NATIONAL:
1. Sri Ramanujacharya Statue
Why in news - Union home minister Amit Shah virtually unveiled the ‘Statue of Peace’ (4 ft tall) of Swamy Ramanujacharya in Srinagar.
Key Points –
• Another statue of Sri Ramanujacharya would be installed in Gujarat in 2022.
• Saint Ramanujacharya (Born – Sriperumbudur, TN) was a follower of Vaishnavism and revolted against the discrimination of untouchability.
• He wrote many books, including Sri Bhashya, Vedartha Sangraha and Bhagavad Gita Bhasya.
• He is believed to be the first Hindu acharya to initiate women into ‘sanyasa’ (renunciation of the world).
• His greatest contribution is the promotion of the concept of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', which is often translated as 'the whole universe is one family'.
• PM Narendra Modi unveiled a 216 ft Statue of Sri Ramanuja (Statue of Equality) near Hyderabad in February 2021.
2. CoE-SURVEI
Why in news - Ministry of Defence has developed the software which can automatically detect changes on the ground, including unauthorised constructions and encroachments on defence lands.
Key Points –
• It was developed by Centre of Excellence on Satellite & Unmanned Remote Vehicle Initiative (CoE-SURVEI).
• It has been established at the National Institute of Defence Estates Management in Meerut.
• It uses National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) Cartosat-3 imagery.
• It has been developed in collaboration with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Visakhapatnam.
3. Satish Agnihotri
Why in news - The government sacked the Managing Director of the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL or Bullet train) Satish Agnihotri after Lokpal seeks CBI probe into ‘corruption’. Rajendra Prasad took additional charge as MD.
INTERNATIONAL:
1. Boris Johnson Quits
Why in news - Boris Johnson resigned as leader of Britain's Prime Minister after dozens of ministers quit his scandal-hit government. He belongs to Britain's Conservative party (Tory party).
SUMMIT & CONFERENCES:
1. India Animal Health Summit 2022
Why in news - Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala inaugurated India’s first ever Animal Health Summit 2022 (July 6-7).
Key points –
• Venue - NASC Complex, New Delhi.
• It was organized by Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) and the Agriculture Today Group.
ECONOMY:
1. Inflation Anticipation Survey
Why in news - To undertake field research of inflation anticipation surveys, RBI had partner with the Mumbai-based Hansa Research Group. The Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH) has been regularly conducted by the Reserve Bank of India.
ENVIRONMENT:
1. Hariyali Mahotsav
Why in news - Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change organized ‘Hariyali Mahotsav’ on July 8, 2022 at Talkatora Stadium, New Delhi.
AGREEMENTS:
1. Remote Pilot Training Centre
Why in news - Rashtriya Raksha University at Gandhinagar has signed a MoU with DroneAcharya Aerial Innovations Private Limited for setting up a remote pilot training centre for imparting drone flying skills near Gandhinagar.
APPOINTMENTS:
1. Amitabh Kant
Why in news - Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant became India’s new G20 Sherpa. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goel gave up his position as he has been tasked with other pressing duties.
Key Points –
• The G20 process is divided into the Sherpa track and the Finance track.
• In December 2021, India joined the G20 Troika of Indonesia, Italy, and India – the current, previous and incoming G20 Presidencies.
• India has been a member of the G20 since its inception in 1999.
• India will be holding the G20 Presidency from December 1, 2022 and will convene the G20 Leaders’ Summit in 2023 for the first time.
2. Smriti Irani and Jyotiraditya Scindia
Why in news - Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia has been given the additional charge of the steel ministry while women and child development minister Smriti Irani will look after the ministry of minority affairs.
3. Rajya Sabha Nominations
Why in news - President Ram Nath Kovind has nominated PT Usha (athlete), Ilaiyaraaja (music composer), Veerendra Heggade (Dharmasthala temple philanthropist) and V. Vijayendra Prasad (film director) to the Rajya Sabha.
4. R Dinesh
Why in news - R Dinesh has been chosen Confederation of Indian Industry's President designate for the years 2022-23.
AWARDS & HONOURS:
1. Gita Gopinath
Why in news - India-born Gita Gopinath became the 1st woman and 2nd Indian to feature on the ‘wall of former chief economists’ of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Key Points –
• The first Indian was Raghuram Rajan who was Chief Economist and Director of Research of IMF between 2003 and 2006.
• Gopinath was appointed as IMF Chief Economist in October 2018 and was later promoted as the IMF’s first Deputy Managing Director in December 2021.
• She was the 1st female chief economist of IMF for 3 years.
WORDS IN NEWS:
1. Derecho
Why in news - States of Nebraska, Minnesota and Illinois in the US were hit by a storm system called a derecho.
Key Points –
• The name comes from the Spanish word ‘la Derecha which means ‘straight’.
• It is a widespread, long-lived, straight-line windstorm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms.
• It is a warm-weather phenomenon.
• Features – Wind speed - 93 kmph, wind damage swath - 400 km.
• They mostly occur across central and eastern parts of the United States. (Russia - 2010)
• Severe thunderstorms result in a ‘green sky’ due to light interacting with the huge amount of water they hold.
OBITUARIES:
1. James Caan
Why in news - James Caan, the US actor best known for playing Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, has died aged 82.
2. Mohammad Barkindo
Why in news - Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary-General, Mohammad Sanusi Barkindo (Nigeria), passed away.
STATES/UTs:
1. Aam Mahotsav-2022
Why in news – UP CM Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the event in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh from July 4-7.
BIHAR:
1. 102 Ambulance Service
Why in news – Hon’ CM Nitish Kumar flagged off 501 ambulances under ‘102 Ambulance service’.
Key Points –
• 275 - Advance life support ambulance and 226 - Basic life support ambulance.
• These have been sent to all 38 districts of the state.
• Bihar became the first state who has decided to provide advanced life support ambulances in every block.
• A total of 1000 ambulances have been procured by the Health Department. Out of which 501 have been dispatched.
2. Oxygen Park
Why in news – Bihar's first oxygen park would be built in the Thawe forest of Gopalganj district.
Key Points –
• Bamboo plants of Bhima species would be planted in the oxygen park. It gives 35% more oxygen than other bamboo species.
• Thave temple is located in the forest premises.
• It has been selected under the Amrit Mahotsav under which forest areas of 75 cities of the country are being developed under the Nagar Van Yojana.
3. Savitri Tripathi Memorial Award
Why in news – The 11th Savitri Tripathi memorial award would be given to well-known playwright Rajesh Kumar.
Key Points –
• His well-known street plays – ‘Jantantra ke murge’, ‘Hume bolne do’, ‘Zindabad-Murdabad’, ‘Crane’, ‘Rang siyar’, ‘Bhrastachar ka achaar’.
• Previous awards won by Rajesh Kumar are –
A. Mohan Rakesh Samman by Sahitya Kala Parishad New Delhi in 2008.
B. Radheshyam Kathavachak Samman in 2009.
C. Natya Ratna Samman by Doon Valley Theater Institute in 2012.
D. Pratham Dalit Asmita Samman by Center for Dalit Art and Literature, New Delhi.
E. Sangeet Natak Akademi Award of Uttar Pradesh in 2014.
F. Rashtriya Setu Natya Samman by Setu Cultural Center, Varanasi in 2017.
4. Prem Kumar
Why in news – Prem Kumar, a resident of Gonpura village Phulwarisharif, has received a fellowship of 2.5 crores for graduation at Lafayette College in USA.
POINTERS:
• External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar participated in the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in which country – Indonesia.
• Who has topped Asia in the 'Global Startup Ecosystem Report' affordable talent – Kerala.
• The 'Lisbon Declaration' is related to the protection of – Ocean.
• According to the World Gold Council report, who has topped the global gold recycling – China.
• Which Indian has been included in the Forbes list of America's richest self-made women – Jayshree Ullal.
• According to the recently released report, India's unemployment rate has increased to what percent - 7.80%.
• Which state government would introduce the 'right to health' bill in the assembly – Rajasthan.
• For the first time, a comprehensive report on 'System Reform' was presented to whom in the Rajya Sabha secretariat - M. Venkaiah Naidu.
• The 3rd International Drone Expo was held at - Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
• Who participated in the 28th edition of the RIMPAC harbor phase - INS Satpura and P8I.