously-built Khukri-class INS Kirpan (commissioned - 1991) was decommissioned after completing 32 years of service.
• Earlier, India also handed over 12 high-speed guard boats to Vietnam.
• India and Vietnam signed “Defence Partnership towards 2030” in 2022.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. 8th and 9th Community Radio Awards
Why in news - Anurag Thakur today conferred the 8th and 9th National Community Radio Awards.
Key Points –
• Thematic Awards –
(a) 1st - Radio Mind Tree, Ambala, Haryana (Program - Hope Jeene Ki Rah).
(b) 2nd - Radio Hirakhand, Sambalpur, Odisha (Program - Adhar O PoshanBigyan).
(c) 3rd - Green Radio, Sabour, Bihar (Program – PoshanShrinkhla).
• Community Radio is 3rd tier in Radio Broadcasting. They are low-powered and operated by community-based organisations.
• Indian Institute of Mass Communication - New Delhi.
Radio Waves (Value Addition) –
• A type of electromagnetic radiation.
• Uses - communication technologies, such as television, mobile phones and radios.
• Devices receive radio waves and convert them to mechanical vibrations in the speaker to create sound waves.
• Longest wavelength in electromagnetic spectrum and lowest frequency.
• Discovered by - Heinrich Hertz.
STATES/UTs:
1. Mukhya Mantri Khet Suraksha Yojana
Why in news - The scheme would now be implemented in the entire state simultaneously (earlier – Bundelkhand region).
Key Points –
• Budget – Rs 350 crores.
• Aim - Prevent animals like nilgai, monkeys, pigs/wild boars, etc., from causing damage to standing crops.
• Provision –
(a) a solar fence with a current flow of only 12 volts (mild shock to animals) will be installed to protect crops from animals.
(b) a grant of 60% or Rs 1.43 lakh per hectare to small and marginal farmers.
BIHAR:
1. Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway
Why in news - The upcoming 6-lane greenfield Varanasi-Kolkata expressway has been named NH319B.
Key Points –
• It would connect 4 districts of Bihar.
• It would enter Bihar at Chand (Kaimur), bordering Chaudali in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and exit at Imamganj in Gaya after covering a distance of about 160 km.
• A 5 km tunnel is proposed to be created in the Kaimur hills.
• The upcoming logistics park in Gaya would be linked to it.
• It would also give Bihar easy access to Kolkata port for export of goods.
• Cost – Rs 35,000 crore.
POINTERS:
• As per UN COMTRADE statistics, what is India's share in world foodgrain exports in 2022 - 7.79%.
• Who has emerged as champion in the V Geza Hetenyi Memorial Super GM chess tournament 2023 - R Praggnanandhaa.
• In India, who has secured rights to broadcast the 9th edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup - DD Sports.
• Which pair has won the men's doubles title of the Korea Open badminton tournament - Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
• "Through the Broken Glass: An Autobiography" is an autobiography of whom - TN Seshan.
• Which state approved the Mission Shakti Scooter Yojana – Odisha.
• India's first cannabis medicinal project will soon be set up in which city – Jammu.
• Who has laid the foundation stone of a 108 feet tall statue of Lord Shri Ram in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh through video conferencing - Amit Shah.
• Which State has enhanced its financial assistance to Divyangs under the Aasara pension scheme – Telangana.
• SEMCON India 2023 will be held in which city – Gandhinagar.