Daily Current Affairs- 2 August 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 2nd August 2024

INTERNATIONAL

India to host first multinational air exercise - Tarang Shakti 2024

• India is set to host its first multinational air exercise, ‘Tarang Shakti 2024’, in two phases starting on August 6th in Sular, Tamil Nadu. Around 30 countries will participate, with ten countries bringing their fighter aircraft. The exercise aims to showcase India’s defence capabilities and enhance cooperation among the participating militaries. 

India and Vietnam Team Up to Preserve Maritime History with NMHC in Lothal, Gujarat

• India and Vietnam, two nations with a rich and intertwined maritime history, are joining forces to develop the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, Gujarat. This partnership, rooted in centuries-old maritime connections, highlights the enduring bond between the two countries and their commitment to preserving and celebrating their shared heritage. 

NATIONAL

Gujarat to establish GRIT think-tank on Niti Aayog model

• Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the creation of the Gujarat State Institution for Transformation (GRIT), modelled after the NITI Aayog, to serve as a public policy think-tank for the state. 

India and WHO Sign Landmark Agreement for Global Traditional Medicine Centre

• The Ministry of Ayush, Government of India and the World Health Organization signed a Donor Agreement during a signing ceremony organized at WHO Headquarters in Geneva on 31st July, 2024. This agreement, which outlines the financial terms for implementing the activities of the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (GTMC) in Jamnagar, Gujarat was signed by H.E Mr. Arindam Bagchi, Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Geneva and Dr. Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Life Course on behalf of Ministry of Ayush and WHO respectively. 

SPORTS

Swapnil Kusale Wins Bronze Medal in 50m Rifle 3 Position Men’s Event at Paris Olympics 2024

• Swapnil Kusale has become the first Indian shooter to secure a medal in the 50m Rifle 3 Position (3P) event at the Paris Olympics. Swapnil, a Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) athlete, showcased remarkable resilience and precision. He steadily climbed the ranks to finish 3rd with a total score of 451.4 points, securing a Bronze medal for the nation. This is India's third medal at the Paris Olympics, with all three coming from shooting events. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Lt-Gen Nair takes charge as Army’s first woman DG of medical services

• Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair has become the first woman to be appointed as the Director General Medical Services (Army). She has other firsts to her name: she was the first woman to hold the post of DG Hospital Services (Armed Forces) on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal. 

Sanjay Shukla appointed MD of the National Housing Bank

• Sanjay Shukla assumed charge as the Managing Director of the National Housing Bank on 30 July 2024. According to the National Housing Bank, Sanjay Shukla assumed the office after the government of India approved his name. 

SUMMITS & MoUs

MoD signs MoU with UPEIDA to set up testing facilities

• Ministry of Defence (MoD), inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to set up three state-of-the-art testing facilities under the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC). Under the MoU, one facility will be established in Lucknow in Mechanical & Material (M&M) domain, and two in Kanpur - one each in Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and Communications domains. 

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

Google CEO Sundar Pichai Honored with Honorary Doctorate from IIT-Kharagpur

• Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree, a recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field of technology and his leadership at one of the world’s most influential companies. This honorary doctorate represents a full-circle moment for Pichai, who completed his B.Tech in metallurgical and materials engineering from IIT Kharagpur before embarking on his journey to the United States. 

BANKING & ECONOMY

Paytm Launches India’s First NFC Card Soundbox

• One 97 Communications Limited (OCL), Paytm's parent company, launched India's first NFC Card Soundbox which is a two-in-one mobile QR payment device that combines NFC card payment technology with mobile QR payments, The new launch will provide a cost-effective solution for offline merchants.