Daily Current Affairs- 26 July 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 26th July 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Indian Army Departs for Multinational Exercise KHAAN QUEST 2024

• Indian Army contingent departed for the Multinational Military Exercise Khaan Quest. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from July 27 to August 9, 2024, at Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, bringing together military forces from around the world to collaborate and enhance their peacekeeping capabilities. 

NATIONAL

Union Minister launches green campaign in Dhanbad

• Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, launched the Vriksharopan Abhiyan 2024 at Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) in Dhanbad. This initiative, part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, was simultaneously conducted across 300 locations in 47 districts within 11 coal/lignite-bearing states. 

H.D. Kumaraswamy launched SIMS 2.0 Portal

• Shri H.D. Kumaraswamy, Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, launched Steel Import Monitoring System 2.0 Portal, The upgraded Steel Import Monitoring System. Shri Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries, Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, and other senior officials from the Government of India were present at the moment. 

Manohar Lal Inaugurates National Feeder Monitoring System Control Centre at REC HQ Gurugram

• On the 55th Foundation Day of REC Limited, Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, inaugurated the National Feeder Monitoring System (NFMS) Control Centre at REC Headquarters in Gurugram on Thursday, July 25. 

PM Modi Inaugurates Construction of World’s Highest Tunnel in Ladakh

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the construction of the world’s highest tunnel in Ladakh’s Kargil by initiating the first blast.
• The Shinkun La Tunnel, a 4.1-kilometer-long twin-tube structure, is being constructed at an altitude of approximately 15,800 feet on the Nimu-Padum-Darcha Road, according to a PMO release. 

Lithium deposits found in Karnataka's Mandya and Yadgiri districts

• Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a unit of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), has identified lithium resources in the Mandya and Yadgiri districts of Karnataka.
• Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh announced the discovery of 1,600 tonnes (G3 stage) of lithium in the Marlagalla area of Mandya district. Preliminary surveys and limited subsurface exploration were also carried out in Yadgiri district. 

OBITUARY

Former Indonesia Vice President Hamzah Passes Away at 84

• Hamzah Haz, the vice-president of Indonesia from 2001 to 2004, has died. He was aged 84. Hamzah, who served under President Megawati Soekarnoputri, died at a hospital in Jakarta on July 24. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

Kargil Vijay Diwas

• Every year on July 26, India observes Kargil Vijay Diwas to commemorate the brave hearts of the Indian Army and celebrate the victory of the Indian Armed Forces over Pakistan during the 1999 Kargil Conflict. This day holds significant importance in India’s military history, marking the successful conclusion of Operation Vijay. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

10th National Community Radio Awards announced

• Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced the winners of the 10th National Community Radio Awards and inaugurated the country’s 500th Community Radio Station. The event was graced by the presence of Mizoram’s Chief Minister, Lalduhoma, marking the importance of this occasion for both national and regional development in communications.

Winners of the 10th National Community Radio Awards =

Thematic Award

• First Prize: Radio Mayur, Bihar for ‘Tech Sakhi’
• Second Prize: Radio Kochi, Kerala for ‘Nirangal’
• Third Prize: Hello Doon, Uttarakhand for ‘Meri Baat’

Most Innovative Community Engagement Award

• First Prize: Yerlawani Sangli, Maharashtra for ‘Kahani Sunandachi’
• Second Prize: Vaylaga Vanoli, Tamil Nadu for ‘Let’s Build a New Norm’
• Third Prize: Salaam Namaste, Uttar Pradesh for ‘Maid Didi’

Promoting Local Culture Award

• First Prize: Radio Brahmaputra, Assam for ‘Igarekun’
• Second Prize: Radio Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu for ‘En Makkaludan Oru Payanam’
• Third Prize: Radio Active, Bihar for ‘Ang Pradesh ki Adbut Dharohar’

Sustainability Model Award

• First Prize: Radio Benziger, Kerala
• Second Prize: Radio Namaskar, Odisha
• Third Prize: Radio Antarwani, Karnataka

 BANKING AND ECONOMY

Mankind Pharma Acquires Bharat Serums and Vaccines for Rs 13,600 Crore

• Mankind Pharma has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Bharat Serums and Vaccines (BSV) from Advent International. It is one of the world’s largest and most experienced private equity investors, for an enterprise value of Rs 13,630 crore, subject to closing related adjustments.