Current Affairs GK 26 July 2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS 29 July, 2024

1. JAISHANKAR UNVEILS COMMEMORATIVE POSTAGE STAMP OF RAM LALLA IN LAOS –

• During his three-day visit to Laos, the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar unveiled a special commemorative stamp set showcasing Ram Lalla’s idol from Ayodhya. Being touted as the first postage stamp in the world to be dedicated to Lord Ram’s Ayodhya idol, Jaishankar posted about the unveiling on X and said, “Launched a special stamp set celebrating our shared cultural treasures of Ramayana and Buddhism.”
• Along with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Saleumxay Kommasith, Jaishankar announced on social media that he had a good meeting with him and thanked him for the hospitality. The set which comprises two stamps has Lord Ram’s Ayodhya idol’s image on one and on the other stamp, Lord Buddha is depicted.
• Jaishankar is in Laos to attend the Foreign Ministers’ Meetings under the ASEAN union. He stated earlier that he was looking forward to the meetings as India marks a decade of Act East Policy. Detailing about various Memorandum of Understanding, Jaishankar said “Witnessed exchange of MoUs on 10 Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) for Laos under Mekong Ganga Cooperation and cooperation in sharing successful Digital Solutions.

2. APJ ABDUL KALAM’S 9TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY –

• July 27, 2024, marks the 9th death anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a visionary scientist, educator, and the 11th President of India. Renowned as the “Missile Man of India,” Dr. Kalam made monumental contributions to aerospace engineering and defense technology, particularly through the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. His legacy continues to inspire generations, emphasizing integrity, humility, and perseverance.
• Dr. Kalam was instrumental in developing India’s Agni and Prithvi missiles, significantly enhancing the country’s strategic defense capabilities. His work in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) includes overseeing the SLV-III project, which launched India’s first satellite, Rohini, into Earth’s orbit.
• Dr. Kalam played a crucial role in India’s nuclear weapon tests, notably the Pokhran-II tests in 1998, which marked a pivotal moment in India’s defense history.
• Alongside cardiologist Soma Raju, Dr. Kalam developed the affordable “Kalam-Raju Stent” in 1998 and later the “Kalam-Raju Tablet” in 2012, aimed at improving remote healthcare.

3. 9TH GOVERNING COUNCIL MEETING OF NITI AAYOG OUTCOMES –

• Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi chaired the 9th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog on July 28. The Meeting was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi. It was attended by Chief Ministers/Lt.Governors representing 20 States and 6 UTs.
• Prime Minister emphasised on cooperation and collective effort of all States and the Centre to work together in order to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
• Prime Minister observed that India has achieved steady growth in the past ten years. Indian economy, which was ranked 10th largest economy in the world in 2014, has risen to become the 5th largest economy by 2024. He added that now the collective aim of the government and all citizens is to become the third largest economy in the world.
• Prime Minister stressed that our country has already made a lot of progress in the past ten years by strengthening social and economic infrastructure. From being a predominantly import-driven country, India now exports many products to the world.

4. ASSAM’S CHARAIDEO MOIDAMS ADDED TO UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE LIST –

• The Charaideo Moidams in Assam, which are royal burial grounds from the Ahom dynasty, were recently named UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This gives this nationally important area, which is about 30 km from Sivasagar in eastern Assam, international recognition.
• Moidams are tumuli, which are earth mounds built over the graves of Ahom kings. The moidams of the Ahom royal family are in Charaideo, but you can find other buildings like them all over eastern Assam. Each moidam usually has a vault with rooms inside, a hemispherical mound on top, and a tower called the chow chali that is surrounded by an eight-sided wall.
• The Ahoms, who were related to the Tai people, chose burial over burning, which is different from Hindu customs. Their unique burial rituals, which were based on old Egyptian practices, meant that these moidams often held more than just the dead. They also held things for the afterlife, servants, animals, and even wives.

5. GLOBAL HUNGER REMAINS HIGH AMID CRISES: UN REPORT –

• In 2023, 733 million people faced hunger, with 1 in 11 globally and 1 in 5 in Africa affected.
• Hunger rose in Africa and Western Asia, remained stable in Asia, and showed improvement in Latin America.
• In 2023, 2.33 billion people experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, and over 2.8 billion couldn’t afford a healthy diet, highlighting economic access disparities.