CURRENT AFFAIRS 24th August, 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS 24 August, 2024

1. INDIA CELEBRATES NATIONAL SPACE DAY WITH LAUNCH OF ‘SAPNO KI UDAAN’ E-MAGAZINE –

• On India’s inaugural National Space Day, the nation witnessed a significant educational milestone with the release of ‘Sapno ki Udaan’, an innovative e-magazine. This launch, spearheaded by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, marks a fusion of science, creativity, and education, aimed at inspiring the next generation of Indian students.
• The e-magazine was officially unveiled through a virtual launch event, reflecting the digital-first approach of modern educational initiatives. This format allowed for widespread participation and accessibility across the country.

Key Attendees

• Dharmendra Pradhan: Union Minister of Education
• Jayant Chaudhary: Minister of State for Education
• Sanjay Kumar: Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy
• Other notable attendees included Vipin Kumar (Additional Secretary), Prof. D.P. Saklani (Director, NCERT), Rahul Singh (Chairperson, CBSE), and Prof. Saroj Sharma (Chairperson, NIOS)

The e-magazine presents a diverse array of content, including:

• Poetry
• Essays
• Stories
• Anecdotes
• Riddles
• What makes ‘Sapno ki Udaan’ unique is its sourcing of content from a wide range of contributors, including students, teachers, and parents from across India.

2. INDIA LAUNCHES WORLD’S FIRST MOBILE HYBRID ROCKET: RHUMI-1 –

• India’s space efforts received a significant boost with the successful launch of RHUMI-1, the world’s first mobile hybrid rocket. This achievement also marks a milestone as the first reusable hybrid rocket in India. Developed by Chennai-based startup Space Zone India in collaboration with Martin Group, RHUMI-1 represents a leap forward in rocket technology, promising to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs in space exploration.
• The RHUMI-1 reusable hybrid rocket was launched from a mobile launcher in Thiruvidandhai, a coastal village near Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This mobile launch capability sets RHUMI-1 apart from traditional rocket systems, offering flexibility in launch locations.

The inaugural flight of RHUMI-1 carried a significant payload:

• Three CubeSats
• 50 PICO satellites
• These satellites were launched into a suborbital trajectory with the primary mission of collecting data for research on global warming and climate change.

3. TAKEAWAYS FROM PM MODI UKRAINE VISIT –

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wrapped up his trip to Ukraine. Modi became the first Indian prime minister to make a state visit to Ukraine since the two countries established relations over three decades ago.

In his Ukraine visit some key outcomes to be noted, such as:

• Modi and Volodymyr Zelenskyy held wide-ranging talks at Mariinskyi Palace, the official residence of the Ukrainian President, paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue at ‘Oasis of Peace’ park in Kyiv.
• P.M Modi honoured the memory of the children that have been killed by the Russia-Ukraine war at the Martyrologist Exposition on children at the National Museum of History of Ukraine.
• “Following the visit, we also agreed on a joint statement focusing on the development of a strategic partnership, bilateral trade, and continued military-technical cooperation,” said the Ukrainian President, whose country is at war with Russia.
• PM Modi’s office in the joint India-Ukraine statement said both leaders reiterated their readiness for further cooperation in upholding principles of international law, including the UN Charter, such as respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. “They agreed on the desirability of closer bilateral dialogue in this regard,” the joint statement said.

4. US APPROVES $52.8 MILLION SONOBUOY SALE TO INDIA –

• The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has given the green light for a possible sale of anti-submarine warfare equipment to India, worth around USD 52.8 million. This move highlights the strong commitment between the US and India to strengthen their relationship, especially in the areas of defence and security.
• The US Department of Defence, through its Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), has announced that India has asked to buy various sonobuoys, which are special devices used to detect submarines underwater. The specific types include:
• AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys
• AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys
• AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys
• Along with the sonobuoys, the sale will also include technical documents, engineering support, and logistical services to help India use and maintain this equipment.

5. INDIA SURPASSES CHINA AS TOP IMPORTER OF RUSSIAN OIL –

• In July 2024, India became the top buyer of Russian oil, overtaking China. This change happened because China was making less money from refining oil, which led them to buy less Russian crude.
• Russian oil made up a record 44% of India’s total oil imports in July.
• India imported 2.07 million barrels of Russian oil per day. This was a 4.2% increase from June and a 12% increase from July 2022.
• On the other hand, China’s imports from Russia dropped to 1.76 million barrels per day.

India’s rise in oil imports is mainly due to:

• Russian oil being available at lower prices because Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.
• A steady need for Russian oil as long as these sanctions are in place.